Committee approves road projects
MADISON — The Legislature’s budget committee has unanimously approved Gov. Jim Doyle’s request to spend federal stimulus money on 49 road projects, including two local projects.
The $42.5 million would cover local road, bridge and transportation projects across Wisconsin. Among the projects are:
-- The County A bridge over Blackhawk Creek between Janesville and Johnstown Center. The small bridge will be replaced with paved-over culverts at a cost of about $150,000, possibly this fall, said Ben Coopman, Rock County public works director.
-- County C/Martin Street from Stateline Road to Pleasant Street in Sharon.
Four Republicans joined 12 Democrats on the committee in approving the spending Tuesday.
Doyle was required to get the committee’s OK before spending the stimulus money. The funds will go toward 19 bridge projects and 30 other transportation projects.
Wisconsin received about $158 million under the federal law for local roads projects. The Legislature has already given the green light to spend about $300 million in stimulus money on state transportation projects.
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Mar 20, 2009 at 5:08 a.m.
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My thinking is that these projects were already going to be done anyway. So where is the money going that was for these projects in the 1st place. Oh, yeah, Doyle will raid the transportation fund again for something else, raise fees and taxes and say that's necessary to balance the budget. Basically we're getting taxed twice for the same project.
Mar 20, 2009 at 12:35 a.m.
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ja67, the 39/90 widening is about a decade away. It isn't remotely "shovel ready".
Mar 19, 2009 at 3:21 p.m.
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What happen to the Interstate 39/90 project? The Federal stimulus money should go to complete the project to widen it to three lanes east and west bound. This is necessary to improve the travel on the Interstate.
Mar 19, 2009 at 12:16 p.m.
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biggirl, the transit funding comes from a different kitty than the highway funding (thank Congress).
http://www.recovery.wisconsin.gov/docvie...
According to reports, $81.6 million is going to transit projects, of which $25 million goes to the Milwaukee bus system. Advocates are saying it's not enough.
http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepoliti...
http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/4...
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Ironically this comes as other funds (sitting around in dispute for a ridiculous 17 years) will be available to build a Milwaukee streetcar system.
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Additionally there are high-speed rail funds that are not part of the state & local government stimulus money. The states (singly or jointly) will have to finalize their own projects and apply to the USDOT.
Mar 19, 2009 at 11:04 a.m.
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Can you tell me if any of this at all is going to public transportation projects?
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