State wants to delay Zoo Interchange project
MADISON, Wis. -- State officials want to delay reconstruction on the busiest interchange in Wisconsin: the Zoo Interchange in the Milwaukee area.
The idea comes from Gov. Scott Walker's Department of Transportation after years of Walker criticizing his predecessor for not prioritizing work on the interchange.
It was detailed in a budget request released this month.
Transportation Secretary Mark Gottlieb said a delay for completion of the overall project from 2018 to 2020 is necessary if more money isn't put toward roads.
Walker spokesman Cullen Werwie did not say whether Walker would agree to delay, but noted the budget request is just the starting point for discussion on the issue.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports seven other major projects could face delays of one to two years under the department's request.
Nov 24, 2012 at 12:32 p.m.
Suggest removal
Scott Walker is employing the shock doctrine in order to get his state highway funding plan passed. What a responsible Governor would have done is raise the minimum threshold for getting a highway project funded in 2011 so that there would have been enough money to complete the projects already set up for funding in 2013. Instead, Walker green-lighted the I39/90 expansion from Madison to Illinois and other costly projects. The proof of Walker’s intention to increase revenue is the fact that he has had a transportation finance and policy commission loaded with pro-highway lobbyists working on a plan to raise new taxes for highways.
Instead of caving to Walker's shock doctrine, we should calmly step back and ask how many permanent jobs are going to be created by having taxpayers pay more toward highways. Sadly, the answer is probably negative. See, the ROI on highways has probably dropped below the return of leaving the money in the private sector:
Look up a federal highway study entitled: "Production, Consumption and the Rates of Return to Highway Infrastructure Capital"
See page 22 for the graph of the return of highways versus private investment. As you can see, the return in the 50's and 60's was excellent, producing an overall benefit for every taxpayer dollar. Today, the two lines have converged, meaning there is little benefit to expanding highway funding.
Nov 23, 2012 at 5:13 p.m.
Suggest removal
Walker campaigned on fast tracking the Zoo Interchange to save on construction costs. He touted in his State of the State address that the accelerated project would create jobs and save $600 Million in construction costs. What this article does not tell you is that there will be an additional $50 million in costs by delaying this project. To me it is funny that he is delaying this project two years and he is up for re-election two years. It looks to me like he trying to make the fiscal numbers look better while he kicks the can for the repairs down the road until after election season.
Nov 23, 2012 at 4:08 p.m.
Suggest removal
We just don't have the money for this.
Nov 23, 2012 at 1:36 p.m.
Suggest removal
And I90
http://www.channel3000.com/news/Lack-of-...
Before you post a comment, consider this:
Note: GazetteXtra.com does not condone or review every comment. Read more in our User Policy AgreementPost Comment
Commenting requires registration.