A report showed that several Wisconsin road projects will be under construction until 2029, if government officials don’t put up more money. The report, which cost $1 million found the state could take in more dollars a year from tolling drivers, but Wisconsin officials would have trouble getting federal approval and raising money.
This report shows the massive cover-up that Scott Walker has been trying to keep taxpayers from finding out. Wisconsin’s highways and construction projects are in bad shape, but Walker doesn’t want to do anything about it.
GOP lawmakers have long known the challenges in financing Wisconsin’s road projects, many were noted by DOT secretary Mark Gottlieb, who announced his resignation earlier this week.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports
Projects that are being contemplated but haven’t started won’t be finished for decades without an influx of cash, one of the reports found. For instance, rebuilding I-43 from Howard Ave. to Silver Spring Drive won’t start until 2040 and won’t be finished until 2051 under that scenario.
Walker and his fellow Republicans who control the Legislature have repeatedly rejected raising the gas tax or vehicle registration fees.
Instead, they decided in 2015 to study the funding problems and explore whether tolling would help shore up the fiscal obstacles. The report on tolling cost about $900,000 and was headed by consultant HNTB Corp.
For more on this report and Wisconsin’s transportation funding flaws, visit Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
