Doyle Stimulus Proposal Would Move Some Key Projects for 21st Century Transportation, “Getting Wisconsin Back on Track”

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WISPIRG

Madison, WI – Governor Doyle’s economic stimulus proposal to President-Elect Obama, which was released today, includes important 21st  century transportation projects for Wisconsin, including high speed intercity rail connecting Wisconsin’s major metropolitan areas, commuter rail in southeastern Wisconsin and Dane County, funding for transit agencies statewide, and funding for road and bridge repair and maintenance.

“Governor Doyle has identified some important projects for getting Wisconsin  “Wisconsin should prioritize projects that will create the most jobs and produce real results for the long haul.  The public transportation and the repair and maintenance projects do just that.” back on track”, said Bruce Speight, WISPIRG Advocate.

Public transportation, bicycle and pedestrian projects should be first in line in any stimulus package. Studies show that public transportation also creates more jobs than road projects, on average. Wisconsin has built its interstate highway system, and needs to expand more efficient and affordable travel choices for all Wisconsinites to usher in a 21st century low-carbon transportation sector that reduces our dependence on oil.  Public transportation and other transportation alternatives reduce oil consumption and global warming emissions, stabilizing our climate and making our country more secure.  

Given the backlog of structurally deficient roads and bridges, money for roads should be spent on maintaining, repairing, and rehabilitating existing assets.  With 1,300 structurally deficient bridges in Wisconsin, our crumbling bridges and roadways should be fixed rather than building new roads.

It is critical that deficit spending on transportation programs provide investments in infrastructure that are truly needed, and that advance President-elect Obama’s goals of job creation, energy independence, and climate change mitigation. State, regional, and city transportation agencies must strictly account for how funds are allocated by reporting back to Congress on spending, changes in spending, the impacts of spending on traffic growth, the share of travel by driving vs. public transportation and other means of travel, and related greenhouse gas pollution.

“Not every infrastructure dollar is equally well spent,” concluded Speight.  “There must be a commitment to spend for results rather than simply to inject dollars into the economy.”