May 9, 2008 I-94: Striking a Better Transit Balance Dear Friends: Right now, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation is considering a $1.9 billion construction project along the I-94 North-South Corridor, from the Mitchell Interchange at the airport down to Wisconsin’s border with Illinois. This proposal would be the most expensive road project in the history of the State of Wisconsin, and it contains two parts -- $1.7 billion to repair the entire stretch, and $200 million to expand the freeway from its current six lanes to eight. Road maintenance is an important responsibility of the State, and the Wisconsin DOT is right to invest $1.7 billion on freeway reconstruction on I-94 as planned. But given the enormous price tag of the entire project, the skyrocketing cost of gas, and serious questions about whether or not freeway expansion is really needed, the $200 million proposed for freeway expansion could be better spent addressing other transit challenges facing our region. Two challenges that stand out are a lack of mass transit options in Southeastern Wisconsin, and dwindling aids to cities for local street maintenance. Serious Transit Challenges A recent analysis by the City of Milwaukee found that in the period from 1992 – 2007, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation spent $19.2 billion on highways, yet just $2.2 billion on rail and mass transit alternatives. The State has not devoted resources to regional mass transit as it has freeway projects. Another report from a group called Smart Mobility found that Wisconsin lags other states in supporting public transportation, and that other states contribute heavily to commuter rail – helping to boost economic growth in places like the Seattle, WA and Washington, DC regions. At the same time, the State has diminished its investment in local street repair. In 1999, the City of Milwaukee received $27.8 million in State dollars for street maintenance, but $26.32 million in 2008 – a 32% decrease over the past 10 years when adjusted for inflation. Milwaukee, meanwhile, has increased its expenditures to cover this shortfall. The 2005 City Local Streets Capital budget was $4.2 million; in 2008 it is $5.5 million – a 31% increase. These dollars repair our streets and fix potholes that wreak havoc on our cars, buses and trucks. Our infrastructure is showing wear and tear – wear and tear that is much more difficult to fix because of decreased local road aids that strain local budgets. Unnecessary Freeway Expansion The challenges of lackluster State support for mass transit and diminishing local road aid become more important given serious questions about whether freeway expansion is actually needed. The State’s own study concluded, "existing travel times within the corridor are not currently encumbered by congestion - reductions in travel time will be minimal.” In fact, the report’s findings suggest that the only benefit of spending $200 million to add more lanes would be to reduce drive time by just 10 minutes for only those driving southbound from Howard Avenue to College Avenue – 30 years from now. Another study from the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission found that 94 % of all trips on I-94 between Kenosha and Milwaukee are short, local trips that start and end inside the region. This means mass transit options like commuter rail service could accommodate much of this local travel, and skyrocketing gas prices only make mass transit more appealing. A Comprehensive, Balanced Approach to Transit Historically, Wisconsin has not invested in mass transit with the same vigor it has freeway spending, and the State has failed to keep street aids to local communities on pace with inflation. The I-94 North-South Corridor project represents a perfect opportunity to restore some balance to the State’s transportation spending. I applaud the Wisconsin Department of Transportation for directing $1.7 billion to reconstruct I-94 between the Mitchell Interchange and the State Line. But I also hope the State will recognize that spending $200 million for unneeded freeway expansion will squander this tremendous opportunity. Instead, the public interest would be better served by investing that $200 million on important mass transit alternatives and increased local road aids that, together with freeway reconstruction and renovation, will move our region and Wisconsin forward. Sincerely, 
Mayor, City of Milwaukee
Visit my website at: http://www.city.milwaukee.gov/mayor |