Scott Walker wants to change HWY 41, Milwaukee to Green Bay into an interstate highway. From the Green Bay Press.
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker wants U.S. 41 between Green Bay and Milwaukee's Mitchell Interchange to be upgraded to an interstate.
Walker announced plans for improving a 142-mile stretch of the highway in a press conference at the U.S. 41 Interstate Conversion Office on Green Bay's west side.
He said the state would do an environmental study that would allow Interstate signs to be installed by 2015.
“U.S. 41 connects crucial regions of Wisconsin with economic impacts that benefit local, state and regional economies,” Walker said in a statement issued by his office. “Converting the corridor to an Interstate highway will provide enhanced safety, mobility and economic development potential."
U.S. Rep. Tom Petri, R-Fond du Lac, supported the proposal.
"Upgrading U.S. Highway 41 will give a boost to the regional economy, which is why I worked successfully to have it designated as a future interstate in the 2005 federal transportation law,” Petri said in the statement issued by Walker's office.
“The Milwaukee to Green Bay corridor and the Fox Valley are major centers for economic growth and employment in Wisconsin, and the entire area deserves the infrastructure necessary to support the businesses there. 'Interstate' is our premier class of roads, and this region deserves no less, so I am pleased to be working with Gov. Walker on this to build our state's competitiveness and create jobs.”
U.S. Rep. Reid Ribble, R-De Pere, also endorsed the idea.
“I’m excited about this announcement to improve Highway 41, and believe this is a necessary upgrade to our infrastructure that will increase our chance for economic development and job creation,” Ribble said in a separate statement.
So even Reid Ribble is for this change. I haven't heard anyone else mention this but I will speculate. Word is it would cost some where around $20 mil. So if highway 41 turns into an interstate, that would mean a lot of funding would have to come from the Feds.
Seems it would be better for the feds to spend money on a Milwaukee to Green Bay interstate highway then spending it on a Milwaukee to Madison choo choo.
Walker is thinking big picture and in the end, save the Wisconsin transportation fund for local highways and roads.
That's why we elected Scott Walker. Just my take.
2 comments:
When the final debt for the repair and upgrading of Wisconsin's Interstate Highway System is firmly saddled on the backs of the Wisconsin Taxpayer, Walker will announce his plan to privatize our I-System. Like the Wisconsin owned utilities, this will be a "no bid" process, decided on by Walker alone. The privatized I-System and waysides will be a very profitable undertaking for one or more of Walker's donors, making this a perfect example of "privatizing the profits while socializing the losses" scenario. This is the the real reason Walker rejected the $810 million for the train. It's a guarantee for the new owner, that traveler's to Madison, and eventually to Minneapolis, will have no alternative but to pay very hefty toll costs. The federal government will not give Walker a dime for this project when they find out it would be used to enrich his friends. They may even view it as fraud.
Anonymous, thanks for visiting.
So if we changed your comment to Doyle instead of Walker would you say the same thing? Seems Doyle should of thought about this sooner!
Seems you still have sour grapes on the $810 Million choo choo.
Building Waysides, oh my, jobs, to Wisconsin, increase business along the new I system, more jobs and bring more tourism to Wisconsin, seems you don't want all that. That will also bring in more tax revenues to the state.
If you live in Wisconsin, you need help and should move to Illinois to find it. Good luck in the land of Lincoln and don't let the door hit you on the way out.
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