TDA Newsletter  2/28/2020
The Condition of Wisconsin Rural Roads Becomes National News
Wisconsin's roads are making national news. In her New York Times article, Patricia Cohen describes some of the state’s rural roads as, "Looking like losers in a barroom brawl. Thick, jagged cracks run down the asphalt like scars, interrupted at points by bruised bumps."

As the piece points out, many of Wisconsin’s rural roads are decades overdue for repairs, putting a strain on Wisconsin farmers trying to move produce and heavy machinery on cracked and crumbling roads and bridges.

This national coverage generated local coverage: Channel 3000 and Fox 47.
2020 Fly-in, May 19-20

BOOK YOUR HOTEL AND AIR TODAY
Join us in D.C. this spring. With reauthorization of the surface transportation programs, environmental reforms and streamlining, and more on the table, May will be the perfect time to educate the Wisconsin delegation about the needs back home.

Only with increased investment at all levels of government will Wisconsin begin to reverse the trend of deteriorating system conditions.

We are excited to have the Wisconsin Airport Management Association joining us for the Fly-in this year.

TDA again this year is holding most of the event on the Hill and just selecting a home base hotel area. Book any hotel that fits your needs. TDA staff will make sure to keep participants connected as we know networking and reconnecting with old friends is a significant part of the Fly-in.

Don't wait to make your plans! Pick your hotel to fit your budget. Read the materials and make your travel plans today. If you have your travel arrangements, you still need to register with TDA.

​​Click here for the event brochure or register online .
TDA Launches New Publication

Wisconsin’s transportation system directly impacts everybody – from parents dodging potholes on the way to drop off their kids at soccer practice to businesses trying to get their products to market. This is why the Transportation Development Association has promoted the vitality and safety of the state’s transportation system — including public transit systems, airports, railroads, commercial ports, and roads — for almost 50 years.

This is also why we've launched our new About TIME Newsletter. TIME -- Transportation Investment Moves Everything. This resource will focus on the relationship between economic development and transportation infrastructure in our state. More
TDA's Latest "On The Go" Podcast: Golf and Wisconsin's Economy

TDA's newest On the Go podcast features Gary D'Amato, noted journalist and author.

The Ryder Cup is coming to Wisconsin later this year, but Gary D'Amato says the world's top players are not the only ones who will be traveling to the state to enjoy the challenges and beauty of abundant golf courses. Wisconsin's pre-eminent golf journalist says golf tourism is a huge business in Wisconsin, and that should only grow after the international publicity the Ryder Cup will bring. Read More

Listen to the latest episode (and all previous episodes) here.
Wisconsin Transportation News
Status of the States
Michigan to Borrow $3.5B for Roads

Michigan will borrow $3.5 billion over five years to rebuild the state’s deteriorating highways and bridges. Gov. Whitmer (D) calls this a fiscally responsible plan after the Republican-led legislature failed to pass her 45-cent-per-gallon gas tax hike last year.

“I’m going to use the power of my office to do what I said I was going to do — because for me, for Michigan, impatience is a virtue. No more waiting around to fix our roads,” Whitmer said during her address at the Capitol.

The State Transportation Commission acted quickly on the request from Whitmer and unanimously approved up to $3.5 billion in bonding.

The proceeds from the bonds will be used for major upgrades on state highways and bridges that are "critical to the state's economy and carry the most traffic."  More
Nearly Half of States Introduce Transportation Funding Legislation in First Month of 2020

Lawmakers in 24 states introduced nearly 100 transportation funding measures in January, according to analysis by ARTBA’s Transportation Investment Advocacy Center® (ARTBA-TIAC). Follow TIAC for monthly updates. Read More
Other Transportation News
Trump Administration Releases FY 2021 Budget Request

President Trump’s fiscal year 2021 budget request includes a 10-year, $810 billion highway and transit program reauthorization proposal in addition to $190 billion in one-time infrastructure spending.

Unlike a previous administration outline, this proposal doesn’t rely on financing tools to leverage state and local investment.  

In January, House Democrats released a $434 billion, five-year reauthorization outline, and last summer, the Senate Environment & Public Works Committee passed unanimously bipartisan legislation that would provide $287 billion in highway investment, a 27 percent increase, over five years.

Like the House and Senate plans, the administration proposal doesn’t specify a revenue source for the additional spending. Instead, the budget states, “The Administration looks forward to working with the Congress to responsibly pay for the needed increases in surface transportation spending by enacting the Administration’s 10-year reauthorization levels with a combination of budget savings proposals.”

The budget requests for core highway, public transportation, and airport construction programs are similar to FY 2020 spending levels, with a 4.5 percent increase for the federal highway programs and inflationary increases for public transportation programs. Diverging from the past, the administration calls for new Highway Trust Fund revenue for highway and transit expenditures as opposed to relying on supplemental general fund revenue.

The $190 billion one-time infrastructure infusion breaks down as follows: Building Infrastructure Great – mega-projects ($60 billion), Moving America’s Freight Safely and Efficiently program ($50 billion), Bridge Rebuilding program ($35 billion), Revitalizing Rural America program ($25 billion), Transit State of Good Repair Sprint program ($20 billion), Public Lands Infrastructure Fund – national forests and parks ($6.5 billion). More
Upcoming Events
ACEC/ WisDOT 2020 Transportation Improvement Conference - March 3-4 (Tuesday/Wednesday) in Baraboo

The American Council of Engineering Companies of Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation are partnering for the eleventh consecutive year to present the 2020 Transportation Improvement Conference.

This year's theme is "Partnership, People & Process." The conference brings together the department and consulting engineering community for transportation-related professional development programming and networking opportunities. 
5:30 pm - Registration and Networking 
6:00 pm - Buffet Dinner 
6:30 pm - Awards and Scholarship Presentation 
6:40 pm - Technical Presentation 
Attendance will earn you 0.5 PDH credits!
WTS Scholarship and Awards Dinner - March 12 (Thursday)

Join WTS Wisconsin at The Great Dane Pub and Brewery - Eastside in Madison, for an evening of celebration. 

In addition to celebrating our winners, there will be a technical presentation about the electrification of the transportation industry.

The event will include networking, buffet dinner, cash bar, awards and scholarship presentation, and technical presentation.
TDA Events

  • TDA Annual Meeting: Thursday, November 12