TDA Newsletter 8/27/2019
U.S. Senate Committee Takes First Step with Highway Reauthorization: We Need Your Help!
On July 30, the Environment & Public Works (EPW) Committee approved “America’s Transportation Infrastructure Act” (ATIA), S. 2302, which would set federal highway, bridge and highway safety investment and policy through 2025.

Senators are in recess for the remainder of August and should hear from you that you support ATIA and reauthorization of surface transportation programs THIS YEAR . 

TDA's Latest "On the Go" Podcast: A New Low-Risk Bridge Pilot Program Launches
TDA's latest episodes of the "On the Go" podcast features Dan Fedderly, executive director of the Wisconsin County Highway Association.

The Wisconsin County Highway Association and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) have launched a new pilot program, the Local Bridge Improvement Assistance Program, Low-Risk Delivery Pilot. In this episode of On the Go, Fedderly expands on the rationale and implementation of this initiative.

“ The pilot program is designed to get at the idea of how quickly we can actually produce a very simple local road project, and how we can reduce both the administrative effort as well as the oversight cost,” said Fedderly. “This will reduce project costs and expedite project time frames.”

Listen to the latest episode (and all previous episodes) here .
Wisconsin News
Wisconsin Ports Boost the Economy
Wisconsin is very fortunate - the state has waterways on 3 sides - Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, and the Mississippi. On these waterways, product can get anywhere in the world.

And not surprisingly, Wisconsin ports are a major economic advantage for the state. Each year, 30 million tons of goods pass through the commercial ports and these ports employ near 7,500 residents. "[The ports] are unique economic engines."

This is another Know Your Wisconsin segment sponsored by TDA to highlight the importance of transportation to Wisconsin's economy.
Two Wisconsin Transportation Projects Win MAASTO Awards, Zoo Interchange Project Selected as "Top 12" Project
Eight transportation projects from the region - including two from Wisconsin - were honored with awards from the Mid-America Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials earlier this month. This is the third of four regional competitions leading up to the 12th annual America’s Transportation Awards event.

The two WisDOT projects honored were:

  • Eau Claire Half Moon Lake Bridge Replacement– Quality of Life/Community Development (small category)
  • Zoo Interchange Core and Adjacent Arterials– Best Use of Technology & Innovation (large category)

The three highest-scoring projects from each regional competition earn a place on a “Top 12” list of projects, which will compete for the Grand Prize – selected by an independent panel of industry judges – and the People’s Choice Award, chosen by the general public through online voting.

The Zoo Interchange project was selected as a "Top 12" project. Online voting for the People’s Choice Award has begun. You can see project details and vote for your favorite project here .
Other Media Coverage
MoneyWise Magazine
August 22, 2019
Milwaukee is #4 on the list of US cities with worst roads - the magazine reports 54% of the city's roads are in poor condition with "massive potholes, sinkholes, flying gravel and damaged cars [as] the norm across major roads and freeways in Milwaukee."

WKOW-ABC 27
August 22, 2019
Jerry Deschane, executive director for League of Wisconsin Municipalities, discussed transportation funding and the new local grant program.

Milwaukee Business Journal
August 15, 2019

WAOW Channel 9 (Wausau)
August 14, 2019

Wisconsin State Farmer
August 6, 2019

The Journal Times
August 3, 2019

Insight: Connecting Business & People in the New North
July 29, 2019
Association News
TDA Events

  • TDA Annual Meeting: Thursday, November 7 at the Sheraton in Madison
Other Upcoming Events

  • Wisconsin Public Transportation Association, September 17-19 in Milwaukee. Registration open now.
  • WTS, Wisconsin Chapter 30th anniversary event - October 9 in Madison
  • Wisconsin Transportation Builders Association - October 17 in Madison
  • WisDOT Freight Rail Conference - November 12 in Madison