Wisconsin
Midwest Rail Advocates Take the Fight to Scott Walker
In November, voters in 36 states will head to the polls to choose governors. Among the state leaders up for reelection is Wisconsin's Scott Walker, who faces a strong challenge from Democrat and former Trek Bicycle executive Mary Burke.
August 8, 2014
Freeway Fight: Scott Walker Wants to Drag Milwaukee Back to 1956
The mayor and residents of Milwaukee are fighting a massive urban highway project backed by Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker.
June 20, 2014
How Road Planners Fail Neighborhoods
Why do neighborhood groups -- especially in low-income areas -- have such a hard time influencing the design of major road projects? An interesting case study from the University of Colorado-Denver sheds some light.
June 4, 2014
Milwaukee Transit Advocates Win $13.5 Million Settlement From State DOT
In a Wisconsin lawsuit that's been closely watched by transportation reformers around the country, local advocates have extracted some resources for transit from a notoriously highway-obsessed state DOT.
May 22, 2014
Wisconsin’s Outdated Transportation Priorities Are Alienating Young People
Over-spending on roads is a bad idea for any state DOT. But it’s an especially bad idea if that state needs to retain more young people who don't want to be shackled to cars.
May 21, 2014
Wisconsin Responds to Public, Dumps Absurdly Wasteful Highway Project
"It is difficult to find any merit in the project at all."
April 21, 2014
Wisconsin’s Misplaced Priorities on Display as Green Bay Bridge Sags
In yet another reminder of what happens when states ignore their existing infrastructure while plotting massive road expansions, a section of heavily traveled bridge in Green Bay Wisconsin is "sagging" nearly two feet. Authorities have closed the bridge, which carries about 40,000 vehicles a day, after frantic calls from drivers.
September 27, 2013
From Bust to Boom: Rental Housing Takes Off in Madison
Madison, Wisconsin, is on a building binge. Developers are constructing so much rental housing that market observers fear that the housing shortage could quickly turn into a glut. One thousand units were approved last year for large apartment complexes.
July 19, 2013
Wisconsin Using Inflated Traffic Projections to Justify Highway Projects
In the 1990s, Wisconsin proposed a bypass for the town of Burlington (population 10,000). The $118 million project was sold as a way to reduce traffic in the center of the city, which includes the junction of four state highways.
May 28, 2013
A Sensible Alternative to Wisconsin’s Gold-Plated Highway Budget
If you value principles like social and fiscal responsibility, the Wisconsin transportation budget is an unmitigated disaster. Not only does Wisconsin DOT's spending plan gut funds to transit and local streets, it lavishes $900 million in borrowed money to pay for extravagant highway projects of dubious value to the public.
May 1, 2013