Six Wisconsin highway projects have moved a step closer to reality. The state Transportation Projects Commission Wednesday approved environmental studies for all six projects. Results from those studies could help decide whether they get final approval.
The projects include I-94 in Saint Croix County near Hudson and a segment of I-94 in Milwaukee County. Other plans involve I-39/90 in Dane/Columbia/Sauk counties; Highways 12 and 51 in Dane County; and I-43 in Milwaukee/Ozaukee counties.
The Wednesday meeting was the second time Governor Walker has called together the TPC under his term. Prior to 2011, the panel only met once in eight years.
“More often than not many times businesses make decisions about where to place based upon not only where transportation is today but where it’s headed in the future,” said Walker.
DOT Secretary Mark Gottlieb responded to criticisms the Walker administration is focusing on highway expansion at the expense of road maintenance.
“We will invest over twice as much money in rehabilitating and taking care of our existing highways as we will spend on expansion through the major projects program,” he said, referring to the current two-year budget.
The TPC is made up of 10 state lawmakers and three citizen members with the Governor serving as chairman.
AUDIO: Gottlieb’s opening statements. (3:16)