DOT Commission Votes To Prioritize 3 Road Projects, Reconsider Major La Crosse Proposal

Transportation Commission Member Says Question Of Funding Is Now Key

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A Wisconsin Department of Transportation commission voted on Monday to add three new road projects to a list of construction priorities for the state, as well as to reconsider a divisive road project in La Crosse.

The new road projects approved by the Transportation Projects Commission include a section of Interstate 43 stretching from Glendale to Grafton, a segment of Interstate 94 in St. Croix County, and part of state Highway 50 in Kenosha County. The details of what the projects would entail will be finalized in coming years, but a third lane could be added to each highway.

Commission member state Rep. Fred Clark, D- Baraboo, said the next step is figuring out how to fund the projects.

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“We have transportation needs all over the state and we’re falling behind,” he said. “Really, this Legislature in the next session is going to have to wrestle, along with the governor, on tough decisions about how to pay for what we have and what we need.”

The commission also voted to defer a decision on a major road project in La Crosse that would connect the city with the rapidly expanding northern suburbs. The DOT put money aside for the project in the mid-1990s, but voters then rejected the construction in a referendum.

The state hopes to hire a consultant by February to study the project.

La Crosse mayor Tim Kabat said it will examine existing infrastructure and not just new roads.

“Whatever alternatives and recommendations come forward cannot have any detrimental impact to our neighborhoods or to the La Crosse River marsh. I think with those types of goals, we will be able to bring people together,” he said.

Kabat said he’s hopeful the community can finally reach a consensus on the project.

The commission also voted to cancel two major road construction projects: There was a lack of public consensus for a Beloit bypass and work on state Highway 38 that connects Racine to Milwaukee.