Thursday, August 19, 2010

Democrats Push Highway Expansion

I haven’t driven this stretch in a while.  Does it need expanding?

Gov. Jim Doyle is calling for a state commission to consider the massive project of adding one lane in both directions to I-39/90 from the Illinois border to Madison.

It would mark the first time in Doyle’s nearly eight years as governor that the Transportation Projects Commission has met to consider a new highway project. The commission is also likely to consider several other projects that could include an update to State Highway 38 between Racine and Oak Creek.

“This is a major entryway to the state of Wisconsin and it’s a road that is very important to the state economy,” Doyle spokesman Adam Collins said of I-39/90, though he stopped short of saying Doyle supported the expansion.

The interstate expansion, likely to cost at least $1 billion, is being pushed by Assembly Speaker Mike Sheridan (D-Janesville) as a way to speed the flow of both commerce and tourism into Wisconsin.

(9) Comments
Posted by Owen at 0634 hrs
Politics + Politics - Wisconsin

  1. I don’t drive in Madison that often, but when I do I am always amazed at how big the highways are.  You look at Milwaukee and how often it is log jammed and it just makes you wonder.

    Look at the populations and I would say that is not the route to Illinois that needs to be bigger

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on August 19, 2010 at 0751 hrs


  2. Three lanes on I-43 from Glendale to Hwy 33 before this please.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on August 19, 2010 at 0813 hrs


  3. I drive that stretch fairly often and I’ve never seen appreciable congestion except when they’re doing construction.

    There are better uses for the money. Even better, don’t spend the money at all.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on August 19, 2010 at 0851 hrs


  4. My family owns vacation property just north of Wisconsin Dells.  We usually jump on I-90 at either Hwy 14 in Janesville, or Hwy 59 near Edgerton.  In the Summertime, Northbound on Friday is a nightmare, and Southbound on Sunday is a nightmare.  I can’t see adding a 3rd lane helping.  It’s so heavily traveled by FIB’s who can’t drive properly on 2 or more lanes that adding a 3rd lane won’t help at all.  Finding a way to enforce proper road etiquette would be much more beneficial.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on August 19, 2010 at 1228 hrs


  5. The nerve of you people thinking about the rest of the state ,you know the only thing that matters is what the people of Madison want.

    We have enough roads that need repair, we dont need to dream up more unfunded project ideas.

    You think Doyle cares what the rest of the state thinks of him as he is heading out the door , he will make this project happen before he leaves town.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on August 19, 2010 at 1617 hrs


  6. I’m thinking the 4th lane all over Milwaukee would be a far better investment, but as crusher mentioned - those won’t help Madison.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on August 19, 2010 at 1850 hrs


  7. I90/94 southbound does get backed on Sunday evenings just north of the I-90/94 fork (with most of the traffic headed toward I-39/90).  But that’s mostly leisure travel, and it would be interesting to know how many hours per week I-39/90 is congested.

    But, why is that big I-90/94/Rt 30 flyover interchange on the east of Madison getting rebuilt?

    Aside from that, there should be some planning for a third lane on I-94 as far west as Rt 83.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on August 20, 2010 at 1509 hrs


  8. I drive from Janesville to Madison & back on a fairly regular basis. I agree with Nerdbert - no congestion.

    And if they can’t keep 2 lanes clean in the winter, how will they manage 3?:

    http://www.todaystmj4.com/news/local/45620897.html

    Posted by Harvey on August 22, 2010 at 0122 hrs


  9. I agree with Steve I-43 needs more lanes from Bayshore to Port Washington before this. I also agree with Albigensian that I94 should have a 3rd lane even farther west to Rte 67. After we have done this then we can worry about I-90 while i am not against this there are greater needs.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on August 25, 2010 at 1109 hrs


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