Highway congestion problem in Milwaukee? Traffic analysis study says no

The buffeting of columnist Patrick McIlheran's predictably short-sighted views on freeway expansion continues with a letter to the editor from the Congress for New Urbanism's Stephan Filmanowicz (his bias is obvious based on his position with CNU, but his facts are solid).

Speaking of bias: Mr. McIlheran is surely hustling to the web sites of The Heartland Institute, the American Dream Coalition, the Reason Public Policy Institute, et.al. to arm for rebuttal.

Milwaukee's highway system is a success

In emphasizing fears of traffic congestion as a rationale for adding freeway lanes, Journal Sentinel columnist Patrick McIlheran and other leading voices in the Milwaukee 7 region miss a real strategic opportunity to refocus the story our region tells.

Milwaukee's highway system is a success, one of the least congested of any major metropolitan area in the country. The Texas Transportation Institute is the most respected name in traffic analysis, and its 2007 report ranks our region 52nd in metropolitan freeway congestion, on par with modest locales such as Tulsa and Grand Rapids, Mich.

The typical driver of Detroit or San Diego highways experiences more than 50 hours of delay per year, compared to 19 hours in Milwaukee. Even without the extensive re-engineering and lane expansions that are propelling projected freeway costs into the stratosphere - and driving up state debt - Milwaukee actually saw its rush-hour period shorten between 2000 and 2005.

Except for a few problem spots, Milwaukee has its highway traffic problems licked. In touting regional economic assets, Milwaukeeans need to say it loud and proud - come here for our uncongested highways - and then work with the state to shift investment into areas such as high-tech research and education, transit and tax relief where our region needs to be far more competitive.

Stephen Filmanowicz
Communications director
Congress for the New Urbanism
Chicago

Comments

[daver]

I was wondering when someone would point out that report. Let us all say it together we don't have a congestion problem.

[Josh Strupp]

AMEN! I've been beating on this point for weeks. Yes Dave, let's say it together, "we don't have a congestion problem". I would add, "...and will not have a congestion problem in the long term here in Milwaukee."

I challenge anyone to travel between Milwaukee and the state line during rush hour and tell me that we have a congestion problem on I-94. This problem simply does not exist.