From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel "newswatch":
Council wants I-94 project scaled back
Milwaukee aldermen voted today to oppose the expansion of Interstate 94 south of the city to eight lanes, urging instead that money saved by scaling back the $1.9 billion project go to bolster rail initiatives.
The Common Council voted 10-4 to back the resolution, which is aimed at influencing the state Department of Transportation as it completes a new round of hearings on the proposal.
Ald. Bob Bauman, who sponsored the measure, said the state should be working with local units of government on a comprehensive approach to upgrading transportation links from Milwaukee south through Racine and Kenosha counties.
He noted there also are discussions for high-speed rail upgrades that would include the corridor and for a Kenosha-Racine-Milwaukee commuter rail. Those projects have been stalled since they are without a complete source of funding.
Bauman moved today to pull the measure from committee, where it had been held, to assure the city weighed in before the end-of-the-month deadline. Aldermen had initially thought they would be given an extension.
Voting in favor of the measure were Bauman and aldermen Ashanti Hamilton, Joe Davis, Mike D'Amato, Willie Wade, Bob Donovan. Michael Murphy, Jim Witkowiak, Tony Zielinski and Willie Hines. Opposed were aldermen Jim Bohl, Robert Puente, Joe Dudzik and Terry Witkowski.
No way Suburban Alderman Bohl voted against this resolution. I would of never guessed!
Posted by: daver | December 11, 2007 at 06:06 PM
Rail will only work if you make it cheap and convenient.
Posted by: Bryan Maersch | December 12, 2007 at 08:59 AM
Correct, Bryan.
But, it's not "cheap" to make it cheap. We have to subsidize an OPEC-taming transit system to the extent that we now subsidize freeways and roadways.
Yes, you read that right. BILLIONS of dollars. And worth every cent to end our blood relationship with the Middle East.
Imagine OPEC's horror if they saw the United States begin to purposefully change the equation.
Unfortunately, our current administration is beholden to American and multinational oil companies and related interests that benefit mightily from the current meat grinder we find ourselves in.
Don't think that's true? I'll start a whole new topic here and the Bushies can attempt to tell me where I'm wrong. The audacity of this administration is such that they don't even bother to deny it.
Let's hope sanity prevails before you and I reach an age where we are too old to safely drive. I want to be able to get around regardless of my age or personal mobility.
Right now, you are doomed to the couch once you reach a certain age. Franklin - - and the whole Milwaukee region - - is off limits to you; you travel at the whims of the senior citizen bus program.
Not much to look forward to.
Posted by: John | December 12, 2007 at 10:06 AM