Contact: Courtney Beyer, courtneyb@wisdems.org
MADISON — According to a report published by national research group TRIP, 55% of major roads in Wisconsin are in poor or mediocre condition, up from 42% just two years earlier. The report estimates that in some Wisconsin cities, drivers are paying upwards of $900 on car repairs thanks to the abysmal quality of Wisconsin’s roads, up from a 2017 estimate of $637 per year.
“That Wisconsin’s roads are getting worse doesn’t come as any surprise — as long as he’s been governor, Scott Walker has neglected our roads and allowed them to deteriorate,” said Courtney Beyer, Democratic Party of Wisconsin spokesperson. “While Wisconsin drivers have been forced to pay the price for Scott Walker’s neglect, Walker has lavished big corporations like Foxconn with huge taxpayer handouts. If Scott Walker had spent his time in office prioritizing Wisconsin’s needs instead of chasing his next job, we wouldn’t be in this situation.”
The subject of Wisconsin’s poor roads isn’t news to many in Wisconsin; an op-ed in Ozaukee Press recently characterized Wisconsin’s refusal to come up with a long-term transportation solution as “exasperating, frustrating, stubborn and ultimately indefensible.” A recent DOT plan to revamp U.S. Interstate 39/90 at the Madison Beltline was considered so inadequate that critics deemed it “a brand-new bottleneck.”
National report: Half of Wisconsin’s major roads are in poor or mediocre condition
From Katelyn Ferral, Cap Times [EXCERPTS]:
“Half of Wisconsin’s major roads are in poor or mediocre shape, with Madison, Milwaukee and Wausau roads in the worst condition, according to a national report released Tuesday.”
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“The report blames “inadequate state and local funding” for worsening conditions and estimates that drivers in some Wisconsin cities spend nearly $1,000 a year on repairs due to driving their vehicles on deteriorating roads.”
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“”This is yet another report confirming the poor condition of Wisconsin’s roads and the impact on motorists…” said Craig Thompson, executive director of the Wisconsin Transportation Development Association.”
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“The TRIP report comes as transportation is increasingly becoming a campaign issue for Gov. Scott Walker and his Democratic challenger Tony Evers.”
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“It follows a state DOT report released last month that showed funding during Walker’s tenure had decreased across every major road program.”
