MADISON, WI (WTAQ) – Motorists could end up paying an extra $160 million to slow down five major Wisconsin highway projects so their costs can be spread out.
The figure comes from a study done by UW-Whitewater for the Transportation Development Association.
It found that inflation would bump up the costs of the projects by $80 million for each year of the two-year delays.
The DOT announced the slowdowns last week on Interstate 39-90 south of Madison, the Highway 151-Verona Road project at Madison, Highway 10-441 in the Appleton area, Highway 23 from Fond du Lac to Plymouth, and Highway 15 near New London.
Most of the projects are underway — but they’re being slowed down so they don’t get finished for another two years.
The DOT blames it on an $800 million cut in highway borrowing from what Governor Scott Walker originally sought in the new state budget.
Walker says the Joint Finance Committee can help solve the problem by tapping $350 million in additional bonding authority as part of the new budget.
(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)
