TOWN OF MENASHA, WI (WTAQ) – Local and state officials are asking Governor Scott Walker to call a special Legislative session to address Wisconsin’s transportation budget.
On Tuesday, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation announced that the completion date of the Highway 10/441 project in Winnebago County has been pushed back two years. Now, the $482 million expansion plan and reconstruction of that highway will happen in 2022.
Outagamie County Executive Tom Nelson called a press conference Thursday to call for the project to be completed on time due to the major traffic delays that impact drivers in the Fox Valley.
State Senate Democratic Leader Jennifer Shilling (D-La Crosse) issued a statement, saying she has sent a letter to Governor Walker urging him to call for a special session to approve additional funding for the 5 road projects being halted statewide.
The DOT identified the five projects for delays because they weren’t slated to be completed in the 2015-17 biennium, DOT spokeswoman Peg Schmitt said in an email Tuesday to The AP. She said the agency anticipates asking for some additional borrowing authority “at some point,” though she didn’t elaborate.
The GOP gave DOT the ability to request an additional $350 million from the Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee. The agency hasn’t asked for the additional borrowing authority, and Senate Republicans say they’re reluctant to grant the request if it comes.
Fox Valley Republicans and Democrats in the Legislature, including State Rep. Mike Rohrkaste (R-Neenah), urge the DOT to request some additional money.
Rohrkaste, who voted in support of the budget, says they were assured through the budget process that the 10/441 project was a top priority.
Nelson urges Fox Valley residents to call the governor’s office and their local lawmakers to show their support for keeping the project on time.
(Additional reporting from FOX 11).
