Should people drive on the beltline shoulder during peak traffic?, PFAS reports, Airport Commission rescheduled, news and more.
MO’ MEETINGS
Airport Commission is meeting! The meeting they cancelled is rescheduled for tomorrow
5:30 PM Airport Commission Robert B. Skuldt Conference Room at the Airport
– AUTHORIZING A LEASE WITH MADISON GAS AND ELECTRIC COMPANY FOR AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATION AT THE DANE COUNTY REGIONAL AIRPORT
– Activity Report
– Perflourinated Compounds (PFAS) Update
– F35As Update
NEWS
City
2020 operating budget faces constraints, resistance from public – The Daily Cardinal
Banning straws is insufficient – corporations must do more to tackle climate change – Badger Herald
Madison mayor calls on National Guard to speed up Truax investigation after PFAS found in Starkweather Creek – State Journal
Madison’s proposed $40 wheel tax would be highest in state, but may be ‘only way’ to balance budget – State Journal
County
Middleton apartment complex aims to tackle racial equity and affordable living – Channel3000.com
Rain like ‘a bad habit’; Increasingly wet conditions and saturated fields challenge farmers in a changing climate – Cap Times
Schools
Racial disparities persist in advanced coursework at Madison High Schools – Cap Times
Other/Mixed
Resolution Supporting F-35 fighter jets heads to Assembly; neighbors city noise concerns – Channel3000.com
“Principal Experience” gives Mayor Rhodes-Conway, other local leaders a look inside Madison Schools – Cap Times
Black and Latino Roundtable focuses on immigration, incarceration reform – Madison365.com
CITY PROJECT UPDATES
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON BELTLINE HARD SHOULDER RUNNING PROJECT
From: Schaefer, William
Sent: Monday, October 7, 2019 12:16 PM
To: Schaefer, William
Subject: Notice of Public Hearing on Amendment to Regional Transportation Plan 2050 and 2020-2024 Transportation Improvement Program to Add Beltline Hard Shoulder Running Project
Senate, in floor session, approves cabinet secretaries and endorses F-35 jet resolution – State Journal
This is to notify you of a proposed amendment to the Madison Area Transportation Planning Board’s (MATPB) Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) 2050 and an associated amendment to the recently adopted 2020-2024 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for the Madison Metropolitan Area & Dane County. The RTP amendment would add a specific project recommendation to Section 4 of Figure A-1 in Appendix A: Project and Policy Recommendations to implement Dynamic Part-Time Shoulder Use (DPTSU) on the Beltline (USH 12/14/18/151) from Whitney Way to Interstate 39/90. The associated amendment to the TIP would modify the scope and cost of the currently programmed maintenance project on that section of the Beltline, scheduled for construction in 2021-’22, to incorporate the Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) infrastructure and software necessary to implement DPTSU. The total estimated cost of the project has increased from $30.4 million to $65.2 million, although only part of that cost increase is attributable to the addition of DPTSU to the project. Federal National Highway Performance Program funding is being used for the project.
With the implementation of DPTSU traffic would be permitted to use the inside shoulder of this section of the Beltline during weekday peak periods and at other times, such as during special events, when it is congested and travel speeds are reduced. The shoulder would be widened to 13 feet through the reconstruction of the median barrier wall and a reduction in the width of the regular travel lanes. The shoulder would not be open during set times, but rather it’s use would be actively managed through the State Traffic Operations Center with the shoulder only open to traffic when operations on the Beltline warranted it. The roadway would be continuously monitored with the shoulder closed in the case of an incident or other condition preventing safe travel in it. DPTSU is a cost effective way to improve traffic operations and reduce congestion related crashes by adding capacity when it is needed, but preserving the shoulder as a refuge area during the majority of the day. For more information, see link to project webpage on the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) website and link to a recent presentation on the project made to the MPO Policy Board.
The Beltline DPTSU project is consistent with the goals and policies of MATPB’s RTP 2050. The plan specifically recommends implementing short-term Transportation Systems Management (TSM) and safety improvements on the Beltline while WisDOT completes a study of potential longer term improvements to the freeway corridor. DPTSU is considered a TSM strategy, but because the project adds capacity during peak use periods it is the type of regionally significant project that must be specifically identified in the RTP. The amendment to the RTP adding the project is required in order to amend the project into the TIP.
The following is the date and location of the public hearing on the amendment to the RTP 2050 and 2020-2024 TIP, which provides an opportunity to provide comments in person to the board.
Public Hearing
Wednesday, November 6 at 6:30 p.m.
Madison Water Utility Building
119 E. Olin Avenue, Room A-B;
Written comments or concerns regarding the amendment to the RTP 2050 and 2020-2024 TIP must be submitted in writing by 4 p.m. on Wednesday, November 6 or submitted at the public hearing. Please address written comments to the MATPB office or email them to MATPB staff at wschaefer@cityofmadison.com.
MATPB anticipates taking action on the RTP and TIP amendments following the public hearing unless the board receives comments expressing concerns prior to or at the hearing in which case action could be delayed.
Bill Schaefer, Transportation Planning Manager
Madison Area Transportation Planning Board – An MPO
121 S. Pinckney St., #400
Madison, WI 53703
PH: (608) 266-9115
Email: wschaefer@cityofmadison.com
www.MadisonAreaMPO.org
https://www.facebook.com/MadisonAreaTPB
PFAS TESTING AND NEWS – DNR STARKWEATHER CREEK PFAS STUDY
While this is not drinking water testing, I thought it might be of interest to some of you on this email list. Madison Water Utility does hope to have test results from seasonal drinking water wells sometime this week, although the lab has seen a growing backlog as more and more PFAS testing happens across the country.
-Amy Barrilleaux, Madison Water Utility. abarrilleaux@madisonwater.org
The DNR has released results from PFAS surface water testing in Starkweather Creek. DNR officials collected water samples at four locations in the creek and found the highest detections at Atwood Ave. and Fair Oaks Avenue.
The creek was one of several water bodies across the state that were sampled for PFAS compounds.
You can find a press release from the DNR here:
https://dnr.wi.gov/news/
Detailed results are here:
https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/
The Mayor’s office released the following statement this morning. You can also access the statement online.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) released results of surface water testing for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that they conducted along Starkweather Creek and four other locations statewide. The City wants to inform the public that the following steps are being taken to address this ongoing issue.
- The City of Madison has repeatedly requested that the Air National Guard conduct a complete site investigation into the extent and magnitude of soil and groundwater PFAS contamination on the Truax base. The City will again repeat this request—that the site investigation be completed and that a remedial action plan be implemented as soon as possible.
- The results of this initial round of PFAS testing in Starkweather Creek do not impact the safety of Madison’s drinking water. Madison’s wells draw water from a deep sandstone aquifer below the city, not from surface water. Madison Water Utility hopes to receive results from PFAS testing of the city’s seasonal wells (wells used primarily in the summer and fall) this week, including Well 8, which is located near the creek.
- Fish tissue samples from the Starkweather Creek outlet to Lake Monona are currently being tested for PFAS with results expected in the spring of 2020. Residents and visitors to Madison should continue to follow the fish consumption advisory from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources in place for PCBs and mercury. The advisory recommends limiting fish consumption for children under 15 and women who are breastfeeding, pregnant, or may become pregnant. The City is also increasing signage related to PFAS contamination and fish advisories around Starkweather Creek.
- Residents can take action to protect themselves from PFAS and other contaminants while using Madison’s waterways:
o Follow the Dane County fish consumption advisories.
o Avoid drinking or accidentally swallowing the water.
o Wash your hands after wading or playing in the water.
o Do not let your pet drink the creek water and rinse pets after contact with the water to avoid them licking PFAS that may be on their fur.
- As the City continues to monitor surface and drinking water for PFAS, it is important to note that thousands of PFAS chemicals are in production across the world and people are exposed to these chemicals in a number of ways. To reduce PFAS exposure:
o Check product labels for ingredients that include the words “fluoro” or “perfluoro.
o Be aware of packaging for foods that contain grease-repellent coatings. Examples include microwave popcorn bags and fast food wrappers and boxes.
o Avoid stain-resistance treatments. Choose furniture and carpets that aren’t marketed as “stain-resistant,” and don’t apply finishing treatments to these or other items. Choose alternatives to clothing that has been treated for water or stain resistance, such as outerwear and sportswear, luggage, and camping and sporting equipment.
o Avoid or reduce use of non-stick cookware and stop using products if non-stick coatings show signs of deterioration.
- The City will continue to work with all parties to protect public health, and requests that the Wisconsin DNR conduct additional testing to identify PFAS sources.
