Governor Walker’s budget address on February third is getting a lot of press for the $1.3 billion of borrowing for transportation, but there is also a rollback of the complete streets policy formalized in 2010. The Governor stated in his address:
Finally, the Governor recommends several statutory changes including repealing the requirement that the department must construct bicycle and pedestrian facilities on new highway construction. Projected savings from this action are $7,400,000 over the biennium
It is important to note that current law provides many exceptions to this requirement in the event of disproportionate cost, physical constraint, lack of need in semi-urban districts, or an unwillingness of a community to maintain the facilities.
Given that the Governor’s budget also calls for more than $200 million in additional transfers from the General Purpose fund to Transportation, the supposed savings of $7.4 million seems insignificant.
Late Update:
In addition to The Repeal of Complete Streets, state funding for transportation Alternatives has been scheduled for elimination. This is the main source of state funding for local pedestrian and bicycle projects, and amounted to $2 million for the biennium. The Stewardship Fund that supports state trail purchases is also being essentially eliminated.
The Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin was assured by the Governor’s office ten days ago that none of these cuts would be part of the Governor’s budget proposal.
You can help by contacting the governor and your legislator to call for a reversal on these three items. The message is clear:
• Restore Complete Streets.
• Replace the $2 million in TAP.
• Restore the Stewardship Fund
