By Craig Thompson, TDA Executive Director

Here’s wishing a great 2012 to your business, department, board, council, chamber, local chapter or whatever it may be.

There certainly were challenges in 2011 and emotions ran high both here in Wisconsin as well as in Washington D.C. In the midst of a difficult year, however, the wisdom behind an association like TDA was borne out once again.

In the 40th anniversary year of TDA, we demonstrated that such a broad-based group representing local government, private business, labor, economic development and every mode of transportation can transcend bitter political divides.

Despite Democrats and Republicans failing to agree on many issues, the “first consideration” of a constitutional amendment to protect Wisconsin’s transportation fund passed overwhelmingly – on a bipartisan basis – in both the Assembly and Senate. This was a strong voice heard at the state level.

TDA was also recognized as the type of organization that can find solutions. I was appointed, on your behalf, to serve as one of ten voting members on the State Transportation Finance and Policy Commission. This commission was created in the last biennial budget in order to provide specific recommendations to the governor and legislature regarding how Wisconsin finances and prioritizes transportation in the future.

Your impact was felt at the federal level as well. TDA members joined with transportation stakeholders from across the country to pressure the U.S. House of Representatives to back away from a surface transportation reauthorization proposal which would cut highway and transit programs by roughly 34 percent.

At the annual meeting celebrating 40 years of TDA we heard from former Wisconsin Governors Thompson, Earl and other leaders about just how unique and effective TDA has been over the years. Click here to view the video.

This upcoming year will have no shortage of challenges for transportation in Wisconsin and the U.S. It is my hope that you will continue your involvement in TDA, and encourage other groups to participate as well.

The importance of an efficient, interconnected transportation system to our economy cannot be overstated. You have proven over the years, delivering that message from as many diverse interests as possible, but yet with a single voice, can truly make a difference.

Once again, all the best in 2012! 

The Bond Buyer: December 19, 2011 – “States in scramble for tolling”

Wisconsin: 4 Straight Years with Fewer than 600 Deaths – For the fourth consecutive year, there have been less than 600 traffic deaths in Wisconsin. According to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, the last time the state had less than 600 traffic fatalities for four years in a row was 84-years ago from 1924 to 1927.

Last year, there were 569 traffic deaths in Wisconsin, seven more than in 2010 but 59 fewer than the previous five-year average.

"We are encouraged that traffic fatalities in Wisconsin are at levels not experienced since the 1920s when the number of vehicles and the miles traveled were miniscule compared to today," said State Patrol Major Sandra Huxtable, director of the Bureau of Transportation Safety. "There is no single factor that caused a reduction of this magnitude during the last four years. Certainly, the economic downturn and high gas prices had an effect on traffic volumes. But most fatal crashes are caused by bad driving habits and irresponsible decisions. Therefore, motorists who slow down, pay attention, buckle up and drive sober deserve a great deal of credit for saving their own lives and the lives of others. Nevertheless, because most traffic deaths are preventable, more than 500 annual fatalities are still far too many."

Minnesota Mileage-Based User Fee Study – A task force charged with considering the implications of implementing a mileage-based user fee (MBUF) recently delivered a report recognizing that such a fee could be fair and flexible, but should not be implemented until concerns are satisfactorily addressed. The concerns enumerated in the report include privacy, administrative cost, complexity, phasing, and unfamiliarity of the concept among policymakers and the public.

The task force was appointed by Minnesota Department of Transportation Commissioner Tom Sorel in April 2011 to identify and evaluate issues related to poten­tial future implementation of an MBUF system in Minnesota.

All of the 25-member task force endorsed the report which included a minority opinion to express viewpoints not shared by the majority of members.

New Tolling in Washington State – On December 29th, the Washington State Department of Transportation started one of the nation's most sophisticated electronic toll systems on the State Route 520 bridge, where rates vary based on when traffic is usually the heaviest. The variable tolling is meant to control congestion and to raise part of the $4.65 billion needed to build a new bridge.

The new 520 bridge is scheduled to open in 2014. When the corridor is complete, it will include six lanes, with two general-purpose lanes and one carpool lane in each direction, spanning Lake Washington from I-5 in Seattle to just west of I-405 in Bellevue. The new bridge will be better designed to withstand earthquakes and windstorms.

The cost to cross the bridge during rush hour will be $3.50 per trip with a Good to Go! Pass.

More than 100,000 people use the 520 bridge on an average weekday. State planners project the tolls could push nearly half of them to alternate routes

“We expect drivers will experiment and try a variety of methods to modify their commutes,” Washington State Department of Transportation Toll Division Director Craig Stone said. “They may take advantage of transit, telecommute, change the time they travel or take another route. It will take some time to see what the new normal really looks like.” 

22nd Annual Fly-in
April 18th-19th

It’s almost that time of year again – the time of year TDA members join together to show our delegation just how important federal transportation investment is to Wisconsin. Click here to see just a few of the reasons why you should add your voice and participate in the 2012 TDA Fly-in.

Mark your calendar. The registration deadline is January 27th. 

Wisconsin County Highway Association (WCHA) Winter Highway Conference – January 16th-18th at Chula Vista Resort in the Wisconsin Dells. Click here for event information and here for registration materials.

Wisconsin Transportation Reception during the TRB Annual Meeting – Sunday, January 22rd at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, D.C.  Secretary Gottlieb is scheduled to make remarks at 6 p.m.

Wisconsin Concrete Pavement Association (WCPA) 2012 Annual Concrete Pavement Workshop – February 8th-9th at the Holiday Inn Convention Center in Stevens Point, WI. Click here for more information or to register.

If you know of an upcoming event that would be of interest to TDA members, please forward information to the TDA office, general@tdawisconsin.org. 

Visit the AAA website for a listing of membership benefits. You'll also be eligible for high-quality auto and home insurance coverage through AAA at a discounted TDA group rate too. Keep in mind, even if you already have AAA membership or insurance through AAA, you can save even more under this group plan. Enrollment is convenient through a statewide network of AAA offices.

Go to www.aaa.com or call 1-800-236-1300 to find an office near you.

To receive your AAA discount provide your AAA group number TRN003.

Join today and take advantage of the great benefits and savings.