[milwaukee-electric] Re: Midwest High Speed Rail

[Don L. Leistikow]

Group:   What to say?  Wisconsin once again abandons alternative forms
of public transportation.  The widening of I 94 north from the Illinois
State line will be out of funds before it begins construction.  Billions
of dollars will be appropriated for this uneeded project that continues
to provide transportation through our State without a Toll Gate.  Drive
through Wisconsin... FREE, should be the motto of our DOT.                                              

Jim Doyle cuts budgets across the board... almost!   What the highway
lobby wants, the highway lobby, gets!  It is time to develop alternate
forms of public transportation, that includes street railways, electric
rail Rapid Transit on a private right of way and commuter trains on
existing rail lines.                                 

We didn't need a new upgraded Marquette Interchange that came in under
budget.  As not generally known, and as I understand it, the Rebar which
should have been coated to assure long life, was not done by the
Contractor and surely must have been known to WisDOT.  So, in
consequence, the Marquette Interchange will not survive the length of
time for which it was intended.  In simple terms, we've been
short-changed.             

Do we need a new and expanded Zoo Interchange?  I think not!  Simply
rebuild it to its present configuration.  Then contine  do so for the
remaining interchanges as they need replacement.  Certainly, this will
reduce the cost of construction, mainly because no more private property
will need to be acquired.                           

How will we pay for maintenance and replacement construction?  Pass some
new legislation to put Toll Gates on our Freeways.  Meanwhile, Bluemound
and Wisconsin Avenues continue to be at undercapacity for the minority
of traffic moving on them.                                       

There is nothing Free... about the Freeway!                                                  

Don L. Leistikow