AASHTO Journal - Wisconsin Governor Speaks at 2024 AASHTO Spring Meeting

Governor Tony Evers (D) (above) addressed attendees of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials 2024 Spring Meeting held in Madison, WI, about the ongoing need to collaborate across state lines to solve a number of transportation challenges.

[Above photo by Wisconsin DOT]

“Organizations like AASHTO are so important as we take steps to make sure our infrastructure is safe and ready to meet the needs of the 21st century,” he explained in his remarks. “Your collaboration across state lines is critical to help each other find solutions to our biggest challenges.”

He said states like Wisconsin rely on the expertise of AASHTO to help find a multitude of transportation solutions. “It’s so great to see this group of professionals sharing ideas and working together to help each other succeed in building stronger communities,” Gov. Evers noted. “Thank you all for the work you do to set policies that prioritize transportation – and for your commitment to carry out the projects that are improving the quality of life in our communities.”

The governor added that he believes multimodal transportation will play a “big role” in the future of not only Wisconsin but the nation at large.

“So we’re also investing in our state’s harbors, supporting alternative transportation, and increasing rail options,” Gov. Evers said. “We’re about to launch a new passenger rail service from the Twin Cities to Chicago and running through Wisconsin. It’s a great partnership connecting three Midwest states.”

He pointed out, though, that multimodal focus includes roads and bridges as well. “Our residents rely on [our roads] every day to get to work, appointments, and family gatherings,” the governor stressed. “When I visit our small towns and big cities, it’s clear that every pothole filled, street resurfaced, or bridge reconstructed makes people’s lives a little easier.”

Gov. Evers emphasized that none of that would be possible without greater funding opportunities. “Our past three state budgets have made historic investments in transportation,” he said. “That’s helped us get sidelined projects restarted, re-envision major roadwork plans, and investigate new ideas and advancing technologies to support the changing industry.”

Federal funding also plays a huge role in the transportation infrastructure improvement effort, the governor explained. “We with our neighbors in Minnesota are moving forward on long-awaited projects like the Blatnik Bridge in Superior [WI], which is a critical economic driver for our state and the greater region,” he said. “And that’s just one of the many improvement projects you’re all working on across the country – all made possible thanks to billions of dollars in federal funding.”