Kanavas to Doyle: Shift Funds to Zoo

I sent a letter today to Governor Jim Doyle asking him to review all state transportation projects to find existing money to immediately fund the reconstruction of the Zoo Interchange. You may read my letter to the Governor and my press release below:

Press Release:

Kanavas to Doyle: Shift Funds to Zoo

(Madison, WI)…State Senator Ted Kanavas today sent a letter to Governor Jim Doyle asking him to identify money to immediately fund the Zoo Interchange reconstruction project:

“The state’s top transportation priority should be funding the Zoo Interchange and all other projects should fall in line behind it. If that means the DOT lengthens the timeline to complete the North/South Freeway so be it. Potholes on the North/South are acceptable, bridges falling down in the Zoo Interchange are not,” stated Kanavas.

In a letter dated today, Senator Kanavas asked Governor Doyle to order an immediate top-to-bottom review of all Department of Transportation projects in order to identify existing state money to pay for the stepped-up Zoo Interchange schedule.

“The lack of leadership from Governor Doyle is remarkable. We need to start shifting the funds now and reprioritize projects to lay the groundwork for the next biennial budget. The people who want to be Governor are fighting it out in the media while Jim Doyle sits back and watches the show. We need action from the Governor and we need it now,” Kanavas concluded.

To learn more about Senator Kanavas or the 33rd Senate District, please visit his website at: www.senatorkanavas.com.

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Letter to Governor Doyle:

March 30, 2010


The Honorable Jim Doyle
Governor, State of Wisconsin
P.O. Box 7863
Madison, WI 53707

Dear Governor Doyle:

During my service in the State Senate, I have been a strong advocate of fully funding reconstruction of the Zoo Interchange in Milwaukee County. As the state’s busiest interchange, supporting over 300,000 vehicles a day, and located in the middle of the economic engine of Southeastern Wisconsin, a modern, functional and safe Zoo Interchange is vital to our state.

As you know, recent analysis by safety engineers prompted closure of the bridge between I-894 and U.S. Highway 45. I believe this emergency closure would have been avoided if you had not vetoed the project’s planning funds in 2005.

While we have never seen eye to eye on the timeline of the project, I am sure we can agree that public safety should be our number one priority. That is why I am asking you order a top-to-bottom review of all transportation projects in order to immediately identify existing state money to step-up the full reconstruction of the Zoo Interchange.

Without question, this project should be our state’s top transportation priority. All other projects should fall in line behind it, even if that means lengthening the timeline to complete the North/South Freeway reconstruction or postponing smaller projects elsewhere in the state.

We need immediate action from you on this issue. We cannot afford to wait until next year, or wait for the next Governor, to make this decision.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

TED KANAVAS
Wisconsin State Senate
33rd District