City Voters Nixed Paying for Project

Proposal and Savings
Reject funding for the proposed La Crosse North-South Transportation Corridor. The total estimated project cost is $80 million — 80 percent federally funded.

Background
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) plans to construct a limited-access highway, which would include various intersections and would modify existing streets to allow for free flow of traffic. The proposed project would be a north-south highway extending from I-90 on the north end of La Crosse, through downtown to near the intersection of 7th Street and South Avenue. WisDOT, which favors the 5.5-mile long alternative, 5B-1 (Harvey Street Alignment), claims that the project would improve congestion and safety.

Status
In November 1998, La Crosse voters approved by a two-to-one margin a two-year binding prohibition against the city’s paying any local cost share for the road.

Problems with the project
Taxpayer Concerns Federal taxpayers should not pay for a project that city residents don’t want to pay for. The proposed project is unnecessary and cheaper alternatives exist, including restructuring several existing intersections to increase operational efficiency and safety.

Local Community Concerns
Several members of the La Crosse Common Council oppose the WisDOT proposal. The Council voted 12-4 in favor of funding a study of project alternatives. Furthermore, the project would destroy 56 homes, 16 businesses and 24 acres of high level urban marshland. Also, WisDOT estimates that more crashes will result from more and faster vehicles traveling through the neighborhoods.

Long range comprehensive land use and transportation planning that reduces sprawl, directs growth to new mixed-use growth centers and urban infill areas with transit oriented developments would help eliminate the need for the North-South Transportation Corridor.

Environmental Concerns
The project would impact wetlands in the area that are important for flood retention, habitat, recreation and tourism dollars. A number of animal species in this area are listed as threatened or of special concern by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

Contacts
Kevin Mack, Livable Neighborhoods, (608) 784-6494; Dan Herber, La Crosse Greens, (608) 781-3699, dherber@igc.apc.org.