“There are too many unanswered questions to allow this project to move forward so quickly without consideration by the full Legislature,” Davis said. “From questionable no-bid contracts and low ridership demand, to expected ongoing operational costs in the millions, all spending on this project must be stopped.”
Specifically the legislation would prohibit any further expenditure of state, federal or local funds for any costs related to the Madison to Milwaukee high speed rail project. If the bill passes, the high speed rail project could only move forward after a vote by the full State Legislature and approval of the governor. In this regard, the legislation would treat approval of the Madison to Milwaukee project like all other major highway development projects under current law.
“The state’s transportation fund is already stretched to the limit with a current deficit of 30 million dollars,” explained Davis. “This project will suck funding out of the transportation fund and result in less money and further delays for much needed road projects around the state.”
Davis cited the crumbling Zoo Interchange Highway in the Milwaukee area as a vital project on the horizon for the state that should receive a higher priority than the train. The Zoo Interchange is expected to cost upwards of $2 billion and handles the same amount of traffic in one day than the train is expected to handle in one year. Originally, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation estimated initial construction costs for the train at over $817 million. However, the state only received $810 million in federal “stimulus” funding, leaving a $17.6 million gap. According the non-partisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau it is also estimated that by its completion in 2013, the high speed train would need an annual subsidy of at least $7.5 million from state taxpayers to operate at the expected round-trip ticket price of $60.
“The next governor will already be facing billions of dollars in budget deficits due to the lack of responsible leadership by the current administration,” Davis explained. “All funding and work needs to be halted immediately because it is clear the taxpayers are not able to afford yet another Doyle boondoggle.”