Skip to Content
Streetsblog USA home
Streetsblog USA home
Log In
Streetsblog.net

Scott Walker’s Bid to Strip Street Safety From Wisconsin Road Projects

Scott Walker is putting the kibosh on complete streets in Wisconsin. Photo: Wikimedia
Scott Walker is putting the kibosh on complete streets in Wisconsin. Photo: Wikimedia
false

There's really no argument: GOP presidential hopeful Scott Walker has been an absolute disaster for transportation progress in Wisconsin. As governor, he's slashed funding for transit, isolating urban workers in Milwaukee. Meanwhile, he's increased funding for all sorts of wasteful highway projects, like the billion-dollar widening of I-94 in Milwaukee, pilfering funds for local roads in the process.

Now, writes James Rowen at the Political Environment, Walker's budget would strip out Wisconsin's complete streets provision, which requires sidewalks and bike lanes on road projects that use state or federal funds, where feasible. Rowen explains:

Current law already exempts the inclusion or sidewalks or paved shoulders for biking if the cost were prohibitive; Walker's budget eliminates the requirement altogether, and since people will still bike or walk - - either by choice or necessity - - our roads will instantly become less safe and certainly less attractive for tourists.

Remember -- not everyone owns a car, or uses it on every trip, or is a legally-licensed driver.

And also remember Walker is routinely hostile to transit.

Under Walker-the-Harley showboat, and Walker-the-chauffered-around politician, concrete is only for driving lanes, transportation means autos-only and more and more people are left out of public service provision with their own tax dollars.

Keep in mind that Walker is currently polling second in the Republican presidential primary race.

Elsewhere on the Network today: ATL Urbanist explains how bad urban design deadens a new public space. Rust Wire reports that Michiganders are really responding to recent investments in the state's intercity rail system. And City Notes discusses Chicago's less-than-ideal options for rail transit expansion.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog USA

Monday’s Headlines Buy the Ticket, Take the Ride

Donald Trump takes office again today, and although he's unpredictable, let's read some tea leaves.

January 20, 2025

Congestion Pricing Gets Kids To School On Time, Data Shows

Data shared with Streetsblog shows school buses traveling faster and being late less since congestion pricing began.

January 17, 2025

‘Transportation Cannot Do It Alone’: US DOT Dep. Sec. Polly Trottenberg Signs Off

As USDOT's second-in-command, Polly Trottenberg oversaw massive shifts in America transportation policy — and she says the work is not done yet.

January 17, 2025

Confusion as Portland’s Road Death Toll is Alarmingly High

A spike in traffic deaths has tarnished Portland’s image as a bike-forward oasis, but advocates hope street safety improvements will accelerate in 2025.

January 17, 2025

Friday’s Headlines Gaze Into the Future

Driverless cars still face challenges but seem more inevitable than ever. There are two ways it could go.

January 17, 2025
See all posts