The Chicago-Rockford-Madison-Milwaukee Megapolitan Watch Thread

[globill]

Thanks for the info JP. It's good to see so much transportation planning going on. I am especially pleased to see the South Central Wisconsin Study on your list.

Let's hope ALL of the projects can move forward.

[globill]

What’s in a name? Plenty, for airports
Aug 24, 2007 @ 01:07 AM
By Thomas V. Bona
RRSTAR.COM
ROCKFORD -

You can fly to Los Angeles and still be an hour from Hollywood.

You can fly to Orlando and be closer to the Atlantic Ocean than Walt Disney World.

You can fly to Boston and not even be in Massachusetts.

Chicago/Rockford International Airport isn’t the only airport that’s taken the name of a big city down the road. Now it’s even becoming a trend.

Since Rockford’s airport changed its name in 2005, airports in Manchester, N.H.; Ontario, Calif.; and Palmdale, Calif., have followed suit. The one in Mesa, Ariz., is on the verge of doing the same.

“We just got sick and tired of telling people we’re Manchester Airport and they say, ‘Where is that?’ Then we tell them ‘50 miles north of Boston’ and they say, ‘Oh, I know where that is,’” said Brian O’Neill, deputy director of Manchester-Boston Regional Airport. “It has done wonders for our marketing efforts.”

The move allows airports to market themselves to a wider group of passengers in their region. They can also market themselves to people in other parts of the country as an alternate way to get to major destinations.

“Rockford, Illinois, by itself does not have a population base that can support much more than a local commuter airport. ... Its strength is within 60 minutes, which includes Rockford and a whole host of other communities, (where there) lies 2.5 million people,” said Bob O’Brien, airport executive director. “I had to change the concept of selling them Rockford into selling them the backdoor into Chicago/Milwaukee.”

[bnk]

http://proximityone.com/msa06rnk.htm

Maybe some one could figure out a way to copy from this list of population projections into 2020.

Chicago MSA
Rockford
Madison
Milwaukee
Janesville
Racine
NW Indiana

All in all rather strong growth all around, except for Milwaukee proper.

[sicarim]

Originally Posted by globill

Madison has been booming for decades and it is in the beginning stages of merging with the Janesville metro, which has more or less merged with Rockford, which is rapidly merging with Chicago.

No, people will never live in downtown Chicago and commute to Madison (unless high-speed rail between the 2 becomes a reality). But I do see a direct build-up along the interstates to develop within the next 20 years.

If you read through this whole thread, you might understand why I and many others feel that way.

city i grew up in (evansville) is already a major hub between janesville and madison, being on highway 14 midway between the two. the size of this tiny town has grown immensely in the past 10 years, and is expected to grow bigger as madison grows more. the way i saw these two cities merge was pretty cool. probably the first time i noticed it was when Madison news netowrks such as WKOW ABC started their own Rock County news room in janesville, while rockford focused on more illinois news. (Janesville recieve bth Rockford and Madison news networks)

[globill]

Sic,

As someone from Evansville,

Do you think there might ever be a "westside highway" that loops to the west of Rockford/Beloit/Janesville/Madison?

Considering that corridor has well over one million people and is seeing growth all around, it seems unlikely that I-90 alone will be able to accommodate all of the growth.

[globill]

Here's an article I stumbled upon from UPenn/Wharton . It's the first time I have seen the phrase "Chicago-Madison Region". I hope Milwaukee doesn't get too covetous of its intimate relationship with Chi-town.

http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/a...articleid=1510


Rapid growth will be concentrated in warm, sunny locations like California, Arizona, New Mexico, Florida and the greater Seattle metro area. Other places where new arrivals will add to the overall population in a significant way are Salt Lake City, the Denver North-South corridor, the state of Texas, the Atlanta-Charlotte-Raleigh corridor, and the Chicago-Madison region. What the authors term "substantial population inflows" can be projected for Atlanta, Chicago, Phoenix, New York, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Orlando and Denver.


And since when is Seattle "warm and sunny".

[Milwaukee, WY]

Originally Posted by globill

And since when is Seattle "warm and sunny".

Well, it rarely snows there....

[sicarim]

Originally Posted by globill

Sic,

As someone from Evansville,

Do you think there might ever be a "westside highway" that loops to the west of Rockford/Beloit/Janesville/Madison?

Considering that corridor has well over one million people and is seeing growth all around, it seems unlikely that I-90 alone will be able to accommodate all of the growth.

I know 14 is seeing tons of traffic and isn't doing well as two lane highway. commuters from evansville and the surrounding area can really only use 14 to get to madison, and its a very twisty road, and can't really accomodate all the traffic. same goes for 14 to janesville. Some commuters are avoiding i-90 already, opting to take roads like highway 14 and highway 51 to reach madison, or whereever they may work.
i heard brief talk of turning highway 14 into a four lane highway, and it actually is a four lane highway on the outskirts of madison (right before you hit Oregon), but I'm not sure if they've panned. out. their constantly doing roadwork somewhere on that stretch of 14, and with traffic increasing in that corridor and Rock county becoming more a gigantic suburb of madison, something will need to be done within my estimates, within the next 10 years. Next time I'm back down in that area i'll have to look into it.

[JPmaverick]

WisDOT has been implementing components of two long-term transportation plans to improve freeway/expressway/highway connections between key population centers in the state. While construction projects in SE Wisconsin are on a fast-track, the following proposals for south central Wisconsin are also on the radar:

2020 PLAN

US-12: This corridor is considered a vital link to Illinois. At present, US-12 is an expressway from Madison to Cambridge and a freeway from Elkhorn to the IL state line. WisDOT has conducted studies to upgrade the Cambridge-Elkhorn segment to an expressway or freeway but is reluctant to proceed unless IDOT also proposes upgrading US-12 or resurrecting old freeway/tollways plans. WisDOT is proceeding with a study to create a bypass around Fort Atkinson.

US-14: Plans are underway to upgrade US-14 to an expressway from Oregon to Brooklyn. Construction from County MM to WIS-138 (phase I) is scheduled to start in 2010 and from WIS-138 to WIS-92 (phase II) is scheduled to start in 2016. WisDOT is also studying the feasibility of extending the WIS-11 bypass in Janesville from I-39 to US-14 and whether to upgrade the Janesville (I-39) to Darien (I-43) segment to a four-lane highway.

US-51: WisDOT is conducting further analyses to expand US-51 (as well as WIS-138 from Oregon to I-39) to a four-lane highway or expressway.

2030 PLAN

I-39/90: WisDOT is studying long-term needs for I-39/90. A separate study, the South Central Wisconsin Commuter Transportation Study, is examining rail and express bus alternatives for the region.

WIS-26: WisDOT has completed initial studies and is proceeding with further analyses to consider upgrading the route from Janesville to Watertown to an expressway (and eventually to a freeway).

One important thing to consider is that any expansion plan for I-39/90 will face funding issues. Reconstruction of I-94 from Milwaukee to the state line is scheduled to start in 2009. Planning is underway for the next major project: reconstruction of the Zoo Interchange (I-94/I-894) in western Milwaukee County. Since these two projects will exhaust a substantial part of the state freeway construction budget, it may be well beyond the next budget cycle (2009-2011) before funding is available for I-39/90.

CORRECTION: I originally noted that "I-94 from Milwaukee to the state line has had capacity issues for the past decade and widening is scheduled to start in 2009." This statement was paraphrased from a Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (SEWRPC) study that recommended widening based on capacity issues. WisDOT did not approve or seek funding for the widening proposal but is currently reviewing the recommendation to determine if future expansion is necessary.

[mgk920]

Originally Posted by JPmaverick

WisDOT has been implementing components of two long-term transportation plans to improve freeway/expressway/highway connections between key population centers in the state. While construction projects in SE Wisconsin are on a fast-track, the following proposals for south central Wisconsin are also on the radar:

2020 PLAN

US-12: This corridor is considered a vital link to Illinois. At present, US-12 is an expressway from Madison to Cambridge and a freeway from Elkhorn to the IL state line. WisDOT has conducted studies to upgrade the Cambridge-Elkhorn segment to an expressway or freeway but is reluctant to proceed unless IDOT also proposes upgrading US-12 or resurrecting old freeway/tollways plans. WisDOT is proceeding with a study to create a bypass around Fort Atkinson.

US-14: Plans are underway to upgrade US-14 to an expressway from Oregon to Brooklyn. Construction from County MM to WIS-138 (phase I) is scheduled to start in 2010 and from WIS-138 to WIS-92 (phase II) is scheduled to start in 2016. WisDOT is also studying the feasibility of extending the WIS-11 bypass in Janesville from I-39 to US-14 and whether to upgrade the Janesville (I-39) to Darien (I-43) segment to a four-lane highway.

US-51: WisDOT is conducting further analyses to expand US-51 (as well as WIS-138 from Oregon to I-39) to a four-lane highway or expressway.

2030 PLAN

I-39/90: WisDOT is studying long-term needs for I-39/90. A separate study, the South Central Wisconsin Commuter Transportation Study, is examining rail and express bus alternatives for the region.

WIS-26: WisDOT has completed initial studies and is proceeding with further analyses to consider upgrading the route from Janesville to Watertown to an expressway (and eventually to a freeway).

One important thing to consider is that any expansion plan for I-39/90 will face funding issues. I-94 from Milwaukee to the state line has had capacity issues for the past decade and widening is scheduled to start in 2009. Planning is underway for the next major project: reconstruction of the Zoo Interchange (I-94/I-894) in western Milwaukee County. Since these two projects will exhaust a substantial part of the state freeway construction budget, it may be well beyond the next budget cycle (2009-2011) before funding is available for I-39/90.

A BIG chunk of the freeway construction budget in that period is also going to two sections of US 41 - from WI 26 in Oshkosh to Breezewood/Bell in Neenah (upgrade from 4 to 6 lanes to full interstate standards) and to add a lane in each direction about Scheuring Rd in De Pere to Lineville Rd in Howard/Suamico, including a re-engineered I-43 interchange and major freeway upgrades to WI 29 from US 41 northwestward to the WI 32 split - and for major upgrades (upgrade from 4 to 6 lanes) that are planned for US 10/WI 441 from US 41 (southwest interchange) eastward to where US 10 jumps off of the freeway at Oneida St in Appleton. The total for all of this work, expected to start in about 2010, may exceed $1G.

Mike

[globill]

Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Tourism program drives $30M spending boostThe Business Journal of Milwaukee
Print Article Email Article Reprints RSS Feeds Add to Del.icio.us Digg This
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A Wisconsin Department of Tourism initiative that awarded less than a million-and-a-half dollars to state nonprofit organizations over the past year has resulted in $30 million in additional tourism spending in the state, Gov. Jim Doyle said Wednesday.

The Department of Tourism's Joint Effort Marketing (JEM) grant program issued more than $1.4 million in awards to 59 nonprofits over the last 12 months. The grants are used to fund extra marketing for special events, sales promotions or marketing campaigns.

For example, the program awarded $28,000 in November 2006 to the Milwaukee Art Museum to promote the museum's "Biedermeier: The Invention of Simplicity" exhibit to Chicago and Rockford travelers. As a result, travelers from northern Illinois spent more than $3.5 million in the Milwaukee area, Doyle said.

[D-res]

Originally Posted by JPmaverick

.... I-94 from Milwaukee to the state line has had capacity issues for the past decade and widening is scheduled to start in 2009.

Are you referring to the Milwaukee-Chicago corridor? The freeway is already 6 lanes and as many times as I've driven on it I can't imagine it getting widened to 8 lanes. Sure, there is SOME congestion but I've never literally gotten caught in traffic. Its always been smooth sailing until well into Milwaukee or Chicago. Is there really that much of a capacity issue?

[edsg25]

Originally Posted by D-res

Are you referring to the Milwaukee-Chicago corridor? The freeway is already 6 lanes and as many times as I've driven on it I can't imagine it getting widened to 8 lanes. Sure, there is SOME congestion but I've never literally gotten caught in traffic. Its always been smooth sailing until well into Milwaukee or Chicago. Is there really that much of a capacity issue?

have to agree with you, D-res...not even the Marquette interchange can slow down this baby.

[Milwaukee, WY]

Originally Posted by D-res

Are you referring to the Milwaukee-Chicago corridor? The freeway is already 6 lanes and as many times as I've driven on it I can't imagine it getting widened to 8 lanes. Sure, there is SOME congestion but I've never literally gotten caught in traffic. Its always been smooth sailing until well into Milwaukee or Chicago. Is there really that much of a capacity issue?

Truly! About the only time I remember ever being in a traffic jam on that road was like eight years ago when they had it down to two lanes for resurfacing work. Perhaps the state just wants to stay ahead of the forthcoming population boom in Southern MKE county, and Racine/Kenosha and Lake Counties. I can see how it wouldn't take a whole lot more traffic to cause a problem. Then again, maybe the state just wants to give HNTB more money.

[D-res]

http://www.dot.state.wi.us/projects/...serlisting.pdf

On page 11 it talks about reconstruction of the interchanges and mainline roadway from the state line to the Mitchell interchange but doesnt mention anything about expansion

[JPmaverick]

My bad...

I was relying on information from WisDOT and SEWRPC. According to the SEWRPC study, I-94 in Milwaukee County has been at capacity for nearly a decade and the Kenosha/Racine segment will "need" widening to accommodate future growth and traffic patters over the next 20 years. The state authorized reconstruction but widening was not included in the initial funding package. WisDOT has stated it will review the study to determine whether a request for widening is necessary.

I'm not surprised that it's not as busy as others would claim. I rarely drive the corridor (I take the train) but those times I do I have never been "stuck" in traffic. While I can't argue with safety improvements and road maintenance, widening only creates more congestion. I understand the region is growing but more attention needs to be given to other forms of transportation rather than just laying down swaths of concrete everywhere.

Anyway, just one man's opinion

[D-res]

ahh yes. you can see here: http://www.sewrpc.org/regionalplans/..._tran_plan.pdf

on page 19 theres a map of kenosha county with I-94 highlighted with the number 8 along the corridor representing the widening. This is of course the 2035 plan for future expansion. I like the idea because upgrade in infrastructure is exiting, primarily because that insinuates a good deal of growth. On the next page it has pretty much every freeway in milwaukee county as being slated for widening as well.

[Chicagoago]

Originally Posted by bnk

http://proximityone.com/msa06rnk.htm

Maybe some one could figure out a way to copy from this list of population projections into 2020.

Chicago MSA
Rockford
Madison
Milwaukee
Janesville
Racine
NW Indiana

All in all rather strong growth all around, except for Milwaukee proper.

13,533,469 including Kankakee

[globill]

Transit upgrade relies on local cash
Sep 28, 2007 @ 09:45 PM
By Thomas V. Bona
RRSTAR.COM
ROCKFORD -

A mass-transit link between Rockford and Chicagoland could draw as many as 2,800 commuters a day, according to preliminary estimates.

That’s lower than many new projects that receive federal funding but not out of line with planners’ expectations.

“What that may mean in the future is that to get our numbers in the right place might require more local investment,” said Steve Ernst, assistant project manager for the
Northern Illinois Commuter Transportation Initiative. “We’re not going to be able to fund this strictly on the backs of the feds.”

They expect to have more riders than just commuters, but they can only cite commuter numbers when applying for federal aid.

Planners are choosing between two Metra-style rail options and two “rapid-bus” options to link the western suburbs with downtown Rockford.

They now expect the route to be chosen in January instead of October because of delays in the state-budget process, but they’ll still make the deadline for applying for federal funds. After approval, construction would start in a few years.

Ernst said because of new rules the project can only be half-funded by federal money.
That makes the local share — state, county or city funds or investment by railroad companies — that more important.

Planners are looking at whether the proposed rail projects could be done in conjunction to get more bang for the buck. Amtrak is looking to fix tracks between Chicago and Rockford using state money, while Winnebago County leaders hope to upgrade freight tracks with public or private money.

“If there’s only X number of dollars maybe we can kill two birds with one stone,” said Scott Christiansen, Winnebago County Board chairman.

The commuter-rail options being considered connect to Metra in Elgin, going through Huntley, Belvidere and downtown Rockford, and the other would go through Genoa and Davis Junction to Chicago/Rockford International Airport. The bus routes would come from the Elgin or Schaumburg areas along Interstate 90 to downtown Rockford.

[mgk920]

Originally Posted by JPmaverick

My bad...

I was relying on information from WisDOT and SEWRPC. According to the SEWRPC study, I-94 in Milwaukee County has been at capacity for nearly a decade and the Kenosha/Racine segment will "need" widening to accommodate future growth and traffic patters over the next 20 years. The state authorized reconstruction but widening was not included in the initial funding package. WisDOT has stated it will review the study to determine whether a request for widening is necessary.

I'm not surprised that it's not as busy as others would claim. I rarely drive the corridor (I take the train) but those times I do I have never been "stuck" in traffic. While I can't argue with safety improvements and road maintenance, widening only creates more congestion. I understand the region is growing but more attention needs to be given to other forms of transportation rather than just laying down swaths of concrete everywhere.

Anyway, just one man's opinion

Also, Racine and Kenosha Counties, along with the WSP, are continually wasting MASSIVE amounts of police resources trying to enforce its absurdly slow speed limit. It carries lots of traffic, but it usually moves freely at near autobahn speeds.

Mike