DOT cuts project funding – because it can

By Dave Fidlin

Correspondent

After an unsuccessful last-ditch effort, Village of Waterford officials are in the process of signing an agreement with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation on the looming Highway 83-20 reconstruction project.

In March, village staff were informed the DOT planned to cut its contribution toward aesthetic improvements in half – from 3 percent to 1.5 percent. Budget cuts at the state level were sited as the reason for the reduction.

DOT is only honoring the 3-percent financial contribution for municipalities with signed agreements. Waterford did not have any such agreement in place in advance of the March announcement, leading to frustration at the local level.

At the Village Board’s May 12 meeting, Village President Tom Roanhouse said he reached out to state Rep. David Craig’s office in hope of getting resolve to the dispute with the DOT.

But the dialogue did not result in a change in course.

Roanhouse and several other board members allege poor communication with DOT representatives resulted in the reduced funding and an unsigned agreement before the contribution formula changed.

“We thought we were doing our due diligence,” Roanhouse said, explaining why a methodical approach was taken.

“At no time were we told time was of the essence. I have a hard time believing (DOT representatives) didn’t know the pulse of the legislature. I think this is unfair.”

Despite the dismay, several board members expressed a desire to have an agreement in place with the DOT.

“I think we need to move forward or they might change it again,” Trustee Thomas Christensen commented.

The board’s decision to move forward on a signed agreement with the DOT comes on the heels of an earlier motion that gave village staff the green light to explore a series of streetscape improvements.

In conjunction with the construction work, some of the enhancements will include so-called “bump-outs” at intersections for improved pedestrian safety. Plans also call for a number of features that will tie in riverfront access.