News of the details of the negotiation between Taiwan-based Foxconn and the state of Wisconsin have revealed ideas about transportation planning that are either ambitious or delusional, depending on your opinion.
"Foxconn Technology Group asked for an autonomous vehicle lane to be included in the expansion of Interstate 94 North-South in Racine County," reports Arthur Thomas.
The Foxconn deal made national news as Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker touted the company's decision to locate in the state as evidence of his administration's success in economic development. President Trump also chimed in, telling residents of upstate New York to move after Oneida County failed to land the deal.
"The special session legislation setting up Foxconn’s $3 billion in tax credits and breaks also authorized $252.4 million in borrowing to complete the expansion of I-94 in Racine County, but that money cannot be spent without an award of federal funding for the project," adds Thomas.
The article includes soundbites from Milwaukee Association of Commerce president Tim Sheehy, Wisconsin Department of Transportation spokesperson Michael Pyritz, and Waukesha County Board Chair Paul Decker. Decker, for instance, argues that the state will have to rethink its approach to transportation planning and start thinking about funding on a regional level, rather than a local level, to make large projects like I-94 a reality.
Hat tip to Kim Slowey for sharing the article.
FULL STORY: Foxconn wants autonomous vehicle lane as part of I-94 expansion
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