Wednesday, January 26, 2005
Contact: Ethnie Groves, Governor Doyle’s Office, 608-261-2156

Governor Doyle, Senator Roessler, and
Representative Kaufert Secure Funding to
Keep Fox River Bridges Operating

Governor Jim Doyle, Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT), Senator
Carol Roessler, and Representative Dean Kaufert have secured funding to keep
lift bridges on the Fox River operating on a normal schedule for this year’s
boating season.

“We all know how important these lift bridges are, not only to boaters, but
to the local economy along this outstanding recreational resource,” Governor
Doyle said.  “We have reached the point where all parties can come to an
agreement that will keep the Fox River lift bridges operating as they have
in the past.”

A tight budget had threatened to force the Wisconsin Department of
Transportation to curtail operating a series of seven lift bridges in
Menasha, Oshkosh, and Winneconne along the Fox River.  However, meetings
among local officials, Governor Doyle’s office, Senator Roessler,
Representative Kaufert, and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation
resulted in formulation of a plan that will provide the funding to keep the
bridges open this year.

"I appreciate the Governor recognizing the importance of the lift bridges to
the Fox Valley area," Representative Kaufert said.  "By keeping these
bridges open for the 2005 boating season, we will maintain our commitment to
the boating community and more importantly, garner the economic benefits it
provides to the area."

“Keeping the bridges operational is necessary to the local economies,
boaters, tourists, and businesses,” Senator Roessler said.  “I’m pleased
that our bipartisan efforts will retain this critical bridge and waterway
accessibility.”

DOT officials had anticipated a $428,000 shortfall in the funding needed to
keep the lift bridges, two in Menasha, four in Oshkosh, and one in
Winneconne, operating on a normal schedule and had suggested curtailing the
operating schedule to maintain its budget.  Local concerns about the
curtailed schedule led to public meetings and, later, negotiations involving
Governor Doyle, DOT, Senator Roessler, and Representative Kaufert to develop
a plan to keep the lift bridges operating.

The plans involve transferring funds from within DOT accounts to cover the
operating costs.  However, the transfer requires approval of the Joint
Finance Committee, which is co-chaired by Representative Kaufert.  A meeting
of the Joint Finance Committee is expected to be scheduled soon to address
the proposed financing plan.

- MORE -
In early January, Governor Doyle, Representative Kaufert, Senator Roessler,
Department of Administration Secretary Marc Marotta, and DOT Secretary Frank
Busalacchi sent a letter to the U.S. Coast Guard on a separate, but related,
issue.  The letter requested that the Coast Guard reverse its decision to
stop regulating bridges over the Fox and Wolf Rivers.  The request was made
to ensure that area railroad lift bridges operate on the same schedule as
the state lift bridges.  The state has no authority to require the railroads
to operate their lift bridges.   Without the Coast Guard maintaining
regulation, the railroads would be free to operate their lift bridges on
whatever schedule they determined.

The Coast Guard will likely issue a response to this request shortly, but
regardless of Coast Guard action, Governor Doyle, Representative Kaufert,
and Senator Roessler remain dedicated to finding solutions that maintain the
customary operating schedules and seasons for the state-owned lift bridges
in Winnebago County.  A short-term solution has been found for the 2005
season.  Meanwhile, the Governor and legislators will continue to work
together on a long-term solution.

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