TDA: On The Go Podcast Transportation Development Association of Wisconsin

Last month, TDA held its Drive-in at the State Capitol in Madison. Approximately 75 TDA members, including representatives of business, industry, local government, transportation advocates and trade unions attended a morning seminar and then groups visited the Capitol to share legislative priorities with lawmakers and staff.
In this episode of the podcast, TDA Executive Director Debby Jackson speaks with a few of the attendees who share their thoughts on the importance of the Drive-In, and the state of transportation infrastructure in Wisconsin, overall.

Agriculture is big dollars and a key driver of Wisconsin's economy. It's no secret that the condition of the state's roads, bridges and culverts, and posted weight restrictions, impact whether the industry can safely and efficiently transport agricultural products to market.

In this episode of the On The Go podcast, TDA Executive Director Debby Jackson talks with Jason Mugnaini, executive director of governmental relations at the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, to discuss agriculture, transportation, and a legislative proposal to create an agricultural road improvement program at WisDOT.

At the 2023 TDA Fly-in to Washington, DC, there was much focus on the discretionary grants in the federal infrastructure law and the need to bring a fair share of those dollars home to Wisconsin. In the latest On The Go podcast, TDA Executive Director Debby Jackson speaks with Rob Krejci, the highway commissioner for St. Croix County, about these funding opportunities from a county's perspective. 
Rob shares how a trio of Wisconsin counties — St. Croix, Dunn, and Eau Claire — partnered and successfully worked with the USDOT to obtain a $500,000 Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) action plan grant. This plan will unlock future implementation grant opportunities. Rob hopes other counties and municipalities will benefit from what they learned during the application process.

Governor Tony Evers has submitted his 2023-25 State Budget. What’s in it? Why does it matter, and what’s next? TDA Executive Director Debby Jackson sits down with political communications consultant Brian Fraley, the President of Edge Messaging, to discuss items of interest to those concerned about Wisconsin’s transportation infrastructure. They also explain how individuals can make an impact on the budget process. 

The Canadian Pacific (CP) Holiday Train returns with its approximately 170 free, in-person shows after being virtual in 2020 and 2021. The train will roll through Wisconsin from December 8th through the 10th. This holiday tradition dates back to 1999 and brings live, family-friendly music to large and small communities along the CP system. Each year, the Holiday Train raises money, food, and awareness to address the issue of food insecurity. CP makes a donation within each community where the Holiday Train stops and asks attendees to bring a cash or non-perishable food donation if they're able.
 
Andy Cummings, a spokesman for Canadian Pacific Railway, speaks with TDA's Debby Jackson on the latest On The Go podcast about the exciting return of the in-person CP Holiday Train and the holiday magic this train brings to the cities and towns along the route.

TDA was on the road in October holding a series of five regional transportation roundtables across the state. TDA and local partners hosted community leaders, legislators, and candidates in Eau Claire, Appleton, Richland Center, Pewaukee, and Wausau. Our goal was to reconnect and restart a conversation about transportation in Wisconsin after the pandemic. During our travels, we heard about regional accomplishments, opportunities, and challenges. In our latest On The Go Podcast, you will get a quick overview of the spirited discussions at these meetings.