For decades Wisconsinites have enjoyed our Interstate System and infrastructure as an efficient means of travel throughout Wisconsin and beyond. Visitors have enjoyed a toll-free, relatively congestion-free, quick route to their destination whether in Wisconsin or beyond.

Wisconsin's infrastructure, however, has grown to the point where the most congested areas are not able to be expanded enough to allow the efficient travel. To say that our interstate and state highway systems are overburdened in Milwaukee, Waukesha, Madison and even US-41 in the Fox Valley is an understatement.

Many people look at the High-Speed Rail Project as being unnecessary and a poor utilization of Federal Stimulus Dollars. They believe that improvement of existing highways - not expansion or redevelopment - is the better means of spending these dollars. They say that for a family of four, taking an automobile is more cost-effective. And for today's gas prices (roughly $2.50 - $2.79/gallon) they're right. But gas prices are volatile (July 2008: $4.16/gallon in Madison, WI) and what happens when they reach $6.00/gallon?

The problem I have with this viewpoint is that it looks at the IMMEDIATE needs of residents and visitors to our state - not the long-term advantages. Tourism is one of our main sources of revenue in the state budget. Providing people in or visiting Chicago and Minneapolis with a FAST, CHEAP and EASY way to our state increases tourism dollars. It increases the likelihood of major conferences being held in Madison and other parts of the state. It facilitates a CHEAPER way to get to our state so that visitors can spend more money HERE instead of the price it costs to travel here. In short, it increases the access to Wisconsin as a whole from airports and the major metropolitan areas which are just over our borders.

The environmental impact is significant as well. Reducing our carbon footprint in a state known and appreciated for it's natural resources is a step in the right direction to ensure those natural resources are there for future generations. The impact for those who will still continue to drive is significant as it will reduce congestion (marginally upon initial start-up) and facilitate stabilization in gas prices as demand is reduced over time. There are opportunities for businesses to develop or strengthen ties with organizations in the Chicago and Minneapolis Metropolitan Areas. It allows Wisconsinites easier access for travel through major airports. It increases productivity and reduces personal stress for those traveling along the High Speed Rail Routes.

The time to act for the future of our state, our natural resources and our tourism economy is NOW. If we pass this opportunity up now, we may not have another chance to receive enough federal dollars to make the investment while maintaining our existing infrastructure in the future. With project completion scheduled in 2016, it would be extremely short-sighted to wait for the demand for this type of project to require our state to construct something of this nature. Not to mention that by the time demand is achieved, the project would take so long to complete that it would cost us MUCH MUCH more in terms of loss of productivity, visitors and reduce our quality of life while waiting for its completion.

The time to act and secure the future of travel into and throughout Wisconsin is now. Let's help our state in it's progress to the future.