Most work in Tosa to continue even if Zoo Interchange construction delayed

A possible delay in the completion of the Zoo Interchange project won't affect work in Wauwatosa scheduled for 2013, Public Works Director Bill Porter said.

The state Department of Transportation plans to move ahead with work on Mayfair Road from Interstate 94 to Watertown Plank Road, Glenview Avenue from Blue Mound Road to north of Wisconsin Avenue, and the extension of Swan Boulvard to a connection with Watertown Plank Road.

"Those (projects) coming out in spring, early summer are full-speed ahead," Porter said.

Utility work already has begun on Mayfair and Watertown Plank, DOT Communications Manager Emlynn Grisar said, also confirming plans to continue scheduled work on the Wauwatosa projects, and farther south, on Greenfield Avenue.

Porter said that design work will continue on projects slated for 2014, including a large, looping interchange linking Mayfair Road to Highway 45.

Grisar said last week that there was no update on the potential delay of the Zoo Interchange project.

Transportation Secretary Mark Gottlieb reportedly announced two weeks ago that work on the Zoo Interchange, and possibly other state projects, will be proceed at a slower pace if more funding isn't provided. He said the Zoo Interchange project, schedule to be done in 2018, won't be completed until 2020 if funding needs aren't met.

Gov. Scott Walker said a few days later that he would like to keep the Zoo Interchange project on schedule without affecting other projects, but offered no specific plans to provide more money, beyond saying that raising the tax on gas was unlikely.

Other options that have been floated include charging people a new fee based on how many miles they drive, putting more money collected from the income and sales taxes toward roads, or increasing borrowing, although the Republican-controlled Legislature reportedly has little appetite for any of these suggestions.

City Adminstrator Jim Archambo said last week that a delay in completion of the Zoo Interchange would have little direct effect on city projects, including the development of Innovation Park, north of Watertown Plank and east of Highway 45, although a continued state of construction in the area would be an inconvenience.

The Zoo Interchange is the busiest interchange in the state, and work on it has been planned for years.

About a possible delay, Porter said, "How it would affect 2014 projects and beyond is just going to have to shake out."