A solid transportation infrastructure is critical to the economic competitiveness of a regional economy. Highway and rail projects result in the more efficient movement of people and goods and can lead the way to millions of dollars in new private investment. But major transportation improvements don’t come cheaply.

In the seven-county Milwaukee region, the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission is exploring the merits of a $20.3 billion, 30-year regional transportation plan to maintain, add capacity, and operate our highway and transit systems. The plan predicts an annual financial shortfall of $65 million. With federal and state governments already funding a majority of improvements, it’s likely that local government will be asked to raise additional funds to plug the projected fiscal hole.

In light of the big decisions ahead, the Public Policy Forum conducted a survey in 2005 of 600 residents from the region about transportation.