Through the compilation of presentations, the Chippewa Valley and Eau Claire community will be seeing some drastic improvements in the transportation sector, including parking, Chippewa Valley Regional Airport's seasonal nonstop flights to travel destinations, and bus, rail, and other transit advancements. According to WisDot from the 2023-2025 WI State Transportation Budget, 62% of the state's transportation budget derives from state funds in comparison to 26% of federal, 5% general purpose revenue, 4% bonds, and the remaining 3% other as stated by Debby Jackson. On Friday, October 25, the Eau Claire Chamber of Commerce hosted "Eggs and Issues: Planes, Trains, Automobiles, and Transit" alongside multiple departmental representatives of transportation sectors across the state of Wisconsin.

These included...

Joel Nilsestuen, Assistant Deputy Secretary, Wisconsin Dept. of Transportation presenting on "The vision for the state's transportation future."

Debby Jackson, Executive Director, Transportation Development Association of Wisconsin, presenting on "The priorities of the state's transportation users and providers."

Charity Zich, Airport Director, Chippewa Valley Regional Airport, presenting on "United Express and Sun Country service changes and the airport's future."

Dave Solberg, Eau Claire Deputy City Manager, presenting on a "Preview of the downtown parking study."

Ty Fadness, Eau Claire Transit Manager, presenting on "Potential innovations to increase transit usage and relevance in Eau Claire."

Scott Rogers, West Central Wisconsin Rail Coalition, presenting the subject on "How the new federal rail corridor funding pipeline can bring more passenger trains to our state and region."

Local concerns on the transportation sector affecting Eau Claire and the Chippewa Valley to the Wisconsin State as a whole were the topics of critical value during this hour-and-a-half panel presentation. First, we retrieved important insight about the Wisconsin Department of Transportation's progress state-wide including, budget promises and restrictions, overall goals for the state, local promises and networks for Eau Claire and the Chippewa Valley, etc. Although there has been current attention on renovation and reconstruction around the Milwaukee districts, there are gleaming hopes and promises that there will be such an effect coming to the Chippewa Valley in the very near future.

Pictured above: The beginning of Joel Nilsestuen's presentation

Attendees were able to achieve greater insight on updates and additional information from the state and local areas surrounding the Chippewa Valley on issues, practices, goals, and solutions to the transportation sector in the Western region of Wisconsin. An analysis of the 2023-2025 state budget for the transportation sector was announced and described in greater detail for the attending guests as exclaimed by the presenters, Joel Nilsestuen and Debby Jackson. It is estimated a total of 8.35 billion dollars is the '23-'25 budget in comparison to the '21-'23 with 7.06 billion (WisDot).

Pictured above: The midst of Debby Jackson's presentation

Pictured above: Associated slide for Debby Jackson's presentation

Projects of concern moving forward will include LRIP-S, ARIP, and interstate projects. Furthermore, there was a brief lesson on bonding and debt services on a state-level basis, in which the Legislative Fiscal Bureau states a 16.2% debt service percentage of transportation revenue with $352.80 of bonding, which was expressed during one of the presentations. As pictured above, the state of Wisconsin asks for federal discretionary dollars from the federal agency for specific transportation projects and efforts to better the state. Some notable "wins" for Wisconsin in transportation are the $1 billion and more awarded to the shared Minnesota and Wisconsin bridge and the 80 million awarded to Wisconsin to replace an interstate bridge. These efforts further exemplify the idea that the state is getting recognized not only on a state level for local communities but at the federal level as well.

Onto more local projects affecting the Chippewa Valley and Eau Claire areas pertain to the Chippewa Valley Regional Airport, City of Eau Claire parking, and a new bus route from Tomah to Eau Claire, Eau Claire to the Twin Cities Passenger Rail Corridor, and new transit changes and opportunities for Eau Claire. All of these surfacing transportation advantages will help boost revenue, tourism, and money for the surrounding community, helping the Eau Claire and Chippewa Valley thrive more than ever before.

Here is a snapshot summary of the local projects...

Chippewa Valley Regional Airport

The Sun Country EAS contract ends Nov. 30, 2024, based on many factors. One is that the EAU only captured 5% of the demand generated in the catchment area. So, advocacy for the EAU airport and usage by the local community of its services to help boost revenue and attraction. One exciting addition is that United Express operated by SkyWest returns to EAU. Flights begin Dec. 13, 2024...so book now! This will accompany a daily service to ORD for worldwide connections at your expense. Also, Sun Country Airlines will contain nonstop flights departing from EAU and arriving at RSW (Southwest Florida International Airport) resuming on November 21, 2024. These flights will run twice a week through the seasonal months till the beginning of April. Further, The Chippewa Valley Regional Airport offers IFP Casino Charters, times vary, that you, your friends, and your family can enjoy!

City of Eau Claire Parking 

The City of Eau Claire conducted a downtown parking study which encompassed an analysis of availability, efficiency, and the need for parking. The study solely focused on downtown only (BIDs), stressed financial recommendations, and customer operational recommendations, and the full report will be ready and available in January 2025. Some parking challenges include aging infrastructure, potential changes in parking supply & demand, and increasing overall costs.

The Current Downtown Parking Inventory:

• Private Parking Lots - 1,100
• City Lots/Ramps - 2,000
• On-street Parking - 1,000
• Total Downtown Inventory Spaces - 4,100

Potential Parking Changes on the Horizon...

• Improving Customer Expectations
• Infrastructure Replacement & Costs
• Parking Supply & Demand
• Parking Finances
• Parking Benefit Districts

Busing and Railway

The Borealis, a new daily round-trip passenger train service between St. Paul, Milwaukee, and Chicago, began on May 21, 2024. This passenger rail service contains a high ridership after opening this past summer. On another talking point, the Federal Railroad Administration has increasingly obtained more spending over the past few years. In which, bipartisan infrastructure law by FRA was passed and historic for its time. This law advanced appropriations, roughly $66 billion, in total funding while also containing fully authorized funds of $36 billion. What's up on the docket next you may ask well currently a new shuttle service from Tomah to Eau Claire for The Borealis is underway and the Twin-Cities & Eau Claire railway system is too.

Goals for the Transportation Railroad Sector...

• • Meet the Needs of the People because Voices Matter
  • Competitive Operative Sector in WI and Neighboring States
  • Host RR Direct Access Model for Planning
  • Consider & Curate a Plan for Zero-Emission Equipment for this Transportation Method
  • Develop Transportation-Oriented Future Plans for Generations to Come

Eau Claire Transit Updates

A new transfer center is set to open in the summer of '25. This will encompass current top-level (3-story) apartments that are under construction and set to open later next year. Other EC transit updates include
UWEC & Express route changes for students and community members, a new and improved transit app for mobile devices, bus stop experience improvements, bus shelter art to connect the transit and art worlds, an unhoused voucher program, and other community events.

An interesting feature worth noting...

• Design and Feasibility Study
  • Purpose: explore multimodal transit service alternatives and possible implementation
    • Routes 3 & 4 in the Northeastern region of Eau Claire
    • Off-peak weekend service
    • Daytime on-demand service in other suitable areas
    • ADA paratransit service improvements
    • Receive input from stakeholders and community members

All of these presentations through October's Eggs & Issues had one goal in mind; to improve transportation networks to better the communities in need.

Posted by Johnny Meagher Governmental Affairs Intern
meagher@eauclairechamber.org