NWRPC’s rural transportation technical assistance program continued to provide local governments with information regarding area transportation issues. Assistance covered nearly all modes including transit, rail, highway, and airports. Due to the availability of new funding assistance for transit development, staff has been working with several counties who are planning the development of a fixed or deviating transit program within and between area counties. Staff conducted Pavement Surface Evaluation Ratings (PASER) for 28 towns, three villages and five cities during the summer/fall of 2007 and submitted them through the Wisconsin Information System for Local Roads (WISLR) Internet-accessible system, in compliance of State Statute 86.302(2).
The federal transportation bill (SAFETEA-LU) includes funding for communities, schools, and others to develop Safe Routes to School plans. Applicants can choose a state selected consultant or a Regional Planning Commission to develop awarded Safe Routes to School plans. Staff successfully wrote an application for the City of Spooner and development of that SRTS plan is underway. Staff has been working with several other communities in preparation of applications to be submitted in March of 2008.