TDA: On The Go Podcast

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) is all the news. We hear about the funding for roads, bridges, public transportation, and the transition to electric vehicles. But what about investment in ports and waterways?

Adam Tindall-Schlicht, director of Port Milwaukee and the Wisconsin Commercial Ports Association president, joins TDA's Debby Jackson on the latest episode of the On The Go podcast to discuss Wisconsin ports and the opportunities provided by the recently passed infrastructure law.

Every year in Wisconsin, people die needlessly on or around railroad tracks. Many of these accidents occur where there are warning devices alerting drivers and pedestrians to the presence of trains.

Sept 20-26 is Rail Safety Week in Wisconsin and throughout North America. Gary Koerner, state coordinator of Operation Lifesaver, joins TDA Executive Director Debby Jackson on this episode of the On The Go podcast. The two discuss safety at railroad crossings, the dangers of trespassing on tracks, and upcoming Wisconsin events Operation Lifesaver has planned for Rail Safety Week.

Just about anywhere you go today, you will see help wanted signs. This labor shortage predates the pandemic, but the events of the last year (or so) certainly exacerbated the issue.

Dave Steele, executive director of the Regional Transit Leadership Council, joins TDA's Debby Jackson on the latest episode of the On The Go podcast. The two discuss the Council's plan to help workers fill in the "last mile" between public transit and jobs in the Milwaukee area, expanding the pool of possible employees and connecting people to jobs.

A significant part of the state's economy, tourism was one of the hardest-hit sectors during the pandemic. But now, with the vaccine readily available, communities open for business, and pent-up travel demand, Wisconsinites are hitting the road this summer after more than a year of sticking close to home. In the latest episode of the TDA On The Go Podcast, Executive Director Debby Jackson speaks with Romy Snyder, president and CEO of the Wisconsin Dells Visitor and Convention Bureau, about the trends Snyder sees in the Dells and her optimism for the future of the industry.

AirVenture, described as the closest thing America has to a national airshow, returns to Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh July 26 through August 1 after a one-year hiatus due to the pandemic. In the latest episode of the On the Go Podcast, TDA Executive Director Debby Jackson speaks with Dick Knapinski, director of communications for EAA, about this extraordinary event.

Bikes are booming!

During the pandemic, sales of bikes skyrocketed, and the trend continues.

Bike-share programs have also seen tremendous growth in many cities across the country, and Madison and Milwaukee bike-share systems thrive.

As Bike Month comes to a close, Morgan Ramaker, Executive Director of BCycle, joins TDA's Debby Jackson to talk about the successful bike-share programs in Wisconsin and the role they can play in a community's transportation system.

Mark O'Connell, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Counties Association, is also the current President of the Board of Directors of TDA. In this episode, Debby and Mark discuss how they both addressed the organizational challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and they examine the short and long-term opportunities facing TDA.

It's state budget time. In this episode, TDA's Debby Jackson reviews the Governor's budget address and speaks with Sean Stephenson of the Wisconsin Transportation Builders Association, a veteran of several state budget sessions as a former capitol staffer and current director of government & member relations at WTBA. Stephenson breaks down the budget process and outlines what actions we may expect, and when we should expect them.

The I-94 East-West project in Milwaukee is not only vital to city and area residents, but it's also crucial for the region and the entire state.

In this episode, Debby speaks with Steve Baas, Senior Vice President of Governmental Affairs at the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC) and a member of I-94 East-West Econ Connect, a diverse coalition of community and business groups advocating for the improvement of this roadway. (I94econconnect.com)