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WisDOT Radio Newsline

May 10, 2013
Buckle up or pay the price. During the annual "Click It or Ticket" safety campaign May 20 through June 2, about 400 law enforcement agencies across Wisconsin will patrol in greater numbers and longer hours looking for unbuckled drivers and passengers. With another major travel season getting underway, state and local police are reminding motorists that buckling up is required by state law — and is the single most effective way to prevent injuries and death in the event of a crash. It's estimated that one of every five Wisconsin motorists fails to wear a seat belt, dramatically increasing the risk they will be ejected from their vehicle or thrown around violently in a crash. Audio

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Governor Scott Walker has announced a Transportation Economic Assistance award totaling nearly $592,000 to the city of Columbus to help construct two streets associated with the relocation of Enerpac, Inc. The firm produces industrial-grade hydraulic tools and equipment, and is breaking ground on a 168,000 square foot facility. Along with retaining 200 jobs, the TEA grant will also help create 50 new jobs at the new Gateway Business Park. Since 1987, Wisconsin’s TEA program has invested about $91 million in 328 projects, creating or retaining over 79,000 jobs

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During the month of May, Wisconsin observes Historic Preservation and Archeology Month. As engineers design and plan transportation projects, archeologists also study them to ensure that items and information of historical value regarding Wisconsin’s cultural heritage are preserved, and if needed, excavated at the archeological site prior to the start of construction. Archeological field research and efforts, guided by federal and state legislation, have resulted in discoveries that have helped preserve hundreds of significant cultural sites. Audio

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The number of "Bicycle Friendly Communities" or BFCs in Wisconsin continues to grow. The League of American Bicyclists added Appleton and Sturgeon Bay to its 2013 nationwide list. There are now 10 Wisconsin communities with this distinction. Madison is a gold level BFC; La Crosse and Milwaukee are silver level; and Appleton, Eau Claire, Fitchburg, River Falls, Sheboygan County, Shorewood and Sturgeon Bay are bronze level BFCs. Wisconsin was recently named the eighth most bicycle friendly state in the U.S. State and community rankings are based on engineering, education, encouragement, enforcement and evaluation.

For more information, contact:
Rob Miller, WisDOT Office of Public Affairs
(608) 266-2405, robert.miller@dot.wi.gov

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Questions about the content of this page:
Office of Public Affairs, opa.exec@dot.wi.gov
Last modified: May 16, 2013