WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WI (WSAU) — City leaders in Wisconsin Rapids have passed their 2023 budget and property tax levy, but its what’s not included in that document that Mayor Shane Blaser is concerned about for the upcoming year.
That includes road work on two of the city’s main streets- Riverview Expressway and 8th Street, which are both state highways. According to Blaser, both have reached the end of their useful life and need repair. “It’s really unfortunate,” said Blaser. “I have higher expectations of our state and its road system. All of this money that’s being put into infrastructure by our state, and we have been missed.”
The Mayor says he’s had several discussions with local lawmakers including Scott Krug and Patrick Testin, and he knows that the state DOT is aware of the condition. But So far, neither highway is scheduled for repairs anytime soon.
“They’re doing what they can do. We’re just trying to highlight the priority of it and trying to make sure it is more of a priority than, unfortunately, someone else’s [road,]” said Blaser. “They [also] want to see their roads fixed, but we have to push and fight a little to show our road is a little more of a need than theirs. Unfortunately, someone has to lose something for us to gain something.”
Blaser says it’s gotten to the point where motorcyclists are avoiding those areas altogether because of their condition.
He does encourage residents to reach out to lawmakers as well, adding that the city has considered putting up signs at the north and south ends of town where the roads begin to encourage drivers to contact the DOT and lawmakers regarding their condition.
Blaser confirmed a small property tax increase for his residents in the new budget, though says the number could have been higher but for a few items that were stripped out before final approval.
Other items Blaser discussed with WSAU’s Mike Leischner include:
Start of video- Blaser’s plans for the gun deer season
4:50- City budget
7:50- Status of Highways 13 and 34
12:10- Rekindle the Spirit Parade
13:35- Dog park update
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