What a difference four years makes! In the latest On The Go episode, Debby Jackson speaks with Abe Weber, director of the Appleton International Airport (ATW). These two last chatted on the podcast in May 2020, in the early days of the pandemic when the future of air travel was uncertain. Over the past four years, Appleton International Airport has experienced a significant surge in passengers. Weber attributes the growth to pent-up demand, the return of business travelers, and airline partners' introduction of new routes at ATW. They also discuss the airport's expansion and the ATW team's com ..read more

Brian Fraley, president of and owner of Edge Messaging, again joins TDA Executive Director Debby Jackson on the On The Go podcast. In this episode, Debby and Brian cover the timely topic of Wisconsin's new state legislative maps. The two chat about what we know and what we need to learn about the new maps and the potential opportunities for grassroots groups like TDA ..read more

Scott Rogers, the vice president of governmental affairs at the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce, joins TDA Executive Director Debby Jackson on the latest On The Go podcast to talk about passenger rail. Scott and Debby discuss the economic benefits of passenger rail for the region and the recently announced federal grants to study passenger rail in the state. Jackson also takes the opportunity to get tips for long-distance train trips from Rogers, a longtime train traveler.   Notes: Business Coalition for Passenger Rail - List and sign on form Email: rogers@eauclairechamber.org Ea ..read more

Wisconsin Department of Transportation Secretary Craig Thompson, serving as the 2024 American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) president, joins TDA Executive Director Debby Jackson on the On The Go podcast. Thompson talks about the department's work and accomplishments during his five years at WisDOT and the plans and priorities for the year ahead. They also discuss his priorities for AASHTO and what he has learned about the transportation challenges states face - the similarities and differences - by working with his colleagues in other states. Safety is an i ..read more

It's episode #50 of TDA's On The Go podcast! The microphone is turned in this special episode as Dan Deibert of Edge Messaging interviews TDA Executive Director Debby Jackson. Debby looks back to the first On The Go episode recorded in February 2019. She shares the original inspiration behind the podcast, recollects some of her favorite moments, and looks to future topics. On The Go continues to share incredible transportation stories across the state, thanks to supporters like you ..read more

Patrick Vander Sanden, who assumed the role of executive director of the Wisconsin County Highway Association (WCHA) earlier this year, joins TDA Executive Director Debby Jackson on the latest On The Go podcast. Patrick explains the plans and priorities for his organization and shares some of what has surprised him since he assumed his new role. He also emphasizes that he looks to collaborate with other stakeholders to further transportation in Wisconsin ..read more

Wisconsin's airports are integral to the state's economy and generate significant economic impact for the communities where they are located and the regions they serve. Two Wisconsin aviation experts join TDA Executive Director Debby Jackson on the latest On The Go podcast to talk about Wisconsin aviation, the Wisconsin Airport Management Association (WAMA), and the upcoming Wisconsin Aviation Conference. Listen in as Rachel Engeler, assistant airport director at Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport and President of WAMA, and Jim Schell, Director at Whittman Regional Airport in Oshk ..read more

The recently signed 2023-25 state transportation budget includes some significant investments throughout the system. In this episode of the On The Go podcast, TDA Executive Director Debby Jackson talks with Steve Baas, executive director of the Wisconsin Transportation Builders Association, about what’s in the 2023-25 transportation budget and what’s next ..read more

Last month, TDA held its Drive-in at the State Capitol in Madison. Approximately 75 TDA members, including representatives of business, industry, local government, transportation advocates and trade unions attended a morning seminar and then groups visited the Capitol to share legislative priorities with lawmakers and staff. In this episode of the podcast, TDA Executive Director Debby Jackson speaks with a few of the attendees who share their thoughts on the importance of the Drive-In, and the state of transportation infrastructure in Wisconsin, overall ..read more

At the 2023 TDA Fly-in to Washington, DC, there was much focus on the discretionary grants in the federal infrastructure law and the need to bring a fair share of those dollars home to Wisconsin. In the latest On The Go podcast, TDA Executive Director Debby Jackson speaks with Rob Krejci, the highway commissioner for St. Croix County, about these funding opportunities from a county's perspective.  Rob shares how a trio of Wisconsin counties — St. Croix, Dunn, and Eau Claire — partnered and successfully worked with the USDOT to obtain a $500,000 Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) a ..read more