Washington, DC –The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), Wisconsin Section issued the following statement ahead of consideration by the U.S. House of Representatives of the bipartisan infrastructure legislation known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act:
“This bipartisan infrastructure legislation would provide much-needed funding for projects across the state of Wisconsin and we are hopeful Congress passes this bill,” said Ken Mika, PE M.ASCE, Co-Chair of the Wisconsin Report Card and Advocacy efforts. “Wisconsin’s infrastructure received a cumulative grade of “C” in the ASCE Wisconsin Section’s 2020 Report Card for Wisconsin’s Infrastructure, citing critical funding needs for our roads, bridges, drinking water and wastewater systems, energy grid and more. This legislation, although not perfect, would provide critical funding in the short and long term. Wisconsin has an estimated $13 billion transportation infrastructure shortfall over the next 10 years, but the $5.5 billion this legislation provides over five years for road, bridge, and other transportation projects will help.”
The IIJA goes far beyond roads and bridges, addressing most of the 13 categories in the state’s 2020 report card. Wisconsin faces an $8.6 billion drinking water investment gap, which would receive significant support from the $55 billion that the IIJA will allocate for these systems nationwide. The state’s nine major airports would benefit from the $25 billion in increased airport infrastructure funding in the IIJA. The IIJA would also invest $65 billion in broadband expansion to provide access to communities who lack reliable service.
As stewards of our state’s infrastructure, the ASCE Wisconsin Section urges the U.S. House to pass the historic IIJA for the well-being of our communities. For more information regarding the ASCE and the full detailed report card, please visit the ASCE website at: https://
