Governor Tony Evers, together with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT), today announced that the first year of funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) will provide about $22.5 million for 25 projects in Wisconsin areas with populations above 50,000.
Previously announced BIL funding provides about $35 million this year for projects in areas with fewer than 50,000 people. Since 2019, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation has improved more than 4,600 miles of highways and roads, including more than 1,700 locally owned roads across the state.
“The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build on our commitment to fix Wisconsin roads and move our transportation system forward,” Gov. Evers said. “We have so far improved more than 4,600 miles of state and locally owned roads and nearly 1,500 bridges, and I’m excited to continue building on our work with these additional federal funds that will help accelerate our work and provide more options for safe and efficient travel for folks across our state.”
“We are working closely with local officials to reach transportation solutions that make the most sense and provide the most benefit,” WisDOT Secretary Craig Thompson said. “Wisconsin can make the most of this opportunity because of Governor Evers’ commitment to driving transportation improvements at all levels of government.”
The roughly $22.5 million in funding was distributed based on population. Federal expectations for this category of BIL requires WisDOT to distribute funding to population areas as defined by the census.
Projects were reviewed, ranked, and selected by the state’s Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO) and Transportation Management Areas (TMA), and then approved by WisDOT. Funds will go to two counties, one town, four villages and 15 cities. It is the first of five years of extra funding provided by BIL.
A full list of the BIL funded projects for this round in this category is available online.