As Biden-era Bipartisan Infrastructure Law approaches its end, Gov. Evers emphasizes importance of maintaining critical investments to support 21st-century infrastructure for Wisconsin

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers sent a letter to every member of Wisconsin’s Congressional delegation, urging them to swiftly pass a federal surface transportation reauthorization package that continues to make the important investments in Wisconsin’s roads, bridges, fueling and electric vehicle infrastructure, and broader transportation system. The governor’s letter comes as the Biden-era Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), which has greatly benefitted the state over the past five years, will expire at the end of September 2026. 

In his letter, the governor outlined several critical priorities for constructing the new federal surface transportation reauthorization package, including:  

  • Prioritizing formula funding programs that invest in roads and bridges for states at funding levels at least equal to BIL levels, if not higher;  
  • Supporting programs that continue to expand electric vehicle charging infrastructure, such as the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program, which has supported 78 charging infrastructure projects across the state to help Wisconsinites save money on fuel and other travel costs; and  
  • Continuing to support alternative transportation options, including bolstering public transit and expanding passenger rail, which many Wisconsinites rely on to get to work, attend school, access healthcare, and stay connected to their communities. 

The Biden-Harris Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) was signed into law by President Joe Biden in 2021, authorizing $1.2 trillion for transportation and infrastructure spending across the country. This was a once-in-a-generation, visionary investment in the future of America, and in the five years since, Wisconsin has secured over $1 billion for the reconstruction of the Blatnik Bridge, improved heavy trucking infrastructure across the state, invested in electric vehicle charging infrastructure statewide, and secured funding to study the expansion of passenger rail service in the state—all of which were funded through the BIL. The BIL was championed by Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisconsin), as well as U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-02) and Rep. Gwen Moore (WI-04). Notably, every Republican member of Wisconsin’s Congressional delegation at the time voted against the BIL. 

The governor’s letter to Wisconsin’s Congressional delegation is attached, and a transcript of the letter is available below.  

Dear Duly Elected Members of Congress: 

Continuing to build the 21st-century infrastructure Wisconsin needs is essential to supporting a 21st-century workforce and economy and improving Wisconsinites’ daily lives. We’ve made significant progress over the last seven years thanks to historic federal and state investments, but there is much more work to do. As such, I write to again emphasize the importance of timely passage of federal surface transportation reauthorization legislation as the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) approaches its end and to highlight specific policy priorities for our state. 

Wisconsin has benefited greatly from the BIL, thanks to the hard work of my administration as well as partnership with some of you and other partners. For example, we’ve secured over a billion dollars for the Blatnik Bridge reconstruction project to expand opportunity in the Twin Ports, improved heavy duty trucking infrastructure across the state, invested in electric vehicle charging to ensure Wisconsinites can save money on fuel and other travel costs, and secured funding to study the expansion of passenger rail service to new communities to benefit Wisconsin businesses, our tourism industry, and Wisconsinites. However, as the five-year BIL expires later this year, Congress must ensure the next surface transportation reauthorization package continues to make the important investments that the BIL did and even further invest in our roads, bridges, fueling infrastructure, and broader transportation system. 

First, I urge you to ensure the next surface transportation reauthorization bill continues to prioritize formula funding programs that invest in roads and bridges for states at funding levels at least equal to BIL levels, if not higher. Wisconsin is very successful in utilizing formula funding from federal programs and has also often benefited from redistributed funds from other states underspending. This system works for Wisconsin, and formula funding programs at robust funding levels should be a key focus in the next surface transportation reauthorization package. 

I also ask that you continue to support programs that ensure the newest technologies can be used to lower transportation costs for Wisconsinites, especially as President Trump continues his reckless actions overseas that have driven up and destabilized traditional fuel costs for Wisconsinites. My administration has been a national leader in implementing the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program, created in the BIL. We recently achieved the significant milestone of funding high-quality electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at every 50-mile mark along our state’s key interstates and highways, and we are also the first and only state to support NEVI projects on Tribal lands. We’ve made this significant progress despite the Trump administration’s illegal efforts to delay and derail this important program. Congress should continue to invest in programs that fund EV charging infrastructure so my administration can continue our progress in providing Wisconsinites with easily accessible and reliable EV charging in all corners of the state. 

Finally, I recommend that alternative transportation systems, such as public transit and passenger rail, continue to be prioritized in the next surface transportation reauthorization bill. Investing in these systems will further protect Wisconsinites from fluctuating fuel costs from President Trump’s war in Iran. Many Wisconsinites rely on public transit to get to work, attend school, access needed healthcare, and stay connected to their communities. I urge you to ensure BIL programs that support public transit, such as Capital Investment Grants and the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) program, are continued.  

Additionally, my administration has succeeded in expanding passenger rail service in Wisconsin for the first time in decades with the popular Borealis service launch in 2024. We’ve also secured BIL funding to study additional passenger rail expansion to hubs such as Green Bay, Eau Claire, and Madison. Moving from the study to the implementation phase for these new corridors will require continued federal investment in the next surface transportation reauthorization bill, so I urge you to ensure funding for passenger rail expansion is included in this forthcoming legislation. 

To continue our significant progress, I ask that you fight to make sure these priorities are reflected in the next surface transportation reauthorization bill as work continues to pass new legislation before the BIL expires on Sept. 30, so we can continue to build the 21st-century transportation infrastructure Wisconsinites need and deserve.  

Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions regarding these priorities for our great state. 

Yours in Service, 

Tony Evers 

Governor

An online version of this release is available here.