(The Center Square) – Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation are giving more than $174 million in quarterly transportation aids to improve local roads around the state.
The investments are a part of the $1.1 billion in new funding for the state’s transportation infrastructure that were included in the recent biennial budget.
“Local roads are the first and last mile of nearly everyone’s trip, so keeping local infrastructure in good repair is essential,” Evers said in a statement.
“Over the past six years, we’ve made considerable progress to ensure our local communities have the 21st-century infrastructure needed to get folks from point A to point B safely and efficiently and keep our economy moving forward, and I was proud to sign a budget that continues to invest in the safe, efficient transportation system Wisconsinites deserve,” Evers said.
In the year 2025, Evers announced local governments will receive more than $540 million in financial assistance to support transportation-related projects.
The 2025-27 budget includes a 3% increase in the General Transportation Aids program over the biennium, up from the 2% increase in the previous biennial budget.
The hike provides municipalities with $33.2 million more and counties with nearly $10 million.
In total, of the third quarter payments totaling over $174 million, $170 million are going to local units of government and “connecting highway aids.”
Of the remaining funds, $4.2 million will go to eligible municipalities and nearly $256,000 to aid Milwaukee County for the costs of patrolling expressways within the county – a state investment county officials had long asked for.
“Wisconsinites shouldn’t have to wonder if the road or bridge they’re driving on is safe,” WisDOT Secretary Kristina Boardman said. “Thanks to increased transportation investment, our department’s commitment to fixing roads and maintaining bridges, along with the strong partnerships we have with local governments, infrastructure improvements can be felt in all corners of our state.”
