July 6, 2023

By Lane Kimble

MADISON, Wis. — From significant investments in long-awaited major projects to a new and sustainable funding mechanism, there is a lot to like when it comes to transportation in the new state budget.

Wednesday, Gov. Tony Evers recognized that.

Despite striking and changing 51 items from other areas in the $98.7 billion budget, the governor left in place all of the important industry investments lawmakers worked on – and WTBA pushed for – as he signed the 2023-25 budget into law.

“This is our third budget in a row where we’re investing new, ongoing revenue into our transportation system,” WisDOT Sec. Craig Thompson said during the governor’s signing ceremony.

“Governor Evers’ commitment to transportation, combined with investments made over the past two budgets as well as the bipartisan infrastructure law have allowed our department to deliver a robust construction program with improvements being felt by residents throughout the state.”

Some of the major transportation wins in the two-year budget include:

• More than $990 million in ongoing and one-time funding investments
• Allocating electric vehicle sales tax into Transportation Fund (est. $94 million in first two years)
• $47 million for Blatnik Bridge replacement in Superior (plus $353 million in authorized bonding for the project)
• Nearly $141 million for much-needed I-94 East-West Corridor Project
• $150 million for new Agriculture Road Improvement Program

WTBA applauds the governor, the GOP-led Joint Finance Committee, and both the Assembly and Senate for their mutual appreciation for the transportation construction industry and its vastly important impact on the state.

Want to learn more?  Click HERE to review WTBA’s in-depth JFC budget review from our mid-June newsletter.