This Wisconsin Department of Transportation and the Kansas Department of Transportation recently issued funding to support a range of local transportation infrastructure projects.
[Above photo by the Wisconsin DOT]
The Wisconsin DOT recently issued more than $174 million in “General Transportation, Connecting Highway, and Expressway Policing Aids” funding to counties and municipalities to help repair, maintain, and improve local roads and highways statewide.
The agency said “General Transportation Aids” help cover the costs of constructing, maintaining, and operating roads and streets under local jurisdiction, while “Connecting Highway Aids” reimburse municipalities for maintenance and traffic control of certain state highways within municipalities. Finally, “Expressway Policing Aids” help the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Department with the costs of patrolling expressways within the county.
That follows the signing of Wisconsin’s 2025-2027 Biennial Budget by Governor Tony Evers (D), which provides $1.1 billion in new funding for key transportation investments, including increasing the General Transportation Aids program by 3 percent in each year of the biennium.
“Whether driving to work or school, heading to an appointment, or exploring one of our state’s natural wonders, local roads are the first and last mile of nearly everyone’s trip, so keeping local infrastructure in good repair is essential,” the governor noted 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,” he added.
For calendar year 2025, Gov. Evers said local governments will receive more than $540 million in General Transportation Aids financial assistance to support transportation-related projects – noting that the state’s 2023-2025 budget provided a 2 percent increase for General Transportation Aids for municipalities and counties in both calendar years 2024 and 2025.
The investments in the 2023-25 state budget resulted in the largest amount of funding for the program in the state’s history, and total funding for all local programs makes up almost one-third of the state transportation budget.
“We’re working hard to deliver on the governor’s promise of improved roads and quality infrastructure,” said Wisconsin DOT Secretary Kristina Boardman. “Wisconsinites shouldn’t have to wonder if the road or bridge they’re driving on is safe. 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.”
Meanwhile, the Kansas Department of Transportation recently provided $5.3 million in awards to 11 transportation construction projects statewide via the agency’s Cost Share Program for Spring 2025.
That state funding will leverage nearly $3 million in community matching funds, totaling more than $8 million for infrastructure improvements that will enhance safety, support local economies, and improve connectivity, noted Governor Laura Kelly (D) in a statement.
“These Cost Share-funded projects are a prime example of smart government investments,” she said. “Through infrastructure and transportation improvements, we are making Kansas an even better place to live, to work, and to raise a family.”
Since its inception in Fall 2019, the Cost Share Program has awarded state funding exceeding $157 million to Kansas communities, noted Kansas DOT; supporting 197 projects statewide and attracting an additional $128 million in local matching funds.
“Our communities know their transportation needs best, and the Cost Share Program gives them the agency to address those challenges head-on,” said Kansas DOT Secretary Calvin Reed. “Kansas DOT is dedicated to this partnership, creating effective, local solutions that deliver transportation that keeps Kansans moving forward.”
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