President Biden and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) are on board. And Arizona Senator Kyrsten Sinema (D) offered her must-have support last night after Democratic leaders agreed to change some of the original tax proposals. The measure still needs to clear the Senate parliamentarian, who must certify the bill meets budget reconciliation parameters.

Other ENO-produced charts comparing FY 2022 enacted, House-passed FY 2023 appropriations, and the draft Senate bill are available here.

On July 28, the Senate passed its version of the Water Resources Development Act of 2022 (WRDA) by a vote of 93 to 1. The next step is to resolve the House-Senate issues in a conference committee and pass a final bill before the end of the year. The Senate-passed bill is available here, while information on the House bill passed in June is here.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) released a draft electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure plan. The document lays out comprehensive strategies and plans to facilitate the electrification of Wisconsin transportation.

An EV infrastructure deployment plan is the next step to unlocking the estimated $78 million in National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program funds Wisconsin expects to receive over the five years of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). WisDOT anticipates receiving notification from the Federal Highway Administration by Sept. 30, letting the state know if the plan is approved for implementation and the obligation of funds.

In mid-July, Governor Evers and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) announced the next round of local road funding from the first year of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). The approximately $22.5 million benefits 25 transportation projects in areas with populations above 50,000. The list of the selected projects is available here.

A June WisDOT release heralded 40 projects in 28 counties made possible by $35 million in IIJA funding. These projects are in rural and urban areas with fewer than 50,000 people. In addition, WisDOT expects to move forward 22 State Highway Rehabilitation Program projects.

The new Madison Beltline flex lane is up and running. While the concept is not new in the U.S., this project is the first of its kind in Wisconsin. The practice, known nationally as dynamic part-time shoulder use, has been implemented in 17 states.

Flex lane runs eastbound and westbound on the Beltline from Whitney Way to the I-39/90 interchange. This 10-mile stretch carries about 120,000 vehicles daily.

The idea is simple: sometimes, the inside median shoulder works as a shoulder, but during peak traffic periods, this shoulder becomes an additional traffic lane to accommodate more vehicles.

Flex lane is dynamic and generally open during periods of congestion - morning and evening rush hours and for special events. However, lanes may open or close to help respond to incidents or weather. A green arrow on the sign above the lane tells drivers it is open, while a red "X" means it is closed.

The WisDOT Traffic Management Center (TMC) will rely on traffic cameras and detectors for real-time conditions and to ensure the equipment is operating correctly.

Not sure how to drive the flex lane, want additional information, or have questions? See WisDOT's FAQs and flex lane video here.

In addition, WisDOT is holding a virtual meeting for businesses on Tuesday, Aug. 16, at 8:30 a.m.

For more information on the project, visit the project's website.

The University of Wisconsin–Madison’s Transportation Information Center, in cooperation with the Wisconsin Chapter of the American Public Works Association (APWA), offers two public works certificates designed to help develop public works leaders: the Public Works Supervisory Academy Certificate and the Public Works Management Institute Certificate.

Coursework in each certificate will help public works officials:

Check out upcoming courses here, and enroll in the program here.

The ACE (Aviation Careers Education) Program is back this summer, connecting Milwaukee public high school students with airport employers to open doors for these young people to pursue aviation-related careers and learn job skills.

Harold Mester, director of public affairs and marketing at Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport, speaks with TDA's Debby Jackson about this successful 30-year-old summer internship program.