Yesterday, President Biden called on Congress and state and local governments to provide relief for families suffering from high gas prices. He specifically requested Congress pass a three-month suspension of the federal gas tax and called on states “to take similar action” to put money back in family coffers.

The president proposes to backfill the estimated $10 billion hole created by suspending the federal gas tax with “other revenues.”

The Biden administration will likely face an uphill battle garnering congressional support for suspending the gas tax.

Wisconsin will receive $76.8 million over five years from the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program created by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Before Wisconsin can use these funds to facilitate the buildout of charging stations along the state’s Alternative Fuels Corridors, Wisconsin must submit its electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure deployment plan to the Federal Highway Administration by Aug. 1 for approval.

If you missed the June 21 and 22 Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) webinars on the Wisconsin Electrification Initiative and the planning for the use of NEVI formula funds, click here to view the video of the June 21 presentation.

WisDOT received 306 applications, and applicants not selected in this initial round can reapply in future years with a simplified form. A list of the selected projects is available here. 

Earlier this month, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) hosted two public involvement meetings (PIM) to present the proposed I-94 East-West Corridor project improvements and alternatives.

Since the last PIMs in December of 2021, the department has focused on:

All meeting handouts and exhibits are available on the project website.

WisDOT is still evaluating six-lane and eight-lane reconstruction options and is accepting public comments through June 30.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg recently appointed Port Milwaukee Director Adam Tindall-Schlicht to the Maritime Transportation System National Advisory Committee (MTSNAC).

Tindall-Schlicht will serve on the MTSNAC during the implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and when addressing supply chain issues and moving goods to market has never been more critical.

The MTSNAC advises the Secretary, through the Maritime Administration (MARAD) Administrator, on more effective use of maritime transportation to respond to growing trade. The MTSNAC includes leaders from commercial transportation firms, trade associations, state and local public entities, labor organizations, academia, and environmental groups.

AAA predicts 47.9 million people will travel 50 miles or more from home over the holiday weekend (June 30 – July 4), an increase of 3.7% over 2021. That means travel volumes are approaching those seen in 2019.

Despite high gas prices, AAA projects car travel to set a new record with 42 million people hitting the road.

Wisconsin will likely follow similar trends. Expect roads to be crowded and airports busy. Be prepared, and enjoy a fun, safe July 4th celebration.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released preliminary traffic fatality numbers showing the U.S. reached a 16-year high in 2021.

In this episode of the On The Go podcast, Nick Jarmusz, AAA Director of Public Affairs for Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin, joins TDA’s Debby Jackson to discuss the upcoming summer travel season and what we can all do to make the roads safer for everyone.

Listen to the podcast.