Turnout for Transportation Draws Crowds | | |
Last week, TDA and partners wrapped up the final two Turnout for Transportation Roundtables. The series began in mid‑May in Northeast Wisconsin (Appleton area) and continued with five additional events across the state: Southwest (La Crosse), Northwest (Eau Claire), North Central (Wausau area), Southeast (Oak Creek), and South Central (Janesville).
More than 600 attendees — including state legislators, candidates, local officials, community leaders, and industry partners — came together to examine the condition of Wisconsin’s transportation infrastructure, explore emerging opportunities, and discuss real‑world impacts on neighborhoods, businesses, and the state’s economy.
Despite regional differences, several themes emerged:
- Communities appreciate the increased funding in recent state budgets.
- Still, the cost of maintaining and improving aging roadway systems far exceeds available resources.
- Inflation continues to erode the purchasing power of existing revenue streams.
- Roadway safety, including bike and pedestrian safety, is a top priority.
- Wisconsin’s transportation network is only as strong as its weakest link; we cannot improve one component at the expense of another.
Wisconsin faces a significant transportation funding cliff heading into the next budget. These roundtables helped reinvigorate an essential conversation about the need for adequate, sustainable funding and the costs to households and businesses if we fail to act.
| | Visit the Roundtable Recap to see more photos, press coverage, and what participants are saying about the events. | | |
Thank you to our partners and sponsors for making the events possible.
| | 500+ Local Funding Resolutions and Counting | | |
More than 500 of Wisconsin's local governments have passed resolutions urging lawmakers to enact a comprehensive, sustainable transportation funding solution that:
- Delivers adequate and reliable revenue growth to support effective long-term planning and execution of state and local transportation programs;
- Includes responsible use of General Purpose Revenue and bonding;
- Adjusts transportation user fees and other revenue mechanisms to preserve their purchasing power, ensuring Wisconsin can adequately maintain and improve its transportation infrastructure; and
- Keeps transportation working for Wisconsin by providing sufficient funding for reconstruction, preservation, and safety investments on both state and local systems.
This effort will continue through next year’s state budget process.
| | New Website Spotlights Wisconsin’s Aging Local Small Bridges | |
TDA and partners recently launched FixWIBridges.com to shine a light on nearly 17,000 small local bridges and culverts across Wisconsin. The new, public website provides easy-to-access information on the condition of these structures, which span just 6 to 20 feet and serve as essential links on local road systems.
Until now, these small bridges were not included in federal or state tracking systems, leaving policymakers and communities without a complete picture of their condition. Thanks to $12.5 million in the 2023–25 state budget, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation partnered with local governments to complete the first statewide inventory and inspection of these structures.
The findings reveal a significant challenge: more than 1,600 small bridges and culverts are in poor or severe condition. Many will require weight restrictions, lane closures, or full replacement in the coming years.
To help address these needs, the most recent state budget created a new $30 million Local Small Structure Improvement Program, offering local governments up to 90% reimbursement to replace the most critical structures.
These small bridges form the “first and last mile” of Wisconsin’s supply chain, supporting farmers, loggers, manufacturers, and everyday commuters. The new data and platform are designed to help local officials prioritize repairs and make the case for sustained transportation investment.
Visitors to FixWIBridges.com can explore interactive maps showing bridge conditions by county and community, along with case studies illustrating the economic impact of failing infrastructure.
The site was developed through a collaboration of the Wisconsin Towns Association, Wisconsin Counties Association, League of Wisconsin Municipalities, Wisconsin County Highway Association, Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, and the Transportation Development Association of Wisconsin.
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TDA has logged more than 7,000 miles in the first five months of the year while traveling to more than 30 speaking engagements.
In late April and early May, TDA Executive Director Debby Jackson spoke on a small bridge panel at the Wisconsin Towns Association’s Road School, joined an advocacy panel at the MobiliSE Spring Summit, and participated in a funding panel at the Construction Business Group (CBG) Conference.
Later in May, TDA and its partners crossed the state to host six roundtables over a two‑week span.
Jackson wrapped up the busy spring and kicked off June with TDA’s annual visit to a Black River Falls Rotary lunch, an event she always enjoys.
Pictured below: Wisconsin Department of Transportation Secretary Kristina Boardman; Steve Baas, executive director of the Wisconsin Transportation Builders Association (WTBA); Debby Jackson; and Joe Ruth, government affairs director and legal counsel for the Wisconsin Towns Association, at the CBG Conference. Photo courtesy of WTBA.
| | Major Milestone: I-39/90/94 Corridor Advances Toward Construction | |
WisDOT has released its Spring 2026 newsletter for the I‑39/90/94 Corridor Project, marking a major milestone: after years of environmental study and public outreach, the corridor has officially moved from the study phase into the project phase, advancing toward final design and future construction.
The 67‑mile corridor spans Dane, Columbia, Sauk, and Juneau counties, linking US 12/18 in Madison to US 12/WIS 16 in the Wisconsin Dells. The project covers 15 existing interchanges, two potential new interchanges, and a segment of I‑39 north of the I‑90/94 split near Portage. Planned improvements aim to meet growing traffic demands, address safety concerns, and replace aging infrastructure along one of Wisconsin’s busiest routes.
The newsletter, updates, and an interactive project map are available on the project website.
| | Wisconsin Bike Week: Celebrating the Power of Two Wheels | | |
Wisconsin Bike Week, organized by the Wisconsin Bike Federation, runs through June 7, and communities across the state are celebrating how “Bikes Build Community.”
Events stretch statewide: Milwaukee’s Mayor’s Ride and the Hank Aaron State Trail ride, new trail ribbon cuttings in Brule and Elcho, family bike rodeos in Franklin and Middleton, and Madison’s kickoff ride with the mayor. Green Bay, Racine, Eau Claire, Sheboygan, and many others have celebrations planned.
Individuals, businesses, nonprofits, and local governments are encouraged to join in. Host an event, promote safe riding, or simply get out and ride. Full event list here.
| | House T&I Committee Advances Five‑Year BUILD America 250 Act, Includes New User Fees | |
After a marathon 15-hour markup session stretching from May 21 into the early hours of May 22, the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee overwhelmingly approved H.R. 8870, the BUILD America 250 Act, by a vote of 62–2. The bipartisan five-year surface transportation reauthorization would provide roughly $580 billion from FY 2027–2031, including $474.4 billion in Highway Trust Fund (HTF) contract authority.
The bill largely maintains core federal highway and transit programs while increasing support for bridge initiatives. Over the five-year period, it provides $376 billion for the Federal Highway Administration, $87.6 billion for the Federal Transit Administration, $64.7 billion for the Federal Railroad Administration (including $31.1 billion for Amtrak), and additional resources for NHTSA and FMCSA. Unlike the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the measure does not include General Fund advance appropriations, leaving about $106 billion subject to annual appropriations.
The bill prioritizes formula funds over discretionary grants and eliminates or consolidates many programs. The bill creates a revised bridge formula program funded at $9.2 billion annually from the HTF and authorizes $2 billion per year for a new Bridge Completion Program (competitive grant program for National Highway System bridges, $50 million grant minimum). It establishes a Surface Transportation Accelerator Grant Program (replaces Raise and other urban/rural programs, multimodal eligibility) and continues Safe Streets and Roads for All, which would grow to $1 billion by FY 2031. The bill also repeals the Carbon Reduction formula program, the Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhood Access and Equity grant programs, and the formula component of the PROTECT program, while retaining PROTECT discretionary grants.
A significant revenue provision requires states to collect a $130 annual registration fee on electric vehicles and $35 on plug-in hybrids, increasing biennially beginning in 2029 and capped at $150 and $50, respectively. These fees are projected to raise nearly $10 billion in the first five years and $29 billion over ten years, leaving more than $150 billion to be funded by the General Fund or offset by other payfors.
The bill still needs input from other House committees before reaching the full chamber, with House leadership signaling interest in floor action in June. In the Senate, the Environment and Public Works Committee expects to release its highway title by July 4, with other committees preparing their portions of the reauthorization package.
Resources:
| House Transportation-HUD Appropriations Subcommittee Advances FY 2027 Bill | | |
The House Transportation-Housing Appropriations Subcommittee approved its fiscal year 2027 appropriations bill on May 21. Despite Democratic concerns about spending cuts and their potential impact on people struggling with the cost of living, the markup proceeded in a largely collegial atmosphere.
Subcommittee Chairman Steve Womack (R-AR) highlighted that the panel received a net spending allocation of $10.7 billion below last year’s level. In response, the subcommittee shifted $7.8 billion from “low priority” Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) advance appropriation accounts into higher-priority programs. Ranking Member Jim Clyburn (D-SC) described the approach as a “robbing Peter to pay Paul gimmick” to offset an inadequate budget allocation.
The vote fell along party lines (9-7). The full Appropriations Committee markup is scheduled for early June.
Discretionary Spending and IIJA Diversions
The Transportation-HUD Subcommittee faced a challenging $92.2 billion allocation — a $10.7 billion (roughly 10%) cut from the prior year. Appropriators prioritized critical items such as air traffic controller salaries and public housing voucher renewals, providing real increases of $455 million for Federal Aviation Administration Operations and $496 million for U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) housing renewals.
These protections, however, deepened the shortfall for remaining accounts.
USDOT would need to absorb a significant reduction in its net discretionary total of approximately $4.7 billion (18.7%). After accounting for a one-time FY 2026 rescission of high-speed rail funds, the gross spending cut reached about $5.8 billion. To bridge the gap, appropriators transferred a record $7.8 billion from IIJA Division J advance appropriations — $5.5 billion more than in the previous year.
USDOT Funding Overview (in millions)
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Most of the $7.8 billion transfer ($5.1 billion) came from the Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail program and was redirected across various accounts. See the transfer details in the funding tables linked below.
Highway Trust Fund Obligation Limitations
In this surface transportation reauthorization year, obligation limitations for most Highway Trust Fund accounts were frozen at FY 2026 levels. This provides stability while awaiting action on a longer-term extension or reauthorization.
Earmarks
The House bill includes $1.114 billion in member-requested earmarks, a decline from the prior years ($1.415 billion in FY 2026).
Mode-by-Mode Highlights
Office of the Secretary (OST): The measure maintains the BUILD program via IIJA transfer, with a new emphasis on fast-growing metropolitan areas for $350 million of the funding.
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA): FAA Operations receives a $455 million (+3.3%) increase. The Airport Improvement Program receives $4 billion in obligation limitation, while Facilities & Equipment funding remains at $4 billion and is supported in part by IIJA transfers.
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA): Highway Infrastructure Programs receive $1.135 billion via IIJA transfer (including earmarks and targeted programs). The bill prohibits the use of funds for traffic enforcement cameras.
Federal Railroad Administration (FRA): The agency receives limited new discretionary funding. Most support comes from IIJA transfers, including substantial amounts for Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor and National Network (at reduced levels from prior years).
Federal Transit Administration (FTA): Capital Investment Grants are funded through IIJA transfers. There is also a large IIJA transfer ($973.2 million) to support Transit Infrastructure Grants. The majority of that ($875 million) is for “transportation assistance, including assistance with transit planning, projects, relocation of vehicles, and operating assistance, for surface, commuter, and public transportation systems necessary to support the mobility needs of” the 2028 Olympics and Paralympics.
Maritime Administration (MARAD): Non-defense accounts see targeted increases using regular discretionary funds where possible, with IIJA transfers supporting the Port Infrastructure Development Program ($538.2 million) and Small Shipyards ($30 million).
This is the first step for the House FY 2027 transportation appropriations bill.
Resources:
| | USDOT Releases 2026 National Freight Strategic Plan | | |
The U.S. Department of Transportation has unveiled its 2026 National Freight Strategic Plan (NFSP), a comprehensive roadmap to modernize America’s nearly seven-million-mile multimodal freight network. This system moves more than 54 million tons of goods daily, valued at over $50 billion.
The 2026 plan builds on the agency’s first NFSP released in 2020. The 2026 plan focuses on six strategic goals for the next five years:
- Reduce or eliminate serious injuries and fatalities in the freight system.
- Improve system reliability and streamline government regulations.
- Strengthen supply chain integrity to support national defense and economic prosperity.
- Reduce risks to the freight system and enhance response capabilities.
- Modernize freight infrastructure and advance transformative technologies.
- Build a skilled 21st-century workforce while improving quality of life.
The plan emphasizes making America’s freight network safer, more resilient, and better equipped to support economic growth and national security.
| | Central Wisconsin Airport Breaks Ground on New $6.6M General Aviation Terminal | | |
Central Wisconsin Airport (CWA) is building a new 6,800-square-foot general aviation terminal in Mosinee to replace its outdated 1971 facility, which no longer meets the needs of today’s pilots, passengers, and business travelers.
The new terminal will deliver a modern, efficient, and welcoming experience for private and business aviation users while enhancing operational efficiency and strengthening CWA’s role as a vital transportation and economic hub for central Wisconsin.
The approximately $6.6 million project is funded primarily through the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). It represents a key component of CWA’s broader initiative to modernize general aviation facilities and accommodate growing demand.
Airport officials expect the new terminal to open in late 2026 or early 2027.
Read More
| | Thank You to Our 2026 Organizational Sponsors | | |
The Great Lakes Timber Professionals Association (GLTPA) has provided proven leadership in the Lake States Forest products industry for over 79 years.
GLTPA is a non-profit organization proud to represent members in Michigan and Wisconsin, and is committed to leading the Forest Products Industry in sustainable forest management.
Visit www.gltpa.org
| | Kraemer Badtke Appointed to National Leadership Role | | |
Melissa Kraemer Badtke, executive director of the East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (ECWRPC), has been unanimously elected secretary of the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) Executive Committee.
A NADO board member since 2024, Kraemer Badtke brings over two decades of regional planning and coalition‑building experience. NADO represents more than 500 Regional Development Organizations supporting regional planning and community and economic development across the country.
ECWRPC focuses on economic development, transportation, comprehensive planning, and environmental management.
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Transportation funding and investment remain critical issues for states and local communities nationwide. The National Workshop for State & Local Transportation Advocates, taking place July 13–14 in Washington, DC, will bring together transportation leaders and advocates to share solutions, discuss revenue challenges, and exchange ideas for strengthening transportation investment.
If your work involves transportation funding, this is a valuable opportunity to connect and learn from peers across the country.
Learn more and register today!
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EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026 will take place July 20-26 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh and will celebrate aviation's heritage, innovation, and technological advances as part of the nation's 250th anniversary.
Information about the event is here.
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The Wisconsin Department of Transportation welcomes its many partners in traffic safety from across the state and nation to the Governor's Conference of Highway Safety.
This year's event will be held on August 24-25 at the Kalahari Convention Center in Wisconsin Dells.
To register, visit topslab.wisc.edu/gchs
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The Wisconsin Airport Management Association will hold the 70th annual Wisconsin Aviation Conference (WAC) on Oct. 26-28 at the Chula Vista in Wisconsin Dells.
Looking to attend? Details and registration information are available here.
More information is available for those interested in exhibiting at or sponsoring the event.
| | If you would like TDA to consider including your organization's update or event in an upcoming newsletter, please forward information to Luke Pearson at luke.pearson@tdawisconsin.org. | |
Transportation Development Association of Wisconsin10 East Doty Street, Suite 201 | Madison, WI 53703
(608) 256-7044 | general@tdawisconsin.org
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