Governor urges Transportation Secretary Duffy to support Wisconsin infrastructure, address delays and threats to funding for projects across Wisconsin

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers released a letter sent to former Wisconsin Congressman and now U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Secretary Sean Duffy urging immediate action to prevent uncertainty and potential delays for Wisconsin infrastructure projects, including addressing threats to funding and delays for projects in Wisconsin and across the country. The governor’s letter comes as the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) recently sent a letter to the Trump Administration indicating states are experiencing review and permitting delays at USDOT.

“I write to encourage you to take immediate action to end the unlawful and harmful obstructions to federal approvals and federal funding for crucial transportation projects across the nation and here in your home state of Wisconsin,” wrote Gov. Evers. “The chaos caused by President Trump’s executive orders and subsequent actions by federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Transportation, have led to delays and uncertainty about the availability of congressionally approved transportation funding programs and the projects these programs Congress intended to support.”

Gov. Evers highlighted critical Wisconsin projects that are at a “high level of readiness” and could be impacted by continued uncertainty or delays caused by the federal government, including:

• Local Community Projects
  • Road and bridge projects in small communities such as the St. Croix River Bridge project in Douglas County to improve economic development and quality of life for residents across rural Wisconsin.
• Muskego Yard Project
  • The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) program grant to vastly improve the Muskego Freight Rail Yard Bypass is a lynchpin that will shape freight movement across Wisconsin for years to come, strengthening supply chains and getting more American products to market faster.
• Hwy 47 and Hwy 55 Project
  • The Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) program grant (formerly RAISE grant) in Menominee County to improve connectivity in this rural area, enhancing the forestry sector, reducing the high risk of long truck detours and ultimately getting more forestry products into the economy.
• National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Program Projects
  • The Trump Administration has threatened funding for 15 already-approved electric vehicle infrastructure projects for private entities, utilizing approximately $7 million in National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) funding, including multiple projects located in the congressional district that now-USDOT Secretary Duffy used to represent in the U.S. Congress. More than $56 million that Wisconsin has been allocated in future rounds of the NEVI program is also at risk due to the uncertainty caused by unnecessary delays at USDOT.

“We are hopeful that these and the many other essential federally funded infrastructure projects that will enhance public safety, commerce and prosperity for our people and businesses will receive the required approvals in a timely fashion so as to not further delay our efforts to efficiently deliver these advancements within our state,” concluded Gov. Evers. “As a fellow Wisconsinite, I urge you to end these obstructions and support states in implementing lawful federal funding and needed approvals.”

Earlier this month, a letter from the AASHTO, which represents state departments of transportation, urged the USDOT to ensure uninterrupted federal investment in state transportation programs and indicated states are experiencing review and permitting delays at USDOT due to interruptions in federal approvals.

“These interruptions—whether directly or indirectly related to funding—have the effect of freezing essential construction and planning activities including those involving roadway and bridge projects. Delays like these leave state DOTs at serious risk of losing the upcoming construction season for many projects. This will not only add to overall costs to the American people but also deprive communities from receiving those economic, safety, and quality of life benefits. Additionally, we believe all federal dollars committed to state DOTs through all formula programs and executed grants represent legally binding obligations,” the letter from AASHTO states.

A copy of AASHTO’s letter is available here. A copy of the governor’s letter is available here.