Wisconsin communities garner transportation aid funds

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Wisconsin state officials are espousing the benefits of communities receiving $129,698,460 in transportation funding payments, representing the last quarterly payments for the year.

“Fixing our roads and making sure folks can get from A to B or get products to market starts with ensuring our counties, towns, and municipalities have the resources they need to serve our communities and maintain our local roads,” Gov. Tony Evers said. “I’m proud we made funding for local roads a priority in our last budget, so Wisconsinites can stay connected and get to work, school, the doctor, or wherever they need to go safely.”

Officials said this year local governments received more than $505 million in general transportation aids (GTA) financial assistance to support transportation-related projects. The figure reflects a 10 percent increase over the calendar year 2019 allocations.

Per authorities, Wisconsin’s 1,922 villages, towns, cities, and counties will benefit from the funding allotment.

“Our local roads are a crucial element of the state’s transportation system,” Craig Thompson, Wisconsin Transportation Secretary-designee, said. “These roads represent the first mile of a farmer’s shipment of crops or the last mile of a family’s vacation trip. That’s why Wisconsin’s entire transportation system depends on the condition of its local infrastructure.”

Officials said the budget also included $320 million in new funding for the State Highway Rehabilitation program and $90 million in one-time funding for the Local Roads Improvement Program-Supplement grant program.