The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is the largest long-term investment in
our infrastructure and competitiveness in nearly a century. The need for action in
Wisconsin is clear and recently released state-level data demonstrates that the
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will deliver for Wisconsin. For decades,
infrastructure in Wisconsin has suffered from a systemic lack of investment. In fact,
the American Society of Civil Engineers gave Wisconsin a C grade on its
infrastructure report card. The historic Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will
make life better for millions of Wisconsin residents, create a generation of good-paying union jobs and economic growth, and position the United States to win
the 21st century.
To date, over $2.7 billion in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding has been
announced and is headed to Wisconsin with 160 specific projects identified for
funding. Since the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed, Wisconsin is set to receive
more than $2.4 billion for transportation to invest in roads, bridges, public transit,
ports and airports and over $150 million for clean water. And, as of today, more
than 279,000 households across the state are receiving affordable internet due to
the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Many more projects will be added in the coming
months, as funding opportunities become grant awards and as formula funds
become specific projects. By reaching communities all across Wisconsin –
including rural communities and historically underserved populations – the law
makes critical investments that will improve lives for Wisconsinites and position the
state for success.
Specifically, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will make the following investments:
- Roads and Bridges. In Wisconsin there are 979 bridges and over 1,949 miles of
highway in poor condition. Since 2011, commute times have increased by
2.8% in Wisconsin and on average, each driver pays $547 per year in costs
due to driving on roads in need of repair.
- Based on formula funding alone, Wisconsin would expect to receive $5.2 billion for federal-aid highway apportioned programs and $225 million for bridge replacement and repairs under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act over five (5)
years.
- More than 7% of Wisconsin’s bridges are in poor condition and considered
structurally deficient. Wisconsin can also compete for the $12.5 billion
Bridge Investment Program for economically significant bridges and
nearly $16 billion of national funding in the bill dedicated for major
projects that will deliver substantial economic benefits to communities.
- Rail and Transit. Wisconsin residents who take public transportation spend an
extra 62.7% of their time commuting. 29% of trains and other transit vehicles
are past useful life.
- Based on formula funding alone, Wisconsin would expect to receive $592 million over five years under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to improve public transportation options across the state.
- Electric Vehicle Infrastructure. The IIJA invests $7.5 billion to build out the first-ever national network of EV chargers in the United States.
- Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Wisconsin would expect to receive $79 million over five years to support the expansion of an EV charging network in the state.
- Wisconsin will also have the opportunity to apply for the $2.5 billion in grant funding dedicated to EV charging in the bill.
- Broadband. Broadband internet is necessary for Americans to do their jobs, to participate equally in school learning, health care, and to stay connected. 5.5% of Wisconsin residents live in areas where, under the FCC’s benchmark,
there is no broadband infrastructure. Even where infrastructure is available,
broadband may be too expensive to be within reach. 14% of Wisconsin
households do not have an internet subscription.
- Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Wisconsin will receive a
minimum allocation of $100 million to help provide broadband coverage
across the state, including providing access to the at least 318,000
residents who currently lack it. And, under the Infrastructure Investment
and Jobs Act, 1,246,000 or 22% of people in Wisconsin will be eligible for
the Affordability Connectivity Benefit, which will help low-income families
afford internet access.
- Clean Water/Wastewater. The law contains nearly $44 billion to strengthen the
nation’s drinking water and wastewater systems, remove lead pipes and
service lines, and eliminate harmful contaminants through the EPA’s State
Revolving Funds programs. These programs, administered by the states, make
grants and loans eligible to communities for drinking water and wastewater
infrastructure investments. Wisconsin reports a $8.6 billion drinking water
investment gap.
- Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, based on the traditional state revolving fund formula, Wisconsin will expect to receive $841 million over five (5) years to improve water infrastructure across the state and ensure that clean, safe drinking water is a right in all communities.
- Airports. Wisconsin is home to nine (9) major airports that will benefit from the $25 billion in increased airport infrastructure funding provided over five (5) years from the IIJA.
- Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, airports in Wisconsin would receive approximately $198 million for infrastructure development for airports over five (5) years.
- Ports and Inland Waterways. Wisconsin is home to three (3) major ports and 230 miles of inland waterways that will benefit from $17 billion in new infrastructure funding over 5 years from the IIJA.
