“Protecting our environment and promoting transportation safety, infrastructure reliability and economic development are not mutually exclusive goals, and innovative programs like this are an essential part of connecting the dots,” said Governor Evers. “Together with our federal and local partners, we are working to build stronger, more resilient communities across Wisconsin and improve the everyday lives of Wisconsinites.”

“By reducing traffic congestion, people spend less time on the road, save fuel and cause less air pollution,” said U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisconsin). “I was proud to fight for this funding because I knew it would make a difference for Wisconsin communities – helping our families breathe cleaner air while making our roads safer and more efficient for families, commuters and making Wisconsin-made goods on their way to market.”

The federal Congestion and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ) is administered by WisDOT to help eligible Wisconsin counties implement transportation solutions to improve air quality. Funds can be used for projects that improve traffic flow, add intersections or turn lanes, or improve mobility on streets. Efforts to improve public transit, bicycle and pedestrian facilities, and ride-sharing services are also covered by CMAQ.

“This program can be an important mechanism to reduce traffic congestion while helping urban areas improve air quality,” said WisDOT Secretary Kristina Boardman. “These improvements will not only provide transportation options that help reduce regulated emissions, but can also help reduce travel delays and address real-time traffic issues facing communities.”

CMAQ funding is only available to eligible counties in southeastern and northeastern Wisconsin. CMAQ is a reimbursement program that provides an 80 percent federal cost share for eligible project costs. A complete list of the 11 funded projects can be found here. During the 2024-2028 CMAQ cycle, WisDOT received project proposals from the southeastern Wisconsin region.

WisDOT’s application for the 2025-2028 supplemental program cycle is open until Monday, September 30, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. The CMAQ application materials, including application instructions and guidelines, are available on the WisDOT website here.

Governor Evers has made repairing Wisconsin’s roads a top priority, and the Evers Administration has improved more than 7,400 miles of roads and 1,780 bridges since 2019, including over 900 miles of roads and over 200 bridges in 2023 alone. Additional information on the Evers Administration’s efforts, including additional support from the Biden-Harris Administration, to repair roads and bridges in rural areas and communities, expand transportation alternatives, and modernize Wisconsin’s infrastructure, including expanding passenger rail and supporting projects to replace leading service lines and expanding electric vehicle charging is available here.