The Wisconsin Department of Transportation announced details about how the $75 million in one-time transportation grant dollars allocated in the 2019-21 state budget will be distributed.
The state budget set aside $75 million for a one-time grant program designed to address critical transportation needs throughout Wisconsin, available to local and tribal governments.
The project selection process will include local government committees. The selection will be competitive and involve stakeholder input and review. Projects will rate higher if they demonstrate economic impact, provide greater connectivity or are shown to have greater cost-effectiveness than other options. Called the Multimodal Local Supplement grant program, it mirrors aspects of the Local Roads Improvement Program (LRIP) but is available to an expanded range of project improvement types to include:
- Roads
- Bridges
- Transit capital and facility projects
- Bicycle and pedestrian accommodations
- Railroads
- Harbors
The DOT announced that the first recipient of the grant dollars will be for Kaukauna lift bridge repairs, and the MLS grant program will provide 80 percent of the $2.2 million needed to make the repairs. After spending about $1.75 million for that grant, the DOT will have $73.24 million left to spend for other grant requests.
More details are as follows:
- The program is focused on local project delivery. Local units of government may apply for design and construction, or construction only, projects.
- Grants are available for new projects throughout the state.
- Local and tribal governments are eligible for the funding.
- The minimum project cost for counties, cities, and villages is $250,000.
- The minimum project cost for towns is $50,000.
- The program will reimburse local governments up to 90 percent of total eligible costs; the local sponsor provides the balance.
- A six-year project completion will be required for approved projects.
- The deadline for applications is 5 p.m., Friday, December 6, 2019.
The Wisconsin DOT will conduct three informational webinars on the Multimodal Local Supplement program. MLS informational webinars are optional, and each contains similar information. If you are interested in participating in a MLS Informational Webinar, please select one of the following dates and send an email to DOTLocalPrograms@dot.wi.gov that states you will be attending. Specific webinar links will be sent to you prior to the date(s).
- Monday, September 30, 2019: 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
- Wednesday, October 2, 2019: 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
- Thursday, October 10, 2019: 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Read more at link below:
https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/doing-bus/local-gov/astnce-pgms/aid/mls.aspx
