EOs, OMB Directive, and Its Rescission Lead to Federal Transportation Funding Uncertainty

A Jan. 27 Office of Management and Budget (OMB) directive renewed concerns about the flow of federal-aid transportation project reimbursements to state and local transportation agencies. In the memo, OMB tasks each agency to “complete a comprehensive analysis of all of their Federal financial assistance programs to identify programs, projects, and activities that may be implicated by any of the President's executive orders.”

To achieve this objective, OMB ordered a temporary pause on “all activities related to obligation or disbursement of all Federal financial assistance” to take effect at 5 p.m. EST on Jan. 28. However, on Tuesday afternoon, a federal judge blocked the pause until Feb. 3.

Also, on Tuesday afternoon, OMB issued guidance clarifying the intended scope of the OMB memo.

On Wednesday, the Trump Administration rescinded the OMB memo, while saying the administration’s broader efforts to stop spending it opposes remain in effect.

According to the American Road and Transportation Builders Association, “The vast majority of highway and transit programs will continue normal operations. However, the Jan. 20 Executive Order (EO) pausing spending on some electric vehicle charging station programs and previously announced discretionary grants without a signed grant agreement remains intact."

On Tuesday, the Senate confirmed, with a bipartisan 77-22 vote, Sean Duffy, a former Wisconsin Republican congressman, as the next transportation secretary. That same day, he was officially sworn in as the 20th Secretary of the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT).

Secretary Duffy’s first act was signing a memorandum directing staff to begin resetting Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards, eliminating the electric vehicle mandate, and, according to the Trump Administration, ultimately lowering car prices. This action will implement Executive Order 14148: Initial Rescissions of Harmful Executive Orders and Actions and Executive Order 14154: Unleashing American Energy, issued by President Trump on Jan. 20.

TDA Fly-in April 2, 3: Book Travel Now, Register

April is a lovely time to be in DC, and the Senate and the House are both in session. It is also a popular time, and hotel rates will likely increase. 

So, if you are considering attending, please arrange your hotel and travel now.



Hotels

TDA Staff will stay at the Thompson Washington DC, by Hyatt, about 1 mile south of the Capitol in the Navy Yard neighborhood.

Hotel rates in the Navy Yard and surrounding areas are currently around $400+/night. For hotel options within walking distance of the Thompson, one another, and the U.S. Capitol, see page two of our downloadable registration form. Feel free to find the best hotel for you—the one that fits your budget and desire for proximity.

If you’re looking for a more affordable option in the Navy Yard, consider Coda on Half. This well-reviewed facility offers studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments at a nightly rate. A government rate is also available for those who qualify using the promo code GOV.

Don’t wait. Hotel availability and pricing move quickly in DC.

The Schedule

Wednesday, April 2

2 - 5 p.m.– Capitol Hill, Briefing Session

6:30 - 9 p.m.– Cocktail Reception and Dinner at The Hamilton

Thursday, April 3

8:30 a.m.– Capitol Hill, Wisconsin Policy Breakfast

10 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.– Office Visits | Lunch on your own

Registration

Event registration is open. Click here for a downloadable registration form or here to register online.

The deadline to register is Friday, March 21. BUT MAKE YOUR HOTEL AND FLIGHT RESERVATIONS NOW.

If you have any questions, please contact Luke Pearson at Luke.Pearson@tdawisconsin.org.

The state's first three federally funded EV charging stations have opened at Kwik Trip locations in Ashland, Menomonie, and Chippewa Falls. These are among the 53 Wisconsin charging projects funded by the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Program to strengthen the state's EV infrastructure. There are currently 29,000 EVs registered in Wisconsin.

This first wave of NEVI projects was announced in May of 2024, with an expected cost of $23 million. This funding is part of the $78 million total NEVI funding the state is expected to receive. Grants are awarded for stations within one mile of highways on the Wisconsin Alternative Fuel Corridor, including locations in rural areas of the state. Round 1.5 of the Wisconsin Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (WEVI) Program is open, with an application deadline of Feb. 14.

Despite the president's executive order (EO), RFP 1.5 is still moving forward at this time. WisDOT is working to understand the long-term impact of the EO.

Representative Tony Wied, a Republican representing Wisconsin’s 8th congressional district, is our state's newest congressman and was recently welcomed to the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure. See Chairman Graves's press release announcing the new House T&I membership roster.

Representative Derrick Van Orden (R-WI 3rd District) will not be returning to the committee this session and instead joins the Armed Services Committee.

Senator Baldwin will continue to serve on the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Other Notable Assignments:

• Senate and House Appropriations: Senator Baldwin (D), Rep. Pocan (D)
• Senate Finance: Senator Ron Johnson (R)
• House Ways and Means: Rep. Gwen Moore (D)
• Senate and House Budget Committees: Senator Ron Johnson (R), Rep. Glenn Grothman (R)

Before President Biden left office, the administration released its last round of discretionary grants. Those benefiting Wisconsin include:

Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant Program:

• City of Horicon – $160 million for a rail safety planning project.
• City of Superior – $1.99 million for 28th Street grade separation project.
• City of Wauwatosa – $1 million for the Walnut Road Union Pacific grade separation community connector.
• Fond du Lac County – $300,000 for a railroad corridor study.
• La Crosse County – $728,000 for the Brice Prairie rail safety and grade separation plan.

Restoration and Enhancement Grant Program (R&E): $38.6 million grant to support the balance of Amtrak's Borealis service's second-year operating costs and through year six, with Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Illinois providing the non-R&E funding share.

Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program: $1.6 million for Near West Side Partners for the development of a Milwaukee 30th Street equitable development plan.

Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) Program

• WisDOT – $25 million for the National Avenue Complete Streets project. This project will reconstruct National Avenue in the City of Milwaukee, from 1st Street to 39th Street, and add Complete Streets improvements, including separated raised bike lanes, reconfigured traffic lanes, raised crosswalks, a raised intersection, transit platforms, and improved sidewalk space.
• City of Superior – $1.98 million planning grant to evaluate alternatives, preliminary engineering, public outreach, NEPA review, right of way planning for multimodal enhancements, a proposed railroad grade separation over the Burlington Northern-Santa Fe (BNSF) rail yard, and a Northern Pacific Railroad (NPR) track along 28th Street. The assessment will consider a design that potentially spans up to 6 tracks, encompassing both the rail yard and the NPR track located east of the rail yard.
• WisDOT in partnership with the Menominee Indian Tribe – $25 million to improve WIS 47 and WIS 55. This project will resurface approximately 40 miles of road and replace approximately 102 culverts. Road improvements include safety features such as guardrail upgrades, centerline rumble strips, shoulder widening, and 6-inch pavement markings, as well as the relocation of a pull-off area on WIS 55 one mile south of Markton. The project will also add multimodal improvements in the Neopit area, including lighting, ADA-compliant curb ramps, and sidewalk replacements. 

Highway Construction Training Program: WisDOT was awarded $300,000 to expand its Highway Construction Skills Training (HCST) into northern Wisconsin by developing a Highway Construction Workforce Partnership (HCWP-North) workgroup. Members will include the Bay Area Workforce Development Board, Northwest Wisconsin Workforce Investment Board, Forward Service Corporation, Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University, Sokaogon Chippewa Community College, and Tribal Labor Advisory Committee. The HCWP-North will recruit, train, and place individuals in the highway construction workforce, supporting projects like the I-41 expansion, the I-535 Blatnik Bridge reconstruction project, and Tribal workforce needs.

As noted above, the U.S. DOT has paused the awarding of new grants and moving forward on discretionary projects without signed grant agreements.

WisDOT's federal discretionary grant interactive map is available here.

A New Year's Transportation Resolution

Here's a 2025 resolution for us all: Let's keep Wisconsin moving and safe, whether by bike, car, truck, bus, plane, or train.

Read TDA Executive Director Debby Jackson's latest article - New year, new faces, new opportunities for transportation infrastructure policy.

Read more.

TDA On the Go Podcast: Jerry Deschane

A new year brings new opportunities. In this first episode of 2025, TDA Executive Director Debby Jackson speaks with Jerry Deschane. In addition to his role as the executive director of the League of Wisconsin Municipalities, Deschane is the current president of TDA.

The two discuss the League’s legislative goals for this session, including the hope that the Governor and Legislature can build off last session’s bipartisan progress. They cover a wide range of topics, including the need for different transportation interests to work together to better the entire system, the importance of state highways to local municipalities, and what would be a "win" for transportation in the next budget.

Listen to this episode of the TDA On The Go Podcast now.

January Project Spotlights

Milton’s TEA grant to improve roads will be a catalyst for job creation

Charter Next Generation (CNG), a material science company and provider of specialty films and engineered solutions, has a significant presence in Milton and is looking to expand its facility and capabilities.

For this expansion to occur, upgrades to the transportation infrastructure around the facility are required. Road improvements will lead to more economic opportunities in the region. CNG expects the new facility to create approximately 100 jobs. 

Read more.

National Avenue reconstruction project to improve community safety in high-crash corridor

National Avenue in Milwaukee – a significant thoroughfare recognized as one of the busiest streets in the city – is a high-crash corridor and part of Milwaukee’s High Injury Network (HIN).

A project to reconstruct a 2.6-mile stretch of National Avenue between 1st Street and 39th Street aims to upgrade aging infrastructure, enhance safety for all users, reduce vehicle speeds, and support local businesses in this active and vibrant section of Milwaukee.

The improvements will address high crash rates and encourage biking, walking, and public transit use. 

Read more.

Help us tell your story!

We’ve launched a user-friendly portal where you can upload an image and a few basic details. Our team can then write a short narrative that captures the significance of the projects in your part of the state.  

Portal link

Thank you for being a valued member and partner. Your involvement in TDA makes a difference, and we hope you will continue your support.

TDA emailed this year’s renewal invoices on Jan. 9.

If you can’t find the email or need assistance, please get in touch with Luke Pearson at luke.pearson@tdawisconsin.org or 608-661-0916.

We much appreciate those of you who have already renewed.

Thanks again, 2024 sponsors. The support of our sponsors helps TDA provide valuable, informative programming. 

If you'd like to be a 2025 organizational or event sponsor, click here for more information.

TDA Events

• Washington DC Fly-in, April 2-3
• Madison Drive-in, May 20
• Annual Meeting, Nov. 13

During the TRB Annual Meeting in Washington, DC, attendees gathered at the 2025 Wisconsin Transportation Reception, to connect with colleagues and celebrate the contributions of Wisconsin’s transportation community. 

The successful event continues to draw large crowds of participants who come together to foster meaningful conversations and collaborate across academia, industry, and government.

Thank you to this year's sponsors. This event is only possible with you.

Plans for the 2026 Wisconsin Transportation Reception are already underway. See you next year!

Upcoming Events

The Wisconsin Concrete Pavement Association Annual Pavement Conference will be held February 13-14 at the Hilton Paper Valley in Appleton.

The WCPA conference will feature several exhibitors and speakers, and 9 Professional Development Hours (PDH) will be available. 

Register for a single day or the entire conference. More details and registration information are available here.

If you would like TDA to consider including your organization's update or event in an upcoming newsletter, please forward information to Luke Pearson at luke.pearson@tdawisconsin.org.