Registration

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

The deadline to register is Friday, March 8. BUT MAKE YOUR HOTEL AND FLIGHT RESERVATIONS NOW. 



If you have any questions, please contact Debby Jackson at debby.jackson@tdawisconsin.org.

Wisconsin and Minnesota received great news earlier this week. The United States Department of Transportation awarded a more than $1.05 billion federal grant jointly to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) and the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) to replace the aging John A. Blatnik Bridge, connecting Superior, Wisconsin, and Duluth, Minnesota.

The funding comes through the USDOT’s Nationally Significant Multimodal Freight and Highway Projects program (INFRA) as part of the federal infrastructure law. According to the USDOT website, INFRA awards are competitive grants for “multimodal freight and highway projects of national or regional significance to improve the safety, efficiency, and reliability of the movement of freight and people in and across rural and urban areas.”

The Blatnik Bridge, built in 1961 and load-posted for 40 tons since 2019, is jointly owned and operated by WisDOT and MnDOT and has reached the end of its service life. 

With more than 33,000 vehicles crossing the bridge daily, including commuters and visitors, and over 265,000 trucks transporting nearly $4 billion in goods annually, the Blatnik Bridge is of regional economic significance. Furthermore, the bridge is an essential connection to the Port of Duluth-Superior, the largest U.S. port on the Great Lake.  

Wisconsin and Minnesota have each committed $400 million in funding for the $1.8 billion project.

With these federal funds, construction could begin as early as 2025.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) introduced an interactive map and dashboard showing federal discretionary grants awarded from 2009 through the current year. These federal investments coming into Wisconsin over the last decade-plus impacted transportation infrastructure projects across the state. 

The number of grants awarded annually and the corresponding dollars spiked after the passage of the federal infrastructure law.

“WisDOT is committed to improving Wisconsin’s infrastructure, public safety, and the future of our transportation system. This innovative map illustrates the state's efforts to meet these goals, maximize federal funding opportunities, and improve the quality of life for everyone in Wisconsin,” WisDOT Secretary Craig Thompson said. 

The Wisconsin Senate overwhelmingly passed two bills on Jan. 16 that would allow the state to tap into federal electric vehicle (EV) charging station funding and facilitate private sector participation in providing EV charging to the public.

Senate Bill (SB) 791 would exclude businesses, like gas stations, convenience stores, and grocery stores, selling electricity by the kilowatt-hour through EV charging stations from regulation as a public utility. The measure would also create a 3-cent per kilowatt-hour excise tax on electricity sold at these non-residential charging stations, contributing to the Transportation Fund, and exempt these transactions from sales and use tax. 

Moreover, the bill would prohibit the state and local governments from selling EV charging to the public.

A second bill, SB-792, would allow WisDOT to administer $78 million in National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program formula funds provided by the federal infrastructure law. 

The legislation is now before the Assembly. 

WisDOT announced the Wisconsin Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (WEVI) Program Request for Proposals (RFP) early this month. Under the WEVI Program, the state is eligible to receive approximately $78 million in National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program formula funds over five years beginning in the federal fiscal year (FY) 2023.

WEVI Program grants will cover up to 80% of the eligible costs, with grant recipients putting up the remaining funds.  

To help interested parties complete an application, WisDOT issued a WEVI Program proposal packet. The packet contains the necessary materials and instructions for submitting a complete WEVI application.

Completed applications should be sent to wevirfpsubmission@dot.wi.gov by April 1, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. Central Standard Time. 

Please visit the WisDOT Electrification page for more information on the WEVI Program and the RFP.

WisDOT and Locals Present Local Bridge and Culvert Inventory and Assessment Webinar

The 2023-25 state budget provides $12.5 million for the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) to administer a program for a comprehensive inventory and assessment of all local bridges and culverts in the state with spans between 6 and 20 feet in length.

This inventory and assessment program is necessary to ensure these structures are safe for the traveling public and to evaluate the dollars required to rehabilitate and reconstruct these long undocumented structures.

With the input of local government associations, WisDOT has developed a two-step process for utilizing local government and the private sector to achieve the program's objective.

Earlier this month, WisDOT, the Wisconsin Counties Association, the League of Wisconsin Municipalities, and the Wisconsin Towns Association held a webinar to review the program and process. This informational webinar covered an overview of the program, the two-step process or phases of inventory and inspection, and the timeline. Local government association representatives and WisDOT also answered participants' questions.

WisDOT Bureau of Structures will announce future training webinars for inventory and inspection efforts. 

You can view the recorded webinar here.

TDA Podcast: WisDOT Secretary Craig Thompson

Wisconsin Department of Transportation Secretary Craig Thompson, serving as the 2024 American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) president, joins TDA Executive Director Debby Jackson on the On The Go podcast.

Thompson talks about the department's work and accomplishments during his five years at WisDOT and the plans and priorities for the year ahead. They also discuss his priorities for AASHTO and what he has learned about the transportation challenges states face – the similarities and differences – by working with his colleagues in other states. Safety is an integral part of Thompson's objectives.

Jackson and Thompson also touch on transportation funding, including states' progress on a longer-term solution for shoring up lost gas tax productivity. 

Listen to the podcast here.

TDA has transitioned to a new association management software that supports emailing membership renewal notices and invoices.

We successfully emailed this year’s renewal reminders on Jan. 11.

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

We much appreciate those of you who have already renewed. 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.

Thanks again, 2023 sponsors!

The support of our sponsors helps TDA provide valuable, informative programming. If you want to be a 2024 organizational or event sponsor, click here for more information.

Congratulations to Kevin McMullen of the Wisconsin Concrete Pavement Association. He is the recipient of the prestigious Hartmann-Hirschman-Egan Award, which recognizes individuals or organizations for unparalleled commitment, dedication, participation, and leadership in the concrete pavement community.

Kevin's decades-long impact on the concrete pavement market is immeasurable, and this award is a well-deserved recognition of his outstanding contributions.

Kevin was presented the award in December during the American Concrete Pavement Association's 60th annual meeting in Marco Island, Florida.

Wisconsin Transportation Reception Draws Record Crowds

From all indications, the 2024 Wisconsin Transportation Reception at the TRB in January was a smashing success, with about 400 people in attendance. It was the place to be to connect with colleagues and meet new people. 

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

Plans for the 2025 Wisconsin Transportation Reception are already underway. See you next year!

The Wisconsin Concrete Pavement Association Annual Pavement Conference will be held February 15 - 16 at the Madison Marriott West.

The WCPA conference will feature several exhibitors and speakers. The Thursday afternoon breakout sessions include a municipal track and great technical content.

Participants can earn eight Professional Development Hours (PDH). 

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

The American Council of Engineering Companies of Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation are partnering for the 15th consecutive year to present the 2024 Transportation Improvement Conference.

This year's conference will be held March 5-6 at the Glacier Canyon Lodge in the Wisconsin Dells. 

Click here for more information and to register.

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.