Baldwin Brings Home Over $39 Million in Infrastructure Upgrades to Reconnect Wisconsin Communities

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) announced over $39 million for three Wisconsin projects to improve transportation infrastructure, make safety improvements, and help reconnect communities that have been divided by legacy infrastructure. The funding for these projects comes from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods Grant program, funded by the Baldwin-backed Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act. Senator Baldwin advocated to DOT Secretary Pete Buttigieg to fund each project.

“I fought hard to secure these investments to reconnect our communities with one another, creating economic opportunity and ensuring Wisconsinites can get to work and school safely,” said Senator Baldwin. “I proudly voted for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act because I knew they would make Wisconsin a safer place to raise a family, cut costs for families, and help our economy move forward.”

“I am so thrilled that this $36 million grant will allow the federal government to make vulnerable neighborhoods along the 6^th Street Corridor more accessible, safe, and walkable. The Connecting North to South project is an investment in the health and quality of life of our residents and will address the long-standing issue of sewer overflows,” said Congresswoman Gwen Moore (D-WI-04). “I am also pleased that the Department of Transportation is directing federal funds to better understand how the construction of the I-94/43 created systemic inequities in Walker’s Point that my constituents are confronting every day. It’s important that we know these challenges didn’t happen by accident and that as investment pours into these areas, Walker’s Point remains affordable and accessible to long-standing residents. I look forward to seeing both grants work to build some real equity in Milwaukee.”

“Senator Baldwin strongly advocated to secure these construction and planning grants to help improve neighborhood connectivity in Milwaukee and Madison,” Wisconsin Department of Transportation Secretary Craig Thompson said. “Thanks to her leadership, I’m hopeful residents will experience the mobility, safety and economic benefits from these projects for years to come.”

“Investments like this have a very positive impact on Milwaukee neighborhoods and the entire city. I am grateful to our elected federal leaders who are working to improve lives here and around the State of Wisconsin,” Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson said.

“To achieve racial equity and become the healthiest community in Wisconsin, Milwaukee County deserves streets and roadways that connect people, businesses, and neighborhoods, rather than divide them,” said Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley. “Thank you to the Biden-Harris Administration, Senator Tammy Baldwin, Congresswoman Gwen Moore, and our federal partners for delivering new funding to Milwaukee County that will support safe, dedicated infrastructure for walking, biking, and transit. I am looking forward to these innovative projects moving forward so we can continue working to enhance the quality of life for all who live, work, and visit Milwaukee County.”

The following Wisconsin projects will receive funding through the Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods Grant program:

City of Milwaukee – $36,560,000 to connect historic and diverse communities along 2.6 miles of the 6^th Street corridor from North Avenue to National Avenue. The Complete 6^th Street will include safe, dedicated infrastructure for walking, biking, and transit as well as green infrastructure that will provide much needed tree canopy and green space while easing the load on the City’s combined sewer system. The project aims to connect neighboring communities and downtown resources through comfortable, affordable, safe, and sustained modes of transportation and a transformed street that enhances the character of the unique communities along the corridor.

Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) – $2,000,000 to support WisDOT’s Reimaging the National Avenue Interchange Planning Study (Study) on the Walker’s Point neighborhood in the City of Milwaukee that is divided by the 1-94/43 National Avenue Interchange. The adjacent neighborhoods are 80% minority with high poverty rates between 25%-35%. The Study will identify and evaluate alternatives to reconnect the neighborhoods and address safety and mobility concerns.

City of Madison – $1,000,000 to support planning and feasibility efforts for the Perry Street Overpass project, a key component of the City’s strategy to revitalize South Madison’s neighborhoods and address longstanding mobility needs. The project will reconnect Perry Street over the Beltline Highway (US Highways 12/14/18/151), which was split during construction almost 70 years ago. The proposed extension of Perry Street over the Beltline will allow vehicles, buses, pedestrians, and cyclists to access the businesses located south of the highway.

An online version of this release is available here.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.