What Wisconsin Can Expect From $1T Infrastructure Bill

WISCONSIN — The U.S. House of Representatives voted late Friday to pass the $1 trillion infrastructure bill, one of two key parts of President Joe Biden’s domestic agenda. The House voted 228-206 to pass the bill, which now goes to Biden’s desk for his signature. The bill had already cleared passage in the U.S. Senate in August.

The bill makes key investments in the nation’s ailing infrastructure, providing funding for public transit, federal railways, roads, bridges, clean drinking water, high speed internet, investment in electric vehicles and more, according to a fact sheet provided by the White House.

Biden hailed the bill’s passage on Saturday, calling it a “monumental step forward.”

"This along with the Build Back Better Act will give the economy the jumpstart it needs and put America back to work," Rep. Mark Pocan, a Democrat who represents the 2nd District, said. "The Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill repairs our crumbling roads and bridges, invests in public transit and rail, expands broadband, including to the most rural areas, and secures clean water for our children by replacing lead pipes and delivering clean water to millions of families."

"Today, I voted against the so-called infrastructure portion of Speaker Pelosi and President Biden’s $3 trillion spending agenda," Rep. Bryan Steil, a Republican who represents the 1st District, said. "We should be making investments in our nation’s infrastructure, but through a smart, targeted approach that is focused on real infrastructure."

Among the funds earmarked in the bill, here’s what Wisconsin can expect to receive:

• $5.2 billion for federally funded highway projects and $225 million for bridge replacements and repairs over five years.
• $592 million to improve public transportation options across the state over five years.
• $79 million to help build electric vehicle charging stations across the state over five years. Wisconsin also has the opportunity to apply for a $2.5 billion grant for electric vehicle charging stations.
• $100 million to help provide broadband coverage across the state. Around 318,000 Wisconsin residents lack broadband coverage right now, the White House said in a statement
• $20 million over five years to protect against wildfires, $18 million to protect against cyber attacks. The state will also get money from the bill's $3.5 billion national investment to weatherize peoples' homes.
• $841 million to ensure clean and safe drinking water across Wisconsin over five years.
• $198 million to improve Wisconsin airports over five years.