$11M in federal grants awarded for bike paths, public transit, traffic signals

(The Center Square) – Wisconsin is directing $11 million in federal grants to bike paths, public transit and public vehicles in eligible counties in southeast and northeast Wisconsin.

The funds are part of the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program, which will fund 80% of the 11 awarded projects.

Five of the largest grants went to Milwaukee projects with more than $1.8 million for a protected bike lane connector between Sherman Boulevard and Lisbon Avenue and $1.7 million for bikeshare stations and e-bikes.

Milwaukee also received $1.8 million for a protected bike lane on Center Street, nearly $1.6 million to put new CNG natural gas engines and fueling systems in 32 new garbage trucks and $568,800 for computer optimization of traffic signals.

The grants are administered by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.

“This program can be a key mechanism in helping reduce traffic congestion while assisting urban areas in improving air quality,” said WisDOT Secretary Kristina Boardman. “These improvements will not only provide transportation options that help reduce regulated emissions but can also help to reduce travel delays and address real-time traffic issues that communities are experiencing.”

Kenosha County will receive nearly $1 million for a shared used path that stretches 0.8 miles on County Highway F between 352nd Avenue and Ice House Trail.

Waukesha is receiving $680,000 for four paratransit buses used to supplement fixed route buses along with grants for transit passenger signs ($240,000), a railroad warning detection system ($105,680) and transit marketing ($40,000).

Waukesha County will receive $766,780 for signal controller replacement.