Wisconsin's budget-writing committee voted today to allocate $50 million for critical infrastructure projects in Northeast Wisconsin, including port expansion and bridge construction, part of a broader national trend of state governments investing in transportation and connectivity infrastructure.
The Joint Committee on Finance approved $20 million for the Port of Green Bay expansion and $30 million for the Southern Bridge Underpass project, representing what lawmakers described as transformative investments for the region's economic future.
Senator Eric Wimberger (R-Oconto) and Representative Benjamin Franklin (R-De Pere) secured the funding through coordinated advocacy efforts12. The $20 million for the Port of Green Bay will complete the facility's expansion at the former Pulliam Power Plant site, bringing total accumulated funding to approximately $53-54 million3.
"Brown County and Northeast Wisconsin will finally be able to expand its port and take major shipping for generations," Wimberger stated1. The project includes constructing new dock walls, dredging the Fox River, and installing mooring features.
The additional $30 million targets the Southern Bridge Connector Project's railway underpass and connection to Interstate 41. Wimberger previously secured $50 million for the project in earlier budget cycles, with construction beginning in May2.
Wisconsin's actions reflect broader state-level infrastructure spending patterns. Texas recently unveiled $3.3 billion in federal and state funding for broadband expansion, accepting applications through July 221. The funding, primarily from the federal Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program, will support up to 150 projects statewide.
California continues its $1.5 billion port infrastructure investment program, while Virginia secured $13.3 million in federal funding for rail service expansion23. These investments follow the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which allocated billions for state and local projects.
Rural communities nationwide face uncertainty about federal broadband funding continuation. Recent federal budget memos temporarily paused grant programs before being rescinded, creating confusion for local officials planning infrastructure projects1.
"Reliable and affordable broadband infrastructure is critical for communities to compete," said J.P. Ducro, Ashtabula County Commissioner in Ohio1. Rural leaders emphasize that federal support remains essential for areas where private investment proves economically unfeasible.
The Wisconsin projects represent long-term regional planning efforts. Franklin emphasized that road and bridge investments "help everyone get where they're going safely, and keeps all of our communities better connected to one another"2.
