Federal funds totaling $38.9 million will assist with 24 transportation projects to enhance public transit services, increase bicycle and pedestrian accommodations, improve traffic flow and reduce vehicle emissions. The awards are part of the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) program. CMAQ’s goal is to improve air quality with specific transportation-related projects.
Only counties included in the state’s ozone and non-attainment and maintenance areas, as designated under the Clean Air Act, are eligible for CMAQ funding. The 11 Wisconsin counties are located in northeastern and southeastern parts of the state and include Door, Kenosha, Kewaunee, Manitowoc, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Sheboygan, Racine, Walworth, Washington and Waukesha. CMAQ is administered by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT). For the 2014-2018 state fiscal year program cycle, WisDOT did not receive CMAQ applications from any of the eligible northeastern Wisconsin counties.
CMAQ funds provide up to 80 percent of total project costs, with the remainder provided by the project sponsors. WisDOT, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission jointly review and recommend award approval. Projects are evaluated based on their potential to reduce vehicular trips, promote multi-modal connections and how they complement other local transportation planning priorities.