News: Online exclusive

State extends transportation stimulus deadline [ONLINE EXCLUSIVE]

Local governments can still submit proposals for projects

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation has extended the deadline to apply for stimulus money to fund transportation projects to April 8 to allow more local governments to apply for a portion of the $529 million in transportation funds.

The money was allotted to the state through the economic stimulus package included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act signed by President Barack Obama.

Peg Schmidt, Wisconsin DOT spokesperson, said the portion of money given to Wisconsin through the stimulus must be used to fund state and local highway and bridge projects. Approximately $9.7 million of the money is to be used within Madison urbanized areas. The city estimates they will receive anywhere from $18 to $25 million after the federal grants are distributed.

Schmidt said the projects sent by local governments to the DOT must meet strict local and national eligibility requirements before they are considered.

“After the deadline, there will be a review of the projects submitted,” Schmidt said. “They will first be checked for eligibility, then will be reviewed by other groups, such as metropolitan organizations and also the (Joint) Finance Committee.”

Madison is applying for more than $34 million in funding from the Recovery Act for its transportation projects. Projects include two bike trails and a biking bridge over the Beltline and plans to improve conditions on various roadways, including University Avenue and Mineral Point Road.

Rachel Strauch-Nelson, spokesperson for Mayor Dave Cieslewicz, said the city has applied for many projects, but the Recovery Act funds are a competitive grant.

She added Madison is competing with all of the other cities throughout Wisconsin for the stimulus money.

“We’re applying for various projects, but we have no idea what will get approved or how much of the Recovery Act money we will receive,” Strauch-Nelson said.

The city has already received $95 million from the federal government that will be used to purchase 18 new hybrid buses, but this funding is separate from the formula grant proposals submitted to the DOT.