Assistance Programs - Other aid

The following programs can provide financial assistance to local governments, along with other public and private entities, to make a variety of improvements to highways, airports, harbors, bike, rail and pedestrian facilities.

Economic development

  • Freight Railroad Infrastructure Improvement Program (FRIIP) - The FRIIP provides loans that assist with improvements to rail infrastructure, highway/grade crossings, and the construction of new rail-served facilities in an effort to boost economic activity. Eligible applicants include private industries, railroads, and local governments.

  • Harbor Assistance Program (HAP) - The HAP assists Wisconsin harbor communities along the Great Lakes and Mississippi River with projects that maintain and improve waterborne commerce. Eligible applicants include municipal and tribal governments.

  • State Infrastructure Bank (SIB) program - The SIB program, similar to a private bank, offers a range of loans and credit options to help finance eligible surface transportation projects.

  • Transportation Economic Assistance (TEA) program - The TEA program provides funding of up to $1 million to governing bodies for the completion of road, rail, harbor or airport improvements that support the increase or creation of jobs.

Economic Development Assistance Program summary

Other aid programs

  • Airport Improvement Program (AIP) - The AIP combines federal and state financial resources to help fund improvements to public-use airports throughout the state.

  • ​Carbon Reduction Program - The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law of 2021 (BIL) establishes a Carbon Reduction Program. This new federal program provides funding for projects that reduce transportation emissions and requires states to develop comprehensive carbon reduction strategies.

  • Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ) program - The CMAQ program encourages transportation alternatives in southeast Wisconsin that improve air quality such as public transit enhancements, bicycle/pedestrian facilities, ridesharing programs and facilities, and technologies that improve traffic flow and vehicle emissions.

  • Freight Railroad Preservation Program (FRPP) - One of two railroad assistance programs, the FRPP provides grants to local governments and public entities that cover up to 80% of the costs of rail projects designed to preserve rail service or rehabilitate fixed-facilities on publicly-supported rail lines. Projects can include the purchase of rail lines in an effort to preserve freight rail service.

  • Railroad crossing improvements - Wisconsin's Office of the Commissioner of Railroads (OCR) works with private rail firms, local governments and citizens on a variety of highway/rail crossing issues.

  • Roadside Sponsorship Program - The roadside sponsorship program is intended to recognize a corporation or business with the use of acknowledgement signs for their monetary contribution to the maintenance of highway roadsides.

  • State Trunk Highway Fire Call Claim program - Wisconsin law provides this mechanism for local governments to recover up to $500 of their costs for responding to fire calls on highways maintained by the state.

  • Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) - The TAP allocates federal funds to transportation improvement projects that "expand travel choice, strengthen the local economy, improve the quality of life, and protect the environment."

​Related information:

  • Adopt-A-Highway program - Local community groups are invited to "adopt" a two-mile segment of the state trunk highway system to reduce roadside litter.