Trump Killed Funding for Milwaukee's Dreamy Multimodal Street. They're Determined to Make it Happen Anyway.

After the Trump administration retracted over $30 million in funding from a Milwaukee street safety project, city officials say they are determined to find new funding sources to keep the project moving forward.

As Tom Daykin explains in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the city received a $36.6 million grant in March 2024 to rebuild a 2.6-mile section of Sixth Street with new bike and pedestrian infrastructure to make the roadway safer for all types of users. “About $2.05 million from the grant was spent on preliminary design work before the funds were rescinded, said David Tapia, of the Milwaukee Department of Public Works.” Now, federal cuts enacted as part of the congressional spending bill mean federal officials will claw back any remaining funds.

The city is holding several public open houses to present the results of its analysis of the street and potential options for improvements.  With its Reconnecting Communities grant rescinded, the city will now turn to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation and other federal grants for additional funding.