Federal Grant Supports Workforce Training for Blatnik Bridge Reconstruction

WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Tuesday, Jan. 7, U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., announced that the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) will receive $300,000 in federal funding aimed at connecting Wisconsinites with high-paying jobs in highway construction.

The funding will enable WisDOT to establish a partnership between the state, workforce development organizations, and schools to recruit, train, and place workers in highway construction jobs, particularly those involved in the reconstruction of the Blatnik Bridge.

Reconstruction of the Blatnik Bridge, scheduled to begin in the fall of 2026, will include a complete closure for approximately four years starting in 2027.

WisDOT plans to use the funds to expand its Highway Construction Skills Training program to northern Wisconsin and create the Highway Construction Workforce Partnership (HCWP-North), which will bring together key stakeholders to address workforce needs in the highway construction industry.

According to a news release, the training program will focus on building a workforce to support the Blatnik Bridge project, the I-41 expansion in the Green Bay area, and workforce needs in tribal communities.

The grant is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Highway Construction Training Program, which is funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Senator Baldwin advocated for the funding, emphasizing its importance in supporting critical infrastructure projects.

“Our Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is going to replace crumbling infrastructure, keep families safe, and strengthen supply chains — but we need a highly skilled workforce to meet this moment and make this investment a reality,” Baldwin said. “I am proud to bring home this funding that will help connect more Wisconsinites with good-paying careers in the construction trades.”

Governor Tony Evers also expressed his support for the initiative, saying, "I’ve been proud to support this training program from the start, and I’m grateful to Sen. Baldwin for securing this federal funding to help recruit, train and retain construction highway workers and continue our work to fix the darn roads and infrastructure across our state.”