Wisconsin bill for local intersection safety grants fails

A Wisconsin bill aimed at creating a local intersection safety grant program has failed to pass, ending the legislative session without approval.[4] The measure, which would have provided state funding to improve dangerous intersections, died pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1, a procedural rule setting the 2025-2026 session schedule.[1][4] Lawmakers did not advance it before the deadline, leaving cities and counties without dedicated state resources for these upgrades.[5]

Intersections remain a top crash hotspot in Wisconsin, with cities like Madison already targeting them through federal Safe Streets and Roads for All grants totaling over $11 million statewide.[2] The proposed program would have mirrored federal efforts by funding low-cost fixes such as pedestrian islands, bike lanes, and traffic calming at high-risk spots along transit routes.[2][3] While the Wisconsin Department of Transportation offers some traffic safety grants via the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, these prioritize enforcement and education over infrastructure.[3]

For Milwaukee residents, this failure means continued vulnerability at busy intersections like those on major arterials, where pedestrian and bike crashes persist amid growing transit use.[2] Without state grants, local budgets strain to address Vision Zero goals, potentially raising safety risks for families, commuters, and cyclists.[6]

Next session, advocates may reintroduce similar legislation, but funding will hinge on the state budget and competition from federal programs like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.[6]