Episode description

In the latest edition of “Talking Trade,” Matt Umhoefer of the state Department of Transportation discusses Wisconsin’s freight plan and federal infrastructure funding. 

Umhoefer, the economic development section chief for the agency, notes the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law added new items for states to add to their existing freight plans. He discusses the latest iteration of the plan and shares details on the state agency’s future work on that effort. 

He notes the law will help fund improvements to roads and bridges, upgrades to airports and maritime ports, expansions to public transit and passenger rail, and more. 

“That phrase, generational investment, I think really does hold true in this case,” Umhoefer said. 

Meanwhile, show host Sandi Siegel, president and managing director of M.E. Dey & Co., highlights some of the challenges facing supply chains. 

“For years we’ve been hearing how the infrastructure hasn’t kept up with all the extra trucks and deliveries and so forth on the road, and certainly the trucking industry seems to have had the perfect storm,” she said. “Not only with more demand, but a continuing trend of driver shortages and drivers aging out.” 

Umhoefer highlights various elements of the freight plan, including those focused on trucking, rail safety, riverways and more.