Where's the money? Target 2 Investigates $46m taken from local road budgets

Millions of dollars in federal funds are being withheld from local municipalities by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, Target 2 Investigates has learned.

Both Appleton and Green Bay are losing out on more than $3 million in funds. These municipalities don't know where that money has been diverted.

"Where is the money going? We have no idea," says Steve Grenier,

Green Bay Public Works Director.

Local officials were recently informed about a change in federal funding when it comes to Surface Transportation Block Grants. That's money that Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) request to complete transportation projects.

Steve Grenier serves as the Vice President of Brown County's MPO Policy Board.

"That's federal money that comes down from Federal Highway Administration, filters through the Wisconsin Department of Transportation and then comes to local programs," Grenier says.

A five-year funding program has been reduced to a four-year program.

MPOs across the state are missing one year of federal funding. It was money they were depending on for upcoming projects.

"Essentially what it boils down to, the way it's been explained to us, there's one year's of STBG funding that is no longer available to MPOs," Grenier says. "So if the numbers I've seen are accurate on a statewide basis, that comes out to about $45 million. And right now, you, no one knows where that $45 million is going? That is correct."

The reduction in funding is forcing these planning organizations to use local funds on certain projects, including the Gray Street reconstruction in Green Bay.

"There was a full reconstruct of Gray Street between Dousman and Velp. The project will go forward. The federal funding that was coming in for it has been removed," Grenier says.

Target 2 Investigates reached out to the DOT for answers. The organization says they are working on a response.

State Sen. Robert Cowles (R-District 2) says he plans to look into the diversion of money.

"Anytime my corner of the state, Northeast Wisconsin, doesn't get its fair share, I am concerned and want to investigate this and come up with an answer," Cowles says. "I want to find out as soon as possible and hopefully clear this up."

Following the Target 2 Investigates report, two local democratic lawmakers called on the DOT to explain the whereabouts of the missing funds.

State Sen. Dave Hansen and State Sen. Caleb Frostman released these statements: