WISCONSIN – Governor Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) last week announced that 101 communities across the state will receive nearly $30 million in funding through the newly created Local Small Structures Improvement Program (LSSIP).
The funds will be allocated to repairing or replacing aging culverts and small bridge structures on local roads across Wisconsin.
A release from Evers’ office said the funding was made available by the 2025-27 Biennial Budget signed into law by the governor last year, which provided $150 million for the Agricultural Roads Improvement Program (ARIP) created by Evers in 2023. Of that $150 million investment, $30 million was set aside to support projects focused on the repair or replacement of aging culverts and small bridge structures in rural communities that are critical for moving and transporting the state’s agricultural and forestry products.
Since its creation and with the addition of these 101 projects, ARIP and LSSIP have funded 221 projects total across the state that are helping improve and repair rural roads in 64 of Wisconsin’s 72 counties, according to the release.
“The initial investment in the 2023-25 Biennial Budget included $12.5 million for WisDOT to assess local culverts and small bridge structures,” the release stated. “WisDOT collaborated with the local owners to inventory and inspect the more than 16,500 small structures across the state, identifying those with the most urgent repair needs. Structures that were reported in poor or severe conditions by WisDOT were eligible for funding through the LSSIP, and local municipalities with structures rated in these conditions were encouraged to apply for funding to maintain safety and serviceability for residents, businesses and visitors.”
Projects were selected from a pool of 430 applications, totaling $133.7 million in funding requests.
Several local projects will be supported by LSSIP funding.
Work to improve a structure in the Town of Schley in Lincoln County will receive a $571,950 allocation from the program, representing 90% of the total estimated construction costs.
In Price County, projects in the Towns of Hill, Knox and Spirit will be backed with LSSIP dollars, receiving $450,000, $396,000 and $90,000, respectively. Each allocation represents 90% of the total estimated construction costs.
“Every pothole filled, road fixed, and bridge and culvert repaired is essential to ensuring we have safe, reliable roads all across our state for locals and visitors alike, and so much of that good work is done at the local level, which is why supporting our local governments in their efforts to bolster this critical infrastructure is more important than ever,” Evers stated. “Especially after years of disinvestment in our transportation infrastructure from the previous administration, these investments are making a difference for communities that otherwise would not have received any funding. Thanks to the investments, we secured in our most recent biennial budget, this brand new program is making sure over 100 communities are getting money directly where folks need it to fix the darn roads and keep our local economies humming.”
“The coordination between WisDOT staff and local governments was critical in identifying and inventorying the thousands of small structures throughout our state,” said WisDOT Secretary Kristina Boardman. “Judging by the number of applications received and funding requested, there is a lot of need for this program. We’re excited to see the LSSIP awards reach the structures that need them most and make real differences in the safety, mobility and quality of life for the people in these communities.”
Learn more about the Local Small Structure Improvement Program on WisDOT’s website at www.tinyurl.com/2kdv4e85.
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