Governor announces $29.5 million for local highway improvements

September 11, 2007

Governor Jim Doyle today announced the distribution of $29.5 million in federal funds that will be used to improve county highways throughout Wisconsin’s approximately 100,000-mile local highway system. 

The $29.5 million, administered by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation through the federal Surface Transportation Program-Rural (STP-R), will fund 72 projects along local highways across the state. Federal (STP-R) funds are used to complete improvements to rural roadways functionally classified higher than “minor collector” – primarily county highways. 

“Investing in infrastructure ensures we have safe roads for our travelers, and helps businesses get their products where they're needed,” Governor Doyle said. “Improving roads is one way we can strengthen communities, grow our businesses, and create jobs for our citizens.”

The STP-R program has traditionally operated on a three-year program cycle. A fourth year has been added to the new program cycle (2009-2012) to better balance the project letting schedule, encourage program stability and get approved projects into the system sooner in case additional federal funding should become available in future years.  All projects are 80% federally funded and require a 20% local funding share.  

In Wisconsin, county officials set priorities for local highway improvement projects. While construction timetables for the projects vary, most of the work is expected to be completed over the next four to six years. A list of projects being funded through the STP-R program can be viewed on the WisDOT Web site at: www.dot.wisconsin.gov/localgov/highways/approved.htm.

For information contact:   
Paul Wydeven, WisDOT Bureau of Transit and Local Roads
(608) 266-1535, paul.wydeven@dot.state.wi.us