Wisconsin awarded nearly $50 million in grants through the first round of Agricultural Roads Improvement Program funding. This round of grant funding will support 29 new projects across 28 counties focused on improving rural roads used by farmers to transport agricultural and forestry products.
The state has improved more than 9,600 miles of roads and 2,400 bridges since 2019. The Agricultural Roads Improvement Program started in 2023, providing $150 million in the biennial budget. The most recent 2025-27 budget continued support for this highly successful program with another $150 million investment. Of which, $30 million will improve and repair deteriorating culverts and small structures.
Since its creation, the program has funded 120 projects statewide, repairing rural roads in 56 of Wisconsin’s 72 counties. All told, more than 23.5 million tons of agricultural products, valued at $13 billion, are transported on ARIP-awarded roads each year.
“Continued investment in local infrastructure across Wisconsin through programs like ARIP improves our economy and quality of life,” says WisDOT Secretary Kristina Boardman. “We continue to have a strong pool of applicants, and these selected projects will help Wisconsin’s agricultural industries continue to grow. A safe and strong transportation network depends on quality local roads, the first and last mile of nearly everyone’s trip.”
ARIP is a reimbursement program that may pay up to a maximum of 90 percent of total eligible project costs, with the balance of the eligible costs funded by the local unit of government. To be eligible for funding, projects must meet the following criteria:
- The project highway, or the highway where the bridge or culvert is located, is functionally classified by the department as a local road or minor collector.
- The project is solely for the improvement of a bridge or culvert, the bridge or culvert is 20 feet or less in length, and is not eligible for funding under a federal program that provides funding for bridge improvements.
- The highway, bridge, or culvert provides access to agricultural lands or facilities used to produce agricultural goods, including forest products, and is used by at least one agricultural producer.
- The highway or highways on which the bridge or culvert is located is designated as a class “B” highway due to structural deficiencies or is subject to a posted weight limitation at least one month during the previous year.
- After the improvement, the highway will not be designated as a class “B” highway and will not be subject to a posted weight limitation other than under extraordinary or emergency circumstances.
- The highway, bridge, or culvert is maintained by a political subdivision.
When the next ARIP application period opens, WisDOT will notify municipalities regarding the availability of application materials and deadlines. WisDOT staff will also contact applicants who were not awarded in this current round to allow for the opportunity to easily advance their application for consideration in the next solicitation.
A full list of projects receiving ARIP grants is available at WisDOT’s website: https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/doing-bus/local-gov/astnce-pgms/highway/arip.aspx
Projects awarded in the next round are anticipated to be announced in Fall 2026.
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