FixWIBridges.com launches today, providing the public, local officials, and policymakers with transparent, easy-to-access information on the condition of nearly 17,000 small local bridges and culverts across Wisconsin.
These critical local structures, spanning just 6 to 20 feet, have never been included in federal and state tracking systems. As a result, Wisconsin policymakers and communities, like in most states, lacked comprehensive data on the safety and stability of these structures and the potential impacts on the routes they depend on every day.
“We have long known that our local small bridges were aging, but we could not fix what we did not measure,” said Debby Jackson, executive director of the Transportation Development Association of Wisconsin (TDA). “This website takes years of data and puts it directly into the hands of the taxpayers and leaders. It provides another reason why Wisconsin requires a clear roadmap to fund our most urgent needs and prioritize future investments.”
Bridge Repairs
Thanks to $12.5 million in the 2023-2025 state budget, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT), in partnership with local government associations, county highway departments, and stakeholder organizations, completed the first statewide inventory of these small structures. The two-year effort identified nearly 17,000 small bridges and culverts.
Certified bridge inspectors then evaluated each structure using the standard federal 0-to-9 condition rating scale. The results are sobering: More than 1,600 of these small structures are in poor or severe condition. Some require immediate weight restrictions, lane limitations, or closures, while many others may need replacement within the next few years to keep local roads safe and functional.
“Town roads are the first and last mile of the supply chain for our farmers, loggers, many small manufacturers, and for our families,” said Mike Koles, executive director of the Wisconsin Towns Association. “By finally accounting for these small structures, we are giving our state and local officials the tools they need to show where investments are needed to keep our communities safer and our economy moving.”
The new data has already driven policy action. The most recent state budget included a $30 million one-time appropriation to launch the Local Small Structure Improvement Program, which provides local governments with up to 90% reimbursement to replace the most critical structures.
How To Get Involved
Visitors to FixWIBridges.com can explore interactive maps to view bridge conditions in their own counties and communities. The platform also features case studies and videos highlighting the real-world economic impact of failing infrastructure.
“As a state, we have worked diligently over the past two years to complete the inventory and inspections,” said Patrick Vander Sanden, executive director of the Wisconsin County Highway Association. “The safety of the motoring public and the success of our local businesses depend on high-quality information that supports safe, dependable roads and bridges.”
While the initial $30 million addresses the most urgent cases, transportation leaders stress that the overall challenge is much larger. Experts estimate that hundreds of millions of dollars will be needed to clear the backlog and prevent further deterioration of Wisconsin’s local transportation network.
“The three quarters of a billion dollars in applications for the Agricultural Roads Improvement Program in the last three years, and the results of the local small bridge inventory proves what those of us in the farm community have known for decades: Our rural roads are in desperate need of attention if we want our farm economy to survive and thrive,” said Brad Olson, president of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation. “We need an ongoing commitment to maintain and upgrade our roads.”
The public is invited to visit FixWIBridges.com to explore the data, understand the needs, and track progress.
About the Effort
Fix Wisconsin’s Bridges is a statewide initiative focused on raising awareness about the condition of Wisconsin’s bridges, including local small bridges and culverts, and the real-world impacts on communities, safety, and economic activity. By gathering firsthand accounts, data, and local stories, the effort aims to inform policymakers and the public about infrastructure needs and support solutions that strengthen connectivity across Wisconsin.
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