MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers, together with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT), this 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) to repair or replace aging culverts and small bridge structures on local roads across Wisconsin.

The funding was made available by the 2025-27 Biennial Budget signed into law by Gov. Evers last year, which provided $150 million for the highly successful Agricultural Roads Improvement Program (ARIP) created by Gov. 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 safely, efficiently, and effectively. 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.

“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,” said Gov. Evers. “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.”

Since Day One, Gov. Evers has been a steadfast advocate for Wisconsin’s farmers and producers, including ensuring they have the 21st-century infrastructure needed to get their products to market. In June 2023, Gov. Evers signed 2023 Wisconsin Act 13, expanding the Local Roads Improvement Program to include agricultural road improvement projects and providing $150 million to support these projects in the final 2023-25 Biennial Budget he signed into law just weeks later.

“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.”

The initial investment in the 2023-25 Biennial Budget included $12.5 million for WisDOT to assess local culverts and small bridge structures. 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, demonstrating significant interest in the program and need from local communities.