February 4, 2026

By Lane Kimble

More than 1,600 small bridges and culverts across Wisconsin badly need repairs or replacement. Some of those so-called “small structures” will start to get some help thanks to funding in the 2025-27 state budget.

Wisconsin began accepting applications this week for $30 million in one-time grants to fix small structures, which range from 6 to 20 feet.

Structures must be listed as “poor” or worse to be eligible for a grant, which would cover up to 90% of the cost.

The $30 million is a portion of the overall $150 million Agricultural Roads Improvement Program that lawmakers dedicated to this specific task in the current budget.

Still, that funding is only enough to cover about 15% of the overall need based on WisDOT estimates.

Counties, municipalities, and the Wisconsin County Highway Association worked together for several years to compile and survey the state’s nearly 17,000 small structures after funding for the research was added to the 2023 state budget.

Applications for the Local Small Structures Improvement Program are due by Friday, May 1, 2026 at 5 p.m.