April 5, 2024

By Lane Kimble

Some of the work to repair dozens – if not hundreds – of rural roads across Wisconsin could begin later this year.  Key word being: some.

Applications for the first $50 million of new Agricultural Roads Improvement Program (ARIP) funding close later today.  As of Tuesday, the number of applications was in the 30s, but WisDOT expected that number to grow significantly as the deadline approaches.

WisDOT told the WTBA Board that while communities are applying for the funding now, they technically have nearly five years to seek reimbursement.

“I would expect most projects to be let sometime either – this is pure speculation – I would imagine most of them are going to be let in the ‘25-’26 timeframe,” Division of Transportation System Investment Admin. Justin Shell said.

As part of the latest state budget, ARIP provideda total of $150 million to repair roads and culverts that specifically service farms and food processors.  The state will pay up to 90% of the cost of each project, with local municipalities and counties covering the rest.

Once a committee selects the initial recipients, WisDOT will open applications for the remaining $100 million, likely this fall.

WisDOT intends to collect ARIP quantity data and make that available to contractors, Shell said, unlike with LRIP.  The Department also aims to consolidate information about where projects will happen and when they’ll be let into one easy to navigate spot.

That means deciding between using LRIP Web, Bid-X, a website WisDOT helps host, or some combination of those.

“This was a pretty big lift to get this up and going,” Deputy Secretary Kristina Boardman said.