April 28, 2026

By Lane Kimble

More than $135 million will help counties, cities and towns across Wisconsin fix more than 300 roads.

Gov. Tony Evers and WisDOT announced this year’s batch of Local Road Improvement Program (LRIP) funds Wednesday. The money will flow into 108 highway projects in all 72 counties, 136 local town roads, and 58 municipal streets.

Lawmakers provided 3% increases in both 2025 and 2026 for LRIP and $100 million in LRIP supplemental funding in the latest state budget.

ARIP application window opens

Communities needing to fix rural roads that support farms and food processors can now tap into another round of state funding, too.

Applications are open for the second batchof Agricultural Roads Improvement Program (ARIP) funds, totaling $70 million.

Gov. Evers signed ARIP into law in 2023.  Since then, the program has funded 120 projects in 56 counties.

Eligible projects must be a bridge, culvert, or road that is listed as Class B due to deteriorating conditions.  The ARIP reimbursements will cover up to 90% of a project’s cost, with the county or municipality paying the other portion.

The ARIP application window closes June 29, 2026 at 5 p.m.  WisDOT will announce awards this fall.