Local Bridge Improvement Assistance

​2024-2029 Program Cycle Documents (Application deadline was October 27, 2023.)

Bridge Guidance​

The Template Reports linked below provide applicants with the tools to prepare Bridge Rehabilitation Reports without consultant assistance. More complex projects may require consultants.

Important Notes:

  • Final applications were due to the Regional Office on October 27, 2023.
  • Contact your Regional Local Program Manager for information regarding these applications.
  • If the improvement type is a Bridge Rehabilitation, a copy of the Rehabilitation Report that was approved by the Bureau of Structures (BOS) is required to be submitted with the application. Submitting the Bridge Rehabilitation Report to the BOS by August 18, 2023, will ensure that the state review will be complete by the October 27 due date for the application.
  • Beginning this program cycle, federal participation will be capped at $6 million per local bridge program project.
  • Non-federal aid, off-system bridges will be funded with 100% federal dollars for both design and construction (up to $6 million).

The Local Bridge Improvement Assistance Program helps rehabilitate and replace, on a cost-shared basis, the most seriously deficient existing local bridges on Wisconsin's local highway systems.

Counties, cities, villages, and towns are eligible for rehabilitation funding on bridges with sufficiency ratings of 80 or less, and replacement funding on bridges with sufficiency ratings less than 50. If the sufficiency rating is greater than 50, a bridge replacement project may be approved if the Rehabilitation Report demonstrates that a bridge replacement is more cost effective than a rehabilitation.

If a bridge has a sufficiency rating above 50, a bridge replacement project may be approved if the rehabilitation report demonstrates that bridge replacement is more cost effective than rehabilitation. WisDOT Structures Asset Management has pre-determined a subset of local bridges that fall into this category, and this is shown on the Eligible Bridge List. For these cases, a template rehabilitation report may be used in lieu of a standard rehabilitation report.

For 2024-2029 program development, total funds available are anticipated to be significantly greater than previous program cycles. The amount will be based on anticipated federal local program levels for fiscal years 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has significantly increased program funding levels. Program funding levels will be updated as necessary pending state biennial budget changes and federal reauthorization.

Change Management

Regional local program contacts:

Southwest Region
Brandi Workman
brandi.workman@dot.wi.gov​
Phone: (608) 785-9047
Fax: (608) 246-3819

Southeast Region
Jacob Varnes
jacob.varnes@dot.wi.gov
Phone: (262) 548-8789
Fax: (262) 521-4425

Northeast Region
Alex Dums
alex.dums@dot.wi.gov
Phone: (920) 492-5707
Fax: (920) 492-5711

North Central Region
Evan Maves
evan.maves@dot.wi.gov
Phone: (715) 365-5778​
Fax: (715) 365-5780

Northwest Region
Randy Kirk
randall.kirk@dot.wi.gov
Phone: (715) 392-7860
Fax: (715) 635-2309

Statewide program contact:
Mike Loughran
michael.loughran@dot.wi.gov
Phone: (608) 266-2870
Fax: (608) 267-3567

Related information: