In June 2023, Senate Bill 247 (Act 13) established the Agricultural Roads Improvement Program (ARIP) as part of the 2023-2025 biennium budget to improve highways functionally classified as local roads, or minor collectors, or culverts, that provide access to agricultural lands or facilities used to produce agricultural goods, including forest products.
Created within the framework of the existing Local Roads Improvement Program (LRIP), ARIP provides a one-time segregated revenue (SEG) funding of $150 million to enhance rural roads, bridges, and culverts in Wisconsin's rural communities.
Project Eligibility
An eligible project must meet all the following requirements:
- The project is to improve a highway functionally classified by the department as a local road or minor collector or a bridge or culvert on a highway functionally classified by the department as a local road or minor collector. See the ARIP Potentially Eligible Roads map application to assist with identifying potentially eligible roads for this program. Please note, this map only highlights roads that are functionally classified as local roads or minor collectors. It does not include information about Class-B or otherwise weight-restricted roadways, or factor in other ARIP eligibility information such as usage by agricultural or forestry producers or posted load restrictions. It is the applicant’s responsibility to confirm the other program eligibility criteria as laid out in Wis. Stat. 86.31 (3o) prior to submitting an application.
- If the project is solely for the improvement of a bridge or culvert, the bridge or culvert is 20 feet or less in length and is not eligible for funding under a federal program providing funding for bridge improvements.
- The highway, bridge, or culvert provides access to agricultural lands or facilities used for the production of agricultural goods, including forest products, and is used by at least one agricultural producer.
- The highway or the highway upon which the bridge or culvert is located is designated as a class "B" highway under s. 349.15 due to structural deficiencies or has been subject to a posted weight limitation for at least one month during the previous year.
- After completion of the project, the highway will not be designated as a class "B" highway under s. 349.15 and will not be subject to a posted weight limitation other than under extraordinary or emergency circumstances.
- The highway, bridge, or culvert is maintained by a political subdivision.
Project Selection
Projects will be selected by a competitive discretionary committee made up of local government officials and members of the agricultural/timber industry using the following criteria outlined in state statute:
- A project that improves access by the largest number of agricultural producers to agricultural lands and facilities used to produce agricultural goods.
- A project that will result in the greatest positive economic impact.
- A highway, bridge, or culvert that provides the only feasible access to agricultural lands used to produce agricultural goods.
- An application by a local government that faces demonstrable fiscal or administrative difficulties in completing highway projects.
- A project that will result in the reduction of trips, costs, and mileage driven (for example) for agricultural producers.
- A project that will result in the transportation of the largest amount of agricultural goods.
- ARIP Selection Committee Discretionary Rating based on a wholistic review of provided materials, including the project narrative section.
ARIP Solicitation Timeline
First Round - $50 million funding distribution amount
- Project solicitation opens – February 6, 2024
- Application deadline – April 5, 2024, 5:00 p.m
- Late applications will not be accepted
- Limit of two applications per sponsor
- Committee review of submitted applications anticipated April/May 2024
- WisDOT Secretary award announcements anticipated July 2024
Second Round - $100 million funding distribution amount
- Mid/Late 2024 (Exact schedule dates to be announced after completion of first solicitation)
Access ARIP Application
- How to Register for AccessGov
- Open application (AccessGov)
- See the ARIP Potentially Eligible Roads map application to assist with identifying potentially eligible roads for this program. Please note, this map only highlights roads that are functionally classified as local roads or minor collectors. It does not include information about Class-B or otherwise weight-restricted roadways, or factor in other ARIP eligibility information such as usage by agricultural or forestry producers or posted load restrictions. It is the applicant’s responsibility to confirm the other program eligibility criteria as laid out in Wis. Stat. 86.31 (3o) prior to submitting an application.
Program Documents
ARIP Informational Webinar (February 28, 2024)
ARIP Help Resources
Manuals
Wisconsin Information System for Local Roads (WISLR) Manual - The On/At Manual illustrates how to describe the location of your ARIP project using the On/At Method. This is the same method used by the WISLR system and by local communities to submit pavement ratings to WisDOT every two years. Please contact your County Highway Commissioner with questions.
Contacts
ARIP Interim Program Manager
Megan Feeley
megan.feeley1@dot.wi.gov
(608) 267-7261
ARIP Contract Specialist
Michelle Wallace-Frank
michelle.wallacefrank1@dot.wi.gov
(608) 267-9516
Local Road Programs & Finance Section Chief
Merrill Mechler-Hickson
merrill.mechlerhickson@dot.wi.gov
(608) 261-8977
Local Road Programs & Finance Section Supervisor
Tim Olusegun
tim.olusegun@dot.wi.gov
(608) 266-0254