For more information, contact:
Kathryn Dustin, Local Transportation Programs & Finance
(608) 264-7336, kathryn.dustin@dot.wi.gov
Governor Jim Doyle today announced that 24 Wisconsin counties will share $284,700 in state funds to help counties maintain and improve public roads in county forests.
The 2010 fiscal year funds are being distributed through the Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s County Forest Road Aids program and will help improve over 900 miles of public roads within county forests in Wisconsin. Marinette County, with over 224 miles of eligible county forest roads, will receive the largest payment of $70,744. Payments are being distributed to county treasurers this month.
“These funds help defray county costs associated with improving and maintaining public roads within county forests,” Governor Doyle said. “It’s yet another way the state partners with local governments on efforts that enhance our transportation system and overall quality of life.”
Eligible counties are receiving payments prorated at 94 percent in 2010, or $336 per mile of qualifying road. To qualify, roads must meet minimum design standards of a 16-foot surface width and a 20-foot roadway width, be located within county forests, must be open and used for travel, and not be town roads, county trunk or state trunk highways.
County Forest Road Aids are separate from the larger General Transportation Aids (GTA) program. GTA returns to local governments roughly 21.8 percent of all state-collected transportation revenues (fuel taxes and vehicle registration fees), helping offset the cost of county and municipal road construction, maintenance, traffic and other transportation-related costs.
