Wisconsin Administrative Code

Trans 207.04 Definitions. (1) XActive stream erosion zoneY means that portion of the roadway embankment at bridge abutments or ends of culverts and arches which, in conjunction with the structure, gives shape to the waterway opening and is directly exposed to flowing water during…

Trans 207.05 Requirements of a conceptual plan. (1) If a highway-water crossing is a minor replacement as described under s. Trans 207.04 (10), the conceptual plan need only consist of a county map noting the site location and sufficient information to establish that the proposal…

Trans 207.06 Required navigational clearance. (1) New structures or replacements of existing highway structures in or over navigable waterways shall, except as set forth herein, maintain a clearance of not less than 5 feet. (2) More clearance than 5 feet is necessary when the wat…

Trans 207.07 Flood flow requirements. New highway structures or replacements of existing highway structures and approaches over or in navigable waters shall conform with the requirements of ch. NR 116. Such structures shall comply with any applicable local floodplain or other zon…

Trans 207.08 Waterway alterations. Nothing in these rules authorizes any permanent or temporary change in the course of a navigable stream, or removal of material from the bed of any waterway without proper authority from the department of natural resources under ss. 30.195 and 3…

Trans 207.09 Erosion control. (1) Protection of exposed earth slopes, slope steepness limits, and areas of required treatment described in this section constitute the minimum erosion control treatment required, although they should be adequate for most streams. Consistent with so…

Trans 207.11 Notification to department of natural resources. (1) In the early stages of consideration of a proposed construction or reconstruction of a highway structure in or over navigable waters, constructing authorities shall notify the appropriate district office of the dep…

Trans 207.12 Public notices. (1) If a proposed structure is a new structure, or will be a reduction of existing navigation clearance, or is replacement of an existing structure which is in itself the limiting obstruction, a Class I legal notice shall be published, and public noti…

Trans 207.13 Enforcement. Municipalities are subject to proceedings which may be initiated under the Wisconsin Statutes. Note: For example, under s. 30.03, Stats., the department of natural resources may hold a hearing on a possible violation of a statute relating to navigable wa…

Trans 208.01 Purpose and scope. (1) In accordance with s. 84.02, Stats., the purpose of this chapter is to set forth the methods used by the department of transportation for establishing state trunk highway locations that most efficiently serve Wisconsin[s transportation needs. (…

Trans 208.02 Definitions. (1) Words and phrases defined in ch. Trans 209 are used in the same sense in this chapter unless a different definition is specifically provided: (2) In this chapter: (a) XChief design engineerY means the principal engineer who heads the department[s des…

Trans 208.03 Location procedure. (1) The department shall determine the locations of state trunk highways (STH) as part of the overall process for developing a STH improvement program in accordance with ch. Trans 209. Identification of deficiencies in the STH system shall be unde…

Trans 208.04 Concept definition. (1) The department shall document the perceived need for an improvement project through preparation of a report termed the Xconcept definition report.Y This report presents the initial concepts of the proposed improvement project and sets forth: (…

Trans 208.05 Investigation. (1) Upon acceptance of the concept definition report by the chief design engineer, the department shall formally investigate location alternatives. Although the extent of such activities are variable and depend upon the scope and nature of each project…

Trans 208.06 Determination. (1) Location determination activities include: (a) Continuation of public involvement; the chapter was last published. Trans 208.06 WISCONSIN ADMINISTRATIVE CODE (b) Final engineering review of the alternatives; (c) Holding a public hearing if appropri…

Trans 209.01 Purpose. In accordance with s. 85.025, Stats., this rule sets forth the process and criteria used by the department of transportation for evaluating and selecting state trunk highway and bridge improvement (construction) projects. History: Cr. Register, September, 19…

Trans 209.02 Applicability. The procedures in this rule are to be applied so as to avoid conflict with the special statutory obligations of the department to comply with criteria and standards of federal agencies for obtaining and using federal funds (ss. 84.015, 84.03, Stats.). …

Trans 209.03 Definitions. (1) XCentral officeY means the transportation administrative office located in Madison. (2) XDeficiencyY means a less than standard condition in one or more of a number of highway or bridge physical or operating conditions or characteristics. (3) XDepart…

Trans 209.04 Policy goals. (1) The overall goal for the department shall be to address highway transportation needs as the chapter was last published. Trans 209.04 WISCONSIN ADMINISTRATIVE CODE efficiently as possible to achieve optimum utilization of available funds. This shall …

Trans 209.05 Process objectives. (1) The department shall perform project evaluation and selection as a necessary component of its programming process in the following general areas: bridge projects, 3R (resurfacing, recondition and reconstruction) highway projects, interstate pr…

Trans 209.06 Programming guidelines. (1) The department shall develop a program within estimated levels of revenue for a prescribed time period as part of a four level decisionmaking process that includes broad policy planning, system planning, programming and project development…

Trans 209.07 Candidate project identification process. (1) GENERAL DESCRIPTION. Candidate project identification is accomplished within the overall framework of developing the highway and bridge improvement program. The department shall identify both the surface, structure, safet…

Trans 209.08 Project evaluation and selection criteria. The evaluation and selection of projects shall be directed toward preserving, rehabilitating, and improving the physical condition and serviceability of the state trunk highways and bridges. A combination of both quantitativ…

Trans 209.09 Program development and evaluation. (1) The department shall maintain information on a range of alternative dollar level programs. This information illustrates a range of options and offers the secretary, as well as the governor and the legislature, choices as to the…

Trans 209.10 Program selection. The alternative programs and their costs and benefits shall be documented and reviewed by the secretary who shall select a program level and recommend it to the governor. After the enactment of the biennial budget by the legislature and the governo…

Trans 209.11 Public review. (1) The department shall seek public review and comment concerning the program. (2) Such review shall include an informational presentation of the proposed program of major projects by the department to all transportation related legislative committees…

Trans 209.12 Program recycle. Program development shall be maintained as a continuous process. Upon the completion of one program cycle, a new program development cycle shall begin. Recycling the program normally involves: extending it 2 years; updating data, project alternatives…

Trans 209.13 Program adjustments. Programs are estimates and are not absolute. Adjustments to the program are necessary due to changes in project design, the time to acquire the right-of-way and obtain the required clearances and completion of the environmental impact statement p…

Trans 210.01 Purpose. In accordance with s. 85.05, Stats., this chapter sets forth the process and criteria used by the department to numerically evaluate projects considered for enumeration. This process for evaluating candidate major highway projects is used to advise the trans…

Trans 210.02 Applicability. The procedures in this chapter shall be applied to projects being considered for enumeration as major highway projects by the department. History: Cr. Register, January, 1999, No. 517, eff. 2-1-99.

Trans 210.03 Definitions. In this chapter: (1) XDepartmentY means the Wisconsin department of transportation. (2) XMajor highway projectY has the meaning given in s. 84.013 (1)(a), Stats. (3) XTransportation projects commissionY has the meaning given in s. 13.489, Stats. (4) XLev…

Trans 210.04 Goals. The department shall use this process to evaluate a proposed major highway project in terms of its ability to enhance Wisconsin[s economy, improve highway service, improve highway safety, minimize environmental impacts, and serve community objectives. History:…

Trans 210.05 Minimum requirement. Proposed major highway projects having traffic flow or safety deficiencies shall receive a minimum requirement score of 10 points. Only these projects shall be eligible for recommendation to the transportation projects commission. Traffic flow or…

Trans 210.06 Measures. Measures shall be used to quantify the effect of the proposed major highway project on the highway system or the communities that will be affected by the project. These measures shall contribute points beyond the minimum score and will be used to place proj…

Trans 210.07 Weights applied to measures. Weights for each of the 5 measures shall be included in the calculation of the composite score as described in s. Trans 210.08. Where necessary, sub-weights shall be applied to components of the measures prior to the determination of the …

Trans 210.08 Composite score. (1) COMPUTATION OF COMPOSITE SCORE. A combination of the 5 measures, weights for each of the measures and the minimum requirement shall be used to calculate a composite score for each proposed major highway project. Each measure shall have a maximum …

Trans 212.02 Definitions. In this chapter: (1) “AASHTO manual” means the Manual for Bridge Evaluation as referenced in 23 CFR 650.305, on May 6, 2022, published by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, 555 12t h Street NW, Suite 1000 Washington, …

Trans 212.03 Application of chapter. The bridge and tunnel inspection and inventory standards in this chapter apply to all highway bridges and tunnels which either lie within or cross the borders of the state of Wisconsin. Bridges or tunnels carrying only railroad traffic and bri…

Trans 212.04 Responsibility for inspection. The responsibility for the continuing inspection program shall be as follows: (1) The department shall inspect highway bridges and tunnels on the state trunk highway system and all other bridges and tunnels for which the department has …

Trans 212.05 Qualification of personnel. Individuals involved in the inspection of bridges as required by this chapter shall meet the minimum requirements set forth in the NBIS and the experience requirements described in the SIM. Individuals involved in the inspection of tunnels…

Trans 212.06 Frequency of inspections. (1) Highway bridges located on all public roads shall be inspected at intervals based on the inspection type as required by and in accordance with the NBIS. (2) Highway tunnels located on all public roads shall be inspected at intervals base…

Trans 212.07 Frequency of inventory. An inventory shall be maintained for each bridge and tunnel. Changes in inven- 2 tory data or postings shall be reported and entered in HSIS when the bridges or tunnels are inspected. The inventory of a new bridge or tunnel shall be obtained u…

Trans 212.08 Inspection. Inspections of bridges shall be conducted according to and following the BIRM and the SIM. Inspections of tunnels shall be conducted according to and following the TOMIE and the SIM. History: Cr. Register, February, 1982, No. 314, eff. 3-1-82; am. Registe…

Trans 212.09 Load ratings. Each bridge or tunnel required to be inspected under this chapter shall be rated to determine its safe load−carrying capacity. Load ratings must be completed by the maintaining authority and reported to the department as soon as practical, but no later …

Trans 212.10 Posting. When it is determined by the department that the maximum load under state law exceeds the load permitted on a bridge as described in the AASHTO manual and the Wisconsin Bridge Manual, the bridge shall be posted for weight limits or closed. The department sha…

Trans 212.11 Reporting. The reporting of bridge and tunnel inspections shall be as follows: (1) Each authority having jurisdiction over a bridge or tunnel shall submit the inspection and inventory data in HSIS following the requirements in Section 1.2.5.7 of the SIM. When HSIS is…

Trans 212.12 County status under department direction. When a county highway commissioner of a county containing a bridge or tunnel that has failed to be inspected, posted, or closed receives notice and direction from the department to perform the inspection, perform the inspecti…

Trans 212.13 Compliance and county costs. Counties acting upon notice and direction from the department to perform the inspection, perform the interim inspection, keep records, post or close bridges or tunnels on local roads that are not under county jurisdiction shall be reimbur…

Trans 213.02 Definitions. In this chapter: (1) “Bridge” means a structure, including supports, erected over a depression or an obstruction, such as water, highway, or railway, having a track or passageway for carrying traffic or other moving loads, and having an opening measured …

Trans 213.03 Administration. (1) DETERMINATION OF A local bridge project is eligible for funds under s. 84.18, Stats., if it meets the following criteria: (a) The bridge has observed deficiencies documented in the most recent inspection. (d) The bridge has not been programmed for…