Gov. Evers, WisDOT: Announce latest round of agricultural roads improvement program grants open, encourages local governments to apply

Contact: GovPress@wisconsin.gov 

$70 million in grants now available as part of $150 million investment secured by Gov. Evers in the 2025-27 Biennial Budget for rural, agricultural road improvements

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers, together with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT), today announced that application materials are now available for the second round of Agricultural Roads Improvement Program (ARIP) grants funded by the 2025-27 Biennial Budget. This application period will distribute $70 million in ARIP funding to support projects across the state focused on improving rural roads and culverts that are critical to moving and transporting agricultural and forestry products efficiently and effectively across the state.  

“Agriculture is synonymous with Wisconsin—it’s an essential part of our culture and our way of life, and our farmers and producers are a driving force in ensuring our communities and our economy continue to thrive,” said Gov. Evers. “Through this program, we’re helping ensure our farmers and producers have the quality infrastructure they need to safely and efficiently transport tens of millions of tons of products each year, and I encourage local municipalities to take advantage of this next round of grant funding so we can continue our good work to support our essential agricultural industry that is the backbone of our great state.” 

Under Gov. Evers’ leadership, the state has improved more than 9,600 miles of roads and 2,400 bridges statewide since 2019. The governor has also been a steadfast advocate for Wisconsin’s farmers and producers, including ensuring they have the 21st-century infrastructure needed to get their products to market. Gov. Evers created the Agricultural Roads Improvement Program in 2023 by signing 2023 Wisconsin Act 13 and approving the 2023-25 Biennial Budget, which provided $150 million to support the program. The most recent 2025-27 Biennial Budget signed by Gov. Evers continued support for this highly successful program with another $150 million investment, of which, $30 million will be targeted to improve and repair deteriorating culverts and small structures through the recently announced Local Small Structures Improvement Program. Earlier this month, Gov. Evers and WisDOT announced nearly $50 million in grants were awarded through the first round of ARIP funding. 

Since its creation, the program has funded 120 projects across the state that are helping improve and repair rural roads in 56 of Wisconsin’s 72 counties. All told, more than 23.5 million tons of agricultural products, valued at $13 billion, are transported on ARIP-awarded roads each year. 

“Wisconsin farmers help to strengthen the backbone of our state’s economy,” said WisDOT Secretary Kristina Boardman. “Investing in programs like ARIP helps make a difference in rural communities by making transport of agricultural goods less costly and more efficient. We encourage local governments to take advantage of this opportunity and submit applications for worthy projects.” 

Housed under the Local Roads Improvement Program at WisDOT, ARIP is a reimbursement program that may pay up to a maximum of 90 percent of total eligible project costs, with the balance of the eligible costs funded by the local unit of government. To be eligible for funding, projects must meet the following criteria: 

• The project highway, or the highway where the bridge or culvert is located, is functionally classified by the department as a local road or minor collector.  
• 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 that provides funding for bridge improvements.  
• The highway, bridge, or culvert provides access to agricultural lands or facilities used to produce agricultural goods, including forest products, and is used by at least one agricultural producer.  
• The highway or highways on which the bridge or culvert is located is designated as a class “B” highway due to structural deficiencies or is subject to a posted weight limitation at least one month during the previous year.  
• After the improvement, the highway will not be designated as a class “B” highway 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. 

Applications for round two must be submitted to WisDOT by June 29, 2026, at 5 p.m. Projects awarded are anticipated to be announced in Fall 2026. 

More information about ARIP, as well as a full list of projects that received ARIP funding in early April 2026, in addition to the 2024-25 cycles, is available on the ARIP webpage on WisDOT’s website.