Wisconsin Highways

Connecting Highways

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State trunk highways (US- and state-numbered routes) in Wisconsin are usually not physically "state-maintained" through the built-up areas of many incorporated communities, rather being maintained by the local municipality. These portions of the state highway system are referred to by WisDOT as "Connecting Highways." These connecting highways must be kept up to a specific level of maintenance and standards defined by WisDOT. Lists of these "Connecting Highways" by WisDOT Region can be found via the links at right or by clicking on the map below. The specific Wisconsin Statutes which define Connecting Highways are outlined below:

Map of WisDOT's regions Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Buffalo, Burnett, Chippewa, Clark, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Jackson, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Rusk Sawyer, St. Croix, Taylor, Trempealeau and Washburn counties Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Grant, Green, Iowa, Jefferson, Juneau, La Crosse, Lafayette, Monroe, Richland, Rock, Sauk and Vernon counties Kenosha, Racine, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Walworth, Washington and Waukesha counties Brown, Calumet, Door, Fond du Lac, Kewaunee, Manitowoc, Marinette, Oconto, Outagamie, Sheboygan and Winnebago counties Adams, Florence, Forest, Green Lake, Iron, Langlade, Lincoln, Marathon, Marquette, Menomonee, Oneida, Portage, Price, Shawano, Vilas, Waupaca, Waushara and Wood counties 84.02(11) Connecting highways. The state trunk highway system shall not include the marked routes thereof over the streets or highways in municipalities which the department has designated as being connecting highways. Those municipal streets or highways so excluded as state trunk highways but marked as such and designated as connecting highways are further described and the aids determined therefor under s. 86.32.

86.32(1) The department may designate, or rescind the designation of, certain marked routes of the state trunk highway system over the streets or highways in any municipality for which the municipality will be responsible for maintenance and traffic control and the maintenance and operation of any swing or lift bridge. Such maintenance, operation and traffic control of the connecting highways and swing and lift bridges shall be subject to review and approval by the department. Those marked routes of the state trunk highway system designated as connecting streets prior to July 1, 1977, shall become the connecting highways in municipalities which are eligible for aids payments under this section. The character of travel service provided by a route, uniformity of maintenance, the effect on the maintaining agency, and the municipality's maintenance capability will be considerations by the secretary, in cooperation with the municipalities and counties in making changes in the connecting highways of the state trunk highway system in municipalities. The decision of the secretary to designate or rescind a designation may be appealed to the division of hearings and appeals, which may affirm, reverse or modify the secretary's decision.

 

"Dedicated to the past, present and future of the Wisconsin State Trunk Highway system as well as other highways and routes throughout the Badger State. This website is intended to be a clearinghouse of information on Wisconsin's highways, from easily-recognized facts to the little-known trivia. It is also meant to change as the state highway system changes."