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Transportation and land use

The planning, design, and construction of roads and highways as well as other transportation modes affects existing land uses and plans and proposals for future development. Safe and efficient travel, whether by walking, taking a car, an airplane or a bike is also influenced by the types and patterns of land uses.

In Wisconsin, local governments prepare comprehensive plans, determine local transportation choices and make local land use decisions (such as zoning changes). Private interests propose development and physically develop land (such as housing subdivisions). WisDOT plans, designs and constructs state transportation facilities to support regional and state traveling needs of the public and commerce. These multiple layers of influence create a challenging set of issues to coordinate.

Because the link between land use and transportation is critically important to economic health and livability of Wisconsin’s communities, WisDOT is working to find ways to improve coordination efforts at all levels. One key way is to foster cooperation with our customers, including private landowners and local governments to find ways to prevent traffic congestion, improve safety and improve opportunities for multi-modal transportation. 

WisDOT regional staff are available across the state to work with you and your community to provide important transportation data and project information for economic development needs, to provide technical assistance within your local comprehensive planning process, and to work together to plan for your community's future transportation needs.

Comprehensive Planning Information

Comprehensive Plan Database (Wisconsin Department of Administration)

Transportation Planning Resource Guide

Comprehensive Planning: WisDOT Assistance and Guidance  

Online Resources for Developing a Transportation Element  

Additional comprehensive planning resources

Visit our Transportation & land use resources page for additional information.

You will need the Adobe Reader (provided free of charge) to view PDF files. For more information about getting your free copy of the Adobe Reader, visit WisDOT's Software information page.

All external hyperlinks are provided for your information and for the benefit of the general public. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation does not testify to, sponsor or endorse the accuracy of the information provided on externally linked pages.

Questions about the content of this page:
Bureau of Planning and Economic Development, bop.dtim@dot.wi.gov
Last modified: October 2, 2012