Governor Walker announces nearly $285,000 in County Forest Road Aids

March 22, 2012

Governor Scott Walker today announced that 24 Wisconsin counties will share $284,700 in state funds to help maintain and improve public roads in county forests.

The 2012 fiscal year funds are distributed through the Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s County Forest Road Aids program. They will help improve more than 900 miles of public roads within county forests. Marinette County, with more than 220 miles of eligible county forest roads, will receive the largest payment of nearly $70,400.

"These funds will help cover county costs associated with improving and maintaining public roads within county forests," said Governor Scott Walker. "This is another example of how the state partners with local governments to enhance our transportation system and quality of life."

To qualify for the state funding, roads must meet minimum design standards of a 16 foot surface width and a 20 foot roadway width; must be located within county forests; must be open and used for travel; and cannot be town roads, county or state highways.

County Forest Road Aids are separate from the larger General Transportation Aids (GTA) program. GTA returns to local governments nearly 19 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.

For more information, contact: 
County Forest Road Aids Manager Janice Watzke, WisDOT
(608) 266-9497, janice.watzke@dot.wi.gov

Note: Counties and the amount of County Forest Road Aids being distributed are listed below.