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Programs - Freeway Service Team

To promote safe roads, WisDOT, State Patrol and County Sheriffs have a common goal of quickly clearing traffic incidents and disabled vehicles from our roadways. To support this, the Freeway Service Team (FST) program has been implemented.

Comprised of specially equipped vehicles that patrol high-volume roadways and major work zones, the FST assists motorists - free of charge - who are involved in minor crashes or are experiencing a breakdown. If necessary, the FST quickly relocates disabled vehicles from the highway’s travel lanes and/or shoulders to safe, pre-designated locations away from traffic.

FST services

• Relocating disabled vehicles
• Providing small amounts of fuel
• Handling minor repairs (changing flat tires, battery jump starts)
• Removing small non-hazardous debris from the roadway
• Assisting with traffic control and crash scene clearance

There are currently two types of FST models operating in Wisconsin

• Dane County Sheriff's Office FST
• Work zones and special events FST

FST, Sheriff's service

The Sheriff’s Freeway Service Team program is staffed with uniformed officers who work in close cooperation with towing and recovery contractors. The Freeway Service Team vehicles are equipped with heavy-duty push bumpers and can carry several vehicle assistance tools. If a vehicle is disabled on the freeway, the patrols can push it quickly to a safer area for further assistance.

Dane County Sheriff's Office FST

The Dane County Sheriff's Office FST operates on US 12/14/18/151, Madison's Beltline, between I-39/90 and Mineral Point Road in Dane County.

Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office FST

The Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office FST focuses on critical areas and trouble spots of the Milwaukee County freeway system, such as the I-94 east-west corridor between the Marquette and Zoo Interchanges.

FST, Work zones and special events

The FST Work Zone and Special Event contracted service utilizes dedicated tow trucks that continuously patrol designated highway segments during specified hours of operations.

The FST will relocate a disabled vehicle from the highway to a safe location, such as a crash investigation site or a park and ride lot, where the motorist can contact a private towing service for further help. Contracts for FST services are between WisDOT and private towing professionals.

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Questions about the content of this page:
Statewide TIM Engineer, timeprogram@dot.wi.gov
Last modified: August 24, 2012