Wisconsin has awarded $50 million in the first round of funding through its Agricultural Roads Improvement Program (ARIP), supporting local projects aimed at upgrading rural transportation infrastructure critical to the state’s agricultural economy.
The first round of grants will fund 29 projects in 28 counties, targeting local roads that farmers and forestry producers rely on to move crops, livestock, timber and other agricultural products. These improvements support Wisconsin’s agricultural economy, which contributes more than $116 billion statewide.
The funding will support repairs to paved local roads, bridges and culverts, and upgrades to weight-restricted routes that can limit the movement of heavy equipment and harvested goods. Addressing weight limits is a central focus, as many rural roads and bridges are not built to handle modern agricultural equipment and freight loads. The program is primarily geared toward paved local routes and key connectors rather than low-volume gravel roads.
Projects are led by local governments, including counties, towns and municipalities, with state funding covering up to 90% of total project costs. The remaining share must be provided through local or other non-state sources.
A second round of funding is expected in 2026, with applications opening April 27 and due by June 29. Projects will be reviewed by a discretionary selection committee between July and September, with awards anticipated in late October. The second round is expected to provide approximately $70 million and will follow a similar structure, with applications evaluated based on agricultural impact, road usage and the extent to which projects address freight and weight limitations. Applications will be submitted through the new ARIPWeb system instead of the previous AccessGov format, though the questions and eligibility requirements remain unchanged.
Eligible applicants include local governments responsible for maintaining public roadways used for agricultural transport. Projects must demonstrate a clear connection to agricultural operations and may include improvements to minor collectors and local roads that are not part of the state highway system.
With funding now in place, these projects are expected to move into design and construction, generating demand for contractors specializing in rural road rehabilitation, bridge and culvert work, as well as materials such as aggregate and asphalt, particularly in areas where weight-restricted infrastructure has limited freight movement.
Photo by Tom Fisk from Pexels
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