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WI SB343
WI SB343Requiring bicycle and pedestrian facilities in highway projects and granting rule-making authority. (FE)
summary
Introduced
06/27/2025
06/27/2025
In Committee
06/27/2025
06/27/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill requires the Department of Transportation to ensure, with exceptions, that bikeways and pedestrian ways are established in all new highway construction and reconstruction projects funded from state or federal funds (a policy commonly known as Xcomplete streetsY). Under current law, DOT generally must give due consideration to establishing bikeways and pedestrian ways in all new highway construction and reconstruction projects funded from state or federal funds. However, DOT may not establish a bikeway or pedestrian way as part of a highway project if bicyclists or pedestrians are prohibited from using the highway. DOT is also prohibited from establishing a bikeway or pedestrian way as part of a state-funded project unless the governing body of each municipality in which a portion of the project is located authorizes the creation of the bikeway or pedestrian way. Under the bill, DOT must ensure that bikeways and pedestrian ways are established in all new highway construction and reconstruction projects funded LRB-3411/1 ZDW:emw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 343 from state or federal funds. DOT must promulgate rules identifying exceptions to this requirement, but the exceptions may be based only on one of several specified criteria. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.
AI Summary
This bill strengthens requirements for bicycle and pedestrian facilities in highway projects by changing the Wisconsin Department of Transportation's (DOT) obligations from merely "giving due consideration" to "ensuring" that bikeways and pedestrian ways are established in all new highway construction and reconstruction projects funded by state or federal funds. The bill introduces a "complete streets" approach and requires DOT to create rules specifying exceptions to this requirement, which can only be granted under specific circumstances such as: when establishing such facilities would be excessively costly (more than 20% of total project cost), would have excessive negative impacts in constrained environments, indicates no population or traffic need, or if the local community refuses to maintain the pedestrian ways. Importantly, any cost-related exception must be reviewed by the transportation secretary or a knowledgeable designee to ensure the exception is truly warranted. By codifying these requirements, the bill aims to make transportation infrastructure more inclusive and accessible for cyclists and pedestrians, promoting alternative modes of transportation and potentially improving safety and community mobility.
Committee Categories
Transportation and Infrastructure
Sponsors (28)
Tim Carpenter (D)*,
Kristin Dassler-Alfheim (D)*,
Dianne Hesselbein (D)*,
LaTonya Johnson (D)*,
Chris Larson (D)*,
Melissa Ratcliff (D)*,
Kelda Roys (D)*,
Jeff Smith (D)*,
Mark Spreitzer (D)*,
Clint Anderson (D),
Deb Andraca (D),
Mike Bare (D),
Brienne Brown (D),
Ryan Clancy (D),
Ben DeSmidt (D),
Alex Joers (D),
Darrin Madison (D),
Renuka Mayadev (D),
Vincent Miresse (D),
Supreme Moore Omokunde (D),
Greta Neubauer (D),
Lori Palmeri (D),
Christian Phelps (D),
Ann Roe (D),
Christine Sinicki (D),
Lee Snodgrass (D),
Lisa Subeck (D),
Robyn Vining (D),
Last Action
Representative J. Jacobson added as a cosponsor (on 01/09/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/proposals/reg/sen/bill/sb343 |
| Fiscal Note - SB343: Fiscal Estimate From DOT | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/related/fe/sb343/sb343_dot.pdf |
| BillText | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/proposaltext/2025/REG/SB343.pdf |
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