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Bill > AB334

WI AB334

WI AB334
Requiring bicycle and pedestrian facilities in highway projects and granting rule-making authority. (FE)

summary

Introduced
07/08/2025
In Committee
07/08/2025
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 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 incorporating bicycle and pedestrian facilities into highway construction and reconstruction projects in Wisconsin. Currently, the Department of Transportation (DOT) must only "give due consideration" to establishing bikeways and pedestrian ways, but this bill changes the language to require DOT to "ensure" these facilities are established in all new highway projects funded by state or federal funds. The bill mandates that DOT create administrative rules specifying exceptions to this requirement, but these exceptions can only be granted under limited circumstances, such as: when the cost of establishing bike or pedestrian ways would exceed 20 percent of the total project cost, when there would be excessive negative impacts in a constrained environment, when there is a demonstrated absence of need due to low population or traffic volume, or when the local community refuses to maintain the facilities. For any cost-related exception, a senior transportation official must personally review the specific project to confirm the exception is justified. This approach aligns with the "complete streets" policy, which aims to make transportation infrastructure more accessible and safer for all users, not just motor vehicles.

Committee Categories

Transportation and Infrastructure

Sponsors (28)

Last Action

Representative J. Jacobson added as a coauthor (on 01/08/2026)
(1 Companion Bills)

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