http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/forest-road-s442.jpgFunding improves economic opportunities, tourism, and outdoor recreation.

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers, together with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT), today announced that $320,600 in state funds will go towards improving more than 900 miles of county forest roads across 24 counties this year.

“My administration has been working hard at all levels to keep improving our transportation infrastructure to drive economic development, increase safety, and improve the quality of life in every corner of Wisconsin,” said Gov. Evers. “Our county forest roads are an important part of how we make our abundant natural resources more accessible for outdoor recreation, business, and tourism.”

WisDOT administers the state’s County Forest Road Aids program, which was established to help defray county costs for the improvement and maintenance of public roads within county forests.

“Since Gov. Evers took office, WisDOT has improved 7,424 miles of road and 1,780 bridges,” said WisDOT Secretary Craig Thompson. “A good transportation network depends on investing in the first and last mile in every part of the state, and we appreciate working with local leaders to deliver infrastructure improvements.”

To qualify for the state funding, roads must meet minimum design standards of a 16-foot surface width and a 20-foot roadway width; be located within county forests; be part of a comprehensive county forest land-use plan; and be open and used for travel. The road cannot be a state or county trunk highway or town road and cannot receive General Transportation Aids (GTA).

County Forest Road Aids are separate from the larger General Transportation Aids (GTA) program. GTA distributes funding to local governments from state-collected transportation revenues, helping offset the cost of county and municipal road construction, maintenance, traffic, and other transportation-related costs.

A complete list of the funding by county is available here.