Register February 2013 No. 686
Chapter Trans 209
HIGHWAY AND BRIDGE PROJECT SELECTION PROCESS
Trans 209.02 Applicability.
Trans 209.03 Definitions.
Trans 209.04 Policy goals.
Trans 209.05 Process objectives.
Trans 209.06 Programming guidelines.
Trans 209.07 Candidate project identification process.
Trans 209.08 Project evaluation and selection criteria.
Trans 209.09 Program development and evaluation.
Trans 209.10 Program selection.
Trans 209.11 Public review.
Trans 209.12 Program recycle.
Trans 209.13 Program adjustments.
Trans 209.01
Trans 209.01 Purpose. In accordance with
s. 85.025, Stats., this rule sets forth the process and criteria used by the department of transportation for evaluating and selecting state trunk highway and bridge improvement (construction) projects.
Trans 209.01 History
History: Cr.
Register, September, 1981, No. 309, eff. 10-1-81.
Trans 209.02
Trans 209.02 Applicability. The procedures in this rule are to be applied so as to avoid conflict with the special statutory obligations of the department to comply with criteria and standards of federal agencies for obtaining and using federal funds (
ss. 84.015,
84.03, Stats.).
Trans 209.02 History
History: Cr.
Register, September, 1981, No. 309, eff. 10-1-81.
Trans 209.03(1)
(1) “
Central office” means the transportation administrative office located in Madison.
Trans 209.03(2)
(2) “Deficiency” means a less than standard condition in one or more of a number of highway or bridge physical or operating conditions or characteristics.
Trans 209.03(3)
(3) “Department” means the Wisconsin department of transportation.
Trans 209.03(4)
(4) “Federal aid” means the aids that the federal government makes available to Wisconsin for highways.
Trans 209.03(5)
(5) “Geometrics” means the horizontal (width, curvature) and vertical (grade) design elements of highway and bridge facilities.
Trans 209.03(6)
(6) “Improvement level” means the type of construction improvement. It can range from resurfacing to complete reconstruction of a highway and either rehabilitation or replacement for bridges.
Trans 209.03(6)(a)
(a) “Resurfacing” means placing a new surface on existing roadway to provide a better all weather surface, a better riding surface, and to extend or renew the pavement life. It generally involves no improvement in capacity or geometrics. Resurfacing may include some elimination or shielding of roadside obstacles, culvert replacements, signals, marking, signing and intersection improvements. Usually no additional right-of-way is required; except possible minor acquisition for drainage and intersection improvements.
Trans 209.03(6)(b)
(b) “Recondition” means work in addition to resurfacing. Minor reconditioning includes pavement widening and shoulder paving. Major reconditioning includes improvement of an isolated grade, curve, intersection or sight distance problem to improve safety. Major recondition projects may require additional right-of-way.
Trans 209.03(6)(c)
(c) “Reconstruction” means total rebuilding of an existing highway to improve maintainability, safety, geometrics and traffic service. It is accomplished basically on existing alignment, and major elements may include flattening of hills and grades, improvement of curves, widening of the roadbed, and elimination or shielding of roadside obstacles. Normally reconstruction will require additional right-of-way.
Trans 209.03(6)(d)
(d) “Bridge rehabilitation” means the preservation or restoration of the structural integrity of an existing bridge as well as work to correct safety defects.
Trans 209.03(6)(e)
(e) “Bridge replacement” means the building of a new bridge to replace an existing bridge.
Trans 209.03(7)
(7) “Interstate project” means projects constructed on an interstate designated highway.
Trans 209.03(8)
(8) “Major project” means projects that result in new or significantly altered highways. Such projects typically involve the continuous relocation of a highway segment 2.5 miles or more in length; the addition of traffic lanes 2.5 miles or more in length; or unusually high cost.
Trans 209.03(9)
(9) “Pavement serviceability index” (PSI) means a numerical measure of the quality of a car ride on a given pavement as determined by an electro/mechanical instrument. It ranges from poor (0-1) to excellent (4-5).
Trans 209.03(10)
(10) “Policy planning” means the analysis of the many issues that may affect the State's transportation system and the development of the department's policies in regard to those issues.
Trans 209.03(11)
(11) “Program” means a multi-year schedule of proposed projects.
Trans 209.03(12)
(12) “Programming process” means the detailed assessment of specific policy and program choices necessary to develop a program.
Trans 209.03(13)
(13) “Project” means a proposed improvement to a segment of a state trunk highway or a bridge.
Trans 209.03(14)
(14) “Project alternatives” means the varying improvement levels that are identified as relevant for a project.
Trans 209.03(15)
(15) “Project development” means the process from inception of a project to the contracting for construction of the project. It includes data collection, deficiency analysis, surveys, design, preparation of plans and contract documents and right-of-way acquisition.
Trans 209.03(16)
(16) “Secretary” means the secretary of the department of transportation.
Trans 209.03(17)
(17) “System planning” means system-wide analysis of highway facilities and assessment of system deficiencies and potential improvements in light of a range of assumptions about the future.
Trans 209.03(18)
(18) “Transportation region office” means one of the departmental administrative offices under the division of transportation system development located throughout the state.
Trans 209.03 History
History: Cr.
Register, September, 1981, No. 308, eff. 10-1-81;
correction in (18) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 6., Stats., Register February 2013 No. 686. Trans 209.04(1)
(1) The overall goal for the department shall be to address highway transportation needs as efficiently as possible to achieve optimum utilization of available funds. This shall be accomplished by:
Trans 209.04(1)(a)
(a) Maximizing the use of existing highways and bridges and thus minimizing the need for new highways and facilities.
Trans 209.04(1)(b)
(b) Utilizing a highway's surface life before improving the facility, where practical.
Trans 209.04(1)(c)
(c) Determining the appropriate level of improvement to achieve optimum effectiveness from the highway system.
Trans 209.04(1)(d)
(d) Emphasizing the correction of safety-deficient segments of the highway system.
Trans 209.04(1)(e)
(e) Seeking to resolve facility-related problems that inhibit economic vitality and growth.
Trans 209.04(1)(f)
(f) Encouraging the staging of improvement projects to minimize the initial investments required while maintaining flexibility to meet longer range needs at a later date.
Trans 209.04(1)(h)
(h) Minimizing negative effects on the surrounding communities and on the natural environment.
Trans 209.04 History
History: Cr.
Register, September, 1981, No. 308, eff. 10-1-81.
Trans 209.05(1)
(1) The department shall perform project evaluation and selection as a necessary component of its programming process in the following general areas: bridge projects, 3R (resurfacing, recondition and reconstruction) highway projects, interstate projects, and major projects. The objectives of the programming process shall be to:
Trans 209.05(1)(a)
(a) Provide policy and program choices for the department by evaluating and comparing the benefits and costs of various alternatives for preserving, rehabilitating and improving the highway system.
Trans 209.05(1)(b)
(b) Furnish information to assess whether available revenues can provide adequate highway and bridge facilities over the long term.
Trans 209.05(1)(c)
(c) Define a specific program as a target for departmental efforts that ensures efficient use of staff and funds and which accounts for the lead times involved in project development.
Trans 209.05(1)(d)
(d) Ensure that investment decisions are consistent with statewide objectives by developing systematic criteria and procedures for identifying deficiencies, developing proposed solutions, and selecting projects.
Trans 209.05(1)(e)
(e) Facilitate the implementation of the department's policy and system plans.
Trans 209.05(1)(f)
(f) Inform the public of the department's intentions and provide an opportunity for public review and comment.
Trans 209.05(1)(g)
(g) Provide a basis for coordinating the department's efforts with the planning, programming and budget activities of other state, national, regional, and local agencies.
Trans 209.05 History
History: Cr.
Register, September, 1981, No. 309, eff. 10-1-81.
Trans 209.06(1)
(1) The department shall develop a program within estimated levels of revenue for a prescribed time period as part of a four level decision-making process that includes broad policy planning, system planning, programming and project development (Figure 1). -
See PDF for diagram 
Trans 209.06(2)
(2) The programming process shall define a means of project evaluation and selection utilizing the following basic guidelines where appropriate:
Trans 209.06(2)(a)
(a) Considering alternative program levels to illustrate the cost impacts and benefits of varying program levels.
