Notice of Preliminary Public Hearing and Comment Period on Statement of Scope
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation announces that it will hold a preliminary public hearing on statement of scope SS 045-23, indicating WisDOT’s intent to engage in rulemaking to revise chs. Trans 212 and 213, Wis. Admin. Code, relating to standards for bridge inspection for the local bridge program. The statement of scope for this proposed rule was published in Wis. Admin. Register No. 811A2 on July 10, 2023. In accordance with s. 227.136, Stats., WisDOT will hold a preliminary public hearing and receive public comments regarding the proposed rulemaking as described in SS 045-23, as follows, at the time and place shown below. Hearing Information
Date: Thursday, August 3, 2023
Time: 02:00 p.m.
Location: Hill Farms State Office Building
4822 Madison Yards Way, Room N134
Madison, WI 53705
Rule Information
WisDOT intends to engage in emergency and permanent rulemaking to amend chs. Trans 212 and 213. The welfare and safety of the driving public and local communities in the state of Wisconsin are at risk of harm if ch. Trans 212, relating to local bridge inspection standards, is not updated to be consistent with 23 CFR Part 650 Subpart C Final Rule on National Bridge Inspection Standards, effective May 6, 2022. The outdated language and references in ch. Trans 213, relating to the local bridge program, restrict the eligibility for funding of reconstruction and rehabilitation of bridges that local units of government may submit, and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (“WisDOT”) may approve. Further, WisDOT risks federal funds lapsing if these funds are not obligated to specific projects. Therefore, WisDOT is seeking to undertake emergency rulemaking for chs. Trans 212 and Trans 213 for the overall benefit of safety and operations for the state’s local bridge program.
Accessibility
For the hearing or visually impaired, non-English speakers, or those with other personal circumstances which might make communication at the meeting/hearing difficult, WisDOT will, to the maximum extent possible and with reasonable advanced notice, provide aids including an interpreter, or a non-English, large-print, or recorded version of hearing documents. To access these resources, please contact Daniel Graff at the email address or phone number listed below as soon as possible.
Appearances at the Hearing and Submittal of Written Comments
Comments on the proposed scope statement must be received on or before 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 3, 2023. Written comments may be submitted by U.S. mail or e-mail and will have the same weight and effect as oral statements presented at the public hearing. Written comments and any questions on the proposed scope statement should be submitted to:
Daniel Graff
WisDOT Staff Attorney
4822 Madison Yards Way
P.O Box 7910
Madison, WI 53707
(608) 266-8810
