Chapter Trans 215

Chapter Trans 215

LOCAL HIGH-COST BRIDGE PROJECTS

Trans 215.01   Purpose.

Trans 215.02   Definitions.

Trans 215.03   Eligibility and project extent.

Trans 215.04   Administration.

Trans 215.05   Initiation of proceedings.

Trans 215.06   Hearing.

Trans 215.07   Finding, determination and order.

Trans 215.08   Apportionment of cost.

Trans 215.09   Local costs.

Trans 215.10   Execution and control of work.

Trans 215.11   Maintenance and operation.

Trans 215.12   Exceptions.

Trans 215.01 Trans 215.01 Purpose. In accordance with s. 84.11, Stats., this chapter sets forth the methods used by the department of transportation for determining the eligibility of evaluating and administering local high-cost bridge construction projects.

Trans 215.01 Note Note: This chapter is so closely associated with Wisconsin Statutes, and makes such extensive reference to s. 84.11, Stats., that it is essential to refer to both this chapter and the law in order to develop a project. This chapter does not cover the selection of local bridge projects which can be financed with entitlement provided through ch. Trans 213.

Trans 215.01 History History: Cr. Register, May, 1990, No. 413, eff. 6-1-90.

Trans 215.02 Trans 215.02 Definitions. In this chapter:

Trans 215.02(1) (1) “Construction” includes reconstruction or new construction.

Trans 215.02(2) (2) “Department” means the Wisconsin department of transportation.

Trans 215.02(3) (3) “Bridge” means a structure erected over a depression or an obstruction, such as water, a highway, or a railway, and having an opening measured along the center of the roadway of more than 20 feet between the end supports.

Trans 215.02(4) (4) “Local high-cost bridge” means a bridge which is not on the state trunk highway system or on marked routes of the state trunk highway system designated as connecting highways, and is estimated to cost in excess of $5 million to construct.

Trans 215.02(5) (5) “Sufficiency rating” means a rating of the condition of a bridge as determined by the department from inventory and inspection data, as set forth in the “Manual for Maintenance Inspection of Bridges.”

Trans 215.02 Note Note: The manual is published by the American association of state highway and transportation officials. This manual is on file in the offices of the division of transportation system development, Wisconsin department of transportation.

Trans 215.02(6) (6) “Rate score” means a numerical rating of a bridge in which the lower the number, the greater is the need for replacement. In addition to the structural elements of the sufficiency rating, rate score is weighted for average daily traffic (ADT), functional classification and inventory rating.

Trans 215.02 History History: Cr. Register, May, 1990, No. 413, eff. 6-1-90.

Trans 215.03 Trans 215.03 Eligibility and project extent.

Trans 215.03(1) (1) Projects which are eligible for financing under this chapter include:

Trans 215.03(1)(a) (a) Local high-cost bridges which have a sufficiency rating of less than 20.

Trans 215.03(1)(b) (b) New local high-cost bridges at a new location which satisfy the criteria established in s. Trans 215.07 (2) (b).

Trans 215.03(2) (2) “Project extent.” Each project may include necessary approach roadways, necessary lands for right-of-way or other purposes, preliminary engineering, and all other appurtenances necessary to complete the bridge.

Trans 215.03 History History: Cr. Register, May, 1990, No. 413, eff. 6-1-90.

Trans 215.04 Trans 215.04 Administration. The department shall administer the local high-cost bridge construction program and have all powers necessary to implement the program. The department’s policies and procedural manuals for project development and subsequent stages will apply.

Trans 215.04 Note Note: The facilities development manual, the real estate manual, the bridge manual and the construction manual are available for use in the region and central offices of the division of transportation system development of the department.

Trans 215.04 History History: Cr. Register, May, 1990, No. 413, eff. 6-1-90.

Trans 215.05 Trans 215.05 Initiation of proceedings. Proceedings for the construction of a bridge under the program may be initiated by a petition filed with the department. Petitions shall be submitted in accordance with the provisions of s. 84.11 (2), Stats.

Trans 215.05 History History: Cr. Register, May, 1990, No. 413, eff. 6-1-90.

Trans 215.06 Trans 215.06 Hearing. Within 60 days of the receipt of a petition, the department shall provide for a hearing in accordance with the provisions of s. 84.11 (3), Stats.

Trans 215.06 History History: Cr. Register, May, 1990, No. 413, eff. 6-1-90.

Trans 215.07 Trans 215.07 Finding, determination and order.

Trans 215.07(1) (1) After the hearing specified in s. Trans 215.06, the department shall make such investigation as it considers necessary in order to make a decision. The investigation shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of s. 84.11 (4), Stats.

Trans 215.07(2) (2) 

Trans 215.07(2)(a) (a) The department shall evaluate and select each proposed replacement project based on a weighted ranking of the following elements:

Trans 215.07(2)(a)1. 1. Sufficiency rating

Trans 215.07(2)(a)2. 2. Rate score

Trans 215.07(2)(a)3. 3. Estimated remaining life

Trans 215.07(2)(a)4. 4. Hearing results and

Trans 215.07(2)(a)5. 5. Any other items determined to be significant.

Trans 215.07(2)(b) (b) The department shall evaluate and measure the eligibility of each proposed new bridge at a new location in the following manner:

Trans 215.07(2)(b)1. 1. Initially, in order to be considered for financing under ch. Trans 215, the length must exceed 475 feet and the estimated cost must exceed $5 million.

Trans 215.07(2)(b)2. 2. An economic analysis must result in measurable benefits that exceed costs.

Trans 215.07(2)(c) (c) Any project determined to qualify under all requirements for a finding, determination and order will be scheduled for preliminary engineering and construction within limits of available funding.

Trans 215.07 Note Note: State funding requirements over and above available dollars will be requested of the legislature with the department’s biennial budget recommendation under appropriation s. 20.395 (2) (aq), Stats.

Trans 215.07(2)(d) (d) Projects funded by the legislature and the local units of government as set forth in s. 84.11 (5m), Stats., will proceed to construction.

Trans 215.07 History History: Cr. Register, May, 1990, No. 413, eff. 6-1-90; 2013 Wis. Act 363: am. (2) (d) Register May 2014 No. 701, eff. 6-1-14.

Trans 215.08 Trans 215.08 Apportionment of cost. Costs shall be apportioned in accordance with the provisions of s. 84.11 (5m), Stats.

Trans 215.08 History History: Cr. Register, May, 1990, No. 413, eff. 6-1-90; 2013 Wis. Act 363: renum. (1) to Trans 215.08 and am., r. (2) Register May 2014 No. 701, eff. 6-1-14.