Trans 209.01Trans 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 209.02Trans 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 209.03(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(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(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(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.