Wis. Stat. § 84.12 — WI Code / Chapter 84 / Section 84.12
Interstate bridges.
Status: in_force

(1) Eligibility. All bridge projects which include bridges located over any state boundary waters shall be eligible to construction and reconstruction under this section, but such eligibility shall not require that any such project be constructed under this section exclusively or bar any eligible project from construction under any other provision of law that may be applicable. Projects shall include all approaches and embankments, all lands necessary for right-of-way or other purposes, and all other necessary appurtenances. Such bridge projects shall be classified as follows:

(a) Any bridge project not included in par. (b) .

(b) Any bridge project so located as to form an interstate connection between the state trunk highway system of this state and the corresponding system of the adjoining state, and where such bridge and approach in the adjoining state is under the jurisdiction of the state highway department of the said state.

(2) Initiation of proceedings.

(a) By county, city, village or town. Proceedings under this section may be initiated by a petition filed with the department by any county, city, village or town in which a portion of the bridge project will be located. The petition shall state that the petitioner desires such construction and the approximate location thereof; and shall further state that, in the opinion of petitioner, such construction is necessary and is a bridge project eligible under this section. The petition shall be duly adopted by the governing body of the county, city, village or town and a certified copy of the petition, as adopted, shall be filed with the department.

(b) By the department. Proceedings under this section may also be initiated by the department on its own motion stating the approximate location of the construction and that it appears to be necessary and to be a bridge project eligible under this section.

(3) Hearing, investigation and negotiations. Within 60 days of the receipt of such a petition or on its own motion, the department shall fix a time and place for a hearing. The department shall give notice and hold the hearing in the manner provided by s. 84.11 (3) . The department shall also give notice by registered letter addressed to the transportation department of the adjoining state and to the governing body of the county, and of the city, village or town of the adjoining state in which any portion of the bridge project will be located. The department may make such investigation as it deems necessary and conduct such negotiations with the transportation department and other authorities in the adjoining state as it deems advisable.

(4) Finding, determination, and order. If the department finds that the construction is necessary, and that provision has been made or will be made by the adjoining state or its subdivisions to bear its or their portions of the cost of the project, the department, in cooperation with the state highway department of the adjoining state, shall determine the location thereof, the character and kind of bridge and other construction most suitable at such location, estimate the cost of the project, and determine the respective portions of the estimated cost to be paid by each state and its subdivisions. In the case of projects eligible to construction under sub. (1) (a) the department shall further determine the respective portions of the cost to be paid by this state and by its subdivisions which are required to pay portions of the cost. The department, after such hearing, investigation, and negotiations, shall make its finding, determination, and order in writing and file a certified copy thereof with the clerk of each county, city, village, or town in this state in which any part of the bridge project will be located, with the secretary of state, and the secretary of administration and with the state highway department of the adjoining state. The determination of the location set forth in the finding, determination, and order of the department shall be conclusive as to such location and shall constitute full authority for laying out new streets or highways or for any relocations of the highways made necessary for the construction of the project and for acquiring lands necessary for such streets or highways, relocation or construction.

(5) Apportionment of cost. The portion of the cost of such project to be paid by this state and its subdivisions shall be borne as follows:

(a) The cost of projects eligible to construction under sub. (1) (a) to be borne by this state and its subdivisions shall be borne by the state and the counties, cities, villages and towns in which any part of the project in this state will be located in the manner and proportion provided by s. 84.11 (5) (a) and (am) , 1987 stats.

(b) The cost of projects eligible to construction under sub. (1) (b) , to be borne by this state and its subdivisions shall be borne by the state; provided that such cost may be shared in the manner and proportion provided in s. 84.11 (5) (b) , 1987 stats., by the one or more counties, cities, villages and towns in which any part of the bridge project in this state will be located and by the application and matching of federal aid in the manner and proportion provided in s. 84.11 (5) (b) , 1987 stats.

(6) Provision of costs by local units. When the department has made and filed its finding, determination and order favorable to the construction of any bridge project under this section, the governing body of each county, city, village and town of this state required by the order to pay a portion of the cost, in the case of bridge projects eligible to construction under sub. (1) (a) , shall take action at its next regular or special meeting to arrange to provide such portion. Within 5 days after the adjournment of such meeting the clerk of the governing body of the city, village or town shall certify the action of the governing body to the county clerk and the department. Within 5 days after the adjournment of such meeting of the county board the clerk shall certify the action of the county board to the department. In the case of projects eligible to construction under sub. (1) (b) , when the department shall have made and filed its finding, determination and order favorable to such construction, the governing body of each county, city, village and town in which any part of the bridge project in this state will be located shall take action at its next meeting to determine what amount, if any, shall be offered and paid toward such construction and to arrange to provide any amount so determined upon. Such action shall be certified to the department within 5 days after any such meeting.

(7) Execution and control of work. Subject to the control and supervision over the navigable waters of the state conferred upon the department of natural resources, and the control exercised by the United States, the construction under this section of any bridge project shall be under the joint supervision and control of the department and of the transportation department of the other state concerned. If the transportation department of the other state is not authorized to act jointly with this state in such bridge project arrangements may be made with such subdivisions of the other state as may have proper authority, represented by their proper officers. Control shall be exercised in the manner deemed most expedient by the secretary and such department or by the secretary and the officers of the subdivisions of the other state concerned in the construction. Contracts for the construction of said bridge projects may be made and executed by the secretary and the transportation department of the other state jointly, or jointly by the secretary and such subdivisions of the other state as may participate in the construction, or by appropriate agreement between the parties with respect to financing and control of the work, the authority of either state may contract for all or part of the construction. The secretary may suspend or discontinue proceedings or construction relative to any bridge project at any time in the event any county, city, village or town fails to pay the amount required of it as to any project eligible to construction under sub. (1) (a) or offered by it as to any project eligible to construction under sub. (1) (b) , or in the event the secretary determines that sufficient funds to pay the state’s part of the cost of the bridge project are not available. All moneys available from this state, or its subdivisions, shall be deposited in the state treasury when required by the secretary and shall be paid out only upon the order of the secretary. Moneys deposited by such subdivisions which remain in the state treasury after the completion of such project shall be repaid to the respective subdivisions in the proportion paid in.

(8) Connection with state trunk highway system. To carry out this section the department may add to the state trunk highway system any bridge constructed or purchased under this section, and any road or street eligible to become a portion of the state trunk highway system, which will form the most reasonable and practical connection from such bridge to the state trunk highway system. In such cases limitations on the total mileage included in the state trunk highway system shall not apply.

(9) Construction of interstate toll facilities. Adjoining states may construct toll facilities, including bridges and land crossings over any state boundary waters, under the following terms and conditions:

(a) The bridge construction authority or the state highway authority of the adjoining state shall petition the secretary that such toll bridge construction is necessary because the petitioning state lacks funds sufficient to join with this state in equally sharing the costs of a free bridge. The secretary shall thereupon cause a thorough investigation of the matter to be made including without limitation by enumeration: the suitability and advisability of any proposed location, the financial limitations of the adjoining state and the economic effect of the proposed bridge upon the economy and welfare of this state. The department shall hold a public hearing and give notice thereof by registered letter addressed to the transportation department of the adjoining state and to the governing body of the county, city, village or town of this state and the adjoining state in which any part of the bridge project is proposed to be located. The department shall also publish a class 3 notice, under ch. 985 , in the official state newspaper of this state.

(b) The department shall within 60 days after the conclusion of such hearing submit a full report of findings and conclusions to the secretary of transportation and the governor. Such findings and conclusions may be based on evidence secured by the department in any form and is not limited to facts determined from evidence at the public hearing mentioned above. If it is determined that it is in the best interest of the economy and welfare of the state that such bridge be constructed at a location agreeable to the department and the highway department of the adjoining state, and such determination is approved by the secretary of transportation and the governor, the following is authorized:

1. The department is authorized to acquire all necessary lands within this state and build, construct and maintain necessary approaches to the bridge within this state;

2. The department is authorized to make contributions or commitments out of funds available for highway construction in Wisconsin. Contributions shall not exceed 50 percent of the total costs of the toll facility, but shall only be made if the findings of the department, as approved by the secretary of transportation and the governor that such contributions are for the best interests of the economy and welfare of this state.

3. The toll bridge shall be exempt from all taxes assessed by this state.

4. All findings and conclusions approved by the secretary of transportation and governor shall be published by a class 1 notice, under ch. 985 , in the official state newspaper. The findings and conclusions shall not be subject to administrative review under ch. 227 and shall only be set aside if it is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction that there is not substantial evidence to sustain the decision of the department as approved by the secretary of transportation and the governor. Action to contest the decision shall be commenced no later than 30 days after the date of publication thereof.

History: 1973 c. 336 s. 78 ; 1977 c. 29 ss. 941 , 1654 (8) (a) , 1656 (43) ; 1989 a. 31 ; 1993 a. 490 ; 2003 a. 33 .