The State of Wisconsin Department of Transportation proposes an order to amend rule Wis. Admin. Code ch. Trans 212 and 213, relating to Standards for the inspection of bridges in Wisconsin and for local bridge program. ______________________________________________________________________________
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that, pursuant to s. 227.17 and 227.24 (4), Stats., the State of Wisconsin Department of Transportation (“WisDOT”) will hold a public hearing on emergency rules that amend ch. Trans 212 and 213, relating to Standards for the inspection of bridges in Wisconsin and for local bridge program. HEARING INFORMATION:
Date: Thursday, August 18, 2025
Time: 11:00 a.m.
Location: Wisconsin Department of Transportation
4822 Madison Yards Way, Room N134
Madison, WI 53705
Appearances at the Hearing and Submittal of Written Comments: Interested persons are invited to appear at the hearing and will be afforded the opportunity to make an oral presentation of their positions. Persons making oral presentations are requested to submit their written comments. WisDOT will accept written comments until Monday, August 25, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. Written comments may be sent to Bruce Rheineck, WisDOT Administrative Rules Coordinator at (608) 266-5164 or by email at DOTAdminRules@dot.wi.gov. Accessibility: If you have special needs or circumstances regarding communication or accessibility at a hearing, please call Bruce Rheineck, WisDOT Administrative Rulemaking Coordinator, at (608) 266-5164 or by email at DOTAdminRules@dot.wi.gov prior to the hearing date. Accommodations such as ASL interpreters, English translators, or materials in audio format will be made available upon request to the fullest extent possible. Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis: The department Trans 212 standards for the inspection of bridges in Wisconsin is in conformance with federal code and FHWA requirements. Modifications to Trans 213 to current state requirements for determining eligibility of local bridges for funding will allow local units of government to identify and program local bridge improvements appropriately. This rulemaking will allow for conformity with current federal bridge standards and the broadening of local bridge eligibility to provide timely bridge improvement work allows local units of governments to select treatments appropriately to preserve or extend the bridge life for federal and state bridges. The agency contact person listed below is also the small business regulatory coordinator for this proposed rule. This proposed rule, fiscal estimate, and other related documents may be viewed at https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/code. Agency Contact Person/Agency Small Business Regulatory Coordinator:
Josh Dietsche, Director – Bureau of Structures
State of Wisconsin Department of Transportation
Division of Transportation System Development
4822 Madison Yards Way
Madison, Wisconsin 53705
608-266-8353