2020 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations
Chapter 82. Town highways.
82.50 Town road standards.
82.50 Town road standards.
(1) The following minimum geometric design standards are established for improvements on town roads: - See PDF for table
(a) Local service, intermittent traffic
1. Right-of-way 3 rods
2. Roadway width 20 feet
3. Surface width 16 feet
(b) Under 100 ADT
1. Right-of-way 3 rods
2. Roadway width 24 feet
3. Surface width 18 feet
4. Maximum grades 9 percent-11 percent
(c) 100 to 250 ADT
1. Right-of-way 4 rods
2. Roadway width 26 feet
3. Surface width 20 feet
4. Maximum grades 8 percent-11 percent
(d) 251 to 400 ADT
1. Right-of-way 4 rods
2. Roadway width 32 feet
3. Surface width 22 feet
4. Maximum grades 6 percent-8 percent
5. Curvature 6°-12.5°
(e) 401 to 1,000 ADT
1. Right-of-way 4 rods
2. Roadway width 34 feet
3. Surface width 22 feet
4. Maximum grades 5 percent-8 percent
5. Curvature 5 °-12.5°
(f) 1,001 to 2,400 ADT
1. Right-of-way 4 rods
2. Roadway width 44 feet
3. Surface width 24 feet
4. Maximum grades 5 percent-7 percent
5. Curvature 4.5°-7.5°
(g) Over 2,400 State trunk standards
(2) The department may approve deviations from the minimum standards in special cases where the strict application of the standards is impractical and where such deviation is not contrary to the public interest and safety and the intent of this section.
(3) This section does not apply to improvements on town roads existing on October 1, 1992.
History: 1981 c. 20; 1987 a. 137 s. 6; 1989 a. 56; 1991 a. 39; 1993 a. 490; 1999 a. 85; 2003 a. 214 s. 182; Stats. 2003 s. 82.50.
NOTE: 2003 Wis. Act 214, which affected this section, contains extensive explanatory notes.
This section vests in a town a certain degree of discretion with respect to complying with minimum standards for town roads. Nothing in the statutes controls the circumstances in which a town may apply for a deviation under sub. (2), which indicates that the application is left to the town's discretion. DSG Evergreen Family Limited Partnership v. Town of Perry, 2020 WI 23, 390 Wis. 2d 533, 939 N.W.2d 564, 17-2352.
Sub. (1) does not impose obligations on a town that are susceptible to a declaration of rights, nor does it create a private cause of action by which a plaintiff can recover damages for an alleged failure to construct a proper road. DSG Evergreen Family Limited Partnership v. Town of Perry, 2020 WI 23, 390 Wis. 2d 533, 939 N.W.2d 564, 17-2352.
