Committee approves DOT‑requested functional classification changes affecting four county roads

The Dodge County Highway Committee approved a resolution asked by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation to change functional classifications for four roads, a move staff said will affect future grant eligibility.

Staff described the map and chart accompanying the DOT request and walked through each proposed change: a promotion of a section of Highway A (between Highways 151 and 26) from major collector to minor arterial; a demotion of Highway Y north of Mayville from minor arterial to major collector (staff said the 2012 classification likely overstated traffic); a promotion of Highway C (from A to 151) from minor to major collector following a resurfacing and increased traffic; and a promotion of a road segment in the city of Horicon (Oak Lane/Division Street) from minor collector to major collector, which the DOT requested the county approve because the segment falls outside the mapped urban area and thus lands with the county for approval.

Staff emphasized the primary practical impact: classification affects eligibility for some DOT grants that require a certain functional class (minor collector or higher). Committee members asked clarifying questions about traffic counts and mileage totals; staff said the DOT supplied counts and that the last full update to the county map was in 2012. A member noted recent crashes on Highway A as additional evidence supporting an upgrade.

A motion to approve the resolution and the accompanying map/chart was made, seconded, and approved by voice vote. Staff will forward the signed resolution to DOT as requested by the state.

Next step: staff asked to finalize the signed resolution and provide copies for county records and for DOT processing; no further committee action on this item was recorded at the meeting.