The responsibility for the continuing inspection program shall be as follows:
- (1) The department shall inspect highway bridges and tunnels on the state trunk highway system and all other bridges and tunnels for which the department has been assigned maintenance responsibility.
- (2) Each local authority or other authority having jurisdiction over a non−department maintained bridge or tunnel shall inspect the highway bridges and tunnels on highways under its jurisdiction.
- (3) When the department determines that a local authority or other authority having jurisdiction over a non−departmental maintained bridge or tunnel has failed to inspect any highway bridge or tunnel as required, the department shall inform the county highway commissioner of the county in which the bridge or tunnel is located of the inspection failure and shall direct the county to inspect or cause the bridge or tunnel to be inspected. Upon receipt of the department’s notice and direction, the county shall perform the bridge or tunnel inspection or cause it to be performed.
- (4) An authority in charge of maintenance or construction of a highway that is deemed impassable or unsafe for travel has authority under s. 86.06 (1), Stats., to close or restrict access to the bridge or tunnel for the safety of the public. If the department determines a bridge or tunnel must be closed or restricted for safety purposes, the department will notify the authority having jurisdiction over the bridge or tunnel. If appropriate actions to close or restrict the bridge or tunnel are not taken by the authority, the department shall direct the county highway commissioner of the county in which the bridge or tunnel is located to immediately close or restrict the bridge or tunnel. The county highway commissioner may request payment from the local authority.
History
History: Cr. Register, February, 1982, No. 314, eff. 3-1-82; emerg. cr. (3), eff. 8-20-85; cr. (3), Register, April, 1986, No. 364, eff. 5-1-86; EmR2509: emerg. am. (1) to (3), cr. (4), eff. 7-28-25; CR 25-022: am. (1) to (3), cr. (4) Register March 2026 No. 843, eff. 4-1-26; correction in (4) made under s. 35.17, Stats., Register March 2026 No. 843.