MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers concluded his annual statewide “Pothole Patrol” tour that included 11 stops across Wisconsin to fill potholes and highlight the Evers Administration’s efforts to repair and improve infrastructure across the state. This year’s tour marked the governor’s fifth “Pothole Patrol” circuit since taking office, including in 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2023, making this the fourth year in a row the governor has conducted his tour. After years of neglect under the previous administration, Gov. Evers has made historic investments in Wisconsin’s transportation infrastructure and has improved over 7,400 miles of roads and nearly 1,780 bridges since 2019, including more than 900 miles of road and more than 200 bridges last year alone.
“When I visit communities across our state, it’s clear that every pothole filled, street resurfaced, or bridge reconstructed makes Wisconsinites’ lives a little better and our roads a whole lot safer,” said Gov. Evers. “It’s why investing in improving our state’s infrastructure has been a top priority for me from the beginning—because safe, reliable roads are critical to the success of our state, our economy, and our workforce. I’m glad I could join our hardworking folks in the road construction industry, members of my administration, and local partners help fix the darn roads and highlight how important this issue is across our state.”
Last July, Gov. Evers signed a budget that provided significant investments in improving the state’s roads and infrastructure, including $550 million to fund transportation projects underway or under development, $100 million for the Local Road Improvement Program, and $150 million for the nearly created Agricultural Road Improvement Program. Gov. Evers also secured historic increases in shared revenue for local communities, including a 20 percent increase for most municipalities statewide that will enable local governments to invest in community needs like local roads. Additionally, with President Joe Biden’s once-in-a-generation investments in infrastructure across the country, the governor is working to ensure the state’s transportation infrastructure is safe and ready to meet the needs of a 21st-century workforce and economy.
On Monday, April 29, Gov. Evers kicked off his annual tour in Stevens Point, where he filled potholes between Julia St. and Lora St. He was joined by Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Assistant Deputy Secretary Joel Nilsestuen, State Rep. Katrina Shankland (D-Stevens Point), regional WisDOT staff, city officials, and leaders. Photos from the event are here and here. Additionally, on Monday, he visited Menomonie to repair potholes along Dairyland Rd. near the intersection of 21st St. E. He was joined by WisDOT Assistant Deputy Secretary Nilsestuen and other members of WisDOT, Mayor Randy Knaack, Dunn County Manager Kristin Korpela, State Sen. Jeff Smith (D-Brunswick), and city and county officials. Photos from the event are here and here.
On Tuesday, April 30, Gov. Evers continued his statewide tour in Milwaukee, where he repaired potholes on 2nd St. between W. Warnimont Ave. and W. Morgan Ave. He was joined by WisDOT Secretary Craig Thompson, State Rep. Chris Sinicki (D-Milwaukee), and regional WisDOT staff. Photos from the event are here and here. Then, on Tuesday, Gov. Evers also filled potholes in Fond du Lac on Rienzi Rd. just West of U.S. 151. He was joined by WisDOT Secretary Thompson, regional WisDOT staff, Fond du Lac County Executive Sam Kaufman, and other local officials. Photos from the event are here and here.
On Wednesday, May 1, Gov. Evers continued repairing potholes at the intersection of Hammond Ave. and N. 5th St. at the Wisconsin approach to the Blatnik Bridge in Superior. He was joined by Mayor Jim Paine, regional WisDOT staff, and other local officials. Photos from the event are here and here.
The following week, on Tuesday, May 7, Gov. Evers visited Racine, where he fixed potholes at the intersection of West St. and Wilson St. He was joined by WisDOT Deputy Secretary Kristina Boardman, Mayor Corey Mason, and regional WisDOT staff. Photos from the event are here and here. Then, on Tuesday, Gov. Evers repaired potholes at the intersection of Howard St. and 12th St. in Green Bay. He was joined by WisDOT Deputy Secretary Boardman, Mayor Eric Genrich, Green Bay Public Works Director Steven Grenier, and regional WisDOT staff. Photos from the event are here and here. For his last stop of the day, Gov. Evers visited Tomah, where he filled potholes on Dawnee St. He was joined by WisDOT Deputy Secretary Boardman, Mayor Paul Dwyer, WisDOT regional staff, and other local leaders. Photos from the event are here and here.
On Thursday, May 9, Gov. Evers repaired potholes on Lafayette St. between Joliet St. and Nicolet St. in Janesville. He was joined by WisDOT Assistant Deputy Secretary Nilsestuen, City Manager Kevin Lahner, Janesville Public Works Director Mike Payne, State Rep. Sue Conley (D-Janesville), State Sen. Mark Spreitzer (D-Beloit), WisDOT regional staff, and other city officials. Photos from the event are here and here.
On Monday, May 13, Gov. Evers wrapped up his statewide tour in Gillett, where he fixed potholes on County Road BB between N. Lake Ave. and Richmond St. He was joined by WisDOT Assistant Deputy Secretary Joel Nilsestuen, Mayor Jon Blaskowski, WisDOT regional staff, and other local officials. Photos from the event are here and here. Finally, on his last stop of this year’s tour, Gov. Evers repaired potholes on S. Cedar Ave. between 4th St. and 5th St. in Marshfield. He was joined by WisDOT Assistant Deputy Secretary Joel Nilsestuen, Mayor Lois TeStrake, WisDOT regional staff, and other local officials. Photos from the event are here and here.
