Wisconsin Assembly Bill AB653

Wisconsin 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 11/19/25
• Refer: 11/19/25
• Failed: 3/23/26

Caption

An Act to create 86.325 of the statutes; Relating to: a local intersection safety program and making an appropriation. (FE)

Impact

The bill mandates that the DOT assist local governments in identifying high-crash intersections based on traffic and crash data collected from 2019 to 2024. These intersections must be classified as having excessively high crash rates to qualify for funding and improvement efforts. Through this funding, local political subdivisions can apply for reimbursements or grants for necessary improvements, contributing to overall road safety. By prioritizing these high-risk areas, the bill aims to reduce intersection-related accidents and pedestrian injuries in the state.

Summary

Assembly Bill 653 establishes a local intersection safety program aimed at enhancing safety measures at signalized and stop-sign-controlled intersections across the state. Introduced by a group of representatives and co-sponsored by several senators, the bill tasks the Department of Transportation (DOT) with implementing safety improvement initiatives in collaboration with political subdivisions. It provides a funding allocation of $6,000,000 for this purpose, which is intended to support various safety enhancements at identified unsafe intersections.

Contention

Discussions surrounding AB653 could potentially highlight contention regarding the allocation of the funding and the DOT's criteria for selecting intersections eligible for improvements. Stakeholders may debate the effectiveness of implementing such programs and whether the allocated $6,000,000 is sufficient to address the safety needs of all high-risk intersections across the state. Some local governments might express concerns about the adequacy of state support, while advocates for road safety will likely emphasize the urgent need for action against high intersection crash rates.