Public feedback requested on WisDOT’s 2025 ADA Transition Plan

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) invites the public to review and share comments on the agency’s 2025 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Transition Plan.

The ADA Transition Plan shares information on WisDOT’s efforts to continually improve accessibility throughout the state highway system including roadside facilities, navigability within public rights of way and public input processes. Per federal law, the transition plan is regularly maintained with opportunities for public input.

“Accessibility is a key initiative at WisDOT and we continue to make vital updates to our transportation network to improve safety, reliability and accommodate people of all abilities,” WisDOT Secretary Kristina Boardman said. “We’re proud of our recent accomplishments to improving accessibility with our infrastructure projects and programs. But it’s important that we continue to remove barriers that limit those with diminished vision, hearing or mobility to leverage the most benefit from Wisconsin’s roads and facilities.”

Recent highlights of WisDOT improvement projects that benefit people of all abilities:

• New Safety Rest Area (SRA) facilities will have dedicated ADA compliant family-assisted restrooms that include powered, height adjustable adult changing stations (also called universal changing stations).
  • The new Safety Rest Area along I-90 westbound near Sparta in Monroe County is anticipated to open in October 2025. The facility will include two family-assisted restrooms with adult changing stations.
  • Two other SRAs under construction in northeast Wisconsin will include adult changing stations.
  • Over the next decade, WisDOT anticipates replacing several other outdated SRA facilities across Wisconsin.
• In 2024, approximately 2,100 curb ramps were installed on the state highway system to improve access for all pedestrians, including those with physical disabilities.
  • Curb ramps incorporate features known as detectable warning surfaces, which can be felt with a cane or underfoot, to warn people who are blind or have low vision that they are about to enter or exit a vehicular way.

As part of the department’s ongoing commitment to accessibility, Wisconsin residents are invited to review WisDOT’s ADA Transition Plan at wisconsindot.gov/ADA and share feedback via the online form to help enhance service for our fellow Wisconsinites. The 30-day public comment period starts tomorrow (August 1, 2025) and goes through Sunday, August 31, 2025.

The Transition Plan is an update on the policies, procedures and practices that fulfill the requirements of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Public comments on the plan will be used to help guide the department’s strategy for ADA improvements moving forward.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.