Are Wisconsin’s Rural Roads and Infrastructure Holding Back Your Land’s Potential?

If you own rural land, it’s more than just a property—it’s a personal investment in nature, space, and lifestyle. But while the peaceful scenery may seem ideal, a growing issue could be affecting your property’s value: deteriorating rural infrastructure. Poor road conditions and outdated bridges not only limit the usability of your land but could also be holding back your land’s full potential.

Is Your Land’s Value Sinking Due to Poor Roads?

We’ve all experienced the frustration of hitting a pothole on an old country road, but what if those infrastructure issues are putting your property at risk? For many rural landowners, deteriorating roads and bridges are more than just an inconvenience—they can decrease the value of your land and limit access, making it harder to use or sell in the future.

A Growing Challenge

In Wisconsin, rural roads are essential for everything from getting agricultural products to market to providing basic access for homeowners. Unfortunately, many of these roads are in poor condition. Recent assessments gave Wisconsin’s roads a C grade, which shows improvement but still highlights the ongoing challenges, especially in rural areas​ (ASCE's 2021 Infrastructure Report Card |). Heavy equipment, fluctuating weather, and limited funding have all contributed to the wear and tear on rural roads (WPR).

Programs like the Agricultural Roads Improvement Program (ARIP) aim to help, but they can only cover a fraction of the work that needs to be done. For many rural communities, the lack of sufficient funding means repairs are delayed, leaving landowners to deal with damaged infrastructure that can affect everything from daily travel to farming operations.

How Poor Infrastructure Affects Property Value

When buyers consider purchasing rural property, they look beyond the land itself—they’re also evaluating access and infrastructure. A property located on a road that’s regularly closed or in poor condition can quickly lose its appeal. Buyers often question how they’ll transport farm equipment, maintain access during winter, or even ensure emergency vehicles can reach them in case of need. This can make it harder to sell your property or lower your asking price.

Beyond access, poor infrastructure can impact daily operations for farmers, particularly if spring weight restrictions prevent them from moving equipment or crops when they need to​ (The Wisconsin Independent). All of this contributes to a larger issue: as roads and bridges deteriorate, the value of land connected to these failing infrastructure points can decrease, making it harder to realize the full potential of your property.

What You Can Do

If infrastructure issues are affecting your property, there are a few steps you can take to address the problem:

• Stay Informed: Stay up to date on local infrastructure projects that might affect roads or bridges near your land. Knowing when improvements are planned can help you plan for future sales or upgrades.
• Leverage Government Programs: If your property is used for agriculture, look into programs like the Agricultural Roads Improvement Program (ARIP) that can help fund local road improvements​. These repairs can increase the appeal of your land when you’re ready to sell.
• Consider Timing: If you’re thinking of selling, it might be worth waiting until after local infrastructure improvements have been made, as this could increase your property’s value.

Final Thoughts: Is It Time to Reconsider Your Rural Land?

For many rural landowners, infrastructure issues like poor road conditions and outdated bridges are more than just annoyances—they can affect your land’s usability and value. While Wisconsin is working to improve its infrastructure, challenges remain, and they may be holding back the potential of your property.

If you’re thinking about selling your land, now might be the time to consider your options. Waiting for infrastructure improvements can boost your property’s value, but if those improvements seem far off, selling sooner may help you avoid further depreciation. Either way, being informed about your land’s infrastructure challenges is key to making the best decision for your investment.

DISCLAIMER: THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THIS BLOG IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED FINANCIAL, LEGAL, OR TAX ADVICE. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT YOU CONSULT WITH A PROFESSIONAL ADVISOR TO ADDRESS YOUR SPECIFIC NEEDS AND CIRCUMSTANCES. THE CONTENT HERE IS BASED ON INFORMATION FROM THIRD-PARTY SOURCES, WHICH ARE BELIEVED TO BE RELIABLE, BUT ACCURACY IS NOT GUARANTEED.