Fix 8th st and the Riverview expressway correctly

The Issue

To the City of Wisconsin Rapids 

How about we actually fix 8th st or the express way the correct way. instead of lining your pockets. They spent all that money on a over budget jail then spent more money on fixing “ downtown “ which remind you is a jail,courthouse ,and bars. Every other town or city surrounding Wisconsin rapids has taken action on fixing they’re main roads yet we have not and it’s absurd driving on the two main roads in this town feel like your going off roading and all you do is slap junk into the holes. You should be more worried about that than “ Green space “ for businesses when they’re trying to pave. Our town roads look and drive like gravel roads and you do nothing at all to address or fix the problem correctly. I am going to be starting a petition for the main roads to actually be fixed instead of wasting tax dollars on nothing. I would love and appreciate for everybody in town to go ahead and sign, share the petition and let’s make them take action. Because let’s be serious it’s a joke we know it and they know it. It’s time we take action on this problem not everyone can afford a brand new vehicle or the costs of repairs to fix their vehicles because of the damages from the roads. They can’t ignore us all at once so let’s stand together. 

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The Issue

To the City of Wisconsin Rapids 

How about we actually fix 8th st or the express way the correct way. instead of lining your pockets. They spent all that money on a over budget jail then spent more money on fixing “ downtown “ which remind you is a jail,courthouse ,and bars. Every other town or city surrounding Wisconsin rapids has taken action on fixing they’re main roads yet we have not and it’s absurd driving on the two main roads in this town feel like your going off roading and all you do is slap junk into the holes. You should be more worried about that than “ Green space “ for businesses when they’re trying to pave. Our town roads look and drive like gravel roads and you do nothing at all to address or fix the problem correctly. I am going to be starting a petition for the main roads to actually be fixed instead of wasting tax dollars on nothing. I would love and appreciate for everybody in town to go ahead and sign, share the petition and let’s make them take action. Because let’s be serious it’s a joke we know it and they know it. It’s time we take action on this problem not everyone can afford a brand new vehicle or the costs of repairs to fix their vehicles because of the damages from the roads. They can’t ignore us all at once so let’s stand together. 

Support now

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The Decision Makers

Matt Zacher
Wisconsin Rapids City Mayor
Responded
Dear Petitioners, I share your concerns and have been working to resolve the issues you raised. The roads you identified are both state highways, which means that the City of Wisconsin Rapids is responsible for patching the roads and the State is responsible for replacing the roads. Both roads are on Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s (DOT) project list, and I have talked to DOT staff and legislators to encourage them to move the projects up – because they are important projects for our community. One example of my efforts is the recent “Re-VITAL-ize” initiative, which included a press conference last week. https://tdawisconsin.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/PRESS-RELEASE_Re-VITAL-ize-WI-RAPIDS_9_24_2025_FNL.pdf I will provide a list of project updates below, but please check the DOT’s website for updates on the projects they have planned for the next six years: • List: https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/by-region/nc/default.aspx • Map: https://wisdot.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=f9096bc93a1a4ff38b3c9fad0c77f058&showLayers=LET_6YR Project Updates: • In April, we shared the DOT’s public involvement meeting for their first WIS 13 (8th St. S) project, covering a section from Lakewood Ln. to Whitrock Ave. in Wisconsin Rapids. https://www.facebook.com/events/1184804299991523/. The project is scheduled to happen in 2028. This is the DOT’s project overview: https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/by-region/nc/wis13wisconsinrapids/default.aspx • Their second WIS 13 (8th St. S) project, covering a section from Whitrock Ave. to Taylor Ave., is scheduled to happen in 2030-2031. When the DOT arranges the public involvement meeting, we will again post it on our Facebook page for public awareness. • Curb ramp improvements on WIS 13, 54 and 73 are scheduled for 2029. I provide updates on projects like these on the City’s Facebook page and my Facebook page. City FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/WIRapids My FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/mayormattzacher I’m also happy to provide information and updates by phone. My office number is 715-421-8202. Lastly, it sounds like you have concerns about funding for the Wood County Jail. This wasn’t a City of Wisconsin Rapids project, so I would encourage you to reach out to your Wood County Board Supervisor to discuss this further: https://www.woodcountywi.gov/CountyBoard/ I hope this helps. Thanks again for your engagement! Sincerely, Matt Zacher, Mayor City of Wisconsin Rapids
Wisconsin Rapids City Council
8 Members
Ryan Austin
Wisconsin Rapids City Council - District 1
Dennis Polach
Wisconsin Rapids City Council - District 6
Jeff Penzkover
Wisconsin Rapids City Council - District 4
Petition updates