ATV and UTV route access expanded

MANAWA – The Waupaca County Board of Supervisors approved an ordinance amendment last week that expands where all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and utility terrain vehicles (UTVs) can operate, opening up access to specific state highway segments and bridges in the Town of Union.

Under the changes, ATVs and UTVs are authorized to operate on portions of Highway 22 that have a posted speed limit of 35 miles per hour or less and are within the territorial boundaries of the Town of Union. The amendment also allows access on Highway 110 from West River Road to County OO East and West.

The updated traffic code also permits ATVs and UTVs to operate on state and county highway bridges that are 1,000 feet or less in length. Bridge access on state highways requires specific statutory authorization. The County Board has made similar adjustments in the past for other municipalities including authorizing ATVs and UTVs in the Town of DuPont to cross the Pigeon River bridge on Highway 110 and the Village of Fremont to cross the Wolf River bridge.

Waupaca County has adopted a blanket policy for municipalities seeking to expand ATV and UTV routes. Under the policy, towns, villages and cities may use bridges, county trunk highways and state highways within their boundaries as part of designated ATV/UTV routes, provided the municipality first approves a matching local ordinance establishing the route. The Town of Union enacted matching ordinance language last month.