Highway Department

The Washington County Highway Department maintains a proud tradition of providing exceptional winter service to the citizens of Washington County while also providing preventative road maintenance to protect our infrastructure investments.

Highway Department Office

 

Our Vision...

The vision of the Washington County Highway Department is to be fiscally responsible while proactively addressing the needs of the citizens and businesses by providing a safe and well-maintained transportation network.

 

Our Mission...

The mission of the Washington County Highway Department is to provide a safe, reliable, accessible, and efficient highway and public transit system.

 

Our Jurisdiction...

The Washington County Highway Department is responsible for the maintenance of approximately 515 lane miles of State Trunk Highway under the direction of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) and the maintenance, permitting, and construction of approximately 390 lane miles of County Trunk Highway. County Trunk Highways are labeled with letters such as CTH Q or CTH K and State Trunk Highways are labeled with numbers such as STH 164 or STH 33.

Washington County Roadway Map

 

If your mailbox has sustained damage due to our winter maintenance operations, first confirm that you are on a county or state highway. If you are on a roadway under the jurisdiction of a town, village or city, please contact that jurisdictional authority to report the damage. If on a county or state highway, you may contact the Highway Department at (262)335-4435 to report damage.

 

Washington County Highway Department Mailbox Damage Policy
Rural mailbox damage.
(1) A Highway Department Supervisor or designee may inspect a damaged mailbox if reported.
(a) Mailboxes and/or supports will be replaced, or repaired by Washington County if the damage is caused by the  plow, its blade, wing, or thrown snow, slush or ice (indirect contact) unless the mailbox or its supports were deemed to be in poor condition prior to damage.
(b) If damage is sustained due to direct or indirect contact with Highway Department maintenance equipment and the box and support were in good condition prior to the damage, Highway Department personnel will provide and install a standard United States Postal Service approved mailbox and a wooden 4x4 support, or the mailbox owner can request a payment of $80.00 to purchase and install an United States Postal Service approved support and mailbox in accordance with this chapter.
(c) Snow removal at the mailbox area and replacement of failed or deteriorated installations is the owner's responsibility.
(d) Any conflict or dispute involving this policy shall be resolved at the discretion of the Chief Public Works Officer.

Please refer to Chapter 157-4 of Washington County Code for more information regarding placement of rural mailboxes and structures allowed or not allowed in the interest of safety.

Notes for installing a mailbox

  • Massive supports such as telephone poles, heavy metal posts, concrete posts, antique farm equipment, or other similar items are prohibited. Any support must be designed so that if it is struck, it will bend or break away from the striking vehicle to prevent severe damage to the vehicle or injury to the traveling public.
  • If possible, all newspaper tubes and mailboxes shall be placed on the same post to avoid unnecessary posts. Nothing shall be attached to the mailbox, newspaper tube, or its support.
  • Use of a semi-arch or extended arm-type support which allows snowplows to sweep near or under mailboxes without damaging supports is recommended.
  • Please contact your Post Master for details on how to position your mailbox.