Starting in the early 20th century, major road construction became the responsibility of state government rather than local authorities or corporations. Spurred by the 1890s Good Roads Movement and automobile and agricultural lobbyists, the passage of a public roads law in 1911 ushered in a new era of transportation. A state trunk highway system was authorized in 1917 to connect every county seat and city with a population of 5,000 or more.

"Hit the Road: Later Road Development" at Wisconsin History Explorer

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Roads in Wisconsin

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