We are pleased to announce the Wheaton Town Board approved at their March 19, 2024 meeting opening all Town of Wheaton roads to ATV/UTV traffic. Also, the Chippewa County Board approved at the March 12, 2024 meeting opening all County highways as 16 ATV/UTV routes except for high traffic highways which the Town of Wheaton has some County highways that fit high traffic criteria. The map below shows opened Chippewa County highways in the Town of Wheaton highlighted in green.
When this initiative started the goal was to provide Town of Wheaton residents with access to ATV/UTV routes where possible while also having an ordinance that promotes safety for all users on the roads. These decisions were not taken lightly and contained ordinance research, review of routes in other surrounding townships, traffic study, along with extensive discussion and collaboration with Wheaton Plan Commission, Wheaton Town Board, Chippewa County Highway Committee, and Chippewa County Board levels to put all of this together.
The newly adopted ordinance Chapter 45 Designation of ATV/UTV Routes and Regulation of ATV/UTV Operation has been placed on the Town of Wheaton website under Government then Ordinances and Resolutions.
https://townofwheaton.com/ordinances-resolutions/
Please take a few minutes to review the new ordinance in full detail and here are some key highlights:
- Daylight operation only. One half hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset.
- All operators MUST have a valid Wisconsin driver’s license.
- The maximum speed limit is 45mph unless the posted speed on the road is lower.
- All ATV/UTV must have liability insurance.
- Open intoxicants or controlled substances are NOT allowed while operating on Town of Wheaton roads.
- All ATV/UTV operations are limited to the paved portion of the road only. ATV/UTV should be in single file.
We understand this ordinance is more restrictive than other ordinances out there; however, the Town of Wheaton also has very different traffic patterns plus ordinances can always be amended in the future. We strongly recommend all ATV/UTV operators on Town of Wheaton roads review Town of Wheaton Chapter 45 ordinance in full detail and that all ATV/UTV operators using Chippewa County highways in the Town of Wheaton also review Chippewa County ordinance Chapter 58 in full detail. We have included a link to Chippewa County ordinance Chapter 58 on the Town of Wheaton website under Government then Ordinances and Resolutions page.
The overwhelming success of this ordinance and ATV/UTVs on Town of Wheaton roads and Chippewa County highways will come down to responsible operation and voluntary compliance with regulations. After a long time in the making, we certainly would appreciate everyone doing their part to ensure this is a successful positive change for the Town of Wheaton.
The final steps were installing all the necessary signage to comply with all applicable ATV/UTV laws on roads before we could report roads were open. Signage on Town of Wheaton roads was sponsored by individual donations and the Chippewa Valley ATVers Club. There is no signage cost to the taxpayers.
All signage installations have been completed and approved roads are open for ATV/UTV traffic now.
REMINDERS:
1. All Town of Wheaton roads are approved roads at this time! Signage only exists on entry roads into the Town of Wheaton.
2. Only specified Chippewa County highways are approved roads at this time! Signage exists on entry roads into the Town of Wheaton and then also at entry points to closed Chippewa County highways. Review the map above for details.