The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT) reported an increase in highway pavement buckling across the state in 2025 compared to past years as a result of high heat, humidity and temperature changes, according to the Wisconsin State Journal.
The department reported 194 emergency buckling repairs as of the end of July, with about 90 of those occurring in Wisconsin’s southwest region, which includes the following counties: Dane, Sauk, Columbia, Dodge, Juneau, Grant, Green, Iowa, Jefferson, La Cross, Lafayette, Monroe, Richland, Rock and Vernon.
Last year, roughly 66 buckles were reported — about one-third of the 2025 total so far. This year marks the most buckles since 2021, which saw 231 by July’s end.
In 2022 and 2023, buckles totaled 98 and 101, respectively, by the end of July.
A DOT study released in February 2022 suggested that pavement buckling is a more serious issue in Wisconsin than other states due to weather, materials, road design and construction and maintenance practices.
