WisDOT Construction Awards
Each year, staff from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s five regions nominates projects from their area that they believe represent the “Best of the Best” in construction.
These nominations are then judged by a diverse WisDOT evaluation team that considers such issues as project scheduling, complexity, innovation, teamwork, safety, traffic control and the project’s finished appearance. The WisDOT Construction Awards are presented in January of each year to honor the design, project management and construction teams.
2007 Winners Excellence in Grading
STH 57 Door County: Green Bay – Sturgeon Bay
Contractor: Hoffman Construction Company
This $5.7 million, 5.5-mile project required a very ambitious schedule. It started in early January and work continued throughout the winter on the five box culverts and two slab span bridges to complete as much work as possible before the DNR's in-stream disturbance restriction. Hoffman's ability to coordinate all of the crews and subcontractors meant that grading on the project was completed eight weeks ahead of schedule.
Excellence in Asphalt Paving
Interstate 94 - Waukesha County
Contractor: Payne & Dolan, Inc.
This 10.5-mile project consisted of milling and resurfacing the existing pavement with 4.5 inches of asphalt. Payne & Dolan paid particular attention to quality workmanship throughout all phases of construction. Effective communication between the prime contractor, subcontractors and engineering staff promoted safety and efficiency while minimizing disruptions to the traveling public.
Excellence in Concrete Paving
Interstate 39/90/94 - Dane County
Contractor: Trierweiler Construction & Supply Co., Inc.
Construction staging on this 4.2-mile project was complex, with two defined construction stages. Minimizing impacts to the traveling public was a project priority at all times. Trierweiler worked cooperatively with WisDOT to provide high-quality work and a safe work zone. Trierweiler and its subcontractors took extra care to verify that plan designs were compatible with the actual field conditions. When discrepancies were discovered, the contractor promptly sought a solution to keep the project on schedule.
Excellence in Large Structures ($1 million or greater)
East Washington Ave. Yahara River Bridge - City of Madison
Contractor: Zenith Tech Inc.
This $3.1 million structure is a centerpiece in the City of Madison. The 3-span bridge utilized Prairie-style architecture to enhance the beauty of both the roadway and the river through accommodations for drivers, pedestrians and waterway users. This bridge features unique cast-in-place arch-shaped girders with open columns to the river. This allows the bike path users to view both the river and the arch-shaped girders while passing under the roadway. To achieve the end result of an outstanding bridge, Zenith Tech overcame many obstacles and incorporated innovative construction techniques.
Excellence in Small Structures (Less than $1 million)
Tomahawk River Bridge & Approaches - Oneida County
Contractor: Lunda Construction Company
The Tomahawk River Bridge serves as a gateway to the acclaimed Willow Flowage recreation area. Lunda Construction provided strict attention to detail and delivered a beautiful bridge to the Town of Little Rice. The project leader credits the beauty of the finished product to the pride, workmanship and dedication of the Lunda crew. The concrete finishers paid very close attention to detail, with all exposed concrete surfaces neatly finished.
Excellence in Airport Construction
Wittman Regional Airport - City of Oshkosh
Contractor: LaLonde Contractors, Inc.
This project required extensive coordination and production due to time constraints. It could not start until after the EAA Airventure Fly-In, which makes Wittman Regional Airport the busiest in the country for one week each year. LaLonde was able to pave the 150-foot wide x 4,650-foot long runway in six paver passes -- at a daily rate of nearly 300 cubic yards of concrete per hour for each 12-hour paving day. Through close coordination between LaLonde and the engineer, the project added only one change order and, through creative use of field conditions, resulted in a total net savings of about $6,000.
