Archives for August 2023

Wisconsin got rid of its prevailing wage in 2017, but changes at the federal level this week could still impact contractors working on certain projects in the Badger state.

Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Labor finalized rule changes to the Davis Bacon Act, which sets the prevailing wage on federal and federally funded construction work.

According to the American Road and Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA), the revisions are a bit of a mixed bag, with the DOL putting some of ARTBA’s suggestions into effect.  Among those, the rule no longer offers prevailing wages for time that off-site drivers and suppliers spend on the worksite, clarifies the difference between licensed (salaried) surveyors and hourly workers, and will now allow data from multiple counties in the work area to calculate the prevailing wage.

However, the changes will now set a prevailing wage if it’s paid to at least 30% of surveyed workers in an area (this used to be 50%), and makes prime contractors responsible for their subcontractors’ compliance, holding primes accountable if they don’t pay the prevailing wage.

ARTBA says the rule takes effect 60 days after publication.  Click HERE to view a chart that shows how else the existing rule will change.

Utilities impact pretty much every transportation project in Wisconsin, so it’s important to understand how to navigate and work with them.

Registration is now open for WisDOT’s statewide Utility Coordination Conference, set for Nov. 6-7, 2023 in Wisconsin Dells.

The two-day conference will include general and breakout sessions discussing Diggers Hotline, 3-D utility facility data, an overview of Trans 220, and a roundtable talk with contractors, consultants, and members of the utility industries.

Registration for WisDOT employees is free.

Click HERE to see what else is tentatively planned for the agenda and to sign up.

A new study may help contractors and WisDOT find ways to improve Wisconsin’s Design-Build pilot program.

The Department and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) paid a team of researchers from UW-Milwaukee for the study.

Lawmakers authorized the six-year pilot program in 2019.

Currently, two projects are underway including the replacement of a box culvert with a slab span in Appleton and replacing bridges along Highway 130 in Richland County (pictured at left.)

A third project — replacing 8 miles of pavement on Highway 45 near Clintonville — was canceled.

The researchers interviewed transportation stakeholders in four states (Arkansas, Colorado, Maryland, and Michigan) with similar Design Build programs and analyzed three existing Wisconsin-based projects.

Among their many recommendations, UW-Milwaukee suggested Wisconsin add more WisDOT staff that is trained on implementing design-build, offer better outreach to contractors and engineers, generate more interest in possible design-build projects, and increase the minimum cost for a project to $7 million dollars.

You can look through the entire 101-page report via THIS link.  Conclusions and analysis begins on page 77.

WisDOT told WTBA it intends to work with the Association this fall on developing a group to talk through the future of the Design-Build program.

MILWAUKEE — Some of the best and brightest transportation industry leaders will gather in Milwaukee this month.

The Mid-American Association of State Transportation Officials (MAASTO) is holding its 2023 convention in the Cream City.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN ABOUT THE CONVENTION AND SEE THE AGENDA

The convention runs Aug. 14-16 at the Baird Center in downtown Milwaukee (formerly known as the Wisconsin Center.)

In addition to opening and closing ceremonies, a golf outing, and a run/walk, the convention features general sessions and dozens of breakout rooms on topics including:

• Roundabouts
• Diverging Diamonds
• WisDOT’s Highway Construction Skills Training program
• DBE regulation changes
• Madison Beltline’s Flex Lane
• I-794 reconstruction and re-imagination
• Wisconsin’s work zone safety technology

Registration is open to public and private sector employees.  WisDOT Secretary Craig Thompson says more than 800 people have registered already, setting a new record for the MAASTO convention. Thompson expects Gov. Tony Evers, state and local leaders, and federal transportation representatives to be in attendance.

MAASTO represents the transportation needs of Wisconsin and nine other mainly Midwestern states including Minnesota, Illinois, and Iowa.

Click to see pricing and fee info.