Archives for 2024

WTBA provides its members in the field–contractors, laborers, and engineers–with a lot of guidance, advice, and expertise every year.  Sometimes, it pays to help guide project owners, too.

Matt Grove, Director of Engineering and Construction Policy, stepped up this month, offering municipalities and county governments some straightforward and important advice.

His two-page article in the League of Wisconsin Municipalities November magazine covered schedule flexibility, liquidated damages, detours, staging, and more.

“Contractors truly want to deliver a product you’re happy with for years to come, whether it’s a road, bridge, or other structure.  Their reputation is on the line.  However, so is yours,” Grove wrote.  “Municipalities and counties that build a reputation of being fair and flexible reap the benefits of greater competition and better prices on their projects.”

The LWM produces a monthly magazine called “The Municipality,” often filled with guest articles and editorials. November’s edition focused on utilities and departments of public works.

You can read Matt’s entire article by clicking HERE (it’s on the magazine’s pages 20-21).

For the first time in 20 years, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is changing certain rules to try to prevent work zone crashes, injuries and deaths.

FHWA updated its Work Zone Safety and Mobility Rule on Tuesday. The changes include requiring “positive protection devices,” such as temporary concrete barriers during construction, utility, and maintenance work along federally funded highway projects.

It also encourages using “work zone programmatic reviews” to look at construction safety.  These reviews are more data-driven and comprehensive, according to FHWA.

The proposed rules were published in mid-September and FHWA took feedback from state DOTs, industry workers, engineers, and more before they went final.

A late-night crash leaves a wife without her husband, coworkers without their friend and colleague, and an industry with a hole in its collective heart.

Andrew Skupniewitz, a pavement grooving operator for Century Traffic, was hit and killed Friday, Nov. 1 while working along I-90 near Tomah.

The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office says Isaac Morales Jr. lost control of his pickup truck after hitting the back of a semi, then crashed into Skupniewitz’s machine. Prosecutors charged Morales with six felonies, including first-degree reckless homicide, driving under the influence, and driving without a license.

Skupniewitz, 35, died at the scene.  He is survived by his wife, parents, siblings, nieces and nephews, and grandmother.

His family will hold a funeral Saturday, Nov. 9 at 2 p.m. at Grasse Funeral Service in his hometown of Pardeeville. Visitation begins at 11 a.m.  You can read his full obituary and find info on how to send flowers HERE.

WTBA extends its heartfelt condolences to Andrew’s family, friends, and coworkers.  His tragic death is yet another stark reminder of the dangers our crews face every day and the necessity that all of us slow down, pay attention, and respect the men and women working along our roads.