Archives for February 2026

Wisconsin’s newest Majors Program project will require a lot of work, money, and time to finish.

Initial estimates for the massive I-39/90/94 expansion and reconstruction between Madison and Wisconsin Dells put the overall cost around $3.6 billion, WisDOT Secretary Kristina Boardman said.

Boardman’s update, dated Jan. 30, was part of the Department’s twice-annual report to the Transportation Projects Commission and the first time WisDOT has shared cost estimates for the project.

That dollar figure, however, is based on 2024 costs.  The report notes the overall cost could be around $4.9 billion by the time it’s completed in the early 2040s due to inflation.  It’s important to note the figures and any potential schedules are still pending.

Other Majors and Southeast Mega projects remain on schedule and largely on budget, however the Wisconsin River Bridge replacements saw a $17 million increase due to “unanticipated subgrade conditions and environmental mitigation.”

The TPC in Dec. 2024 recommended the 67-mile I-39/90/94 project for inclusion in the state budget and lawmakers along with Gov. Tony Evers signed off on it (“enumeration”) this past summer.

At its latest meeting in Dec. 2025, the TPC recommended studies for potential work on expanding I-94 in western Waukesha County and rebuilding US 53 in Eau Claire.

Next week’s letting will include more than a dozen updated specs.

WisDOT released an updated ASP-6 this week, which is effective beginning with the February 10 letting.  Spec changes include guidance on drones, pavement marking, pre-boring, concrete testing and more.

WTBA sent members a heads-up on the changes via a Construction Notes email on Thursday morning, which you can review HERE.

ASP-6 is included in each contract immediately after the special provisions. It is inserted into all contracts by WisDOT’s Central Office. Designers do not have to ask for it in their design letter.

ASP-6 will accumulate specification changes as they become necessary, with each edition incorporating the previous edition, until they can be included in a complete standard specification update.

The latest version of ASP-6 is available for review HERE.

Questions? Contact WTBA Director of Engineering Matt Grove.

More than 1,600 small bridges and culverts across Wisconsin badly need repairs or replacement. Some of those so-called “small structures” will start to get some help thanks to funding in the 2025-27 state budget.

Wisconsin began accepting applications this week for $30 million in one-time grants to fix small structures, which range from 6 to 20 feet.

Structures must be listed as “poor” or worse to be eligible for a grant, which would cover up to 90% of the cost.

The $30 million is a portion of the overall $150 million Agricultural Roads Improvement Program that lawmakers dedicated to this specific task in the current budget.

Still, that funding is only enough to cover about 15% of the overall need based on WisDOT estimates.

Counties, municipalities, and the Wisconsin County Highway Association worked together for several years to compile and survey the state’s nearly 17,000 small structures after funding for the research was added to the 2023 state budget.

Applications for the Local Small Structures Improvement Program are due by Friday, May 1, 2026 at 5 p.m.