May 3, 2024

By Lane Kimble

DE PERE, Wis. — Joy Goeben – the former teacher-turned state representative – found herself the studentwhen she pulled into a Walbec Group quarry in De Pere on Thursday morning.

Nearly two hours later, Goeben (R-Hobart) walked away with a greater understanding and appreciation for aggregates, contractors, and the transportation construction industry as a whole.

“There’s so much science going on here,” Goeben said.  “I never thought how much really was put into the thought processes behind the roads and trying to make them be as long lasting as possible and considering the costs.  They’re really trying to find efficient, cost effective ways for the citizens of Wisconsin.”

The group, led by Walbec’s Director of Government Affairs Brandon Strand and Northeast Asphalt Area Manager Taylor Tauer, discussed quarry operations, blasting, water quality, and reclamation with Goeben, answering dozens of her questions.  They also talked about transportation funding, the gas tax, and work zone safety before venturing down into the quarry itself.

“Just to educate our officials and Joy, specifically, on the amount of people that something like this serves,” Tauer said.  “From the taxpayers to the people that are working for the different industries, the concrete, the asphalt, the aggregates, the contractors and how impactful something like this can be.”

Tauer stressed the importance of building strong relationships with communities where quarries are sited, noting it’s critical for contractors to have access to aggregate resources when working on projects like the nearby I-41 expansion.

“The company is working hard to ensure that (the quarry) isn’t causing adverse impact, so it’s good to see that so that if that issue arises, I am able to speak to it and say they’re doing a good job,” Goeben said.  I love to meet with constituents who are working in the system who are so knowledgeable.”