September 6, 2025

By Lane Kimble

WisDOT has removed 3M tape from the Approved Products List (APL).

A guidance memorandum instructs contractors to not place any 3M tape–either permanent or removable–on projects if the tape has a manufacture date after July 1, 2025.

3M is in the process of removing PFAS from its tape products and alerted WisDOT to the decision this summer, however there hasn’t been ample testing on the new tape.

The current guidance is to replace the tape with grooved wet reflective epoxy. Project teams will issue a contract change order (CCO) to remove the tape bid item(s) and add the grooved wet reflective epoxy bid item(s).

For projects beginning with the October 2025 letting, grooved wet reflective epoxy will be used instead of grooved permanent tape.

Click HERE to read the full memorandum and guidance.

Contact WTBA Director of Engineering Matt Grove at mgrove@wtba.org if you have any questions.