Lane Kimble

Evers signs permanent Design-Build program into law, concluding years-long effort

March 27, 2026 by Lane Kimble

MADISON — After years of debate, compromise, and having to go back to the drawing board, Mike Hahn didn’t need to wait long to receive a symbolic gift.

Gov. Tony Evers turned and immediately handed Hahn the first ceremonial pen used to sign Wisconsin’s new permanent Design-Build program into law.

“It was fun,” Hahn said. “Finally got one done that we’ve been working on for a long time.”

Hahn joined WTBA’s Elise Nelson, Jodi Jensen, Hoffman Construction’s Brad Eberhardt, WisDOT staff, and lawmakers for the bill signing in the governor’s office last Friday morning.

Hahn, who is WTBA’s Board President and Lunda Construction Vice President, served for years on a WTBA subcommittee that worked with the Department and engineering stakeholders to craft a permanent Design-Build program that all sides could agree on.

“(We went through) iteration after iteration where we threw language back and forth,” Hahn explained. “We had conversations about what would work, what we wanted, what they wanted, what the ACEC wanted and we came up with the bill that’s now signed.”

The new law replaces the existing Design-Build pilot program–which was limited to six total projects–with permanent authority for WisDOT to use alternative delivery methods. It allows WisDOT to use Design-Build for up to $300 million in projects every two years.

The law includes annual cost index adjustments, simplifies rules for project selection and awards, and strengthens overall project oversight. Jensen–WTBA’s General Counsel–released a straightforward white paper explaining in detail how the new program works.

(You can review Jensen’s paper HERE. NOTE: You MUST be logged into your WTBA.orgaccount to access/read.)

“It’s a way to accelerate the construction and come up with innovations,” Eberhardt told WTBA as he walked out of the Capitol.

Eberhardt pointed to Hoffman’s work on the Cranberry Interchange in Tomah as an example of Design-Build’s potential.

“The lifespan of your normal delivery is such a long process. With Design-Build you can speed that process up and take a 30-percent plan set, which we had at the Cranberry Interchange last June,” Eberhardt said. “Now we’re going to have the job constructed before Memorial Day of 2026.”

WisDOT will now begin to focus on potential future projects to apply Design-Build to. Don’t anticipate any in the 2026 season, given prep work can take months. Still, waiting until 2027 is fine with Hahn as long as the program is used effectively.

“Compromise is the right word,” Hahn said. “Compromise and patience. It’s great to get this done.”

WisDOT, contractors preparing for 400+ projects during 2026 season

March 26, 2026 by Lane Kimble

From Major and Mega freeway work continuing in the Fox Valley and Milwaukee to smaller undertakings in places like Rhinelander and Cumberland, you can expect to see state highway projects in every county in Wisconsin this year.

WisDOT has more than 400 projects slated for 2026, the Department said in a news release Wednesday.

The release detailed about a dozen specific projects across the state, giving drivers advance warnings and instructions on what to expect in those work zones.

“With construction projects planned in every county of the state, we urge motorists to plan ahead, know before you go with 511 Wisconsin, and always drive with caution in work zones,” WisDOT Secretary Kristina Boardman said.

This year’s assortment of projects reflects a slight decrease in overall number but an increase in projected let levels.

WisDOT told WTBA it predicts lets to total around $1.6 billion in FY2026, which would mean a more than $200 million jump over 2025.

WisDOT also stressed work zone safety in its news release. WTBA has worked with the Department for four years to expand safety messaging beyond the traditional one week in mid-April to all season long.

Keep an eye out for details on a kickoff event open to WTBA members in the coming weeks. Work Zone Awareness Week is April 20-24.

Consultant Council takes up loaded agenda during first quarterly meeting of 2026

March 25, 2026 by Lane Kimble

MILWAUKEE — There’s never a shortage of topics to discuss, problems to solve, and choices to weigh when the WTBA Consultant Council convenes.

Just take a look at what their agenda covered Tuesday afternoon for the Council’s first quarterly meeting of 2026.

A look at the political landscape inside a soon-to-be changing state Capitol and what it means for our industry
An update on coordination between WTBA and like-minded partners
The latest on the critical I-94 East-West project and the importance of keeping it on schedule
Claims reform
Work zone safety and awareness plans for 2026
Environmental and regulatory guidance
Design-Build’s permanent addition to state law, offering a new tool for better-designed, faster moving projects
Setting future meetings and adding new members to replace outgoing ones

All that in a 90-minute meeting. Not too shabby from the Council and new chairman Jeff Bauer, who hosted the group in Jacobs’ Milwaukee offices.

The WTBA Consultant Council is a board of nine members from various engineering firms overseen by Director of Engineering Matt Grove. They meet quarterly, with the Consultant Council chairman serving on the full WTBA Board of Directors.

USDOT obligates $1.05 billion for Blatnik Bridge

March 20, 2026 by Lane Kimble

The largest and most crucial piece of the Blatnik Bridge replacement project came through this week.

The federal government obligated $1.05 billion in funding to replace the aging structure. USDOT Secretary Sean Duffy announced the news in a press release Tuesday.

“As a son of Wisconsin, I know just how vital this bridge is to the future of Superior and Duluth. After months of hard work, our team is ready to get this money out the door and shovels in the dirt,” Duffy said.

The federal dollars cover more than half of the $1.8 billion project. Wisconsin and Minnesota both committed $400 million for the work, which MnDOT will oversee as lead agency.

The project will replace the 65-year-old bridge with a new one along the exact same alignment beginning with a full shutdown of the existing structure in early 2027.

The replacement will include a shared bike and pedestrian path, better support for heavy cargo and freight loads, a safer design, and an improved interchange on the Wisconsin side.

“We now look to the future, as Wisconsin and Minnesota will begin constructing a new bridge that will continue to serve as a vital connection between Superior and Duluth and continue to carry the billions of dollars in freight brought through the largest port on the Great Lakes each year,” WisDOT Secretary Kristina Boardman said.

About 33,000 vehicles use the Blatnik Bridge daily to get between the Twin Ports of Superior and Duluth, Minn. Many of those will be detoured over the Bong Bridge during construction.

MnDOT announced its Design-Build shortlist in November, naming Lunda Construction Company and a joint venture between Ames and Kraemer North America as the finalists. A winner will be chosen in June.

Phased construction is currently scheduled through 2031.