August 15, 2026

By Lane Kimble

An innovative, time-saving, and safety-ensuring approach to repaving a Wisconsin freeway has earned WisDOT and its contractors some national recognition.

The American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO) selectedthe multi-year I-894 resurfacing project in Milwaukee County as one of its regional award winners for 2026.

The project was recognized as one of the best uses of technology and innovation in a medium-sized project (between $10 million and $100 million) across the Midwest. It is among 12 regional winners and the only project from Wisconsin.

WisDOT coordinated with prime contractor Zignego Group and paving subcontractor Payne+Dolan (Walbec Group) to fully close directions of the busy freeway over several weekends in 2024 and 2025.

The closures allowed crews to mill, pave on echelon, and stripe long stretches of road in a matter of days instead of weeks or even months. Payne+Dolan actually finished about five hours before the deadline last June.

WTBA featured the work in two videos, which you can watch HERE (2025) and HERE(2024).

The top-three scoring winners from each region now advance to the national Top 12, which will be announced in early September. Then, an independent panel of judges will choose a Grand Prize winner, while public voting selects a People’s Choice Award.

Both of those final awards will be announced at AASHTO’s Annual Meeting in November.