May 23, 2023
“This is a real issue”: WTBA members testify in support of utility bill
By Lane Kimble
MADISON -- No matter how comprehensive or complete, a bill is simply text on paper. It’s the personal stories of why that bill matters that give it life and can help it become law. This…
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May 19, 2023
WTBA urges DNR to revise antidegradation rule changes on behalf of aggregate producers
By Lane Kimble
WTBA and its members pride themselves on protecting Wisconsin’s natural beauty and sustainability while building a robust and reliable transportation system. That’s why WTBA filed comments Friday, urging the Wisconsin DNR to consider revisions to…
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May 19, 2023
WTBA’s annual Spring clays tournament draws big crowd, high competition
By Lane Kimble
CASCADE, Wis. -- The percussive sound of shotgun blasts hitting brightly colored clays may have limited your ability to hear it, but all you had to do was look to see the joy on the…
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May 17, 2023
Day at the Capitol offers WTBA of Tomorrow Board face-to-face time with lawmakers
By Lane Kimble
MADISON -- With just 90 minutes to get to six individual meetings with state lawmakers and their staffs, the WTBA of Tomorrow Board proved up to the challenge… Even if there were some nerves before…
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May 12, 2023
Transportation industry “makes Wisconsin go ’round,” says longtime JFC member Sen. Felzkowski
By Lane Kimble
State Senator Mary Felzkowski appreciates the symbiotic relationship between lawmakers and our contractors. “Transportation… the people that have the businesses in there, they’re our partners. We want our roads in good shape and they want the…
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May 12, 2023
Transportation committee gets in-depth view on state of industry
By Lane Kimble
MADISON -- The men and women specifically tasked with transportation-related bills took a deep dive into understanding our industry this week. During a nearly three-hour informational hearing, the Assembly Committee on Transportation listened to WisDOT’s…
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May 5, 2023
Walbec Group companies combine forces on unique Madison project
By Lane Kimble
MADISON -- Several extremely busy streets in Madison are getting a unique overhaul in 2023 and 2024 thanks to WTBA members. It’s no small task – working in the heart of shopping corridors and, eventually,…
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May 5, 2023
JFC Vice Chair on increases to transportation funding: “Absolutely, that will occur”
By Lane Kimble
Even when they’re badly needed, major reconstruction projects can take a long time to plan, prepare, and execute. Take, for instance, State Highway 23 between Fond du Lac and Sheboygan – made significantly better and…
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May 5, 2023
Governor threatens to veto GOP shared revenue plan
By Lane Kimble
MADISON -- There could be a catch with Republican plans to provide counties and municipalities more money to fix roads and support vital services: The Governor’s veto pen. Thursday morning, Gov. Tony Evers released a…
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May 5, 2023
Making Headway on Delays: Utility compensation bill gets support; hearings likely this spring
By Lane Kimble
What has mainly been an important idea and goal for many WTBA members over the years is getting closer to becoming reality – but there’s more work to do. This past week more than a…
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April 28, 2023
Built to Last: Zignego’s significant Highway 50 reconstruction project nearly complete
By Lane Kimble
KENOSHA -- There’s an expectation that when you pour your heart, soul, time, and effort into a major construction project, you’re building something to last. The Zignego Company expects nothing less from its nearly $90…
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April 28, 2023
Family, friends, co-workers honor fallen construction workers with annual processional
By Lane Kimble
The solemn wail of bagpipes around the Capitol Square in Madison on Thursday afternoon pulled attention to the people quietly following them. Their relatively short walk from Monona Terrace to St. Patrick's Catholic Church was…
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April 28, 2023
Sen. Testin eager to hear from stakeholders on transportation budget
By Lane Kimble
State Senator Patrick Testin (R-Stevens Point) loves connecting with the people he serves by experiencing their livelihoods -- even if just for a day. "In college, I worked in factories, lumber yards, loading docks to…
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April 28, 2023
Ready to lead, Spoor accepts WCPA president’s role; McMullen to retire in 2024
By Lane Kimble
When Jackie Spoor joined the Wisconsin Concrete Pavement Association staff in 2018, President Kevin McMullen believed he had hired his eventual replacement. This week, that trust paid off. Spoor accepted the job of WCPA president…
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April 28, 2023
More for municipalities? GOP unveils new state shared revenue plans which could improve roads, services
By Lane Kimble
Counties and municipalities across Wisconsin could tap into an additional $227 million to fix roads, improve infrastructure, and shore up community services under a new plan. Wisconsin Republicans unveiled their Shared Revenue proposal Thursday. The…
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April 21, 2023
“The bridge is beautiful”: City of Menasha celebrates new Lunda double-leaf bascule bridge
By Lane Kimble
When the original Racine Street Bridge opened in 1951, an estimated 5,000 people showed up to christen the new span. Wednesday night’s crowd that gathered in Menasha to take in the city’s new bridge was…
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April 21, 2023
Marathon County culvert collapse singular example of need for infrastructure investments
By Lane Kimble
An average of 2,000 vehicles a day need to find alternative routes between Wausau and Mosinee – and will for quite some time. April 2, a double box culvert collapsed on Highway KK in Marathon…
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April 21, 2023
WisDOT mulling options for major projects on I-39/90/94
By Lane Kimble
An important and heavily traveled stretch of interstate between Madison and Wisconsin Dells is due for some major upgrades in the future. The question now is what those upgrades will look like. This month, WisDOT…
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April 21, 2023
“We’re real people, too, out here”: Work Zone Awareness Week in Wisconsin
By Lane Kimble
The numbers from the past five years illustrate one piece of the story. 11,678 crashes. 4,370 injuries. 63 deaths. But it’s the people who can better remind us all to drive carefully in and around…
Read MoreApril 11, 2023
WTBA, APW push back on nonmetallic permit proposal
By Lane Kimble
WTBA members understand the importance of protecting the state’s environment while helping to build the state’s economy. That’s why WTBA and the Aggregate Producers of Wisconsin (APW) voiced support for two out of three modifications…
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April 11, 2023
WTBA Board adds new 1st VP, council chairs at April meeting
By Lane Kimble
Some new faces joined WTBA’s Board of Directors during its meeting April 4, adding their unique perspectives and expertise in the process. Members unanimously elected Brian Endres to the Board. Endres is Vice President of…
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April 11, 2023
Day at the Capitol: WTBA Board meets face-to-face with lawmakers
By Lane Kimble
MADISON, Wis. -- For his first-ever trip inside the state Capitol building, WTBA President JR Ramthun wasn’t there to sight-see. He was on a mission. Ramthun led one of several WTBA teams into sit down…
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March 23, 2023
ARTBA to Feds: Don’t change exemptions for vital transportation construction materials
By Lane Kimble
At its core, the Build America, Buy America Act (BABA) has good intentions – bolster American businesses. However without better guidance and clarification, implementing the program could end up hurting transportation contractors’ bottom lines. The…
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March 8, 2023
WTBA Annual Convention 2023 (Atlantis – The Bahamas)
By Lane Kimble
In Feb. 2023, WTBA brought its Annual Convention to paradise -- spending four days at the beautiful Atlantis resort in The Bahamas. There was plenty of fun and festivities to go with 12 presenters during…
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March 3, 2023
Talking Tolls: Vos again floats idea as transportation funding mechanism
By Lane Kimble
Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Robin Vos isn't sure his fellow Republicans would even go for it, let alone Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, but that's not stopping Vos from wanting to at least talk about the notion…
Read MoreFebruary 20, 2023
Gov. Tony Evers lays out transportation plans in 2023 budget address
By Lane Kimble
Roadmap for the Future? Gov. Evers Lays Out Transportation Budget Proposal Gov. Tony Evers delivered his Budget Address on Wednesday night in the State Capitol. His proposals give transportation and infrastructure some key new revenue…
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February 11, 2023
An inside look at WisDOT’s Traffic Management Center
By Lane Kimble
MILWAUKEE — The dimmed lights and relatively small size of the room immediately draw your attention to the massive screen in front of you. A large, animated map of Wisconsin fills the center of the…
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February 10, 2023
Key update to proposed I-94 East-West Corridor project Feb 10
By Lane Kimble
The WTBA Board of Directors hit the ground running in 2023, working through a packed agenda that included some valuable updates and notable guests at its first meeting of the year. Continuing its efforts to…
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February 9, 2023
Tax cuts, DOT efficiencies key for Stroebel in 2023-25 budget
By Lane Kimble
BUDGET BUILD-UP / POLITICS State Sen. Duey Stroebel is crystal clear when it comes to a mileage-based user fee to supplement the gas tax. “That is a place that I’m really not interested in going,”…
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February 1, 2023
Ramthun becomes WTBA 2023 Board President
By Lane Kimble
Ramthun becomes WTBA Board President, lays out 2023 goals at Annual Convention JR Ramthun knew he needed to keep his remarks brief as he took the stage in front of about 200 people at the WTBA…
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January 31, 2023
WTBA Inaugural Snowmobile Tour
By Lane Kimble
"Trails were perfect" - WTBA Inaugural Snowmobile Tour highlights from Rhinelander A dusting of fresh snow on top of a solid 8-12 inch base lit by bright, sunny skies: You couldn't ask for a better…
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