September 26, 2025
August Work Zone Safe scholarship winner honored during Fall Meeting
By Lane Kimble
For a kid wanting to pursue a career in politics, 17-year-old Isaac Pedersen found himself in the right room Thursday. Pedersen listened as WTBA Board President Dan Zignego rattled off the list of guests and…
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September 25, 2025
From quarry to plant to parking lot, Congressman Wied calls NEA visit a ‘top tour’
By Lane Kimble
The asphalt paver surged forward a little faster than you’d expect from a skilled operator. No worries – Congressman Tony Wied was just starting to get a hang of the machine. “I was certainly concerned…
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September 24, 2025
Senate committee hears Boardman testimony ahead of Friday confirmation vote
By Lane Kimble
Kristina Boardman has spent more than two decades working to improve WisDOT from the ground up. She’s also spent a year running the department from the top spot. Still, Boardman feels she’s just getting started.…
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September 24, 2025
NE Region work zone safety event features WTBA-developed billboard
By Lane Kimble
APPLETON -- Bob Ritter had no problem agreeing to be the face of WTBA’s newest work zone safety campaign. He didn’t hesitate when asked if we could plaster a picture of him and sons, Jayden…
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September 19, 2025
A company first: Rock Roads combines 24-foot paver with echelon to tackle I-43 night work
By Lane Kimble
GLENDALE, Wis. -- After 30 years in the industry, the term “first time” doesn’t enter Louie Chaplinski’s vocabulary very often. So, would the Rock Roads paving operations manager feel anxious trying a concept for the…
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September 18, 2025
WisDOT updates guidance after removing 3M tape from APL
By Lane Kimble
Two weeks after removing 3M striping tape from its Approved Products List, WisDOT is issuing updated guidance, giving contractors several options. For projects let prior to September 2025, contractors can: Continue to use previously approved…
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September 12, 2025
‘Sweet’ smell of success: Michels crews prepare to open Northland Ave DDI over I-41
By Lane Kimble
GRAND CHUTE, Wis. -- There will be a literal sense of accomplishment when the Highway 15/Northland Avenue diverging diamond interchange near Appleton opens to traffic on Monday. Maybe it’s a “scent” of accomplishment, too. “I…
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September 12, 2025
Rock Roads golf outing provides perfect mix of charity and fellowship
By Lane Kimble
JANESVILLE, Wis. -- Rock Road Companies' annual golf outing raises thousands of dollars for charity every year. That alone would be enough to do it over and over again. It's also a fantastic opportunity to…
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September 10, 2025
Consultants dive into Design Build legislation during quarterly meeting
By Lane Kimble
Design Build can be a powerful tool in the toolbox for WisDOT and contractors when it’s set up appropriately. WTBA is working with the department and industry partners to introduce legislation this fall that does…
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September 10, 2025
Full-weekend directional freeway closures coming to I-41/894 in Milwaukee County
By Lane Kimble
Construction crews will put in some very long days (and nights) the next several weekends as WisDOT leans on a proven method to get a lot of paving done in a short period of time.…
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September 9, 2025
WTBA signs coalition letter supporting I-94 expansion study in western Waukesha County
By Lane Kimble
Glance at either side of I-94 in western Waukesha County and you’ll quickly notice there’s been a massive amount of growth. There’s a Fleet Farm, a Roundy’s distribution hub, large scale housing projects, a major…
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September 7, 2025
WTBA-led tour shows how Zenith Tech is bridging the gap between Dane, Sauk counties
By Lane Kimble
SAUK CITY, Wis. -- Karen DeSanto apologized, being the last one to arrive Friday morning. The state representative from Baraboo had gone to the Dane County side of the Wisconsin River, figuring that’s where her…
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September 7, 2025
Expansion on the Horizon: Initial I-94 East-West lets coming Tuesday
By Lane Kimble
Years of research, public meetings, and planning will become something tangible next week as WisDOT opens the first two significant portions of the I-94 East-West expansion for bids. The Sept. 9 let features items 006…
Read MoreSeptember 6, 2025
WisDOT removes 3M striping tape from Approved Products List
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…
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September 5, 2025
WTBA Associate Council gains, shares valuable insights during September meeting
By Lane Kimble
MIDDLETON, Wis. -- You can pack a lot of beneficial information into a one-hour meeting when you have the right group of people together. The WTBA Associate Council both absorbed and shared a wealth of…
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September 4, 2025
Construction Suicide Prevention Week begins Monday; conversations key to saving lives
By Lane Kimble
Talk is cheap, the saying goes, but talking is an invaluable resource that may save lives in an industry hit especially hard by suicides. Next week, Sept. 8-12, marks Construction Suicide Prevention Week. More construction…
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September 3, 2025
SPREAD THE WORD: 2026 WTBA Scholarship applications now open
By Lane Kimble
Chances are you can think of an exceptional intern or student you’ve mentored in the transportation construction industry. A financial boost may propel them to one day become an exceptional colleague. Applications opened Tuesday for…
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September 2, 2025
Larger than Life: WTBA’s work zone safety billboard featuring paving foreman’s kids gets TV attention
By Lane Kimble
KAUKAUNA, Wis. -- Bob Ritter–like any dad with young kids–seems larger than life to his family. Now, Ritter’s sons can say the same of themselves. Since late-July, two 14x48-foot billboards along I-41 near Appleton featuring…
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August 28, 2025
WATCH: Versatile WTBA members show they can go with the flow at dam groundbreaking
By Lane Kimble
ROTHSCHILD, Wis. -- To the untrained eye, the Rothschild dam looks like a dam should, steadily controlling the flow of the Wisconsin River. To an expert, though? You’d better look again. The western portion of…
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August 26, 2025
Highway 28 tour gives WTBA members chance to touch base with Sen. LeMahieu, Rep. Brill
By Lane Kimble
SHEBOYGAN COUNTY -- The fresh asphalt radiated heat, temping at more than 200 degrees moments after the paver rolled by. State Sen. Devin LeMahieu bent down and gently placed his palm on the surface. “I’ve…
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August 22, 2025
How do you beat the heat? ARTBA wants to know as it prepares final comments on OSHA rule
By Lane Kimble
As the dog days of summer wind down, efforts to convince OSHA to significantly revise an overly broad “heat rule” are ramping up. ARTBA put out a last call for responses to OSHA’s list of…
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August 21, 2025
Long-term ramp closures coming to Hale Interchange
By Lane Kimble
Several busy freeway ramps in Milwaukee County will soon close, lasting into the fall. WisDOT announced Thursday the I-894 westbound-to-I-43 southbound ramp will close Tuesday, Sept. 2 by 9 p.m. The I-43 northbound-to-I-894 eastbound ramp…
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August 20, 2025
We want YOU at the WTBA Fall Meeting Sept. 25
By Lane Kimble
People sitting in a ballroom at Monona Terrace on Sept. 25 will get a leg up on their competition headed into 2026. Make sure you don’t miss your chance to do the same. More than…
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August 8, 2025
Design Build legislation on track for introduction this fall; WisDOT thanks WTBA for efforts
By Lane Kimble
After years of hard work and negotiations by WTBA staff, its members, consultant partners, and WisDOT, a formal piece of legislation opening the state to Design Build is nearly at hand. WisDOT Assistant Deputy Secretary…
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August 6, 2025
Jim Peterson nominated for ARTBA Board of Directors post
By Lane Kimble
One of the WTBA’s most well known and long-serving members will likely get the chance to continue to serve the industry he loves on a national level. James Peterson Sons, Inc. chairman Jim Peterson is…
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August 6, 2025
I-94 East-West price increases due to utility negotiations, TPC report says
By Lane Kimble
Utility negotiations drove up the anticipated cost of the I-94 East-West Corridor expansion by about $150 million. The project, which will expand about 3 ½ miles of outdated, dangerous, and crowded interstate in Milwaukee County…
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August 5, 2025
Wisconsin resumes accepting EV charging station applications; new due date Sept. 5
By Lane Kimble
Applications are back open for the next round of grants to build out Wisconsin’s electric vehicle charging network, which in turn could bolster the state’s Transportation Fund. WisDOT paused accepting WEVI Round 1.5 grant applications…
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August 1, 2025
State Rep. Mursau in awe with IGE’s ‘mind-blowing’ US 8 reconstruction in Forest Co.
By Lane Kimble
CRANDON, Wis. -- Riding shotgun in a white pickup truck Thursday morning, Jeff Mursau repeatedly shared his amazement and wonder as he looked around. “The amount of equipment and the amount of yards that they’re…
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August 1, 2025
Asked and Answered: Lunda Construction’s Greenwood bridge replacement piques lawmakers’ curiosity during summer tour
By Lane Kimble
GREENWOOD, Wis. -- You might have mistaken State Sen. Jesse James and State Rep. Karen Hurd for newspaper reporters Thursday afternoon. They fired off question after question about staging, cost, safety measures, cranes and drill…
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July 29, 2025
WTBA Board Vice President leans into logic during Northwest Region’s work zone awareness event
By Lane Kimble
SUPERIOR, Wis. -- The mind of an engineer often goes to math and analytics. Lunda Construction Vice President Mike Hahn crunched some numbers, pondering why drivers will accept completely stopping at red lights but not…
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July 25, 2025
Evers decides not to run for re-election, leaving legacy of strong transportation support
By Lane Kimble
The 2025-27 state budget, which provided about $200 million in new transportation revenue and kept some hugely significant construction projects on schedule, will be Gov. Tony Evers’ final one. The two-term governor announced Thursday he…
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July 25, 2025
Work Zone Safety Task Force introduced to audible attenuator warning system
By Lane Kimble
A new work zone warning alarm doesn’t sound like a police car or fire truck. That’s by design. Instead, it’s set to the same frequency at which babies cry, tapping into drivers’ subconscious to make them…
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July 23, 2025
A candid discussion with the industry’s most influential introvert: EJP joins WTBA podcast
By Lane Kimble
It wouldn’t be hyperbole to say Eric Petersen is a master of his trade. Through more than 20 years of challenging (and, at times, frustrating) work, Petersen has become the go-to industry advocate for WTBA-related…
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July 22, 2025
A Transformational Tour: WTBA guides lawmakers through up-close visit of I-41 reconstruction work
By Lane Kimble
APPLETON, Wis. -- The Ballard Road Interchange portion of the massive I-41 reconstruction project looks like your typical large-scale work zone. You see heavy machinery moving dirt, cranes lifting metal, and crews laying concrete nearby.…
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July 18, 2025
GALLERY: Picture-perfect Golf Outing draws huge crowd, crafts memories for years to come
By Lane Kimble
“This is the best outing ever.” Think we made that up? Just ask Jim Ban with Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers. He’ll vouch for that quote. A picture-perfect day at Trappers Turn Golf Course in Wisconsin Dells…
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July 16, 2025
‘A huge undertaking’: WTBA members’ work celebrated with I-43 North-South ribbon cutting
By Lane Kimble
RIVER HILLS, Wis. -- You kind of assume a massive 14-mile freeway expansion would require a lot of people and companies to get the job done. Indeed, the I-43 North-South project "thank you" sheet proudly…
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July 12, 2025
IGE teams with Forest County Potawatomi to reconstruct a path through ‘God’s Country’
By Lane Kimble
CRANDON, Wis. -- Towering maples, oaks, and pines cover steep hills running down to deep blue lakes. There’s a reason they call this God’s Country. And Becky Woller absolutely loves it. “Beautiful,” Woller summarized her…
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July 9, 2025
Newly signed state budget provides big boost to transportation funding with more work ahead
By Lane Kimble
MADISON, Wis. -- Mick Jagger has reminded us for 56 years, “You can’t always get what you want, but if you try sometimes… you get what you need.” Such is the case with last week’s…
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July 8, 2025
A sight to see in Stoughton: WTBA, JPS lead State Senator on tour of Highway 51 reconstruct
By Lane Kimble
STOUGHTON, Wis. -- Brian Wipf had just one hour to introduce, inform, and inspire a state senator while walking through an active construction site Monday afternoon. Not a problem for a guy used to speaking…
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July 7, 2025
Edgerton high schooler hopes to use Work Zone Safe scholarship to help earn surgical degree
By Lane Kimble
Miles Miller enjoys getting around by foot, spending a lot of time exploring nature and hiking. But the Edgerton High School sophomore also wants his driver’s license. It all begins and ends with a road,…
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July 6, 2025
Nominations for Vets Ready Employer status open through July 18
By Lane Kimble
Does your company go above and beyond in hiring, supporting, and promoting veterans? The state of Wisconsin wants to recognize you for those honorable efforts. The Department of Workforce Development is accepting nominations for its…
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July 6, 2025
Three WTBA-member employees win Daily Reporter’s ‘Women in Construction’ awards
By Lane Kimble
Winning an award, trophy or plaque is nice, but it’s even more special knowing someone felt strongly enough to nominate you. Three people working for WTBA member companies will get to celebrate all of that…
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June 27, 2025
Perseverance through Pain: Injured Arrow-Crete worker urges drivers to slow down, pay attention in work zones
By Lane Kimble
WAUKESHA -- Kyle Perkins doesn’t move as well as he used to. The leg braces, cane, and ever-present pain slow him down. “These are just the physical injuries that people, when they look at me,…
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June 26, 2025
Work Zone Safe Wisconsin Scholarship Winners
By Lane Kimble
“It wasn’t just a loss for our family, it was a loss for so many people. No families, no communities, no companies should have to go through this.” - Becki Slater, mother of Zane Reilly. …
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June 25, 2025
Work Zone Safe Wisconsin highlighted at annual ARTBA executive directors conference
By Lane Kimble
Where Wisconsin leads, the rest of the nation may follow when it comes to teaching people about work zone safety. Tom Robins, founder of Work Zone Safe, celebrated WTBA’s efforts to become just the second…
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June 24, 2025
‘Something’s got to give’: Transportation chair talks funding options on Sunday news show
By Lane Kimble
State Sen. Cory Tomczyk recognizes the problem: we can’t rely forever on one-time fixes to fill a billion-dollar transportation funding hole. Solving that problem moving forward, however, remains elusive. “Something’s got to give. Something has…
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June 20, 2025
Deja vu for the paving crews: Return of I-894 blitz helps WTBA members put finishing touches on major project
By Lane Kimble
GREENFIELD, Wis. -- Interstate 894 in Milwaukee County transformed almost overnight this past weekend. What had been a stretch of cracked and pothole-filled roadway is now nearly four miles of fresh, incredibly smooth pavement. Magic? …
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June 13, 2025
Share your thoughts: South Bridge Connector public hearing set for July 9
By Lane Kimble
In order to build a new $56 million bridge that better connects and clears up congestion in the Fox Valley, Brown County leaders need to hear from you first. The county will hold a public…
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June 11, 2025
NEW POD: Build up to the Big Gig
By Lane Kimble
You can expect to see a good deal of extra traffic flowing through I-794 and the connecting Hoan Bridge over the next several weekends in Milwaukee. Summerfest returns for its 57th year starting Thursday, June…
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June 10, 2025
All-time-high tourism in 2024 generates $1.7 billion in state, local revenue
By Lane Kimble
More than 114 million people visited Wisconsin in 2024, helping the state smash not only one but three tourism-related records. Tourism in 2024 had a $25.8 billion overall economic impact and generated about $1.7 billion…
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