June 9, 2025
New ASP-6 provisions issued, effective Nov. 2025
By Lane Kimble
WisDOT has issued the latest ASP-6 provisions that will be effective with the November 2025 Letting. This list (linked HERE) is subject to change, with updates provided in the future. There will be no Standard…
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June 8, 2025
Feds announce $5.4 billion for bridge repair projects across U.S.
By Lane Kimble
Expect to see a lot of work on improving bridges across the country over the next few years. FHWA announced more than $5 billion in available federal funding for the “tens of thousands of bridges…
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June 7, 2025
Sophomore from small western-Wisconsin school ready to make important work zone safety impact
By Lane Kimble
Fewer than 300 students attend the entire K-12 Wauzeka-Steuben School District in western Wisconsin. But at least one of those students has committed to making a big impact in road safety. Alexa Martin, a sophomore…
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June 6, 2025
Associate member Central Standard moving into Harley-Davidson campus
By Lane Kimble
A WTBA member that crafts spirits, not streets, is making a big move. Central Standard Distillery is consolidating its operations into one 73,000 sq.-ft. space on the Harley-Davidson campus in Milwaukee. The distillery plans to…
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May 30, 2025
DBE program’s future faces uncertainty following new USDOT filing in lawsuit
By Lane Kimble
The long-running Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program could soon look significantly different or end all together. The US DOT filed a document in federal court Wednesday that, if agreed to, would terminate key requirements of…
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May 22, 2025
Tomb guard, world traveler, southern rock lover… there’s a lot to Tim Michels you likely didn’t know
By Lane Kimble
You almost certainly know his name, but how well do you really know Tim Michels? The Michels Corporation owner and vice president has worked hard with his brothers to grow his parents’ business from $150…
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May 21, 2025
Sustainable transportation funding will take ‘tough decisions’ from state lawmakers, Baas tells WisPolitics forum
By Lane Kimble
How do you fix a looming $1 billion transportation budget shortfall? Raise the gas tax? Charge fees based on how many miles you drive? Build tolls? Tap further into the general fund? WTBA Executive Director…
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May 21, 2025
More than 840,000 expected on Wisconsin roads for Memorial Day weekend; use 511 to “know before you go”
By Lane Kimble
The summer travel season is off and running in Wisconsin. The state and AAA expect nearly one million people to travel for the Memorial Day Holiday. Peak travel times began Thursday between 1-9 p.m. WisDOT…
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May 20, 2025
Annual “Lunda Cup” golf outing raises more than $35,000 for suicide prevention
By Lane Kimble
Long pants, winter hats, even a camouflage hunting jacket all were mandatory apparel on the golf course last Saturday. The cold, cloudy day didn’t dampen the spirits, though, for Lunda Construction’s annual charity event, the…
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May 19, 2025
‘Pay attention and slow your life down’: A plea for work zone safety headed into holiday weekend
By Lane Kimble
DEFOREST, Wis. -- Jeff Dudman’s red, white and blue sweatshirt calls on drivers to do two things: “move over and slow down.” The sweatshirt also covers two kinds of pain: physical and emotional. “Now that…
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May 16, 2025
A great day to shoot some clays: Spring Tournament draws sellout crowd for fun-filled afternoon
By Lane Kimble
CASCADE, Wis. -- Most major construction projects require a combination of asphalt, concrete, and well-functioning equipment to get the job done. Fitting, then, a combination of guys from all of those worlds joined forces to…
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May 15, 2025
Eau Claire-area junior wins Work Zone Safe Wisconsin scholarship after taking course on dad’s suggestion
By Lane Kimble
Most teens who take the Work Zone Safe Wisconsin course do so because their driver’s education teacher required it. Not so for our latest scholarship winner. Evalin Hammett, 17, says her dad heard about WTBA’s…
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May 14, 2025
WTBA Environmental Committee covers wide-ranging agenda during Wednesday meeting
By Lane Kimble
WTBA’s largest committee packed a ton of important information and updates into its latest meeting at the WTBA offices this week. The Environmental Committee covered nonmetallic mining regulations, ATCP 93, federal orders and rule changes,…
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May 9, 2025
New WisDOT materials testing policy change in effect with May letting
By Lane Kimble
WisDOT has implemented a materials testing policy change regarding missed Quality Verification (QV) Testing. The policy includes potential loss to contractors if the notification outlined in the document is not provided, prior to the placement of concrete.…
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May 8, 2025
WTBA contingent gains valuable insights, connections at ARTBA Federal Issues Program
By Lane Kimble
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- WTBA’s reach and influence extends well beyond the state’s borders, a fact on display in the Washington, D.C. this week. Executive Director Steve Baas joined former Board presidents Jim Peterson, Jeff Parisi,…
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May 7, 2025
Celebration of life planned Friday for Tim Musson, 73
By Lane Kimble
Timothy David Musson passed away Monday, May 5, 2025 at the age of 73. Tim was owner of the fourth-generation Musson Brothers, Inc., a role he took on when his father passed away in 1982,…
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May 6, 2025
M3 Insurance acquires Babcock Solutions
By Lane Kimble
Two WTBA Associate member companies are combining forces to provide an even better experience for clients. M3 Insurance announced late last month it acquired Babcock Solutions. Brad and Kim Babcock formed the company in 2012…
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May 2, 2025
WTBA members shine in face-to-face Capitol visits, bringing transportation funding focus front and center for lawmakers
By Lane Kimble
MADISON, Wis. -- You don’t simply walk into the state Capitol to talk with lawmakers without some planning and preparation. Thankfully, Zach Dittberner had plenty of both as he rode an elevator to the third…
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May 2, 2025
Associate Council brainstorms ways to better connect members, add new event opportunities
By Lane Kimble
The WTBA Associate Council can’t claim the US Postal Service (or any ancient Greek historians) as a member yet. But “neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night” keeps the Council from gathering.…
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May 2, 2025
A first in decades: House T&I Committee approves potential Highway Trust Fund support through EV fees
By Lane Kimble
The federal Highway Trust Fund could get its most significant shot in the arm in recent history if newly approved legislation becomes law, The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee voted Wednesday to pass a reconciliation…
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May 2, 2025
Wisconsin’s Youth Apprenticeship program breaks enrollment record for fourth-straight year
By Lane Kimble
Wisconsin’s youth apprenticeship program seems to live by the mantra “records are made to be broken.” For the fourth year in a row, the state’s program surpassed the previous year’s high registration numbers. Gov. Tony…
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May 1, 2025
WELCOME! WTBA adds four new members
By Lane Kimble
The WTBA Board of Directors unanimously approved four new members during its bi-monthly meeting Wednesday, adding three Associates and one Consultant member. The additions include Baxter & Woodman Consulting Engineers, High Star Traffic, U.S. Equipment…
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May 1, 2025
Trierweiler superintendent Petit replaces Oppman on WTBA Board of Director
By Lane Kimble
A family-owned central-Wisconsin contractor with more than 100 years of industry experience will maintain a seat on the WTBA Board of Directors. Trierweiler Construction Company Superintendent Nick Petit joined the Board for his first meeting…
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April 25, 2025
‘We lost a teammate, a husband, a son, a brother’: Work Zone Awareness Week begins with powerful story from WTBA member
By Lane Kimble
It wasn’t the whipping wind gusts or windchill in the 30s that made Jason Voelker wish he were someplace else Monday morning. No, it was the two yellow safety vests draped over orange construction cones…
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April 25, 2025
WTBA marks one year anniversary of Work Zone Safe Wisconsin program with scholarship check
By Lane Kimble
MILTON, Wis. -- Some of the safest new drivers on Wisconsin’s roads just might come from Rock County. For the second time since launching Work Zone Safe Wisconsin last spring, the Wisconsin Transportation Builders Association…
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April 24, 2025
Construction Workers’ Memorial processional walk, service honors fallen crew members
By Lane Kimble
MADISON, Wis. -- The drone of bagpipes playing “Amazing Grace” echoed off the buildings around Madison’s Capitol square Thursday afternoon. Behind the players, about 100 people slowly walked in a solemn procession toward St. Patrick’s…
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April 24, 2025
CBG’s annual conference draws big names, inspirational insights
By Lane Kimble
A star-studded cast including Wisconsin’s governor, legislative and industry leaders, and even an NFL Hall of Famer inspired construction workers in Madison this week. The Construction Business Group held its annual meeting Wednesday and Thursday…
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April 23, 2025
Salute to Service: Wisconsin DWD seeking to recognize employers for supporting veterans
By Lane Kimble
Military veterans make up a crucial and dedicated portion of WTBA members’ workforce. Chances are you know several or are a veteran yourself. Wisconsin wants to honor and recognize companies that hire and empower veterans…
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April 18, 2025
WTBA of Tomorrow Council dives into advocacy training ahead of April ‘Day at the Capitol’
By Lane Kimble
Sometimes the quality of your teacher can make or break your understanding and interest in a subject. When your teachers are the likes of Bob Lang, Eric Petersen, Elise Nelson and Steve Baas and the…
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April 18, 2025
A Blast at the Ballpark: Annual Brewers Outing draws nearly 280 members
By Lane Kimble
MILWAUKEE -- The buzz and laughter from good conversations paused briefly in the Northwestern Mutual Legends Club suite Wednesday afternoon. WTBA members removed their hats, looked at the flag, and placed their hands over their…
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April 11, 2025
WTBA’s Baas stresses importance of transportation, funding on Milwaukee to Madison “City Exchange”
By Lane Kimble
MADISON, Wis. -- As the coach bus rolled smoothly westbound on I-94 Thursday morning, Steve Baas pondered the analogy he was about to deliver to the group riding on it, hoping they understood its weight.…
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April 10, 2025
‘Feels like Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood’: State Senator’s interest piqued on immersive Wingra Stone tour
By Lane Kimble
FITCHBURG, Wis. -- There was no red trolly, no one wearing a zippered knit sweater with sneakers, and no puppeteers. And yet Wednesday, State Sen. Dianne Hesselbein felt a bit like Mr. Rogers. “I just…
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April 9, 2025
ARTBA seeks contractor feedback on OSHA Heat Rule ahead of possible Trump admin. decision
By Lane Kimble
OSHA’s proposed heat rule may be on ice but hasn’t been thrown out of the freezer just yet. The American Road and Transportation Builders Association wants your input on the proposal as the Trump administration…
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April 9, 2025
Work Zone Awareness Week coming April 21; WisDOT holding kickoff event
By Lane Kimble
The risk the men and women who build and maintain our roads and bridges face every day became especially apparent in 2024. Two construction workers from WTBA companies were hit and killed in separate crashes…
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April 4, 2025
Laying the Groundwork: Baas, Nelson join TDA at D.C. Fly-In for Congressional discussions
By Lane Kimble
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The quote is about 2,500 years old but the message is as relevant now as ever. "Every battle is won before it's ever fought." Duly noted, Sun Tzu. WTBA put in critical…
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April 4, 2025
New WTBA Board President joins the pod (Episode 2 out today!)
By Lane Kimble
Having freshly turned 40, Dan Zignego has already accomplished a lot in his life. He’s happily married, is president of a major player in the concrete paving industry, and just became the new WTBA Board…
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April 3, 2025
Duffy tells Senate Committee it’s time to ‘cut the red tape’ to get transportation projects going
By Lane Kimble
Most jobs give you a little time to settle in, train, and get up to speed. Not so for Sean Duffy. He has a backlog of more than 3,200 potential construction projects across the country…
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April 1, 2025
Evers announces $2 million in grants for pre-disaster infrastructure studies and work
By Lane Kimble
Historic flooding like what happened to Lake Delton in 2008, the Bad River Reservation in far-northern Wisconsin in 2016, and central and western Wisconsin in 2018 can wipe out roads, culverts, dams, and homes. Wisconsin…
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March 27, 2025
US infrastructure earns overall C on ASCE report card; roads need more investments
By Lane Kimble
Finding a C on a report card might not thrill most parents, but that grade actually marks a slight improvement for the United States’ infrastructure systems. The American Society of Civil Engineers released its 2025…
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March 25, 2025
Nine WTBA members named ‘Top Workplaces’ in greater Madison area
By Lane Kimble
WTBA member companies tend to be great places to work. Nine of them are now getting statewide attention for being some of the best places to work in the Madison area. The Wisconsin State Journal…
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March 20, 2025
Leo Frigo Bridge one of 68 nationwide needing ‘vulnerability assessment,’ NTSB says
By Lane Kimble
GREEN BAY, Wis. -- A Wisconsin bridge needs a "vulnerability assessment" following the deadly Key Bridge crash in Baltimore last year. The National Transportation Safety Board on Thursday listed the Leo Frigo Bridge in Green…
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Major work resuming on I-41 expansion throughout Fox Valley
By Lane Kimble
WTBA member companies will help deliver some big progress in 2025 for the major I-41 expansion in the Fox Valley. Starting Monday, March 24 the Vandenbroek Road overpass will close for demolition and reconstruction. Crews…
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March 20, 2025
DMV now offering teens option to take knowledge test online
By Lane Kimble
Teenagers working toward their driver’s license can now accomplish a mandatory step anywhere, anytime. The Division of Motor Vehicles announced Friday it launched an online option for students to take their knowledge test. The test…
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March 19, 2025
Blackout to generate green? Senator reintroduces special Wisc. license plates
By Lane Kimble
New license plates in Wisconsin wouldn’t just catch your eye, they could capture millions of dollars for the Transportation Fund. The so-called “blackout plates” would feature an all-black background with white letters. The bill, introduced…
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March 19, 2025
JFC announces 4 public budget listening sessions
By Lane Kimble
Next month brings one of the best chances to ensure lawmakers who are crafting the next state budget hear your voice. The Wisconsin Joint Committee on Finance (JFC) announced four all-day budget listening sessions across…
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March 18, 2025
Evers to Duffy: Clear up federal funding uncertainty
By Lane Kimble
Gov. Tony Evers leaned into DOT Secretary Sean Duffy’s Wisconsin heritage this week, calling on him to ensure federally funded projects in the Badger State aren’t delayed or outright canceled. Evers sent a letter Thursday…
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March 14, 2025
I-43 expansion providing safer, smoother experience, data show
By Lane Kimble
The selling point of expanding and rebuilding I-43 north of Milwaukee–one of the busiest routes in the state–was a safer, smoother ride. As that huge project nears completion, the safety aspect appears to be right…
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March 13, 2025
WTBA launches first-ever podcast, ‘Road Trippin”
By Lane Kimble
WTBA Executive Director Steve Baas is fond of reminding us, “No matter where you’re headed, it all begins and ends with a road.” That mantra (or, “Baas-ism”) not only inspires association staff, it’s the theme…
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March 7, 2025
Inspired by past presidents, new WTBA of Tomorrow chairman ready to lead & learn
By Lane Kimble
As four past WTBA Board presidents shared stories and advice with Annual Convention attendees last week, Zach Dittberner was paying close attention. “They gave me inspiration to strive to do more in our industry,” Dittberner…
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March 6, 2025
Brookfield East sophomore wins $500 monthly work zone safety scholarship
By Lane Kimble
The monthly Work Zone Safe Wisconsin scholarship winners truly are chosen at random, so it’s rewarding and fun to see a WTBA member’s child collect the $500 prize. Milana Koutnik, a sophomore at Brookfield East…
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