November 26, 2024
Record-setting travel predicted for Thanksgiving weekend as construction winds down
By Lane Kimble
The roads and bridges WTBA members design, build, and maintain will be quite busy this holiday weekend. AAA predicts 1.6 million people in Wisconsin will travel at least 50 miles, which is a new record. …
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November 22, 2024
FHWA issues nationwide DBE guidance for contractors, DOTs following lawsuit
By Lane Kimble
State DOTs and contractors should prepare to see Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) goals on some projects fall to 0%, at least for now. That’s based on new guidance the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) issued this…
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November 20, 2024
Operating Engineers draw hundreds for “top-notch” fall Externship Days
By Lane Kimble
COLOMA, Wis. -- The alarm clocks went off well before sunrise Tuesday morning in Peshtigo. Yawning, a group of high schoolers was out the door and on the road by 6:30 a.m. Not a bad…
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November 19, 2024
Former Wisconsin Congressman Sean Duffy set to become next Transportation Secretary
By Lane Kimble
President-elect Donald Trump aims to focus on building roads, bridges, and airports during his second administration and he believes a former Wisconsin Congressman is the man to lead that charge. Trump announced Sean Duffy as…
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November 13, 2024
State’s first major Design Build project produces “spectacular” Lone Rock bridges
By Lane Kimble
LONE ROCK, Wis. -- Two beautiful new bridges spanning a scenic stretch of the Wisconsin River in southwest Wisconsin are something of a dichotomy. They’re built to last a very long time. And yet, the…
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November 12, 2024
WTBA’s Grove offers municipalities sage advice on crafting attractive bids, successful projects
By Lane Kimble
WTBA provides its members in the field–contractors, laborers, and engineers–with a lot of guidance, advice, and expertise every year. Sometimes, it pays to help guide project owners, too. Matt Grove, Director of Engineering and Construction…
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November 8, 2024
FHWA updates work zone safety rules for first time in two decades
By Lane Kimble
For the first time in 20 years, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is changing certain rules to try to prevent work zone crashes, injuries and deaths. FHWA updated its Work Zone Safety and Mobility Rule…
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November 7, 2024
Wisconsin Republicans hold onto Senate, Assembly despite losses in redrawn districts
By Lane Kimble
A lawmaker from the Northwoods who prefers people just call her Mary–not “Senator”--will preside over the new state Senate. Thursday, Senate Republicans elected Sen. Mary Felzkowski (R-Irma) as president, replacing Sen. Chris Kapenga, who opted…
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November 6, 2024
Century Traffic worker killed in crash while working on I-90
By Lane Kimble
A late-night crash leaves a wife without her husband, coworkers without their friend and colleague, and an industry with a hole in its collective heart. Andrew Skupniewitz, a pavement grooving operator for Century Traffic, was…
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November 4, 2024
Federal judge expands DBE ruling to more states; Wisconsin still not impacted
By Lane Kimble
A federal court ruling against the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program now touches many more states, but it still does not impact work in Wisconsin at this time. Late last week, the Wisconsin Institute for…
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November 1, 2024
WisDOT releases corrected FY2025 projected quantities spreadsheet
By Lane Kimble
WisDOT is providing WTBA and other industry leaders this week with a corrected version of projected quantities. The Department says it accidentally flip-flopped asphalt milling and concrete grinding quantity columns when staff first released the…
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October 18, 2024
WisDOT publicly releases 2025 projected lets & quantities
By Lane Kimble
Expect a significant number of additional road projects in 2025 but not a big increase in materials. That’s the takeaway from projected lets and quantities WisDOT shared with WTBA this week. Department leaders highlighted much…
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October 18, 2024
“I really have to say… thank you”: Construction company president hopes sharing near-death story helps Heart Association save lives
By Lane Kimble
MADISON, Wis. -- Late one Friday night last summer, Carl Johnson woke up in agony. “I’m on the floor on my hands and knees clutching my chest with just the worst chest pain you’ve ever…
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October 11, 2024
Lawry named new WisDOT Deputy Secretary
By Lane Kimble
MADISON, Wis. -- Decades of service and hard work in the Wisconsin Department of Transportation have paid off for Scott Lawry. Monday afternoon, WisDOT Secretary Kristina Boardman named Lawry as the new Deputy Secretary. Lawry…
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October 10, 2024
UHPC is a sight to see: Lunda, MCC handle first-ever bridge deck pouring in Wisconsin
By Lane Kimble
FOND DU LAC, Wis. -- The descriptions were wide ranging. “Very odd… like glue,” Berl Bolle said. Brad Diener chose a different analogy. “If you’ve got children, it’s very similar to kinetic sand,” Diener explained.…
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October 9, 2024
Boosted infrastructure funding part of estimated $1.5 billion in shared revenue payments
By Lane Kimble
Communities across Wisconsin should receive a combined $281 million more to improve infrastructure and pay for essential public services. That’s a piece of an estimated $1.5 billion overall in shared revenue for 2025, which Gov.…
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October 4, 2024
“We’ve got big things to do”: Fall Meeting offers valuable insights, perspective headed into 2025
By Lane Kimble
MADISON, Wis. -- The next 12 months bring the opportunity to work on around 400 new projects and the potential for a massive 67-mile freeway expansion to get the green light. Meanwhile, there’s a significant…
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October 4, 2024
August Work Zone Safe Wisconsin scholarship winner receives check during Fall Meeting
By Lane Kimble
Carter Roberts can’t test for his driver’s license for a while. He has just two of the 50 behind-the-wheel practice hours required. But the one hour he recently spent learning about the men and women…
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October 3, 2024
WTBA Board approves three new members
By Lane Kimble
The three newest WTBA members–including a grading and excavation firm, an equipment auction house, and a leadership and business skills training consultant–show the value in being part of a diverse and growing association. Tuesday, the…
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October 1, 2024
Walbec Group’s freeway paving “blitz” pays off on I-894
By Lane Kimble
MILWAUKEE -- On paper, the idea sounds like a commuter’s worst nightmare: fully close one direction of interstate that carries about 128,000 vehicles a day around Milwaukee for an entire weekend to repave it. Then……
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October 1, 2024
DBE Roundtable provides valuable insights, connects primes with up-and-comers
By Lane Kimble
WISCONSIN DELLS, Wis. -- The timing of a federal court ruling against the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program four days earlier was purely coincidental, but it generated buzz among people gathered in Wisconsin Dells for…
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September 27, 2024
Federal judge rules against DBE program; broad effects remain unclear
By Lane Kimble
A federal judge this week ruled against the federal government’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program following a lawsuit by a conservative Wisconsin-based organization. The Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty (WILL) lawsuit in the Eastern…
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September 26, 2024
A Tale of Three Challenges: JPS crews race against calendar on US 53
By Lane Kimble
CHIPPEWA FALLS, Wis. -- For the next few weeks, you’ll have to forgive Paul Church if he’s a little preoccupied. “When Mother Nature’s on your side, you can get a lot done," the project manager…
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September 25, 2024
Hoffman Construction Company, president honored as “Patriotic Employer”
By Lane Kimble
BLACK RIVER FALLS, Wis. -- A WTBA-member company’s commitment to supporting U.S. veterans earned it some special recognition this week. The Department of Defense honored Hoffman Construction and company president Chris Goss as a “Patriotic…
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September 20, 2024
More than 150 members enjoy clays, company, conditions at Fall Shoot
By Lane Kimble
CASCADE, Wis. -- The Fall Sporting Clays Tournament may not have exactly lived up to its name (“Summer Sporting Clays” would’ve been more appropriate given the clear skies and very warm conditions) but that didn’t…
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September 19, 2024
New TRIP report: 18% of state’s rural roads in poor condition
By Lane Kimble
There’s nothing lucky about Wisconsin’s 13th-worst ranking among states for rural road conditions. TRIP, the non-profit organization that studies surface transportation across the country, released its Rural Roads & Bridges reportThursday morning. It found 18%…
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September 19, 2024
Dougherty takes HNTB Wisconsin Office reins, Kressin named GRAEF’s new president
By Lane Kimble
The changing seasons are bringing change to the top of two WTBA Consultant member companies. HNTB named T.J. Dougherty the new head of its Wisconsin Office on Wednesday. Dougherty most recently served as HNTB’s Wisconsin…
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September 13, 2024
Boardman lays out priorities as WisDOT’s new secretary
By Lane Kimble
WisDOT’s new leader intends to focus on transportation funding and embracing technology as she takes office. Kristina Boardman replaced former Secretary Craig Thompson, who left the department after more than five years for a job…
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September 13, 2024
Wisconsin’s state highway quality ranked 40th, new report shows
By Lane Kimble
A new report shows Wisconsin’s state highway system is falling behind the nation in terms of quality. Wisconsin dropped to 40th in the country for highways the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) rates as being in…
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September 12, 2024
Three member companies slated to win national concrete awards
By Lane Kimble
Three WTBA-member concrete companies are guaranteed to win either gold or silver awards on the national level later this year. The Wisconsin Concrete Pavement Association (WCPA) announced Vinton Construction, Parisi, and Trierweiler Companies are nominees…
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September 10, 2024
Wisconsin airports getting $34 million for rehab work, upgrades
By Lane Kimble
A handful of Wisconsin airports will upgrade and fix runways, taxiways, and terminals thanks to $34 million in federal funding announced this week. Dane County Regional in Madison is getting the most, at $5.9 million…
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September 10, 2024
“Talk about it”: Operator’s family hopes sharing tragedy saves lives
By Lane Kimble
EPWORTH, Iowa -- Ty Kronlage loved being outdoors, was popular with his friends and colleagues, and was committed to his job as an operator with Top Grade Excavating; following in his father's footsteps to join…
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September 6, 2024
OSHA accepting your “Heat Rule” comments through Dec. 30
By Lane Kimble
If it goes into effect, a new federal rule would set universal heat-related requirements for contractors and other employers. The American Road and Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) wants to hear your thoughts before that happens.…
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September 6, 2024
‘The privilege of my lifetime’: Sec. Thompson thanks family, staff, industry at farewell party
By Lane Kimble
MADISON, Wis. -- Craig Thompson knew exactly where to start this time as he faced the crowd, even without a script. The outgoing WisDOT secretary retold the story of his introductory press conference in Madison…
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September 6, 2024
New report shows some progress in fixing state’s bridges; much more work needed
By Lane Kimble
Contractors and WisDOT have put a dent in the number of bridges in poor or worse condition in Wisconsin over the past few years, but a lot more work–and money to support it–is needed. That’s…
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Record-setting $8.7 billion August Redistribution highlights growing federal funding headache
By Lane Kimble
Wisconsin is about to receive more than $200 million in federal Highway Trust Fund money, but it can’t go to traditional road and bridge projects and needs to be spent quickly. The state’s portion of…
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September 4, 2024
WTBA members win five “Newsmakers of the Year” awards
By Lane Kimble
It’s one thing to be considered one of the best within your company. Getting recognized as one of the best across the entire state is even more special. The Daily Reporter’s 2024 Newsmakers of the…
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August 31, 2024
Zoo’s North Leg project wins regional safety award; in running for national title
By Lane Kimble
Good things come to those who wait. Nearly a year after finishing their work and cutting the ribbon on the last stretch of the massive Zoo Interchange Project, prime contractor Michels Road & Stone and…
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August 30, 2024
NFL accepting applications from veteran-, minority-owned businesses to provide 2025 Draft services in Green Bay
By Lane Kimble
There’s bound to be a lot of attention, interest, and eyes on Green Bay next spring when the city and the Packers organization host the 2025 NFL Draft. With that comes ample opportunity for Wisconsin…
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August 30, 2024
Century Traffic hires longtime Vollrath, Harley executive to replace retiring president Tim McChesney
By Lane Kimble
PEWAUKEE, Wis. -- Changes atop a WTBA member company brings a new leader with decades of noteworthy experience. Century Companies announced Thursday it hired Beth Truett as Century Traffic’s new president. Truett replaces Tim McChesney,…
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August 23, 2024
Hoffman, Antigo Construction join forces to demonstrate how recycling materials makes for a “win-win-win”
By Lane Kimble
RICE LAKE, Wis. -- All this spring and summer, hundreds of piles of rubble – looking like small pyramids – dotted the side of US Highway 53 in northwest Wisconsin. Those piles are quickly disappearing,…
Read MoreAugust 22, 2024
Wisconsin awarded $177 million for mid-to-large community transportation projects
By Lane Kimble
Another 76 local transportation projects in Wisconsin will get a boost from federal funding. Thursday afternoon, Gov. Evers' office announced the state received $177 million for its next allotment of Bipartisan Infrastructure Law money. The…
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August 19, 2024
Thompson leaving WisDOT in Sept., Boardman to replace as secretary
By Lane Kimble
MADISON, Wis. -- After serving as a consistent and level-headed leader through nearly six years of progress, change, and challenges, WisDOT Secretary Craig Thompson is, himself, leaving the department. Thompson is taking the job of…
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August 16, 2024
“Really remarkable”: US Labor Secretary impressed with Walbec Group’s safety commitment during Franklin Quarry tour
By Lane Kimble
FRANKLIN, Wis. -- The anticipation was building. “You may be able to feel the air blast, like a thunderstorm.” A few seconds later a puff of rock, dust, and debris expanded in the distance, then…
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August 15, 2024
Project manager’s wife, baby daughter help drive home NE Region work zone safety message
By Lane Kimble
APPLETON, Wis. -- Just a few lines away from finishing his prepared remarks, Nate Swanke paused and gestured to his left. You could see his eyes well up ever so slightly, but his cadence was…
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August 14, 2024
Second round of ARIP grant applications now open
By Lane Kimble
Communities across Wisconsin can again apply for grants to repair dozens of rural roads, bridges, and culverts, just weeks after the state awarded its first batch of recipients. Monday, Gov. Tony Evers and WisDOT Secretary…
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August 8, 2024
State announces hundreds of LRIP, BIL-funded project approvals
By Lane Kimble
RHINELANDER, Wis. -- Nearly 100 bridges and dozens of rural and local roads in Wisconsin will get repairs thanks to another batch of Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding. Tuesday, Gov. Tony Evers and WisDOT Secretary Craig…
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August 7, 2024
Latest Work Zone Safe scholarship winner proves course valuable at any age
By Lane Kimble
PLATTEVILLE, Wis. -- Between studying finance at UW-Platteville, working a job to pay for school, and preparing for another track and field season, Spencer Thiry doesn’t have a lot of free time on his hands.…
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August 7, 2024
Contractor feedback requested on new OSHA Heat Rule
By Lane Kimble
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- A new OSHA rule aimed at protecting construction workers from heat-related risks is inflexible and overly general, the American Road and Transportation Builders Association says. ARTBA wants your feedback on the “Heat…
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August 7, 2024
WTBA warmly welcomes new Associate member
By Lane Kimble
WTBA’s efforts to improve work zone safety across the state helped bring in a new association member this month. Tuesday, the WTBA Board of Directors unanimously approved accepting CESA 2’s application as an Associate member.…
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