April 5, 2024
Communication, training key to utility compensation success, WisDOT tells WTBA Board
By Lane Kimble
MADISON, Wis. -- Change is hard. The new utility compensable delay bill the WTBA helped usher into law this legislative season is no exception to that rule. However, WisDOT says it’s committed to ensuring that…
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April 5, 2024
First $50 million of ARIP funding coming, but when and where?
By Lane Kimble
Some of the work to repair dozens – if not hundreds – of rural roads across Wisconsin could begin later this year. Key word being: some. Applications for the first $50 million of new Agricultural…
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March 29, 2024
Interchange with Integrity: How WTBA members are tackling key deadline head-on
By Lane Kimble
LODI, Wis. -- It feels a bit like deja vu for Becky Woller’s Integrity Grading & Excavating crews: shift interstate traffic to the other side of the freeway, tear down a bridge, and build a…
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March 23, 2024
Gov. Evers signs WTBA-backed EV, construction equipment sales tax bills
By Lane Kimble
MADISON, Wis. -- Placing ink on paper, Gov. Tony Evers helped place a new revenue stream in the state’s Transportation Fund. Evers signed SB791 and SB792 in his Capitol office Wednesday morning, surrounded by stakeholders,…
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March 21, 2024
Baas, Nelson join WTBA members for ‘whirlwind’ D.C. Fly-In
By Lane Kimble
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- When you get the chance to bend the ear of Wisconsin’s political leaders and express the importance of transportation funding, you take it – even if that means traveling 700 miles. This…
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March 15, 2024
On the Record: Feds sign “ROD” approving I-94 East-West Corridor expansion
By Lane Kimble
MADISON, Wis. -- A busy and often backed-up section of freeway in Milwaukee is about to see a lot of construction activity over the next five years. Friday, WisDOT announced it received a Record of…
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March 14, 2024
Senate approves EV & road construction sales tax bills, sends to Evers for signature
By Lane Kimble
MADISON, Wis. -- Legislation that would allow private businesses to sell electricity for EVs while funneling a portion of those sales into the Transportation fund is headed to Governor Tony Evers’ desk for his signature.…
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March 13, 2024
Operating Engineers Local 139 tour shows importance of strong partnership with contractors
By Lane Kimble
COLOMA, Wis. -- Carved out of the woods and sandy soils of central Wisconsin, the Operating Engineers Local 139 Training Center has stood for nearly 50 years. Last Friday marked the first time the center…
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March 11, 2024
March 12 let first to feature load e-ticketing pilot
By Lane Kimble
A pair of project proposals in next Tuesday’s letting will include something new: requirements to report some load tickets electronically. WisDOT is launching its e-ticketing pilot program Tuesday, March 12. The initial year's tests will run…
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March 1, 2024
WisDOT seeking LOI for new Design-Build project
By Lane Kimble
Contractors interested in showing the potential benefits of Design-Build can demonstrate that desire to WisDOT over the next month. This week, WisDOT opened a request for letters of interest (LOI) to use Design-Build to repair…
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March 1, 2024
WTBA members recognized for going “above and beyond” DBE program goals
By Lane Kimble
WISCONSIN DELLS, Wis. -- Every successful transportation project relies on a firm foundation of trust and communication between prime and subcontractors, which is built over years. Many new and small, minority-owned subcontractors are working hard…
Read MoreFebruary 29, 2024
2024 WTBA Annual Convention Slide Decks and Videos
By Lane Kimble
Florida DOT & Local Contractors - Rebuilding the Sanibel Causeway After Hurricane Ian Tina Nazier - Breaking the Engagement Barrier Zoran Jovic - Reducing the Risk of a Cyber Attack WTBA Staff Update: How New…
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February 23, 2024
Scholarship Auction generates record-setting $277,000 for TEF
By Lane Kimble
CHARLOTTE HARBOR, Fla. -- First, the cheers were for Fabick Cat’s Andy Coté, who won a South Dakota pheasant hunt thanks to the persistent paddle raising of a Ramthun grandchild on his shoulder. Moments later,…
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February 23, 2024
WTBA President Endres ‘energized’ and ready to roll in new role
By Lane Kimble
New WTBA President Brian Endres wants to clear something up: He and Brian Enders are friends, coworkers, and vice presidents within The Walbec Group. However, they are two completely separate people. It's probably not the…
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February 23, 2024
“We are so strong as one”: Memorable Annual Convention jump starts 2024 season
By Lane Kimble
CHARLOTTE HARBOR, Fla. -- The theme may have been “Build the Road Tour,” but the 2024 WTBA Annual Convention built something even greater: strength and unity. “You come together as one, we are so powerful……
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February 19, 2024
Walbec Group VP testifies before Congress on Buy America provisions
By Lane Kimble
Editor's Note: Descriptions, text, and photos of Mr. Enders' time in Washington are courtesy of the National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) and Kate Lancaster. WTBA sincerely appreciates their contribution to this story. WASHINGTON, D.C. --…
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February 16, 2024
Raising the Roof: Annual Convention opens with great crowd atop Sunseeker Resort
By Lane Kimble
CHARLOTTE HARBOR, Fla. -- Along a rooftop pool, 127 feet above the waterfront, the 2024 WTBA Annual Convention kicked off with a bang (great food, drinks, and dueling pianos) Thursday night. President JR Ramthun welcomed…
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February 9, 2024
Want to help build Blatnik? Let MnDOT know
By Lane Kimble
If you want to win work on the massive Blatnik Bridge replacement project, you’ll want to let the Minnesota Department of Transportation know you’re interested. Thursday, MnDOT put out notice that it is accepting Letters…
Read MoreFebruary 9, 2024
Applications now open for new ARIP projects
By Lane Kimble
Work to repair and rebuild roads around Wisconsin’s farms and food producers is another step closer to beginning. Tuesday, WisDOT opened applications for the new Agricultural Roads Improvement Program (ARIP.) The Legislature and governor dedicated…
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February 7, 2024
Eight new members join WTBA, pushing Association well past Ramthun’s goal
By Lane Kimble
Productive and thriving associations rely on both quality and quantity: a great foundation of involved, longtime members and an influx of new companies seeing the value in joining. To that extent, WTBA certainly is thriving. …
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February 5, 2024
TPC Report: East-West corridor documents expected this month
By Lane Kimble
MADISON, Wis. -- WisDOT Secretary Craig Thompson promised a lot of work coming down the pike when he spoke with WTBA and its members at last month’s Contractor-Engineer Conference. Thursday’s release of the secretary’s latest…
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January 26, 2024
President Biden visits Superior to announce $1 billion for Blatnik Bridge replacement
By Lane Kimble
SUPERIOR, Wis. -- He may not have returned with a giant novelty check, but President Joe Biden didn’t come empty handed for his second visit to Superior in two years. Thursday, the president formally announced…
Read MoreJanuary 22, 2024
2024 Contractor-Engineer Conference Presenter Slide Decks
By Lane Kimble
The following presentations from WTBA/WisDOT's Contractor-Engineer Conference (Jan. 18-19, 2024) are available to view and/or download as PDFs. DAY ONE Sec. Craig Thompson - WisDOT Div. of Transportation System Development Admin. Rebecca Burkel Div. of…
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January 22, 2024
A Bright Future: WTBA of Tomorrow awards four scholarships
By Lane Kimble
WISCONSIN DELLS, Wis. -- With a pool of candidates that literally doubled the previous year’s total, WTBA of Tomorrow Board members had their work cut out for them to select just four winners. A crowd…
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January 22, 2024
WTBA-member companies sweep WisDOT construction, airport awards
By Lane Kimble
WISCONSIN DELLS, Wis. -- Seven projects – ranging from asphalt to concrete to bridges and scattered across different corners of Wisconsin – all have one thing in common: WTBA-member companies did the work and won…
Read MoreJanuary 19, 2024
C-E Conference draws huge crowd thanks to strong agenda, networking opportunities
By Lane Kimble
WISCONSIN DELLS, Wis. -- The view from the podium was truly impressive: a sea of people crowded into a huge ballroom with their attention on the stage. It’s the kind of audience WisDOT Secretary Craig…
Read MoreDecember 29, 2023
Blatnik Bridge likely to be design-build project
By Lane Kimble
ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Citing potential cost savings and better collaboration, the Minnesota Department of Transportation says it’s poised to use the design-build method to reconstruct the massive and aging Blatnik Bridge. MnDOT Deputy Commissioner…
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December 21, 2023
More work in ’24? Federal funding comes in $145M higher than expected
By Lane Kimble
The state should have nearly $150 million more to work with to improve roads and the transportation system in 2024. Monday, WisDOT notified the Joint Finance Committee that federal transportation funding for FY2024 came in…
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December 21, 2023
Utility compensation language to appear in January 2024 letting
By Lane Kimble
Project specs appearing in January’s WisDOT letting will have some small, but important, additions that represent years of WTBA staff and member work. WisDOT updated its Additional Special Provision-6 (ASP-6) this week to reflect compensatory…
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December 21, 2023
Leading the Charge: Bill to allow electricity sales, tax into Transportation Fund gets public hearing
By Lane Kimble
MADISON, Wis. -- In the not so distant future, you could pull up to a Kwik Trip (or any of the many fine fuel stations across Wisconsin) and notice a new price illuminated next to…
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December 19, 2023
Major Progress? TPC recommends two potential projects for study
By Lane Kimble
MADISON, Wis. -- For the first time in more than 10 years, the state Transportation Projects Commission (TPC) recommended two new potential Major projects for study. Wednesday, the TPC approved looking at expanding the US…
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December 7, 2023
Done Deal: Governor signs utility bill into law
By Lane Kimble
MADISON, Wis. -- It took all of 60 seconds. But in that brief period of time – including a few short comments, the stroke of a pen, and some handshakes – WTBA members could finally…
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December 6, 2023
GALLERY: Big crowd celebrates 2023 at annual Holiday Party
By Lane Kimble
Between work, school, concerts, practices, and errands, there never seems to be enough time to actually enjoy the Christmas season. Don’t tell that to more than 100 WTBA members who gathered in Madison this week.…
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December 5, 2023
First-ever PAC Pheasant Hunt generates momentum for legislative efforts
By Lane Kimble
JOHNSON CREEK, Wis. -- You don’t need to break the bank in order to help WTBA maintain a strong presence representing transportation construction builders in the state Capitol. In fact, you don’t even need to…
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December 5, 2023
WTBA welcomes two new members
By Lane Kimble
It appears the WTBA will reach – and surpass – an ambitious goal President JR Ramthun set in back in February. Tuesday, the Board of Directors unanimously approved two new members to join the Association’s…
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December 4, 2023
Doubling Down: WI, MN apply for second $1 billion federal grant to replace Blatnik Bridge
By Lane Kimble
Wisconsin and Minnesota want to do everything possible to secure the money to begin work on a critical transportation project. Monday, Gov. Tony Evers announced the two states applied for a second federal grant to…
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December 4, 2023
Scholarship winners announced; videos and check presentations at C-E Conference
By Lane Kimble
The WTBA of Tomorrow Board had its work cut out for them. Scholarship applications started pouring in when the portal opened in September. By Thanksgiving, there were twice as many applicants as last year. This…
Read MoreNovember 17, 2023
AASHTO Board elects WisDOT’s Thompson as new president
By Lane Kimble
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Craig Thompson has repeatedly pushed for sustainable funding, safer roads, and a stronger workforce over the nearly five years since he became WisDOT Secretary. Now, he’ll have the chance to also advocate…
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November 17, 2023
“Externship Day” provides internal spark for hundreds of potential future workers
By Lane Kimble
COLOMA, Wis. -- They call it “The Arena” – a cavernous barn-like building with metal walls and dirt floors. This week, you could have also easily called it “The Playground.” “It’s great just to get…
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November 10, 2023
A ‘critical artery’ now complete: State cuts ribbon on massive Zoo Interchange project
By Lane Kimble
WAUWATOSA, Wis. -- With eight lanes of traffic flowing smoothly over his shoulder, Tony Straseske used a fitting noun to describe the Zoo Interchange project. “People have sacrificed a lot… to deliver this big animal,”…
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November 6, 2023
MCC, Inc. recognized as standout company for hiring, supporting veterans
By Lane Kimble
APPLETON, Wis. -- There’s a picture on the wall of MCC, Inc.’s conference room in Appleton that shows military service members posing in front of a cement mixer. It’s a small reminder of the major…
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November 3, 2023
WTBA members’ work crucial to making northeast Wisconsin corridor safer
By Lane Kimble
HORTONVILLE, Wis. -- There was almost a collective sigh of relief to go along with the applause at a ribbon cutting ceremony in Outagamie County late last week. For a long time, it seemed like…
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October 20, 2023
Retreating Forward: Associate Council Red Crown event inspires attendees to tackle workforce challenges head-on
By Lane Kimble
ARBOR VITAE, Wis. -- What is the single most important thing you did in the last year to make your team better? It’s a question Mike Carr encouraged WTBA Associate Council Fall Retreat attendees to…
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October 14, 2023
“Our strength is unity”: Fall Meeting draws large crowd, deeper understanding of industry
By Lane Kimble
MADISON, Wis. -- A celebration of tremendous accomplishments, a look at challenges that lie ahead, and the confidence in a united association to persevere in the long run. All of those themes played out Thursday…
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October 6, 2023
First Look: WisDOT, MnDOT present preferred alternative for $1.8B Blatnik Bridge replacement
By Lane Kimble
SUPERIOR, Wis. -- If you set aside the “no build” option (which would force a full closure by 2030), the four alternatives for replacing the Blatnik Bridge in Superior aren’t drastically different. “By and large,…
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October 5, 2023
New 1273 form and Davis-Bacon Act (prevailing wage) rules in effect this fall
By Lane Kimble
Changes to the law requiring prevailing wages on federally funded transportation projects go into effect this month – and with them comes an updated form contractors will need to be familiar with. FHWA’s new 1273…
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October 5, 2023
WTBA featured in national business magazine
By Lane Kimble
The work WTBA members do – building and maintaining the infrastructure that drives our economy forward – doesn’t just make people’s lives in Wisconsin better. The impacts extend well beyond our state’s borders. People all…
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October 2, 2023
Painting the ‘big picture’: WTBA’s legislative education program offers Assembly transportation chair site tour
By Lane Kimble
TOMAH, Wis. -- Tucked neatly into the scenic rolling hills and farmland in western Wisconsin, it’s easy to miss the Milestone Materials quarry if you’re not looking for it. That’s because parent company Mathy Construction…
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September 26, 2023
FALL FELLOWSHIP: Sporting clays tournament draws big crowd, inspires new members
By Lane Kimble
CASCADE, Wis. -- Much like the construction season, some of the best attended and highly anticipated WTBA events thrive in good weather. Mother Nature obliged on Thursday, providing a great day for the Fall Sporting…
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September 22, 2023
WisDOT cuts ribbon on Highway 12/18 & AB Interchange
By Lane Kimble
MADISON, Wis. -- Traffic will begin flowing in a new, safer, and smoother way on Madison’s east side Friday. WisDOT, Dane County, the City of Madison, and the Ho-Chunk Nation joined prime contractor R.G. Huston…
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