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…
Read MoreMarch 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…
Read MoreMarch 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…
Read MoreFebruary 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,…
Read MoreFebruary 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…
Read MoreFebruary 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……
Read MoreFebruary 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. --…
Read MoreFebruary 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…
Read MoreFebruary 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…
Read MoreFebruary 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. …
Read MoreFebruary 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…
Read MoreJanuary 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…
Read MoreJanuary 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…
Read MoreJanuary 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…
Read MoreDecember 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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