October 2, 2023

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 Company has long emphasized strong neighbor relations, keeping a low profile, and ensuring minimal disruption in the area.

“We’re big into being good neighbors and those relationships are a priority to us,” said Andy Marinelli, Vice President of Mathy Construction Company.

The quarry, which opened in 2016, provided a great starting point for a two-hour tour Mathy provided state Representative Nancy VanderMeer and WTBA staff Monday morning.

“We like to give the ‘big picture’ of road building and it really starts here (at the quarry),” Mathy’s Vice President of Public Affairs Katie Rezin said.

During the visit, Rep. VanderMeer (R-Tomah) heard about the importance aggregate plays in all facets of transportation construction, the improvements to blasting and noise-reduction technology at quarry sites, and the many hurdles aggregate producers still face simply getting permits for their sites.

VanderMeer has been in the Assembly since 2014 and serves as chair of the Assembly Committee on Transportation.

The second half of the tour brought the group about ten miles north into Tomah to the company’s portable asphalt plant that is supplying product for WisDOT’s asphalt repave project along I-90/94 between Tomah and Camp Douglas.

Guides stressed the importance these portable plants play in keeping materials available and costs down on projects all around the state.

VanderMeer got to see inside the satellite laboratory where testing ensures quality product is always on hand to go into trucks and out to work sites.

“We’re constantly working to improve our product… and our research and testing labs play an important role in that,” Rezin explained.

A conversation on work zone safety – a major focus for Mathy and WTBA – rounded out the tour.  Marinelli shared stories with the representative about near misses and the risks every contractor and their crews face.

“Work zone safety has always been a priority for our company,” Rezin said. “And every little bit our industry can do to move the needle helps keep our teammates safer on the job.”