April 10, 2026

By Lane Kimble

Concrete and bridge deck quantities could drop significantly in the upcoming state fiscal year, but there’s more to the story when you dig into the numbers.

WisDOT’s early projections for FY2027 show concrete square yardage dropping 20% to 1,959,243. Bridge deck square footage projections are down 45%, to 815,363.

Department administrators shared the figures and answered questions from WTBA’s Board of Directors during its bimonthly meeting Tuesday in Madison.

Division of Transportation Investment Management Administrator Justin Shell explained the concrete numbers–while down from 2026–are actually above the five-year average and represent the second-highest amount since FY2022.

Bridge decking is mainly projected to drop due to how the state’s Southeast Mega and Major Highway Program projects are sequenced, Shell said.

Asphalt and base course, on the other hand, are both projected to increase 10 and 21%, respectively. WisDOT says more State Highway Rehab program projects for 2027 ended up being asphalt.

Shell reminded Board members these numbers can–and likely will–shift before the fiscal year begins on July 1. Other question marks include Congress’s work on reauthorizing the five-year surface transportation bill and world events impacting prices.

WisDOT’s overall project count for FY27 would rise slightly to 441, however it’s too early to put a total dollar figure on lets, administrators said. Still, they anticipate let levels to be in line with 2026’s amount, which is around $1.6 billion.

Shell said the Department’s main objectives are providing dependable, long-term plans for contractors while making the best use of taxpayer dollars.

This is the second year WisDOT has agreed to share its preliminary quantity estimates at this stage. WTBA sincerely thanks the Department for its willingness to have open and candid conversations with association staff and its members.

DESIGN-BUILD ON I-39/90/94?

Jovially calling it one of the “worst kept secrets,” WisDOT Division of Transportation System Development Deputy Admin. Michael Hoelker told the Board the planned Mirror Lake bridge replacement will be an Alternative Delivery (Design-Build) project.

Hoelker expects to have information about the project on the WisDOT website sometime this month.

It would be an early piece of the 67-mile reconstruction between Madison and Wisconsin Dells.

Gov. Tony Evers last month signed a new law creating a permanent Design-Build program after WTBA worked for years with industry partners to craft a bill everyone could get behind.

The state will be able to use up to $300 million per budget cycle on Design-Build projects. That dollar figure will adjust for inflation each year.

DBE RECERTIFICATION STILL ONGOING

Expect to see the number of Disadvantaged Business Enterprise companies fall significantly once the program returns in Wisconsin.

WisDOT is in the midst of recertifying DBE firms after the USDOT last fall ordered all states to do so without the assumption of race or gender.

Hoelker says the Department received applications from 125 eligible contractors, consultants, truckers, and suppliers. That compares to the 796 WisDOT previously had on its certified DBE list.

Wisconsin’s review process will stretch well into the spring. WisDOT will notify firms of their status once the initial review window is finished, but any sort of program goals returning would still be months away.

WisDOT began accepting “priority” applications Feb. 16 with that window closing April 2. It will continue to accept applications via its website.

WTBA staff urged WisDOT to include the industry as DBE goal-setting discussions play out and to maintain its new method of releasing as read/apparent bid results the afternoon of the lettings.

CONTRACTOR MEETING AHEAD OF SAFETY PILOTS

Contractors who win any of the 10 work zone safety pilot projects planned for two-lane highways this year should attend an upcoming virtual meeting with WisDOT to go over plans, expectations, and to ask questions.

DTSD Admin. Rebecca Burkel told the Board to expect the meeting sometime in April.

WisDOT is using $600,000 from the current state budget to study various work zone safety measures ranging from technology to police presence on 10 two-lane construction projects during 2026.

The pilot program will lead to a report due to the Legislature by April 2027 and possible permanent measures in future construction seasons.