April 19, 2024
‘Enough is enough’: Sheriff pledges strict enforcement as state kicks off Work Zone Awareness Week
By Lane Kimble
WYOCENA, Wis. -- You could sense Columbia County Sheriff Roger Brandner’s frustration even as he walked up to the podium Monday morning. “Enough is enough,” Brandner said, with some exasperation in his voice. “This is…
Read MoreApril 18, 2024
Nearly 300 WTBA members attend memorable annual Brewers Outing
By Lane Kimble
MILWAUKEE -- Did a sea of neon orange and yellow reflective vests glimmering down the left field line distract Brewers batters enough to hold them hitless through 6 ⅔ innings? Maybe. Did it make for…
Read MoreApril 17, 2024
State awards grant to build up streets and infrastructure around Marinette Marine
By Lane Kimble
MADISON, Wis. -- Road builders will help shipbuilders drive (or… perhaps “sail”) Wisconsin’s economy forward thanks to a new grant announced this week. Gov. Tony Evers and WisDOT Sec. Craig Thompson said the state was…
Read MoreApril 12, 2024
REPORT: Statewide local road quality fell 7% since 2010; thoughtful investments needed
By Lane Kimble
The quality of Wisconsin’s more than 101,000 miles of local roads fell nearly 7% since 2010 and will likely get worse without measured and ongoing investments. The non-partisan Wisconsin Policy Forum detailed that notion in…
Read MoreApril 12, 2024
DBE rule changes coming; ARTBA helps prevent supplier cap
By Lane Kimble
Some changes are coming to how the federal government handles the DBE program, but at least one proposed change won’t happen – a cap on supplier credits – thanks in part to ARTBA’s efforts. Prime…
Read MoreApril 11, 2024
Proposal: Standardize above-ground tank inspections at 5,000 gallons and up
By Lane Kimble
There’s a big difference between 5,000-gallon tanks and the 110-gallon variety. A proposed rule change would formally clear that fact up when it comes to regulating large above ground storage tanks. Monday, the Wisconsin Department…
Read MoreApril 10, 2024
WisDOT names new DBE program administrator
By Lane Kimble
A woman with experience in the public and private sectors will run WisDOT’s Disadvantaged Business Program moving forward. The Department announced Tiesha “Tie” Flemingas its new DBE Program Chief. Fleming replaces Madalena Maestri, who left…
Read MoreApril 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…
Read MoreApril 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…
Read MoreMarch 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…
Read MoreMarch 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,…
Read MoreMarch 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…
Read MoreMarch 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…
Read MoreMarch 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.…
Read MoreMarch 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…
Read MoreMarch 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,…
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