Wisconsin Transportation Builders Association

One of the most satisfying parts of WTBA's Contractor-Engineer Conference happens just after dinner the first night. We take a few moments to celebrate the potential industry leaders of the future -- awarding them one of four WTBA Scholarships, while also hearing a little bit about their journey, their goals, and what winning means to them. The process to get to that night starts TODAY! Applications are now open for the 2024-25 WTBA Scholarships. We'll award two $5,000 and two $3,000 checks to four impressive students. Head to wtba.org/scholarships for more information and share with any deserving youngster you know!

Frankly, we're not surprised (our members do some incredible work) but we're definitely happy! Congratulations to the folks at Michels Corporation / Michels Road & Stone, Inc., its many fantastic subs, the engineers at HNTB, and Wisconsin Department of Transportation for winning AASHTO (American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials)'s Mid America regional award for safety on a large project with the Zoo Interchange's North Leg. Completed late last year, the project expanded the critical freeway, rebuilt interchanges, and improved mobility and safety in one of the most important corridors in the state. We featured the ribbon cutting here: https://lnkd.in/eCwTVQy5 This puts the team up for competition on the national level, to be announced in October. As we always say, our members don't do this work to win awards but it's certainly a great feeling to get the recognition. Congrats again!

Recycling materials like concrete and asphalt is nothing new -- contractors and Wisconsin Department of Transportation have been doing it for decades. But the cost savings and potential safety and environmental protections are factors most people driving over a newly paved highway likely have no idea about, so WTBA decided to take an up-close look at a prime example of recycling going on this summer. Special thanks to Hoffman Construction Company & Antigo Construction Family of Companies for the all-access pass and the great insights into an important element of our industry!

The anticipation was building. “You may be able to feel the air blast, like a thunderstorm.” A few seconds later a puff of rock, dust, and debris expanded in the distance, then came a low audible thud and a slight breeze. Brian Endres turned to his guests and smiled. “Boring is good,” the Walbec Group Vice President said, pleased with another flawless and controlled mining blast. Endres’ high profile guests – Acting Secretary Julie Su (U.S. Labor Dept.), Assistant Secretary of Labor Mine Safety and Health Chris Williamson, and their federal entourage – seemed impressed, peppering him and other company leaders with questions showing their interest in a key element of road and infrastructure building. “To see the sheer size of this is really incredible,” Su remarked. The blast was one of many fascinating and eye-opening moments during an hour-long tour Wednesday of Walbec Group’s huge Franklin Quarry in Milwaukee County. Su was particularly impressed with Walbec’s commitment to worker safety. Each attendee received a small “I commit to safety” coin, which empowers any employee–regardless of rank or tenure–to report if they notice something isn’t right. “The idea that any worker can speak up and stop operations if there’s a safety issue is really, really important,” Su said. “I think too often employees hear the message that the work takes precedence. Here, safety takes precedence. That was really neat to see first-hand.” Thanks to Walbec Group for having us along!

WTBA extends a congratulations to Secretary Thompson and a thanks for his measured approach in partnering with our industry over the years. We look forward to working with Secretary-Designee Boardman, who has shown a great willingness to meet with our Board and staff as we talk through industry challenges.

As the final speaker to approach the podium today, Nathan Swanke first spoke with a bit of anger. “It’s scary, it’s sad, and it’s so frustrating because we do everything we can to keep people safe: the signs, vests, hard hats, detours, speed reductions, but drivers seem to simply not care,” Swanke said. Swanke – the Michels Road & Stone, Inc. Project Manager – was asked to share some thoughts during the Wisconsin Department of Transportation Northeast Region Work Zone Awareness event about what it’s like building roads, freeways, and bridges. “To them, we’re just an inconvenience. Flashes of orange and yellow that they can’t wait to put in their rearview mirror and forget.” Swanke's tone then shifted slightly as he motioned to his left. Anger gave way to a bit of affection… and some misty eyes. “While you or the thousands of people who drive by me every day may never see me again, Taylor and Saige expect to see me walk through the kitchen door every night,” Swanke said, referencing his wife and 10-month-old baby girl. “If not for me, then (please drive cautiously) for my family and the thousands of men and women just like me – who love what they do and the people they’re working for.” Amen, Nate. Thanks for sharing a message that resonates with all of us.

This week, the WTBA Board got some great insights into two incredibly valuable programs at University of Wisconsin-Platteville: the Highway Technician Certification Program and the Construction Safety Management program. “I really enjoy my job because of the people. The people are what it is," HTCP Director Jodi Pluemer told the Board. "Matt (Grove’s) been the one that’s always calling and checking in on me… We really have come a long way in the last eight years and (I appreciate your) continuous support.” We appreciate all of Jodi and Gretchen Bockenhauer's work -- it's helping us build the best possible infrastructure today and training industry leaders of tomorrow. (Oh, and thanks for the cool notepads! We're rather fond of neon orange)

Great event! WTBA is proud to help sponsor and provide expert panelists. Sign up now!

Between studying finance at University of Wisconsin-Platteville, working a job to pay for school, and preparing for another track and field season, Spencer Thiry doesn’t have a lot of free time on his hands. Oh, and he’s already had his driver’s license for three years. Still – Spencer WANTED to take the time to take Work Zone Safe Wisconsin. “Since (my) dad works on construction sites and has for years, it’s important to me that people are safe. If something were to happen to my dad or my dad’s coworkers, I would obviously hear about that and that… would be tragic,” Thiry explained. Tuesday night, WTBA rewarded Spencer for his commitment to preventing such a tragedy. Executive Director Steve Baas, Board President Brian Endres, WCHA Executive Director Patrick Vander Sanden and State Sen. Howard Marklein presented Spencer with a $500 check as July’s Work Zone Safe Wisconsin Scholarship winner. Spencer’s dad, Jason, works for Kapur & Associates. He learned about the free online course at a WTBA conference earlier this year and encouraged his son to take it. “It says a lot about him,” Jason Thiry said. “He’s putting in the effort in his studies and with the training he’s doing for the running, he’s definitely a busy lad so it’s good to see the hard work he’s putting into (being a safe driver.)” Spencer, 19, says the scholarship money will help him pay for tuition, which he’s doing on his own. He encourages everyone to make the time–no matter your age–to do as he did. “It’s truly a good refresher for all ages,” Spencer said of WZSW. “I think that younger drivers need to take courses like that so they can understand how important this is… it can make you take a second look at what’s really important.” (Learn more at workzonesafe.com)

Great news! We love to see the growth in transportation construction interest and all the fields ABC offers!