“Wisconsin is fortunate to have so many talented, hardworking contractors who help produce quality infrastructure for millions of users,” said Beth Cannestra, Director of WisDOT's Bureau of Project Development. "This annual event is about looking back on the best of the best our contractors have produced, both to say thank you for a job well done and to encourage everyone to continue pushing for greatness in 2020.”
- Excellence in Airport Construction: Honors went to Vinton Construction Co. of Manitowoc for work on the Sheboygan County Memorial Airport. The project upgraded the southeast portion of the aircraft parking ramp allowing it to serve a higher number of businesses using the airport. The project also reconstructed two taxiways and improved drainage in the hangar area.
- Excellence in Grading: Honors went to Mashuda Contractors Inc. of Princeton for work on the US 151/County ID interchange in Iowa County, a safety enhancement that included a new overpass and realigned roads. The contractor crushed rock on site and used multiple traffic stages to help reduce costs and minimize user delay.
- Excellence in Asphalt Paving: Honors went to Pitlik & Wick, Inc. of Eagle River for resurfacing a portion of US 45 (Pine Street) nine days ahead of schedule to minimize travel impacts for the annual Cranberry Fest. The contractor worked with subcontractors and traffic staging to expedite scheduling and reduce cost while delivering a quality improvement focused on safety.
- Excellence in Concrete Paving: Honors went to Chippewa Concrete Services Inc. of Chippewa Falls for reconstruction of US 2 (Belknap Street) in Superior. The contractor modified traffic staging to help maximize construction operation while delivering a quality project on time.
- Excellence in Small Structures: Honors went Kraemer North America of Plain for construction of the US 10 bridge over Plum Creek in Pierce County. The project involved a 60-foot temporary bridge to avoid detours for the traveling public. The contractor delivered on time and under budget amid a tight timeline and working restrictions near the stream.
- Excellence in Large Structures: Honors went to Lunda Construction Company of Black River Falls for construction of the WIS 116 (Main Street) bridge over the Wolf River, in Winneconne. The contractor completed a complex project early and on budget. The new structure replaces a bridge dating back to 1934 while adding additional amenities such as fishing piers and a wider sidewalk to accommodate snowmobiles. Construction was staged adjacent to the old bridge to avoid a 25-mile detour.
- Large Contract: Honors went to Michels Corporation for work on the south and central segments of the I-94 North/South project in Racine and Kenosha counties. The project reconstructed and expanded 11 miles of roadway to provide eight lanes with full concrete shoulders. The project involved many different components including four new interchanges and 18 new bridges. The contractor worked closely with WisDOT and surrounding communities to construct the project in a condensed 17-month time window while still maintaining traffic volumes of 98,000 vehicles per day.
