2024 WisDOT Excellence in Construction Awards feature innovation, efficiency in infrastructure projects

Five Wisconsin construction companies received DTSD Excellence in Construction Awards at the Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s annual Contractor-Engineer Conference held this week in Wisconsin Dells.

Top winners include an asphalt paving project in Outagamie County, a concrete paving project in La Crosse County, a grading project in Outagamie County, a small bridge project in Fond du Lac County, a large bridge project in Milwaukee County and a large contract project in Milwaukee County.

“Last year, we made significant upgrades to strengthen our transportation network across Wisconsin,” WisDOT Secretary Kristina Boardman said. “With 380 improvement projects last year reaching all corners of the state, these awards exemplify the hard work and dedication by our teams and industry partners. Together we are enhancing safety, mobility and make lasting quality of life benefits for everyone.”

“We greatly appreciate the continued collaboration and partnerships with many skilled contracting firms to help make our transportation system safer and more reliable for millions of people across Wisconsin,” Michael Hoelker, director of WisDOT’s Bureau of Project Development, said. “The annual DTSD Excellence in Construction Awards help us recognize quality work and embrace innovations that help us save time and money.”

·       Excellence in Asphalt Paving – Northeast Asphalt, located in Greenville, received the award for work on WIS 54, between Seymour and Oneida, in Outagamie County. This project reconstructed two urban intersections with roundabouts on WIS 54 near Seymour. In addition, crews resurfaced more than six miles of WIS 54, which now includes wider paved shoulders. The efficiency of the paving crews helped the project finish more than three weeks ahead of schedule.

·       Excellence in Concrete Paving – Chippewa Concrete Services, based in Chippewa Falls, received the award for work on US 14/61 (South Avenue), between Green Bay Street and Ward Avenue in La Crosse, in La Crosse County. This project fully reconstructed just over a mile of the heavily traveled corridor with more than 50 residential and 30 business properties adjacent to the highway. Throughout the project, the concrete paving contractor was actively engaged, flexible, and efficient with its time, which led to the project’s success.

·       Excellence in Grading – Mashuda Contractors, Inc., located in Princeton, received the award for work on the WIS 15 expansion, between Greenville and Hortonville, in Outagamie County. This project was a complete reconstruction of nearly three miles of WIS 15 from two to four lanes. The project encountered many different soil types and endured more than 41 inches of rain during the construction season. The contractor’s dedication to planning, scheduling and partnering with WisDOT resulted in a project that was still completed on time and under budget.

·       Excellence in Small Structures – Sheet Piling Services, located in Custer, received the award for the West Division Street bridge over the West Branch of the Fond du Lac River in Fond du Lac County. The bridge work replaced the deteriorated single-span structure and also added new elements such as sidewalks, a raised median, and steel railing. The bridge is located near a rail line that sees more than 45 trains per day, which provided unique challenges for the contractor and project team. The contractor was diligent in its planning and building of this new bridge.

·       Excellence in Large Structures – Zenith Tech Inc., based in Waukesha, received the award for the I-43 southbound on-ramp from the Hampton Avenue bridge over the Milwaukee River in Milwaukee County. This project replaced the existing on-ramp bridge with a new three-span structure, which serves the surrounding areas of Whitefish Bay and Milwaukee. Open communication with all stakeholders was instrumental in keeping the project moving forward, and this cooperative spirit resulted in a project that finished on time and on budget.

·       Large Contract – Zenith Tech Inc., located in Waukesha, received the award for work on the I-43 corridor, from Capitol Drive to just north of Hampton Avenue, in Milwaukee County. The project expanded the interstate in each direction and included six new bridges, eight retaining walls, four noise barriers, a pedestrian box culvert and six sign structures. The project occurred over multiple construction seasons and required careful management of interim traffic patterns to ensure motorists moved safely and efficiently through the work zone. The WisDOT project team overcame many challenges by partnering with Zenith Tech to determine innovative and cost-effective solutions that kept work progressing while minimizing costs. Overall, the thorough collaboration resulted in an impressive project.

Photos of the award-winning projects can be found on the WisDOT website​.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.

Recent Press Releases by Wisconsin Department of Transportation

2024 WisDOT Excellence in Construction Awards feature innovation, efficiency in infrastructure projects

Jan 17th, 2025 by Wisconsin Department of Transportation

Contractors honored for projects in Outagamie, La Crosse, Fond du Lac and Milwaukee counties

Frozen road law expands to entire state

Jan 15th, 2025 by Wisconsin Department of Transportation

Law increases weight limits for log haulers, transport of road salt/sand

Don’t miss your chance to become a Wisconsin State Patrol trooper or inspector, one week left to apply

Jan 13th, 2025 by Wisconsin Department of Transportation

Deadline for application: Jan. 19, 2025