Friday, October 16, 2026

Your go-to source for Association and transportation industry news, notes, and need-to-knows

NEWS & NOTES

No rain, no gain: WTBA members power through wet weather for memorable Fall Clays Shoot

Seems it never rains in southern California, but don’t they warn ‘ya? It pours (in southern Wisconsin), man it pours…

Much like the National League pennant champion Milwaukee Brewers in L.A. this week, WTBA members were undaunted by the conditions in Johnson Creek for the Fall Sporting Clays Tournament.

More than 160 people donned jackets, ponchos, hoodies, boots and whatever it took to slug it out with the elements Thursday afternoon at Milford Hills. It made for a memorable and–in some ways–even more rewarding event.

The effect of the elements was most apparent on the five-stand flurry, where the Rock Solid Stabilization team of Alex Martini, Mark Karow, Joe Armbrust, and Mason A. won it with a score of 38 out of 50.

And though the weather threw us a curveball for the first time in recent memory at a clays tournament, there was no surprise when the overall team score winners were announced.

Dick Palecek, Brad Stehno, Chad Johnson and Andy (sorry, no last name!) edged the Rock Solid team by one, finishing at 169.

Click HERE for the 2026 Fall Shoot Photo Gallery!

Mark Karow and Edgerton Contractors’ Lynnea Anderson took home prizes for best individual male and female scores.

(Miss out on the fun or want to relive the day? Make sure to click the red button above for the full photo gallery.)

A huge thank you to our fantastic event sponsors and everyone who hung in there to the end!

No one was underloved, underfed or wanting to go home…

WTBA Fall Sporting Clays Tournament 2026 Results

FIRST PLACE TEAM: Dick Palecek, Brad Stehno, Chad Johnson, Andy (169)

SECOND PLACE TEAM: Alex Martini, Mark Karow, Joe Armbrust, Mason A. (168)

FIRST PLACE TEAM FLURY: Alex Martini, Mark Karow, Joe Armbrust, Mason A. (38)

SECOND PLACE TEAM FLURY: Dick Palecek, Brad Stehno, Chad Johnson, Andy (36)

FIRST PLACE INDIVIDUAL (MALE): Mark Karow (48)

SECOND PLACE INDIVIDUAL (MALE): Nate Skarda (47)

FIRST PLACE INDIVIDUAL (FEMALE): Lynnea Anderson

WisDOT provides further clarity on FY27 quantities with public spreadsheet

Contractors now have better clarity and more granular details on projected lets and quantities for the year ahead.

WisDOT shared its full FY2027 Quantities and Project Listings spreadsheet with WTBA late Thursday.

The document, which typically becomes public each year in mid-October, features two tabs.

The first tab shows projections for materials and work such as asphalt, concrete, excavation and bridge decking by month, region, and program type. (Please note on this tab that the Design Build quantities listed at the bottom are not included in the totals above.)

The second tab provides quantities on a project-by-project basis. There are more than 400 projects listed.

You can download the document as an Excel file by clicking the image above.

The spreadsheet provides a valuable follow up to the numbers Division of Transportation Investment Management Administrator Justin Shell shared during last week’s WTBA Fall Meeting in Madison.

INDUSTRY INSIGHTS

WisDOT planning 2027 season recommendations based on flagger safety pilot

Contractors can expect to see new safety measures added to some projects in 2027.

WisDOT plans to recommend using tools such as speed feedback trailers, temporary traffic signals, and stationing State Patrol troopers when possible on two-lane highway jobs.

The recommendations come from a season-long pilot study conducted this year that tested various flagger warning and support devices on 10 two-lane highway jobs across the state.

WisDOT reviewed more than 500 hours of video and relied on feedback from contractors through incident reports, weekly recaps, and face-to-face meetings to discover which methods worked well and which did not.

“We had a great construction season with the pilots and it’s really a credit to all of you,” Div. of Transportation System Development Administrator Rebecca Burkel said during a virtual debriefing on Monday. “We’ve really learned a lot from the input you all provided.”

Contractors particularly liked having police on-site to get drivers to slow down and pay attention and WisDOT's preliminary data shows they were the most effective in terms of safety.

The State Patrol issued 171 citations and 240 warnings in work zones during the study. Funding and staffing for law enforcement is a challenge, though, which means WisDOT will need to use troopers wisely and cannot place them on all jobs with flagging operations.

Meanwhile, WisDOT will likely not recommend connected arrow boards and digital speed reduction trailers when it issues a final report this winter. Some were challenging to move, while others either distracted or confused drivers.

WisDOT will use its findings to generate official recommendations and update the flagger handbook this winter.

The department says it will likely make the safety measures (such as temporary traffic signals and automated flagger devices) pay items the first few years before deeming them “incidental” in future seasons, similar to how it handled portable rumble strips.

“Our intent is really to deploy some of these best practices right away in construction season 2027, so the information you’re providing is so important to us,” Burkel said.

New FHWA rules effectively ban foreign-made drones from major construction projects

There’s a pretty good chance the drone you or your company owns can no longer be used on major highway projects.

The Federal Highway Administration last week released policy guidance and FAQs banning the use of most foreign-made drones on projects receiving federal funding.

About 90% of commercially licensed drones in the U.S. in 2025 were made by Chinese-owned DJI, which is a federally restricted “covered foreign entity.”

The FHWA rules not only prohibit using federal funds to buy foreign-made drones for transportation construction work but also bans their general use by contractors and state DOTs on projects simply supported by federal money, regardless of when or how the aircraft was purchased.

The drone guidance took effect immediately, according to ARTBA.

ARTBA is urging FHWA to provide clarity, guidance and education for contractors as soon as possible. Anyone who encounters challenges, delays or concerns in regards to the new drone rules should contact ARTBA’s Rich Juliano or Prianka Sharma.

EVENTS & REMINDERS

'Tis the Season! RSVP for FREE members-only Holiday Party

Get in the holiday spirit with dozens of your friends, colleagues, and Matt Grove!

Registration is now open for the WTBA Holiday Party.

Please make plans to join us Thursday, Dec. 10, 2026 from 4:30-7:30 p.m. in a new location: the Hilton Garden Inn, located at 1220 S. Grand Avenue in Sun Prairie.

We’ll enjoy heavy appetizers, a hosted bar, prizes and plenty of laughter. It’s free for WTBA members to attend but you must RSVP by clicking on the registration button HERE.

See you there!

CE 2027 registration opens to all attendees, exhibitors

The winter conference calendar can fill up quickly in Wisconsin – make sure you’re booked for one of the industry’s biggest and best.

The WTBA/WisDOT Contractor-Engineer Conference is set for Jan. 14-15, 2027 at the Kalahari Resort & Convention Center in Wisconsin Dells.

The two-day conference draws more than 700 people to hear important updates from state, federal, and industry leaders; gain valuable insights in breakout sessions; enjoy each other’s company and make new connections at hosted receptions and dinners; and celebrate scholarship and project award winners.

You can choose to attend the full conference and awards dinner, the conference only, or the dinner only. WTBA members pay a discounted rate (please make sure you are logged into your WTBA account before registering).

Click HERE for the registration page.

BOOK YOUR EXCLUSIVE EXHIBITOR BOOTH SPACE

A limited number of Exhibitor booths are also available for purchase at $1,000 apiece, exclusive to WTBA members.

Choosing this option puts your company and employees front and center in the main lobby with dedicated booth space and comes with a total of two individual tickets to the full conference.

Click HERE for exhibitor-specific details.

Also, make sure you’re staying close to all the action (and enjoy Kalahari's new 75,000 sq.-ft. Aquadome) by reserving your hotel room now!

Attendees can book rooms for the discounted rate of $169 + tax, available now through Dec. 13. A link for room reservations is on the event page.

WTBA of Tomorrow Scholarship application window closes Nov. 13

A student who recently won a WTBA of Tomorrow Scholarship took the time to mail a hand-written thank you note.

“This has a huge impact on my educational journey,” Kaylee Pickering wrote.

“I am especially thankful for the time, effort and care the WTBA puts into supporting students. Knowing there are organizations willing to invest in students like me is incredibly encouraging.”

The pleasure’s all ours, Kaylee.

We can’t wait to support the next round of impressive winners!

Applications are open for the 2027 WTBA of Tomorrow Scholarships.

We’ll award two $5,000 prizes to four-year university students studying civil engineering or related fields, plus two $3,000 scholarships for tech college students studying similar programs.

Applicants must submit two (2) letters of recommendation, their latest school transcript, and a one-page cover letter detailing why they’re deserving of a WTBA scholarship. Preference is given to applicants who show a desire to work in the transportation construction industry in Wisconsin after graduation, but anyone is welcome to apply.

Winners are celebrated in-person during the WTBA/WisDOT Contractor-Engineer Conference awards dinner on Jan. 14, 2027 in Wisconsin Dells.

The scholarship application window closes Friday, Nov. 13, 2026 at 5 p.m.

Spread the word and start your application today at scholarships.wtba.org.

Don't forget: Book your Annual Convention accommodations ASAP

Don’t let this week’s warm start fool you. Winter is coming and you’ll be wishing for shorts, swimsuits and sunshine when it arrives.

Lucky for you, we’re in the wish-granting business.

Book your rooms now for the 2027 WTBA Annual Convention in beautiful Scottsdale, Arizona!

The convention runs Feb. 21-25, 2027 at the Grand Hyatt Scottsdale resort. (If you need a reminder, this is typically when temperatures average in the teens and Wisconsin sees around 11 inches of snow…)

Rooms are going fast at the $489 discounted group rate. Extended stays may still be available up to three days before and after the conference.

Find booking information via the “Resort Info & Reservations” tab on the Countdown to Convention page at wtba.org/convention27.

WTBA staff and Board President Mike Hahn are busy finalizing the General Session agenda soon, but you can view daily activities, optional group outings, resort amenities and much more right now on the Countdown page.

Watch for that and general registration to open in November!

WTBA event sponsorship packages available through Nov. 1

Every year, WTBA brings together thousands of business owners, team leaders, project developers, crewmembers, family, and friends for eight great events.

Now is your chance to show those people what your company can do for them while helping the association put on best-in-class programming.

Sponsorship opportunities for the 2027 WTBA Events schedule are open now through November 1.

Click HERE to view what various opportunities are available.

Sponsorship packages are crafted ala carte, which gives you the chance to pick which events and offerings best fit your price point and preference.

Please fill out the form on page 6 of the sponsorships packet and email it to Catherine DeMarco. You can also send Catherine any questions you may have.

Thank you to all of our generous sponsors, past, present and future. We couldn’t do what we do without you!

Registration open for TDA Annual Meeting Nov. 12

The Transportation Development Association will dig into the November midterm election results, discuss federal funding possibilities, and pass the gavel to a new president next month.

Registration is now open for the TDA Annual Meeting, set for Thursday, Nov. 12, 2026 at Monona Terrace in Madison.

The event runs from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. with a networking lunch to follow.

Speakers include outgoing TDA President Robb Kahl, election result analysis from Michael Best Strategies partner Tony Langenohl, a national outlook from ACEC VP and Advocacy Counsel Matt Reiffer, and remarks from TDA Executive Director Debby Jackson and incoming president Ron Chamberlain.

Registration costs $75 per person. Click HERE to sign up.

The deadline is November 9.

ARTBA offering free immigration policy webinar Oct. 20

What do employers need to know about today's immigration policies? What changes might be around the corner?

Find out during the American Road and Transportation Builders Association’s upcoming webinar October 20.

The one-hour event will feature one of the nation's top immigration attorneys, Linda Sabatello of the law firm Pryor Cashman. Sabatello will make time for Q&A.

This webinar is free for ARTBA members and–as a WTBA member–that includes you! You must register with your ARTBA login information HERE.

Don’t have an account or have questions? Contact Savannah Waters via email.

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Walbec Group trio, ABC safety director honored as 'Newsmakers of the Year'

Walbec Group employees celebrate at the 2026 Newsmaker of the Year awards. (Photo courtesy Walbec Group LinkedIn)

A trio of Walbec Group employees took home some unconventional industry awards this month.

Kevin Foley, Mark Sweeney and Jennifer Wang all received various “Newsmaker of the Year” honors during The Daily Reporter's annual ceremony Oct. 8 in Milwaukee.

Foley (Operations Manager of the Year) was celebrated for getting out in the field and actually listening to crews’ ideas and concerns instead of just managing from “behind a desk.”

Sweeney (Super Super of the Year) worked his way up over nearly three decades from laborer to operator, eventually becoming a superintendent who’s “most interested in developing people” on his team.

Wang (Unsung Hero of the Year) is described as one of Walbec Group’s “most dependable people,” running traffic control coordination for 40 active crews.

ABC of Wisconsin’s Don Moen was also honored as Safety Professional of the Year for his efforts stretching nearly 30 years to develop training, courses and conferences to make sure everyone goes home safe at the end of the day.

The event recognized 45 total winners from across both the vertical and civil construction industries.

Congratulations to everyone involved!