An innovative, first-in-the-nation flood protection project in North Dakota and Minnesota brings together federal and local governments with the private sector to complete the $3.2 billion Fargo-Moorhead Area Diversion project, which will prevent frequent water from overflowing the banks of the Red River of the North.

“This is a unique …

Construction activities are wrapping up at the new $110 million Schoenecker Center on the South Campus of the University of St. Thomas in Saint Paul, Minnesota, blending arts and sciences in one integrated facility.

“This all-new building was designed in collaboration with multiple industry partners to ensure St. Thomas is …

Running from Boston to Seattle, Interstate 90 (I-90) is an east-west transcontinental freeway that passes through the southern half of South Dakota. The South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) recently completed a project on a 13-mile stretch of I-90 west of Sioux Falls.

In November 2021, Congress passed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act), a once-in-a-generation investment in the nation’s infrastructure. President Joe Biden’s administration proposed this legislation to rebuild America’s roads, bridges, and rails, expand access to clean drinking water, ensure every American has access to high-speed internet, tackle …

The Ritterman family business started back in 1958 when James Ritterman’s grandpa opened Ritterman Trucking. After high school, James jumped into the family business as an equipment operator. However, he had a vision to do more than load trucks with dirt. In 2019, he took the opportunity to …

The Wisconsin Center District, owner of the Baird Center in downtown Milwaukee, has embarked on a $456 million expansion of the convention center.

“We were turning away business, because of the limitations of our facility,” says Marty Brooks, President and CEO of the Wisconsin Center District (WCD). “We were losing …

With the 14-mile Interstate 43 North-South project stretching from urban Glendale, Wisconsin, into largely rural areas of Ozaukee County, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) and their contractors face a variety of challenges. Those range from heavy traffic to railroad tracks and sensitive environmental features – not to mention the …

In 1956, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed legislation that funded the creation of the Interstate Highway System. In the years that followed that momentous occasion, multiple highways and bridges were built. Almost 70 years later, many of the bridges and highways continue to exist and serve the driving public. Repairs …

Safety and operational improvements to busy southbound Highway 52 from Zumbrota to Cannon Falls, Minnesota, remain on track to complete by the end of this year.

“It’s a growing corridor between Rochester, the third largest city in the state and the Twin Cities metro area, Minneapolis and St. Paul, which …

Three state department of transportation (DOT) projects in Minnesota and Wisconsin won regional awards in the 2023 America’s Transportation Awards competition, created by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), AAA, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The competition recognizes DOTs for making a difference in their …

When faced with new challenges, Chris Burt looked beyond his company’s scrap yard to new revenue opportunities. He saw potential with more mobile services. And they’ve since led to considerable company growth and success.

As the General Manager of Marshfield Scrap, Burt wears many hats. One area of expertise …

Two South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) projects won regional awards in the 2023 America’s Transportation Awards competition, created by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), AAA, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The competition recognizes state departments of transportation (DOTs) for making a difference in …

As Lunda Construction Co. of Black River Falls, Wisconsin, worked on the Racine Street Bridge Replacement project in Menasha, Wisconsin, in the heart of the pandemic, they dealt with supply chain delays for materials that are hard to procure even in normal times; fast, variable river currents; and a plethora …

The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) recently revealed plans to allocate nearly $300 million for nine small- and medium-sized bridge projects in both urban and rural areas. The grants, awarded in eight states and the District of Columbia, are part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law's Bridge …

McCook County, South Dakota, is about 30 miles northwest of Sioux Falls. Interstate 90 runs through the rural county, which is home to nearly 6,000 people. The longest east-west highway in the country, I-90 runs from Seattle to Boston. The South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) is wrapping up a …

The $95 million Highway 10 project in Anoka, Minnesota, spans just 2.5 miles – but it involves two general contractors working on separate but adjacent parts, reconstructing and improving multiple roads, bridges, and intersections next to homes, businesses, and three cemeteries. In the densely populated community northwest of Minneapolis/St. Paul, …

As part of a $236 million recreational master plan, the University of Wisconsin–Madison, nears completion of the new Bakke Recreation and Wellbeing Center, with a gymnasium, pool, and ice rink.

“We are about to open this up, less than three years since our last one,” says Sadat Khan, Senior Associate …

As Mathiowetz Construction of Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, reconstructs and expands 9 miles of Highway 23 near the Chain of Lakes in central Minnesota, they have spent many months stabilizing soils. That includes removing about 200,000 cubic yards of muck using a rolling surcharge, relocating part of a stream, and placing …

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) announces the West Riverside Energy Center in Beloit, Wisconsin, as the Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement (OCEA) Bronze Award Winner. The OCEA Award, which recognizes civil engineering projects around the country, honors projects that exemplify engineering skill and provide considerable contributions to local and …

As Jensen Construction Company of Des Moines, Iowa, constructs the $49.99 million Pierre-Fort Pierre Bridge project in central South Dakota, “The biggest challenge is building the drilled shafts with the top of the shafts below water, as river elevations fluctuate 3 to 4 feet every day due to a hydroelectric …

For the U.S. 10/WIS 66 bridge over Interstate 39 project in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, “The big storyline was finding enough room to do the work,” said Logan Griesmer, Project Manager for General Contractor Integrity Grading & Excavating, Inc., (IGE) of Schofield, Wisconsin. “This project isn’t large in overall …

Replacing and rehabilitating aging structures on Highway 61 north of Two Harbors, Minnesota, requires careful measures to deal with Lake Superior storms, hard bluestone, stream restoration, and a bridge listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Minnesota-based Northland Constructors of Duluth, Inc., started the $12.63 million Silver Creek and …

C.D. Smith Construction of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, recently finished erecting the tallest mass timber structure in the world. With 19 stories of mass timber built on top of a six-story concrete and steel base, the $80 million Ascent apartment building offers 259 luxury units in downtown Milwaukee.

Because the mass timber …

Average daily traffic on U.S. Highway 212 from Newell to Maurine, South Dakota shows minimal growth over the next 15 years and the two-lane road is in decent condition. So, why is the South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) performing a mill and overlay project on a road that doesn’t …

Brooks Tractor recently opened a new location in Sparta, Wisconsin. This is location number seven for the John Deere dealer. The Sparta location will represent a large section of western and southwestern Wisconsin.

“We are in our 77th year of business and added the Tomah, Sparta, and La Crosse area …

A Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) project won a regional award in the 2022 America’s Transportation Awards competition, sponsored by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), AAA, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The competition recognizes state DOTs for making a difference in their community, with …

Six Caterpillar dealers from across the U.S. assembled and prepared teams of their most skilled technicians for Tech Wars 2022, recently hosted by Butler Machinery Company in Fargo, North Dakota. Tech Wars is a dealer program that recognizes the knowledge and abilities of technicians through a series of skills scenarios. …

Fargo, North Dakota, has been experiencing significant population growth. The city of Fargo is working on the 64th Avenue South construction project in response to the increase in traffic. The project aims to improve system linkage to allow for the safe and efficient movement of people and goods. The two-phase …

Over the course of two days, the attendees of General Equipment & Supplies’ 2022 Aggregate Expo were given the opportunity to attend education sessions led by industry experts, visit aggregate and construction trade show booths and an outdoor equipment display, and network during and after the expo. The event …

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) recently cut the ribbon on the Lower Yellowstone Intake Diversion Dam Fish Passage Project, completing construction on the $44-million, 2.1-mile-long channel. The intake diversion dam supplies irrigation water to the area, providing a natural source to the …

Making the most of what you have is a cliché of positive thinking. However, it also is an apt way to describe a project from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) – the Flex Lane on U.S. 12 in Dane County. The roughly 10-mile project area is located in Madison, …

Work nears completion on an $112 million, 68-mile stretch of U.S. 83 in South Dakota, featuring new pavement and a shared-use path, as the South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) upgrades the corridor from White River to Murdo.

“We’ve done seven projects along that stretch in a very short timeframe …

Maintenance might not be your favorite thing to do, but this minor inconvenience can help you avoid major headaches in the future. Good maintenance practices not only keep the machine running at peak performance, but they also minimize downtime from repairs that come from ignoring key maintenance requirements. Here are …

WINNIPEG, MB — Evolution Wheel is a manufacturer of heavy-duty skid steer tires. The EWRS-HS series solid skid steer tire is the hard surface version of the EWRS-AT series all-terrain tire. The solid EWRS-HS skid steer tire is ideal for surfaces like concrete or asphalt.

Evolution Wheel spends a lot …

Every motorist wants roads that will get them to their destination quickly and reliably. Sometimes, impediments exist leading to delays and uncertainty. In Glenwood, Minnesota – located in the western part of the state on Lake Minnewaska – the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) and Pope County are partnering on …

It doesn’t matter how much aggregate is produced in a day if it is contaminated or not sized correctly. Though screen media is a minor cost when compared to larger equipment in a quarry or mine, it is a crucial part of any operation’s profit machine. One unexpected break and …

The global upheaval of the last few years has undoubtedly rocked the construction industry – and stories of labor shortages driven by COVID-19 abound. Add to that an aging workforce further stressed by current conditions, combined with a lack of skilled replacements, and the current struggle makes sense.

But beneath …

The needs of the project owner have always defined the parameters of a construction job, but all signs are pointing to owners playing a bigger role in the use of technology on their projects in the future, especially as we begin to see federal funds put to work on transportation …

While America’s transportation infrastructure continues to be one of the country’s greatest historical accomplishments, as well as the lifeblood of the American economy, the system itself continues to have serious challenges during the last two decades.

This is mainly due to the rise in traffic congestion which has ensnarled hundreds …

Most people in the construction industry will say that on any given work site, there is always an amount of waste that could have been avoided. Whether it be poorly handled materials, re-work, weather damage, or working from out of date documents, there are plenty of ways that humans can …

As the original bridges spanning the east and west canals of the Trempealeau River on WIS 35/54 began aging, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) has embarked on replacements.

“The two bridges on 35 had reached their service lives and are being replaced,” says Nick Pitsch, Project Manager for …

As droughts and growing population affect water security around the globe, desalination becomes an increasingly important option. In communities searching for sustainable, long-term solutions, new technology can increase the efficiency of water treatment efforts.

Initially developed in the late 1950s, reverse osmosis (RO) desalination evolved into the leading desalination process. …

Ever met anyone who likes waiting in traffic? No one has. One of the aims of nearly every infrastructure project is to increase capacity in some way to improve traffic flow. The big question that needs to be answered is how to improve traffic flow. The South Dakota Department of …

Along a 39-mile stretch of Interstate 94 between the towns of Maple Grove and Clearwater, drivers traveling through Minnesota endured two years of extensive construction. Improvements and upgrades – including new travel lanes, rebuilding of bridges, resurfacing of deteriorating pavement, access lane construction and drainage improvements, and the addition of …

Many of the most famous structures of ancient times were constructed from a material we often think of us as modern. The workers who built them needed a material that could be shaped into blocks and other forms more easily than carving from stone. Finally, someone concocted a mixture of …

Located in southwest North Dakota is the city of Dickinson. The city, which has a population of approximately 22,000, is about an hour south of the Baaken Oil Shale Basin and was impacted by the oil boom the state experienced. The North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) and the City …

There are companies for whom GNSS-based solutions are a welcome addition, a good way to streamline the workflow, even a great means to bolster the bottom line. Then there’s Mathiowetz Construction. The Sleepy-Eye, Minnesota-based contractor has embraced the technology to such a degree that to perform without it seems …

The future is looking bright for the construction industry, with project pipelines full and the promise of infrastructure spending infusing the industry with confidence and optimism. But as we face another year of supply chain issues and crippling workforce shortages, it’s possible that our industry’s biggest challenge could be too …

Work on the final northern part of the Zoo Interchange on Interstate 41 in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, progresses smoothly.

“The main purpose is to improve overall traffic capacity and reduce congestion,” says Sean Race, Project Manager with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT). “This is one of the most heavily …

In just a few years, Erik Peterson has grown Minnesota-based Northland Crane Service from the ground up, from one to six cranes, including two new National 55L cranes from Aspen Equipment.

“We can lift anything that needs to be lifted, from setting roof trusses to HVAC units to hot …

Crews rebuilding an 11-mile stretch of U.S. Highway 83 south of Murdo, South Dakota, are cutting the tops off hills and filling in the low spots to make the road safer, with fewer elevation changes and curves.

“We’re really changing the sightlines and passing lanes,” says Rob Knight, President …

Situated in tribal lands of the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin, the 2.62-mile reconstruction of Wisconsin 47 in Keshena, Wisconsin, required an archaeologist onsite for all digging operations and ongoing coordination with tribal staff.

Spread over parts of two years, the six-phase project also included an assortment of traffic control …

Aiming to spur economic development in the area, the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s (MnDOT) new 12.5-mile road from Dodge Center and Owatonna will also increase capacity and improve safety on Highway 14 in Dodge and Stelle counties.

“It’s charting a new route for the highway through what had been …

As COVID-19 ravaged the country, Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate tribal leaders took steps to protect its members by building the COVID-19 Quarantine and Isolation Facility, a food pantry and day care center on the Lake Traverse Reservation in northeastern South Dakota.

“We were lucky that our leadership had enough foresight to …

In the state’s fabled Badlands region, the North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) is wrapping up its two-year Long X Bridge Project on U.S. Highway 85 near Watford City. The $34 million project has replaced a bridge, built in 1959, which was named to commemorate the legendary Long X cattle …

Madison is the capital of Wisconsin and home to the University of Wisconsin. As an active thriving city, Madison draws commuters from the surrounding areas. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) is in the middle of the U.S. 14 Bridges project which is taking place just outside of Madison. The …

America’s infrastructure is in need of repair as evidenced by the D+ grade it got on the 2017 Infrastructure Report Card from the American Society of Civil Engineers. Upgrading the system has been a challenge as the government is perpetually underfunding infrastructure. Public-private partnerships are one way to sweeten …

A city-state collaboration has brought Brookings, South Dakota, a reconstructed U.S. 14/6th Street through the center of town, increasing safety and traffic flow.

“Sixth Street is the major road through the town of Brookings,” says John Rittershaus, Project Manager for the South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT). “That roadway …

In the infrastructure world, new construction draws the headlines. However, rehab projects are just as vital for many reasons. The I-43 project in Northeast Wisconsin is a rehab project that the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) has undertaken, and it has many benefits.

I-43, a four-lane highway and a major …

The $239 million I-35W at I-94: Downtown to Crosstown project will reconstruct existing infrastructure and provide dedicated bus transit access into downtown Minneapolis.

“It’s a massive construction project, and things are going really well,” says Steven Barrett, Project Manager for the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT).

Although the department …

Deep Foundation Group is reinforcing the foundation in a building at the Caterpillar Remanufacturing Drivetrain facility in West Fargo, in North Dakota’s Red River Valley, to prepare the structure for the installation of a heavy machine.

“This is a unique project, because the building was existing, and we had to …

The Main Avenue Makeover Project in Fargo, North Dakota, reconstructs and reconfigures the prime arterial street in the downtown business district and finished early.

“It’s a total reconstruction of the existing surface of the street and sidewalks,” says Bob Nelson, Project Manager for contractor Dakota Underground Co. of Fargo. …

Wisconsin's segment of U.S. Highway 10 is classified as a principal arterial – this 4-lane highway serves as a major east/west freight and passenger corridor across the central part of the state, connecting communities in the Fox Valley area to western Wisconsin and the Minneapolis metropolitan area. US 10 also …

When complete, the $38 million Interstate 229/26th Street/Southeastern Avenue Reconstruction Project in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, will reduce congestion and separate vehicular traffic from an active rail line.

“Separation from the railroad tracks was a huge safety issue,” says James Unruh, Project Manager and Design Consultant with HDR in …

A $32.9 million pavement preservation project on Interstate 494 in Inver Grove Heights nears completion, wrapping up a multiphase initiative before the end of the year.

“The pavement was in poor condition and needed rehabilitation,” says Jason Hedeen, Construction Engineer with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT). “There also …

Construction crews will soon complete one of the biggest state road projects in South Dakota’s history – the Veterans Parkway/Exit 402 Interchange Project in Minnehaha County, which is owned by the South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT). This multifaceted undertaking is part of a long-range vision to create a 17-mile …

Wisconsin’s $57.5 million highway improvement project on Interstate 94 near Knapp Hill will allow smoother travels for motorists.

“We have concrete pavement that is old and has gone through its complete life cycle,” says Nicole Passuello, Project Development Supervisor, with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Northwest Region in …