By helping local governments avoid federal prevailing wages and regulations on road projects, lawmakers are hoping to make the state’s tight transportation budget stretch further.

Tagged with: Davis-Bacon prevailing wages Wisconsin County Highways Association WisDOT

A legislative decision to give counties millions more to cope with road damage from winter coincided with a push to make sure those who spend the money behave like private businesses.

Tagged with: Joe Sanfelippo Mark Gottlieb Wisconsin County Highways Association WisDOT

By Paul Snyder Union officials are blaming counties for killing a bill that would have required licenses for crane and heavy equipment operators. Counties wanted their employees exempted from licensing, said Robb Kahl, executive director of the Construction Business Group, ...

Tagged with: bill Construction Business Group crane heavy equipment International Union of Operating Engineers Local 139 license Local 139 McGowan Parisi Robb Kahl Wisconsin County Highways Association

Paul Snyder paul.snyder@dailyreporter.com The Wisconsin County Highways Association wants a video eye on motorists driving through road construction zones, but the group first needs to bypass skepticism in the Legislature. “There are a lot of generic concerns about enforcing laws ...

Tagged with: budget fatalities roadwork safety state Legislature Wisconsin County Highways Association

Paul Snyder paul.snyder@dailyreporter.com Wisconsin roadworkers are at the mercy of inattentive drivers and a difficult-to-enforce move-over law. “Ultimately, the orange barrel doesn’t do much to protect us,” said Bruce Stelzner, Chippewa County highway commissioner and president of the Wisconsin Counties ...

Tagged with: accident Dane County Wisconsin County Highways Association Wisconsin Department of Transportation