After severed gas lines led to both a deadly explosion in Sun Prairie and an evacuation in Fond du Lac this week, industry officials are saying now's a perfect time to reflect on the dangers of reckless excavations.

Tagged with: Bob Bartel digger's hotline explosion Sun Prairie VC Tech Inc. Wisconsin Underground Contractors Association

Milwaukee Water Works wants state approval for a rate increase that would raise $10 million, enough to start to catch up on water main replacements.

Tagged with: Carrie Lewis Dick Wanta Jeff Stone Milwaukee Water Works PSC sewers Wisconsin Underground Contractors Association WUCA

After reading Mr. Richard W. Wanta's remarks in The Daily Reporter's Monday Voices of April 30, I am compelled to respond by, first, congratulating The Daily Reporter and its staff for doing their jobs.

Tagged with: letter to the editor Wisconsin Underground Contractors Association WUCA

I am reacting to all the negative articles that have appeared in The Daily Reporter these past two months relative to construction of the city of Franklin interceptor sewer project that is providing numerous family-supported jobs to tradespeople, contractors, minority business enterprise firms, apprentices, material and equipment suppliers, truckers, insurance/bonding firms, and many others.

Tagged with: Franklin letter to the editor sewer Wisconsin Underground Contractors Association WUCA

Construction lobbyists are looking forward to a quieter state Capitol that doesn't force them to push their agendas to the drumbeat rhythm of a guy pounding a 5-gallon pail.

Tagged with: Building Commission CMAR collective bargaining Dick Wanta economy Jerry Deschane Jim Boullion jobs Scott Walker WBA Wisconsin Builders Association Wisconsin County Highway Association Wisconsin Underground Contractors Association WUCA

A Milwaukee lobbyist is accusing the city of violating the spirit of a new state law that bans local bid preferences.

Tagged with: Ashanti Hamilton bid preference Grant Langley Jim Bohl local preference Richard Wanta Robin Vos Scott Maly Wisconsin Underground Contractors Association

By James Briggs The Milwaukee attorney’s office Monday reported the state budget bill had rendered unenforceable a two-year-old local bid preference ordinance. The budget, which passed in June, includes language mandating that “except when necessary to secure federal aid, a ...

Tagged with: Boullion budget DPW Jim Boullion local preference MJ Construction Residents Preference Program Scott Maly United Sewer & Water Wisconsin Underground Contractors Association WUCA

By James Briggs A Milwaukee lobbyist is preparing to ask for financial help — on behalf of the city — to pay for sewer projects and to train new workers. Dick Wanta, executive director for the Wisconsin Underground Contractors Association, ...

Tagged with: Capital Improvements Committee Dick Wanta grant sewer Wisconsin Underground Contractors Association WUCA

By James Briggs The 2011-13 state budget has cast uncertainty over Milwaukee ordinances that subject some public works projects to prevailing wage and geographical bid preference requirements. The budget, signed into law Sunday by Gov. Scott Walker, includes language that ...

Tagged with: Ashanti Hamilton budget Dick Wanta Fabishak local preference prevailing wage Scott Walker Wisconsin Underground Contractors Association WUCA

By Marie Rohde Milwaukee is cautiously building toward a law that would direct more public contract money toward women- and minority-owned companies. The caution stems from a 1989 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that established lawmakers must prove past or present ...

Tagged with: Ashanti Hamilton Craig Anderson D. Wilson Consulting Group DBE Marvin Pratt Ossie Kendrix preference Rhonda Kelsey Wanta Wisconsin Underground Contractors Association WUCA