Transportation Improvement Conference Agenda

A1. How to Build an Ethical Society
Speaker: Richard Kyte, Viterbo University

For the past few years we have been experiencing severe political and social disruption. But it is a mistake to look only at recent causes. The tension has been building in our society gradually, over the past two hundred years. Scientific and technological advances have been making the world better, decade by decade. But technology has costs. It gives us power and freedom, but it erodes our social connections. As a result, we have longer life expectancy, less poverty, less famine, but more anxiety and burnout. The answer, if we want to live in an ethical society that maximizes the well-being of everyone, is to work within our organizations and communities to intentionally develop strong social connections.

Learning Objectives:

• Review the root causes of societal changes and the effects on ethics.
• Discover how the past few years have accelerated ethical changes.
• Learn the importance of developing strong social connections to create an ethical world.

A2. Scope and Fee Negotiations with a Hostage Negotiator
Speaker: Dan Oblinger, Leadercraft

This is an unscripted dive into the power of negotiation.  Work with a hostage negotiator who specializes in working with engineers!  Bring your most challenging situations in working with problem clients, colleagues, and C-suite executives, and see the right way to think and act in critical conversations.  If you ever wanted a hostage negotiation expert to coach you through life's messy situations, this is your chance!

Learning Objectives:

• Discover an effective and practical definition of negotiations for engineers in a technical AND business environment.
• Experience a highly capable framework of managing emotions and conducting discovery to see how people decide and how we can generate cooperation. 
• Apply principles of agreement, peace-building, and uncovering hidden information to situations in YOUR world.
• Learn the two truths about Scope Creep that will radically change how you see Scope and Fee negotiations and boost the profitability of any project you manage.

C1. Understanding the Railroad Coordination Process
Speakers: Joanna Bush, Mead & Hunt & Kristen Sommers, WisDOT

Gain insight into the railroad coordination process, the people and agencies involved, what triggers different complexities and timelines within the process, and how you, the roadway designer, can ensure successful and timely coordination on your project.

Learning Objectives:

• Help designers understand the railroad coordination process, how it varies depending on the project and its impacts to the railroad as well as the timelines associated with each of the typical types of projects.
• Provide a background on the role of the various entities and agencies involved in a project requiring railroad coordination.
• Provide guidance on preparing a railroad project submittal package and a railroad real estate submittal package.

C2. BIL Grants, BIL Grants Everywhere!
Speakers: Paul Chellevold, SRF Consulting & Jessica Wagner, WisDOT

There are a plethora of Bipartisan Infrastructure Law grants available to the transportation sector and just as many municipalities seeking firms that can assist them in applying for these grants. You will learn about the grant programs so you can determine where your firm could provide needed services. You will develop an understanding of how WisDOT fits into the grant application process and the parameters for assisting the Department in acquiring grant funding for WisDOT programs. You will get an opportunity to hear a presentation about the WIS 175 Reconnecting Communities Pilot grant application development process. This will be an opportunity to learn about the important aspects of what should be included in a grant application and project scope.

Learning Objectives:

• Learn about the many opportunities for grant work available to your firms to assist the you in determining the best fit for your company in assisting grant applicants with application preparation.
• Understand the process for becoming a firm to be considered to do work for WisDOT when grant applications for projects and programs opportunities become available.
• Learn how the grant application for the WIS 175 Reconnecting Communities Pilot grant program was developed and the important considerations in assembling a grant development team.

C3. I-40 Hernando de Soto: Critical Actions for a Critical Find
Speaker: Aaron Stover, Michael Baker

On May 11, 2021, a partial fracture of one of the tie girders of the Hernando de Soto Bridge’s arch span was found during a fracture-critical inspection.  The severity of the fracture led to the immediate closure of the bridge and greatly impacting the traveling public.  This event quickly gained attention across the country from the public, media outlets and politicians alike. This presentation will cover the activities undertaken during the inspection and three phased repair the structure, as well as challenges faced and lessons learned, so the bridge could be re-opened to traffic on August 2, 2021, just 83 days after the fracture was initially discovered.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand critical design and management techniques used to expedite repair and re-opening of the structure.
• Discover the importance of fracture critical inspections and the role of NDT testing for T-1 steel members.
• Learn repair techniques and design considerations for restoring capacity of the tie girder under full dead load of the structure.

C4. I-94 East-West Project Update
Speakers: Jeff Bauer, Jacobs & Joshua LeVeque, WisDOT

WisDOT and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) are continuing an environmental and engineering analysis of the I-94 East-West Corridor. The project covers approximately 3.5 miles of Interstate 94 between 70th Street and 16th Street in Milwaukee County. The project includes one existing system interchange (WIS 175/Brewers Boulevard) and five service interchanges (70th Street/68th Street, Hawley Road, Mitchell Boulevard, 35th Street, and 25th-28th/St. Paul Ave.) This segment of I-94 opened to traffic in 1961-1962. I-94 is a major east-west freeway link across the northern U.S. and is a critical link in Milwaukee County's freeway system, connecting the Marquette and Zoo interchanges. In addition to serving long-distance travelers and regional and national freight movement, the study area freeway system is an important commuter route supporting the regional economy. The purpose of the I-94 East-West Corridor study is to address the deteriorated condition of I-94, obsolete roadway and bridge design, existing and future traffic demand, and high crash rates.

Learning Objectives:

• Review the project history/origin, purpose and need.
• Develop understanding of the EIS process through this project example.
• Gain from lessons learned for future projects.

C5. Bats and Bees and Butterflies, Oh My!
Speakers: Jennifer Gibson, WisDOT & Stacy Rowe, WDNR

Come learn about the latest developments in the classification and regulation of state and federal endangered species. This session will provide an overview of state endangered species regulations, including the Incidental Take Permit/Authorization and Endangered Resources Review processes, as well as up and coming topics. Also learn about the federal regulatory changes for bats and how WisDOT is modifying practices for compliance, plus WisDOT’s involvement in pollinator conservation agreements.

Learning Objectives:

• Learn about tools and resources to comply with the state and federal endangered species laws.
• Understand key changes in federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) consultation and environmental commitments for bats.
• Understand WisDOT’s involvement in pollinator conservation agreements.

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D1. I-94 Reconstruction Design-Build Projects
Speakers: Keith Farquhar & Scott Hasburgh, Mead & Hunt

This presentation will offer a case study of two design-build interstate reconstruction projects in Minnesota. The first project used a best-value procurement to address needs on approximately five miles of I-94 from St. Michael to Albertville. The second project used a low-bid procurement with design alternatives to address needs on approximately 15 miles of I-94 from Monticello to Clearwater. MnDOT prepared a preliminary layout for each project and allowed for innovation using an Alternative Technical Concept process. Substantial changes to the preliminary layout were introduced for each project, resulting in both advantages and challenges during delivery.

Learning Objectives:

• Discover factors to consider when evaluating projects for design-build delivery
• Learn about various approaches to procuring a design-build project
• Review best practices on the use of Alternative Technical Concepts to allow contractor innovation.

D2. Wisconsin Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Plan
Speaker: Kaleb Vander Wiele, WisDOT

Kaleb Vander Wiele is from WisDOT’s Division of Budget and Strategic Initiatives and is WisDOT’s Transportation Electrification Project Manager. Kaleb has served in a variety of roles at WisDOT that have allowed him to focus on regulatory issues and policy development. In his current role in the Division of Budget and Strategic Initiatives he has been tasked with leading WisDOT’s effort in preparing for the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program. Kaleb’s presentation will focus on WisDOT’s initial efforts in preparing to support the conversion to electric vehicles.

Learning Objectives:

• Review the department’s ongoing collaborative efforts and partnerships to support the conversion to electric vehicles.
• Highlight WisDOT’s Wisconsin Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Plan which will guide the department in administering $78.65 million in federal funds to support the construction of electric vehicle charging stations.
• Discuss Wisconsin’s Alternative Fuel Corridor system and the deployment of the Wisconsin Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Plan.

D3. Beltline Flex Lane - Implementation, Testing, and Beyond
Speakers: Jason Koster & Elizabeth Schneider, WisDOT; Joe Urban, Strand Associates

Last summer the Madison Beltline Flex Lane became the first implementation of active traffic management utilizing dynamic part-time shoulder use in the state of Wisconsin. Come attend and learn about the construction, implementation, and how this successful system has been operating!

Learning Objectives:

• Review of the implementation phase of the Flex Lane including installation and testing.
• Learn how the Flex Lane is maintained and operated.
• Discover the ongoing operational benefits of the Flex Lane.

D4. Public Involvement:  It’s a Brave New World
Speakers: David Hunt & Melissa Kok, WisDOT

Public Involvement is always an exciting field to learn more about. See a demonstration of the latest version of WisDOT’s proposed standardized project website. Learn how the revised WisDOT FDM Chapter 6, Public Involvement will make your PI project development easier. Hear about the latest and greatest techniques to right-size your project public involvement efforts

Learning Objectives:

• Hear about, see, and learn how the neat bells and whistles available on the new WisDOT project website will help you in spreading the word about your project. Get an understanding of how this improved website expands the functionality available and greatly improves the user experience.
• Understand the flexibilities now included in Chapter 6 of the WisDOT FDM to assist you in right-sizing your project-level public involvement efforts
• Develop a concise Public Involvement Plan for your project.

D5. Cost Estimating Trends
Speakers: Jill Fehrman & Fred Schunke, WisDOT

The course will provide the attendees an opportunity to learn where estimating tools and guidance are located as well as receive information on current bidding trends.

Learning Objectives:

• Examine recent trends in unit bid prices and discussion of tools to use for developing estimates.
• Learn the latest estimating guidance and tool updates.
• Understand expectations and guidance when responding to justification emails.

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