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The Designing a Better Wisconsin Blog features stories and projects from the ACEC WI membership highlighting the critical nature of engineering work, life/saftey impacts, and cost-effective, innovative solutions. 

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Perseverance and Flexibility Lead to Improved Water Supply for Elkhorn
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Perseverance and Flexibility Lead to Improved Water Supply for Elkhorn

Written by Douglas R. Snyder, PE, Baxter & Woodman Inc. Determining Water and Facility Needs Determining Water and Facility Needs The City of Elkhorn (City) prepared a water master plan for its system in the year 2000. This study identified the need to replace, or reconstruct, the Centralia... Continue Reading

Postedby Doug Snyder
Date posted08/13/2019


Reconstructed Bridge Makes Grand Entrance into Popular, Picturesque Park
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Reconstructed Bridge Makes Grand Entrance into Popular, Picturesque Park

Written by Dan Sydow, PE, Ayres Associates How times change. How projects evolve. And how transforming the end result of those changes can be. Never was this more evident than with the City of Eau Claire’s Grand Avenue Half Moon Lake Bridge Replacement project – an upgrade like no... Continue Reading

Postedby Daniel Sydow
Date posted07/9/2019


Meister Cheese Company: A Tradition of Repurposing Waste
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Meister Cheese Company: A Tradition of Repurposing Waste

Written by Jane Carlson, P.E., ENV SP, of Strand Associates, Inc.Meister Cheese Company, a family-owned company that has called southwestern Wisconsin home since its establishment in 1916, has mastered the art of repurposing “waste” from its cheesemaking operations. For decades,... Continue Reading

Postedby Jane Carlson
Date posted06/11/2019


Good Vibrations over Wisconsin’s Flambeau River
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Good Vibrations over Wisconsin’s Flambeau River

Written by Leah Rhodes, PE, MSA Professional Services As you drive into the City of Park Falls, you are greeted with a sign reading, “Welcome to Park Falls – Bridging Nature with Industry.” This hybrid of attractions has fueled the success of this small north-central Wisconsin... Continue Reading

Postedby Leah Rhodes
Date posted05/14/2019


Estabrook Dam Removal Marks Environmental, Financial Benefits to Community
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Estabrook Dam Removal Marks Environmental, Financial Benefits to Community

Written by Rusty Schroedel, PE, AECOM Meeting strict environmental demands, saving taxpayer money and reducing flood risk to the community; the Estabrook dam removal project is a multifaceted success for the owner, Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD), contractor, AECOM design team and... Continue Reading

Postedby Staff
Date posted04/16/2019


Improving Safety and Quality of Underwater Bridge Inspections
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Improving Safety and Quality of Underwater Bridge Inspections

Written by: Roy Forsyth, PE, CWI, C.H. and Mark Mutziger, PE; Collins Engineers Engineers are intimately aware that what is out of sight, cannot be out of mind. Bridges often have foundations in waterways. Even though they often cannot be visually seen, they need to support the bridge no matter if... Continue Reading

Postedby Mark Mutziger
Date posted03/12/2019


What Would Life be Like in Wisconsin Without Engineers?
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What Would Life be Like in Wisconsin Without Engineers?

Written by: Leslie Blaize, CPSM, Blaize Communications Engineers Week Feb. 17-23 When Wisconsin’s citizens enjoy a glass of clean water, safely cross a bridge or work in a multi-story building, they can thank engineers. In honor of their important contributions, the American Council of... Continue Reading

Postedby Leslie Blaize
Date posted02/18/2019


A Proactive Program at Work: Investing in Dam Repairs Averts Crisis
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A Proactive Program at Work: Investing in Dam Repairs Averts Crisis

Written by Chris Goodwin, PE; Ayres Associates Dams are an integral part of our lives, providing recreational opportunities, power generation, flood control, wildlife habitat, and other important functions. More than 2,100 high-hazard potential dams are operating in the United States, as reported... Continue Reading

Postedby Chris Goodwin
Date posted02/12/2019


Leading the Charge in Child Abduction Recovery Efforts
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Leading the Charge in Child Abduction Recovery Efforts

Written by: Scott Kiley, MSA Professional Serivces Bringing our children home Nearly half a million children are reported missing in the United States every year. While many are found and safely returned home, others are less fortunate. Three counties in Wisconsin have teamed up to challenge... Continue Reading

Postedby Staff
Date posted01/15/2019


Egg-Shaped Tank Provides Creative, Cost-Effective Solutions
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Egg-Shaped Tank Provides Creative, Cost-Effective Solutions

A Major Capital Investment Highlights Long Road to a Revitalized Clean Water Plant Eight years ago, the City of Waukesha sought to replace its tired and inefficient wastewater treatment facilities with cost-saving, energy-efficient equipment. The City set out on a major capital project ($44.6... Continue Reading

Postedby Vernon Witthuhn
Date posted12/11/2018


Using LiDAR Scanning to Take a Close Look at Aging Infrastructure
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Using LiDAR Scanning to Take a Close Look at Aging Infrastructure

Using LiDAR Scanning to Take a Close Look at Aging Infrastructure in the City of Sheboygan Repair, or demolish and build new? This was the question on the minds of staff at the Sheboygan Water Utility in the city of Sheboygan, Wis., who were facing a decision regarding their 87-year-old,... Continue Reading

Postedby Staff
Date posted11/13/2018


Erb Park & Swimming Pool – Revitalizing a Beloved Community “Bird Bath”
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Erb Park & Swimming Pool – Revitalizing a Beloved Community “Bird Bath”

The City of Appleton, Wisconsin, has long been considered the heart of the Fox River valley, with beloved Erb Park being its cultural pulse for nearly a century. Purchased in 1923, the park acquired its first public pool in 1940—affectionately known as the “bird bath” due to its... Continue Reading

Postedby Raine Gardner
Date posted10/16/2018