DTSD Excellence in Design Awards

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Watch a recap of the 2025 Design Awards

Watch the 2025 Design Awards ceremony from March 4, 2025

Awards

Note: Click any image below to view a full size version.

Best rural design by WisDOT

Aerial view of WiS 15 expansion 

WIS 15 Expansion, Outagamie County

This final segment of the WIS 15 major project expanded 2.8 miles of a rural principal arterial from two to four lanes between Hortonville and New London. The design team worked through numerous challenges to provide a major improvement that eliminated design deficiencies and is expected to reduce congestion and improve safety while minimizing impacts on the surrounding rural community.

Best rural design by a consultant

Aerial view of WIS 29 J-Turn 

WIS 29 RCUT, Shawano County

This project economically improved the intersection of WIS 29 and County MMM/Clark Drive in Shawano County. The design team analyzed a full range of alternatives and concluded that the new Restricted
Crossing U-turn (RCUT) will most economically address the trend of severe crashes at this rural intersection, while maintaining access until full freeway conversion occurs.

Best structure design by WisDOT

County AB Bridge over WIS 29 

County AB Bridge over US 12, Dane County

The new County AB overpass and interchange over US 12 in the Town of Cottage Grove is expected to provide significantly safer access between County AB and US 12, improved bicycle and pedestrian access along County AB and aesthetic treatments to complement similar structures along US 12.

Best structure design by a consultant

The WIS 130 bridge over the Wisconsin River 

WIS 130 Bridge over the Wisconsin River, Richland, Sauk and Iowa counties

This WIS 130 river crossing project stands out because of the exceptional partnership between the SRF design team and WisDOT. The new and more resilient structures were carefully sized, arranged and designed to create modern, durable structures that minimize the footprint in the river, protect sensitive wetlands and provide unobstructed views for river users.

Best urban design by WisDOT

I-43 interstate after reconstruction 

I-43 Reconstruction, Milwaukee County

The I-43 Union Refrigerator Transit (URT) freeway project from Capitol Drive to Hampton Avenue is a complex 1.46-milelong, $60M interstate reconstruction project that removed an old bridge above the abandoned URT railyard and replaced it with a lowered section of roadway between two new retaining walls.

Best urban design by a consultant: tie

The I-43 County Line Road Interchange 

I-43/County Line Road Interchange, Milwaukee and Ozaukee counties

This project demonstrates exceptional urban design by addressing complex geometric challenges and enhancing pedestrian accessibility and safety while minimizing environmental impacts. Innovative solutions, such as implementing a road diet on Port Washington Road, complex box culvert replacement and strategic staging, make this project a design award winner.

WIS 54  roundabouts 

WIS 54 Compact Roundabouts, Outagamie County

This project includes construction of the first (and second) compact roundabout on the state highway system in Wisconsin. This cost-effective solution is expected to address a crash trend while fitting into a constrained environment. The project also involved converting a four-lane section of roadway to a three-lane section, which is expected to improve safety while staying within the existing footprint.

Best local program design

West Walnut St., Milwaukee County 

West Walnut Street Reconstruction, Milwaukee County

This project demonstrates how a deteriorating urban thoroughfare was redesigned to make speeding difficult, and walking, biking and transit use safer and easier for the community. The project transformed West Walnut Street, taking community concerns into consideration, while staying on schedule and finishing within the predetermined budget.

Best local program design – honorable mention

Lake Mendota Drive Bridge 

Lake Mendota Drive Bridge, Dane County

The Lake Mendota Drive Bridge project combines historical preservation, sustainable design and community-driven solutions. Featuring a custom timber structure, it is expected to enhance safety while honoring local heritage. It also minimizes environmental impact, creating a lasting, eco-friendly gateway that connects the Village of Shorewood Hills to its past and future.