In This Together — Online Guide

In This Together | Online Guide | Project Start to Finish | Ideas for outreach, promotions and operations | Temporary Signage Guide

We hope the information in this guide is useful. You can also find Portable Document Format (PDF) versions in English and Spanish on the In This Together main page. The following information is intended for business owners and operators. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) appreciates that there are many types of businesses that contribute to Wisconsin’s economy. No matter your business type or location, we hope the information in this guide is useful.

detour to highway 15 east sign Important resources:

What to Expect from WisDOT

  • Commitment to safety: Alternate routes, detours and temporary pedestrian accommodations.
  • Partnership: Business access and keeping heavy equipment away from busy areas.
  • Open communication: Public meetings, project websites, social media, emails and one-on-one discussions.

How Businesses Can Play an Active Role

  • Get to know the project: Attend meetings, review project materials and connect with staff to learn about timelines and project goals.
  • Provide input early: Communicate your thoughts on key project details, alternative routes and parking information as soon as possible.
  • Share project materials: Use maps, handouts and regular project updates to keep customers, employees and suppliers informed and engaged.

Project information resources

Dear business owners:

Thank you for your many contributions to Wisconsin’s economy and quality of life. WisDOT works hard to develop and maintain the quality infrastructure you deserve to effectively move goods, deliver services and bring in customers.

WisDOT understands that improvement projects can create logistical challenges for businesses of all shapes and sizes, and that these challenges can vary depending on the location and nature of a business. In some cases, businesses are clustered near project sites, while other times the businesses themselves stand alone as a roadside destination.

We call this program “In This Together” because department planners and engineers are passionate about working with project stakeholders to reduce or eliminate impacts that could occur during construction. Your business adds value to any highway improvement, and community partnerships matter greatly to the work that we do. We want you, the business owner, to have a firm understanding of what’s happening, why it’s happening and what the future looks like for any project that has potential to impact your business.

Ideally, this guide will serve as a springboard for productive discussions among WisDOT staff and the business community. So, please take some time to review this information. We hope you find the resources, descriptions and examples to be insightful and helpful.

To your success,

Kristina Boardman

Secretary, Wisconsin Department of Transportation


Traffic in a work zone near a local business  
People sitting at a table at a planning meeting  
Asphalt paving taking place on a highway in front of a business