Several state departments of transportation recently outlined their 2026 construction plans, which include fixing worn pavement, repairing and replacing bridges, improving highway and intersection safety, easing bottlenecks in busy corridors, plus expanding transit and active transportation options.
[Above photo by the Utah DOT]
For example, the Utah Department of Transportation plans to start work on 176 new construction projects this year, worth $2.8 billion – all in addition to the ongoing work on 57 current projects.
The new endeavors include the $225 million SR-177 (West Davis Highway) extension project in Davis County; a $43.2 million effort to extend the S-Line streetcar line in Salt Lake City; and the $621 million 2100 North Highway construction effort in Utah County.
“Every project we start is about taking care of the system Utahns rely on every day,” noted Lisa Wilson, Utah DOT deputy director, in a statement.
“From fixing key routes and preserving bridges to building trails and supporting transit, this work is focused on making travel safer, more reliable and more accessible,” she said. “At the end of the day, our goal is simple: help people get where they’re going safely.”
[Editor’s note: The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials recently named Wilson to a two-year term as chair of the Committee on Transportation System Operations or CTSO. She also currently serves as chair of the Steering Committee for the AASHTO Innovation Management or AIM technical service program.]
Meanwhile, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation plans to work on more than 400 highway improvement projects during the 2026 construction season, including finishing up the rebuild of I-41 in Milwaukee County; reconstruction of WIS 21 between Omro and Oshkosh; and reconstruction of the I-39/90/94 bridges over the Wisconsin River in Columbia County.
“As our teams get ready for another robust construction season, the safety of crews, industry partners, and the traveling public remains our top priority,” noted Kristina Boardman, secretary of the Wisconsin DOT, in a statement. “With construction projects planned in every county of the state, we urge motorists to plan ahead, know before you go with 511 Wisconsin, and always drive with caution in work zones.”
Meanwhile, the Minnesota Department of Transportation plans to work on more than 200 projects this season to improve state roads, bridges, and other transportation infrastructure, along with another 51 projects aimed at improving airports, water ports, railroad crossings, and transit systems.
The agency noted that major projects for the 2026 season include the start of a four-year project to build four interchanges along Hwy 65 in Blaine; replacing the aging I-35E bridge over Shepard Road in St. Paul; continuing reconstruction of Hwy 97 in Forest Lake; and beginning a multi-year project on Highway 197 in Bemidji that adds roundabouts and improves pedestrian accessibility at intersections.
“When complete, these projects will help people get around more easily, improve safety, create smoother pavement, and improve connectivity for everyone who relies on our multimodal transportation system,” noted Nancy Daubenberger, MnDOT commissioner, in a statement.
Meanwhile, the Ohio Department of Transportation is kicking off a record-breaking $3.4 billion construction season that includes a total of 977 new projects. For the 2026 season, 739 bridges and approximately 4,562 miles of roadway are set for improvements, with 174 safety projects also set to begin.
“As a state that makes and moves things, we must have a safe transportation system that is well maintained,” said Governor Mike DeWine (R) in a statement.
“This record-setting construction season is a testament to [our] focus on building a more resilient transportation system and saving lives,” added Pam Boratyn, Ohio DOT’s director. “This investment positions Ohio as the heart of the nation’s supply chain and continues to fuel the state’s economic engine.”
Back out west, warming spring weather will allow the Arizona Department of Transportation to continue or start work on a broad assortment of highway improvement projects across the northern part of the state. Projects that have been in winter shutdown, including the $15.8 million I-17 wildlife crossing south of Flagstaff, are resuming.
The agency noted in a statement that its crews finished most of the I-17 wildlife crossing bridge located 12 miles south of Flagstaff, with work this spring to include installation of eight miles of new wildlife fencing along the highway – an effort that should wrap up by fall.
Arizona DOT said it also plans to begin work on a $19.4 million State Route 64 Improvement Project north of I-40 in Williams that will resurface 19 miles of SR 64 between the I-40 interchange and Pipeline Road while adding several new left turn lanes and improving turnouts.
