Walbec Group

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News from Payne and Dolan

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Walbec Honored with Multiple 2023 NAPA Quality in Construction Awards

Walbec announces that Northeast Asphalt (NEA) and Payne + Dolan (P+D) have received several prestigious National Asphalt Paving Association (NAPA) awards. These awards recognize the outstanding work of our team members throughout the Midwest.

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Artificial Intelligence AI in Engineering and Surveying

Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Engineering and Surveying at Walbec

As new technologies emerge, Walbec continues to search for opportunities to automate our land surveying and engineering data-gathering tasks.

Drones equipped with cameras and sensors are used to quickly and accurately map large areas of land, capturing high-resolution images with precise GPS-derived photo positions. Artificial intelligence (AI) is used to create high-resolution orthophoto mosaic images from the data for conceptual designs or exhibits. These images are helpful when processing traditional survey data to ensure the automated line connectivity and topographic feature mapping correctly depict the site conditions. Having high-quality aerial mapping saves time and minimizes the chances of having to travel back to the site to collect missing information.

Our engineering and surveying services team has applied automated data processing with machine learning algorithms to analyze and map pavement distress from orthophoto mosaics. The pavement distress data is then used by engineers to develop a pavement rating necessary to select an appropriate course of action for asphalt or concrete rehabilitation.

Robotic total stations also utilize AI to identify, lock onto and track a 360-degree prism to measure angles and distances with a single operator. Monitoring total stations are programmed to work autonomously on a fixed schedule to collect angles and distances to fixed targets. This technology is most often used for settlement monitoring for bridges, quarries, and buildings.

AI applications are rapidly advancing each year in exciting ways. The costs of automated data processing are dropping as the technology becomes more mainstream. Survey data collected using drone images is not as precise as what is collected by a land surveyor. Pavement distress mapping doesn't inform engineers of the underlying causes of distress. There will always be limitations and expert judgment required to ensure that the data acquired is dependable and accuracy standards are achieved using best practices.

The talented team throughout Walbec’s family of companies continues to seek out innovative opportunities to integrate AI to assist our team members with decisions regarding complex problems and reduce errors that have previously required human oversight and verification. Learn more about the Engineering & Surveying services Walbec has to offer, and reach out today with any questions.

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When to Mill and Overlay my asphalt pavement?

Milling and overlaying may be a suitable solution when asphalt pavement has surface distress but is structurally sound.

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Tosa Land Surveying 2022

Walbec Partners with Local Schools to Offer Hands-On Learning Opportunities

Our Payne + Dolan team has enjoyed providing hands-on learning experiences for high school students through a partnership with local schools.

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NEWSMAKERS OF 2022

The Daily Reporter recently recognized three of our Walbec team members as 2022 Newsmakers of the Year. These awards recognize people and organizations that have positively led Wisconsin's construction and design industry throughout the year.

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Mackenzie Barnes Honored with EmpowerHER Scholarship

Walbec's Mackenzie Barnes Honored with empowHER TWBN Scholarship

Mackenzie Barnes, Project Engineer for Payne and Dolan, was selected as a recipient of the TWBN Scholarship provided by empowHER and will be attending the conference in October.

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Walbec Trade Days - Boys and Girls Club Camp Whitcomb

The 4th Annual Walbec Group Trades Day at Camp Whitcomb was a huge success! We're thankful to the Boys and Girls Club for inviting us to participate with various trade partners to offer an inside look into the construction industry.

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87th Street Reconstruction Project Recognized as a Top Project of 2021

87th Street has been recognized by The Daily Report as a 2021 Top Project! Congratulations to Payne + Dolan and all industry project partners.

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Northeast Asphalt HTCP QMP Team Award

Walbec Quality Management Team Recognized by WAPA

Walbec's Quality Management team recognized by WAPA with an HTCP QMP Team Award.

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Expanding our Design & Engineering Services Nationally

Did you know our P+D design and engineering team performs work throughout the US?

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Shoreline Restoration at Walbec’s Terminal

The rising Lake Michigan water levels have resulted in the need for shoreline stabilization in many areas including Walbec Group’s Terminal located in Port Milwaukee.

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Walbec to Offer Road Building Recruitment Event on January 22nd

Payne & Dolan, Inc. & Zenith Tech, Inc., in partnership with WRTP/BIG STEP and WisDOT, will be conducting interviews and selecting candidates for a 130 hour, non-paid road construction preparation program.

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Boys and Girls Club Enjoying Payne and Dolan Quarry Tour

The Next Generation of Construction Trade Professionals

Outreach is an important part of the culture at Walbec Group and is one of the ways we try to get our message out about the great opportunities within our company.

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Payne and Dolan Team at Boss Lift 2018

"Boss Lift" - Employers Supporting the Guard and Reserve

Steve Higgins, our VP of Construction for Payne & Dolan, was invited by Jesse Augustine, a P&D Scheduler to participate in a “Boss Lift” event last month at Camp Grayling, MI.

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Northeast Asphalt Safety Huddle

New Walbec Corporate Videos Launch

Throughout the 2017 construction season, we captured our crews at work and interviewed our talented team members with the goal of providing two videos that articulated who we are as a family of companies, our core values, and diverse capabilities.

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Walbec Group New Asphalt County Highway

P&D, NEA, and ZTI Recognized by WisDOT for Excellence in Construction

The Walbec Group is honored to be recognized by WisDOT with Excellence in Construction Awards for work completed throughout Wisconsin.

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P&D and ZTI Collaborate at Erin Hills

The Walbec Group is honored to have had the opportunity to partner with the USGA on the U.S. Open Championship at Erin Hills.

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