When KL Engineering plans and executes a project, we keep environmental stewardship at the forefront. The recently completed award winning CTH D Buffalo Lake Causeway Reconstruction Project is an example of these values.
KL Engineering integrated environmental stewardship into all phases of project delivery. We emphasized material reuse wherever feasible, including reuse or recycling of existing pavement, subgrade, and excavated materials. These practices reduced waste, conserved resources, and extended the service life of existing materials.
Environmental regulations prohibited disturbance of Buffalo Lake prior to June 15 each year to protect fish spawning. This and other competing deadlines compressed the construction schedule into a narrow window, requiring careful sequencing of excavation, fill placement, utility coordination, and paving activities.
Construction scheduling rigorously respected the fish spawning requirements, with all in-water work commencing only after June 15. Wildlife-friendly riprap was installed along the shoreline to support safe animal passage and maintain habitat continuity, balancing infrastructure needs with ecological function. Turbidity barriers were installed and maintained throughout excavation and fill placement to prevent sediment and construction debris from entering Buffalo Lake and to protect water quality.
Thank you to Marquette County, our partners, and everyone involved for trusting us to help deliver a project that met regulatory deadlines, while also aligning with values we hold dear. We are honored to have this work recognized with a 2026 APWA WI Public Works Project of the Year Award, as well as a 2026 ACEC WI Engineering Excellence Best of State Award.
