Executive Summary
In March 2026, The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) launched an ArcGIS-powered portal – the WisDOT Projects Hub – to deliver a new generation of websites connecting the public with information about Wisconsin state highway and bridge projects.
Projects Hub replaced a dated practice of managing project websites in separate platforms based on where the project was within the overall lifecycle. Study, design, and planning websites were managed in SharePoint for the Wisconsindot.gov website. Construction-phase pages were recreated in WordPress to branch from the 511wi.gov traveler information service. While this past practice helped to differentiate what was under construction from what was simply in a development pipeline, it effectively fragmented continuity of information and doubled operational effort to deliver websites publicly.
The Projects Hub delivers a unified, mobile-responsive, and accessibility-conscious experience that meets modern expectations for simple, on-the-go access. By presenting project details through interactive maps and standardized project pages, the Projects Hub makes project status, timelines, and geospatial context easier to find and understand. Color-coding and automated data pulls, keep project lifecycle distinctions clear without prompting the public to navigate separate sites, reducing potential for confusion, and lowering barriers to participation.
The Hub’s Feature Manipulation Engine (FME) integration pulls internal datasets into geo-spatial form, enabling richer transparency for the program. Reusable templates ensure consistent presentation across projects, so residents and stakeholders receive predictable, reliable information regardless of project phase. This consistency supports public involvement requirements by making outreach materials clear and more easily discoverable.
Developed in collaboration with WisDOT’s GIS Unit and informed by peer best practices, the initiative includes plans for internal training, governance, and ongoing support to sustain the platform. Early outcomes include streamlined migrations from legacy systems and reduced operational overhead.
By centering accessibility, clarity, and data transparency, the WisDOT Projects Hub modernizes public engagement—making it easier for Wisconsin residents to find, understand, and participate in transportation decisions that impact their communities.
