March 2026 Newsletter

MARCH 2026

March is here, and with it comes a season of fresh starts, longer days, and plenty of opportunities to spring projects forward. As we march ahead into a busy construction season, our teams are laying the groundwork for success, building momentum, and making sure every detail is nailed down. From breaking ground to topping out, we’re ready to weather any storm and keep progress blooming across every jobsite. Here’s to a productive month filled with solid foundations, strong partnerships, and projects that continue to rise above expectations.

This newsletter is our way of keeping everyone connected. Through sharing updates, celebrating wins, and highlighting people and projects that make our work possible. If you have something you’d like to feature, a story to share, or an idea for future content, I’d love to hear from you. Your feedback helps me build a better newsletter, so don’t hesitate to send your thoughts my way!

Emily Nietzel | Marketing Coordinator

NEW EMPLOYEES

There is a reason that Dondlinger Construction is a leader in the construction industry. It’s our people. We rely on the leadership, expertise, and drive of our employees to create the many bridges, highways, buildings and structures that are part of the Kansas skyline. Each employee at Dondlinger plays a key role in the success of this company.

Brian Pinedo Carpenter

Nicholas Campbell Diesel Tech - Allied Crane

Jacob Ayala Estimator/ Project Manager

Austin Warkins Field Engineer

Nestor Garcia Laborer - Spring Hill

Michael Hadley Laborer

Keymonte Howard Laborer

Juan Ojeda Laborer

Jesus Reyes Laborer

Jesus Camacho Rigger - Allied Crane

Brad Healey Safety Coordinator

Rich Harbold Superintendent

Dale Larson Truckdriver

Stephen Riney Truckdriver

REASONS TO CELEBRATE

MARCH BIRTHDAYS MARCH ANNIVERSARIES

Jaquez Carpentier 3/19 Nathan

3/19 Brent Castillo 3/21 Carlton Dumont 3/21

Tavion Johnson 3/21

April Taube 3/22

Sergio Alvarado Estrada 3/26

Stephen Wegeng 3/26

Gavin Taylor 3/27

Benny Ibarra 3/31

St. Patrick’s Day

March 17th ESOP Breakfast

March 27th

BLUE PRINTS FOR BETTER THINKING The Happiness Advantage

OWNERSHIP O U T L

March is the perfect time to spotlight one of the best perks of our ESOP — employer contributions. Unlike traditional retirement plans that rely on your paycheck, ESOP contributions are made by the company on your behalf, helping your account grow without impacting your take-home pay. Each year, company contributions in the form of stock or cash are allocated to employee accounts based on plan guidelines like compensation and years of service, steadily building a meaningful foundation for your financial future.

Your ESOP grows in two exciting ways: through these annual contributions and through changes in company share value, meaning your everyday work helps drive long-term impact. As you continue your career and become vested, this benefit becomes an even stronger reward for your commitment and teamwork. Simply put, the ESOP is more than a retirement plan, it’s a partnership that turns your daily efforts into shared success and ownership.

Stacked with

Success:

Your Guide to Our First ESOP Breakfast

Start your morning the employee-owner way at our ESOP Breakfast! A celebration of what makes our company truly special.

Enjoy a free, hot breakfast while the legendary Chris Cakes team serves up their famous flying pancakes for a side of fun and flair.

We’ll also honor both past and newly fully vested employee-owners with a custom Dondlinger Vest, recognizing the commitment and pride that power our shared success.

Feeling lucky? Don’t miss your chance to guess this year’s stock price. The closest guess will take home a prize you definitely won’t want to miss.

Come hungry, bring your competitive spirit, and get ready to celebrate ownership together!

EARTHWORK

Approximately 150,000 cyds of Overburden Stripped!

FROM THE VAULT

16 years ago Dondlinger wasn’t very different than Dondlinger today, we were busy with incredible jobs and winning awards for those jobs. Here is what was happening nationally at this time 16 years ago:

Barack Obama was President

The world came together to support clean up from the 2010 Haiti earthquake

The Black Eyed Peas’ “Imma Be” was on top of the music charts

THE HUB M U L T

D AOMProgress continues to move full steam ahead across the project, with visible advancements in multiple areas. At the parking garage, crews are wrapping up cable railing installation and electrical lighting on all levels, while site utilities, grading, and paving progress around the perimeter. Signage installation is scheduled for April, bringing the structure one step closer to completion. Meanwhile, the bulk of activity is centered at the Transit Center and South Operations area, where exterior masonry is now complete and interior finishes are underway. Teams are actively painting, installing ceiling grid, and setting tile in restrooms, with exterior glazing set to begin this week. The project remains on track for late spring turnover, with the facility anticipated to open to the public this summer.

LINCOLN ST. D A

MIn 2011, Dondlinger helped reconstruct the Lincoln Street Dam and Bridge by moving the dam from underneath the bridge and including a fish ladder and kayak run! With the last improvements happening in 2020we are back at it helping make the dam and bridge more functional!

Illusions Exhibit - Exploration Place Wichita, KS

AGC of Kansas State Building Award of Honor

McPherson College Wise Campus Commons

AGC of Kansas State Building Award of Honor

Mid-Continent Instruments + Avionics

Gabe Probst, Zach Newell, Jared Woody, and Eric Swenson along with the architects from Alloy Architecture pictured accepting the award.

GROUND B R E A k

We broke ground on the new WPD West Patrol Station!

This building will include office spaces, conference rooms, FEMA rated storm shelter, locker rooms, physical fitness center, armory, garage, and a holding/interview sector. This project is estimated to be completed April of 2027!

SPRING H I L L

Exciting progress is underway on Gardner Road as crews replace the existing two-lane bridge over Interstate 35 with a wider, longer structure designed to support future growth and improved connectivity. The $26.2M project will deliver a modern fourlane, 80-foot-wide bridge spanning 460 feet, complete with shoulders and a 12-foot multiuse path for added accessibility. In addition to significant earthwork, structural concrete, steel installation, drainage upgrades, and ramp improvements that prepare the interchange for a future diverging diamond configuration, the bridge will also feature decorative lighting and enhanced architectural finishes for a welcoming look. Construction milestones in 2026 include completion of the new bridge and key ramps, with 2027 focused on roadway tie-ins, major drainage work, a new section of 193rd Street, and final ramp construction to bring the full project vision to life.

KDOT Johnson Co. Grading, Bridge & Surfacing

Project Manager | Aaron Carter

Asst. PM/Asst. Superintendent | Blake Nichols

General Superintendent | Dick Pool

Earthwork & Pipe Superintendent | Carole Davis

Bridge Superintendent | Andrew Blaylock & Logan Edwards

CHILDREN’S M E

RC Y

The Children’s Mercy Wichita Clinic is chugging along to the final phases. Targeted to open and serve the community Summer 2026!

CTRL+TIPS

Rename Files faster with F2

If your desktop or project folders are starting to look like a junk drawer, here’s a quick way to clean things up. Instead of right-clicking a file and selecting Rename, just:

1) Click the file once to select it.

2) Press F2 on your keyboard.

3) Start trying the new name and press Enter. That’s it! No right-click required.

SHORTCUTS ARE A Choice

The decision to take a shortcut can be influenced by many different factors. That being said, at the end of the day, shortcuts are a choice made by an individual. It is important to realize this fact and take steps to avoid taking shortcuts, especially when it comes to safety on the job.

Common Safety Shortcuts:

Not implementing all necessary safeguards. Almost every work task has several safeguards that are to be implemented prior to work beginning. Each safeguard that is implemented is one more way to protect yourself and others from injury.

Not wearing the necessary PPE. PPE is the last line of defense for workers. You never know when you may need it.

Rushing during tasks or not taking the necessary time to do certain tasks. Many things can be missed when rushing during a work task. This can lead to incidents occurring.

Shortcuts cut Life short.

Ways to avoid taking shortcuts:

Hold yourself to a higher standard. Do not take the easy way out. Take the time and energy to perform tasks correctly. Make it a habit to follow safety policies and procedures.

Help set the expectation that shortcuts are unacceptable when it comes to safety. If coworkers see you taking shortcuts, they are more likely to do so themselves.

Realize that shortcuts affect more than just you. They can result in negative impacts on production, property damage, as well as injuries. If facing a perceived time pressure, evaluate whether it is a selfimposed time pressure. Many times individuals put pressure on themselves to perform a task faster when there is no real outside pressure to get a work task completed.

Preplan work tasks well ahead of time so the necessary tools, training, personnel, safety equipment, time, etc., are available. Having all the necessary items for work tasks can help avoid the urge to take shortcuts.

Hard Hats & Soft Smiles

The guys at The Hub were feeling photogenic and stopped to strike

Discount

or

FREE PASSES

To these locations:

Reach out to Tawny Vo if interested!

You and your family are eligible for discounts such as: 35% off Accessories, 22% off NonUnlimited Data Plans, $5 off Unlimited Plans with Auto Pay, and additional discounts available for first responders, teachers and other eligible groups.

You can earn up to $1,000 for every person you refer who is hired!

Contact HR for more details!