NiceConnect: Delivering more than projects

The NiceConnect Project with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) is more than a milestone; it’s a movement. For the first time in our industry, technology partners who once competed are now sitting at the same table, working side by side for a shared purpose: to transform how infrastructure is delivered and managed for generations to come.

A VISION FOR THE FUTURE

This isn’t just another project. It’s a proof of concept for a new era—an era where planning, design, construction, and asset management aren’t isolated silos but a seamless, interoperable ecosystem. MnDOT’s vision, powered by a federal grant and our long-standing partnership, is bold: modernize and standardize data, create a digital twin environment, and automate the entire lifecycle of an asset. From the first sketch to decades of maintenance, every decision will be informed, connected, and optimized.

COLLABORATION THAT BREAKS BARRIERS

What makes this revolutionary is the collaboration at scale. Esri, Bentley, and Trimble—technology giants who rarely align—are now united under one goal. It took months of navigating politics and building trust, but today, they’re working together, not against each other. And the impact will reach far beyond Minnesota. With 17 other DOTs engaged through Federal Highway Administration peer exchanges, the ripple effect will touch every corner of the country. This project also aims to engage municipalities across the state to share across jurisdictions. This is not just for MnDOT; it’s a blueprint for every department of transportation and infrastructure owner to adopt.

DELIVERING ASSETS, NOT JUST PROJECTS

Our goal for the future is clear: WSB will no longer deliver “just” projects; we’ll deliver assets—considering their entire lifecycle. That’s a differentiator that will redefine our role in the industry. The deliverables speak volumes: a data modernization and standardization plan, software development, interoperability framework, and an implementation roadmap that any DOT or infrastructure owner can implement at their own organization.

A NEW ERA BEGINS

NiceConnect is proof that when we choose collaboration over competition, we don’t just build better projects—we build a better future. This approach has never been taken before, and it could change the way our entire industry delivers infrastructure. For MnDOT, for WSB, and for every DOT that follows, this is the start of something bigger than all of us.