Wisconsin Dept. of Transportation: Announces 2014 Excellence in Construction Awards

For more information, contact:
Don Greuel, WisDOT Bureau of Project Development
(608) 516-1793, donald.greuel@dot.wi.gov

WisDOT announces 2014 Excellence in Construction Awards
Contractors honored for projects in Brown, Manitowoc, Milwaukee, Dane, Jackson and Trempealeau counties

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) announced Excellence in Construction Awards during the annual Contractor-Engineer Conference held January 29 in Madison. Award winners for 2014 include a grading project in Brown County, asphalt paving project in Dane County, concrete paving project in Brown County, small bridge project in Trempealeau County, and a large bridge project in Manitowoc County. Special Recognition Awards acknowledged work on the Siggelkow Road Bridges in Dane County, concrete paving projects in Brown and Milwaukee counties, and a grading and concrete paving project in Jackson County.

“These annual awards highlight our department’s valued partnership with private construction firms who help us complete about 400 state highway and bridge projects each year,” said Beth Cannestra, director of WisDOT’s Bureau of Project Development. “Choosing award winners is difficult as each project is an important investment in public safety, mobility and economic growth.”

· The Excellence in Grading Award went to Hoffman Construction Co. of Black River Falls for work on the WIS 29 and County FF Interchange in Brown County. The $18 million project included construction of a new diamond interchange, frontage road along WIS 29, and roundabouts north and south of the interchange on County FF. Hoffman Construction also received a special award for work on a $21 million project to reconstruct eight miles of I-94 in Jackson County. Hoffman submitted a cost reduction incentive proposal to complete the work in one year (the original project scope called for a two-year project). This resulted in overall cost savings of $1.3 million through a compressed schedule and limited need for temporary roadways.

· The Excellence in Asphalt Paving Award went to Rock Road Companies, Inc. of Janesville for work on a 10-mile section of WIS 73 north of Albion in Dane County. The $10.4 million project replaced badly deteriorated pavement and piloted a new mix featuring recycled asphaltic pavement and shingles. The section will serve as a test site to observe the durability of the mix, and represents a collaborative effort between Rock Road Companies, WisDOT and the Federal Highway Administration.

· The Excellence in Concrete Paving Award went to Vinton Construction Company of Manitowoc for a $5.3 million project that reconstructed a one-mile segment of Monroe Avenue in Green Bay. Work on the southern portion of the urban reconstruction project was staged to allow access for local residents and businesses, and required close coordination with property owners. Along with new pavements, sidewalks, curb and gutter, the work included decorative lighting and landscaping.

· The Excellence in Small Structures Award went to Edward Kraemer and Sons, Inc. of Plain, Wisconsin for replacement of the Elk Creek Bridge along WIS 93 in Trempealeau County. The $1 million project was completed on time and under budget despite challenges that included working near a 100-year-old dam. The new three-span, concrete girder bridge features decorative lighting, railing and stained limestone surface treatments.

· The Excellence in Large Structures Award went to Lunda Construction Company of Black River Falls for replacement of the 17th Street lift bridge in the city of Two Rivers in Manitowoc County. The $13.7 million project will serve as a cornerstone for the city’s redevelopment plan and features a new bridge operator house, pedestrian overlooks, bike accommodations, decorative railings, textured and stained concrete treatments.

· Lunda Construction Company also received a Special Recognition Award for the $5.7 million Siggelkow Road bridges project in Dane County (part of the I-39 Madison to Illinois project). Lunda utilized an accelerated bridge construction (ABC) process that involved precast bridge columns and pier caps to minimize road closures and overall project costs. The ABC techniques are expected to benefit similar projects in the future.

· Trierweiler Construction Co. of Marshfield received two Special Awards including a $36.2 million project on WIS 100 and Bluemound Road associated with the Zoo Interchange project in Milwaukee County, and the $101.8 million US 41/WIS 29 interchange project (part of the US 41 project in Brown County). Both were highly complex projects that involved careful coordination with subcontractors, local businesses and travelers.