The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) recently named the recipients of its Construction Awards for contractors who did outstanding work on WisDOT projects during 2008.
WisDOT presented the annual awards during the Wisconsin Transportation Builders Association's (WTBA) Contractor-Engineer Conference in Madison on January 21.
"These projects highlight the best of the best," said WisDOT project development manager Don Miller, who presented the awards. "Each of these projects contained elements that show what can be done when we look beyond the basics. These projects benefit the communities they serve structurally, functionally and aesthetically."
The Excellence in Grading Award went to RJS and CJS, a Joint Venture, of Superior, WI, for work on U.S. Hwy. 2 in Ashland County. The $11.2-million, 1.3-mile project was part of urban reconstruction in Ashland.
The Excellence in Asphalt Paving Award went to Northeast Asphalt, Inc., Greenville, WI, for work on U.S. Hwy. 51 in Oneida County. The $4.1-million, 12.2-mile project reconstructed 2.2 miles of highway, adding northbound and southbound passing lanes and applying more than 436,000 tons of asphalt, providing an excellent surface for the traveling public.
The Excellence in Concrete Paving Award went to Zignego Company, Inc., of Waukesha, WI, for Wisconsin Hwy. 32 in Ozaukee County. The $5.5-million, 1.6-mile project required four interim completion dates and substantial public involvement. The project will reduce traffic congestion while promoting safety, tourism and business development in the area.
The Excellence in Small Structures Award was presented to Lunda Construction Company, Inc., Black River Falls, WI, for the US 151/County D Interchange to Wisconsin Hwy. 175 in Fond du Lac County. The bridge spans an environmentally sensitive oxbow pond of the Fond du Lac River. The structure provides superior ride quality, displays outstanding craftsmanship and fits well with its natural surroundings.
Two Excellence in Large Structures Awards were presented. One went to Marquette Constructors — a consortium of Lunda Construction, Black River Falls; Edward Kraemer and Sons, Inc., Plain, WI; and Zenith Tech, Inc., Waukesha, WI — for the reconstruction of downtown Milwaukee's Marquette Interchange. The $343-million structure is the largest interchange in Wisconsin and incorporated many innovative construction techniques in order to be completed three months early and millions of dollars under budget.
The second Excellence in Large Structures Award went to Lunda Construction, Black River Falls, for Maple-Oregon Street Bridge in Sturgeon Bay. The $30-million, double-leaf bascule bridge is about 230 feet long, making it Wisconsin's largest bascule bridge. It has a neat and elegant appearance and opened to traffic ahead of schedule and under budget.
The Outstanding General-Aviation Airport Construction Award went to Monarch Paving Company, Eau Claire, WI, for reconstructing 4,000 feet of the 5,500-foot runway and adding a full-length taxiway at the New Richmond Regional Airport. The $1.8-million project completes a multiphase, multiyear transformation at the airport. It allows the airport to fully accommodate corporate and business jet aircraft.
The Outstanding Commercial-Service Airport Construction Award went to Trierweiler Construction & Supply Company, Marshfield, WI, for runway safety improvements at the La Crosse Municipal Airport. The $2.6-million project had to be completed in just two weeks, so crews worked 24/7 to complete the project on time. The Federal Aviation Administration also selected the project to receive the 2008 FAA Great Lakes Region Airport Safety Award.
