The Association of General Contractors (AGC) and Construction Risk Partners recently honored this year’s best new and renovation construction projects with Build America Awards at the AGC Annual Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada. Build America Merit Awards were also presented to construction companies at the convention.

“These awards are designed to set a new minimum standard of excellence for the construction industry,” said Tom Brown, AGC’s Vice President and President of Sierra Pacific West, Inc. in San Diego. “Considering what went into building these projects, that minimum standard is extremely high.”

For 41 years, the Build America Awards have recognized excellence in projects ranging across the building, highway and transportation, utility infrastructure, and federal and heavy industries. The projects are selected by a panel of judges comprised of contractors that look for projects excelling in: state-of-the-art advancement, project management, innovation in construction or use of materials, contribution to the community, client service, overcoming jobsite challenges, environmental sensitivity, and partnering excellence.

In the Rocky Mountain Construction area, the following projects were awarded with 2023 Build America Awards.

Mountain View Corridor Constructors, a Kiewit Infrastructure West Co. and WW Clyde & Co. joint venture, was presented with an award in the Design-Build Civil category for the Mountain View Corridor - 4100 South to SR-201 Design-Build in Salt Lake City, Utah. Designed to improve the transportation network in western Salt Lake City, the $230 million highway connects a residential suburb to a commercial and industrial development.

The project included four miles of two-lane freeway, on- and off-ramps, grade separated bridge crossings, 13 vehicle bridges, six pedestrian bridges, the widening of some intersections, and a new trail system. During construction, the team used an innovative paving approach that will allow the concrete to last longer and be less prone to failure.

“A lot of innovation went into the success of this project,” said Dustin Olson, President of WW Clyde. “Our team members worked long hours alongside our partners at Kiewit. It was challenging, but worth it to help improve transportation in Salt Lake City. I’m proud of what we accomplished and am grateful to the AGC for the recognition.”

There were no lost time injuries during the more than 700,000 manhours that the team worked. This section of the Mountain View Corridor will eventually become part of a 35-mile freeway that runs from I-80 in Salt Lake County to S.R. 73 in Utah County.

In addition to the construction work, the team also visited local elementary schools to teach students about active construction site hazards and discuss construction and equipment.

Combs Construction Company Inc. was presented with two awards — one in the Highway & Transportation Renovation (Under $20 Million) category and another in the Marvin M. Black Partnering Excellence (Under $20 Million) category — for the Glendale Avenue Reconstruction, 99th Avenue to El Mirage Road in Glendale, Arizona. The three-mile stretch is the only major arterial road in Arizona that is paved in Portland Cement Concrete Pavement instead of asphalt.

The Combs team opted to use concrete materials to enhance the road surface, rather than using asphaltic concrete (which is what the original design called for). To save time and money, a fiber mesh underlay was also added, allowing the team to pour a thinner layer of concrete.

The project also included additional improvements to make way for a new building, along with the installation of new sidewalks, driveways, curb ramps, irrigation improvements, lighting, signs, and striping. In addition, Combs Construction Company developed plans to address material shortages and to keep traffic moving through intersections during the entire project.