The Concrete Paving Association of Minnesota (CPAM) is proud to announce its 2024 awards for outstanding paving work completed in the previous year. The award banquet took place in Mankato, MN as part of CPAM’s Annual Concrete Paving Workshop. Award nominations were solicited by CPAM in conjunction with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT). A panel reviewed and rated the submitted survey information (including construction photos, plan sheets, incentive/ disincentive worksheets, and smoothness data) and selected a winner in each project category.

Minnesota’s concrete pavements are designed to last for decades and prevent the need for constant repaving. The surface of concrete pavement remains smooth and durable, extending the service life of our busiest highways.  “Congratulations to the award winners for their commitment to quality and innovation,” said Dan Labo, CPAM Executive Director.

2024 Annual Concrete Paving Awards:

  • Cannon Falls to Zumbrota on US-52 received “MnDOT New / Reconstruction Award 2023.” The new pavement will last for several decades with minimal maintenance to serve this high-traffic corridor. The award went to: Prime Contractor Mathiowetz Construction Company, Concrete Paving Contractor PCiRoads, LLC; as well as MnDOT District 6, KLJ Engineering, and WSB Engineering. Among other improvements, the project rebuilt 13.5 miles of southbound lanes.
  • Sacred Heart’s TH 212 from TH 23 to Renville County CSAH 6 won “MnDOT Overlays Award 2023.” At a time when infrastructure needs are great, we are glad to see investment and stewardship of existing road resources over their life cycle. A great example of this is Hwy 212 in Renville County – from east of Hwy 23 to CR 6 in Renville. The concrete pavement was resurfaced and will reliably serve local traffic for decades to come. In Sacred Heart, the reconstructed roadway also has upgraded sidewalks, pedestrian ramps and adjacent driveways to meet Americans with Disabilities (ADA) standards. Concrete paving was done by industry-leading professionals Shafer Contracting of Shafer, MN. Additional winners recognized on this project are the Minnesota Department of Transportation District 8, SRF Consulting and WSB. Several local legislators toured construction to learn about the paving process and investments in the roadways.
  • In Saint Paul, sections of I-94 & I-35E from Western Avenue to Mounds Boulevard won recognition for “MnDOT CPR Award 2023.” In this context, the lifesaving function of CPR means “Concrete Preservation and Repair.” Prime CPR contractor PCi Roads LLC joined Minnesota Department of Transportation Metro District and Diamond Surface, Inc. The pavement condition was improved with several maintenance strategies, including diamond grinding. Restoring road smoothness can result in improved auto mileage efficiency.
  • Olmsted County won the “Rural: County New / Reconstruction Award 2023” for work phases on the reconstruction of CSAH 4 (Valley High Road NW) / CSAH 44 (60th Avenue NW). The improvements included roadway upgrades, a roundabout intersection, multi-use paths, access modifications, and safety improvements. Olmsted County staff worked with prime contractor Fitzgerald Excavating & Trucking Inc, concrete paving contractor Shafer Contracting Co., Inc, and SRF Consulting Group.
  • Ramsey County was awarded “Urban: County New / Reconstruction Award 2023” for Ramsey County Highway 51 from County Rd E to I-694. Shafer Contracting Co. was the paving contractor. Cemstone supplied the concrete. Consulting engineers were Alliant Engineering and Sambatek, Inc.
  • Fillmore County took home “County Overlays Award 2023” for CSAH 25 from CSAH 10 to County Road 107. Coordination of the project and paving was done by contractor Croell Inc. Concrete overlays can be paved over existing pavement, whether asphalt or concrete. Frequently, an additional 10-25% upfront investment in paving material to a long-lasting concrete pavement can achieve tremendous return on investment; frequently increasing the design life by 50-100%. Concrete overlays help ensure we get the most efficient solution for the tax dollars expended.
  • The City of Marshall received recognition for “City New / Reconstruction Award 2023” for work completed on N 3rd St from Main Street to Redwood St & W Lyon St from TH 19 to 5th St. The prime contractor was R & G Construction of Marshall, MN. Concrete paving was done by Hess Concrete Inc. of Marshall, MN with material supplied by Buffalo Ridge Concrete, Inc. The consulting engineer was Bolton & Menk, Inc. City staff determined the concrete material will be cost-effective and durable over its long life.
  • The Duluth Airport Authority won “Airport New / Reconstruction Award 2023” for best pavement construction performed on Midfield Ramp Repair & Taxiway A Reconstruction at Duluth International Airport. High-quality concrete will serve air traffic for over 40 years, paved by Shafer Contracting, Co. with engineer SEH, Inc. The purpose of this project was to replace aging infrastructure. The existing pavement was over 50 years old. The eventual result will be a full reconstruction of all 10,500 feet of Taxiway A. Previously, Duluth International Airport’s Taxiway A won “Airport New Construction Award 2022.” Concrete is a sustainable, recyclable material. During previous projects involving the reconstruction of Duluth’s primary Runway 9/27, the existing concrete was removed and kept on airport property for use on a future project. This allowed for the reconstruction team to incorporate sustainability. The rubble was transformed into aggregate material used as the new pavement’s base, ultimately saving an estimated 500 truckloads of importing and exporting material.
  • Anoka County can claim ownership of the state’s best new roundabout, at CSAH 35 and Gardena Ave NE Intersection, with the “Roundabouts, Intersections, Etc. Award 2023”. New Look Contracting partnered with Anoka County, AVR Inc., WSB Engineering, and Restoration and Construction Services. Improved traffic flow and safety was accomplished with the roundabout. Concrete provided a pavement that will last longer with less maintenance, reducing impact of constant repaving interruptions to motorists and nearby destinations.