Several chapter members received awards at the AGC of America national convention held in Las Vegas, Nev. last week. In addition to our members receiving safety awards, the following members received Alliant Build America and AGC in the Community awards:
Alliant Build America Awards
Best Environmental Enhancement Project
Port of Newport International Terminal Renovation
Natt McDougall Company
The Port of Newport International Terminal has served the fishing and timber industries of the Northwest since two surplus WWII concrete ships were sunk in 1948. Due to major deterioration as a result of collapsing docks and contaminated ships, the facility was in danger of shutting down in 2007. Public outcry and serious environmental concerns about the sunken ships forced construction to be delayed by two years, but during that time, plans were revamped to include environmental remediation of the ships, complete ship removal, and dock demolition and replacement. Crews were able to completely renovate and rebuild all parts of the facility, while also overseeing a major environmental clean-up effort that had plagued operations for years.
Best Utility Infrastructure Renovation Project
Bull Run Dam Improvement Project
Advanced American Construction, Inc.
The dam project consisted of $31 million in infrastructure improvements to a major section of the federally protected Bull Run Watershed, the nation’s purest drinking water reservoir serving nearly 900,000 residents of Portland, Oregon. A new selective withdrawal structure was installed on the existing tower at Dam 2, which allows tower operators to selectively withdraw water from different elevations within the reservoir. This process allows for more natural tail water temperatures to increase the survival rate of the salmon species that spawn Bull Run. This project was a challenge both technically and environmentally, involving major heavy civil, marine, dredge and dive work, while ensuring uninterrupted drinking water services to the city. Work at Bull Run was completed on time, without any major accidents or disputes, and without a single disruption to the drinking water of Portland.
Merit Award for Best Building Renovation Project
Edith Green-Wendell Wyatt Federal Building Renovation
Howard S. Wright
The renovation of the aging Edith Green Wendell Wyatt Federal Building took contractors 39 months to complete and transformed the 1970’s office building into a high performance green building. Overall annual energy use decreased by 60 percent, energy utilization intensity decreased by more than 50 percent, water consumption decreased by 640,000 gallons per year, and 88 percent of construction waste was diverted from landfills. The project team maintained a high level of community engagement, while surpassing the project’s small business and workforce inclusion goals.
Best Renovation of a Highway and Transportation Project
Conde McCullough Memorial Bridge Renovation Project
Hamilton Construction Company
Hamilton Construction Co. completed the six-year McCullough bridge renovation project using the latest technology in cathodic protection to preserve the structure, make necessary upgrades to meet current safety standards, and preserve the bridge’s historic aesthetic in keeping with its listing on the National Historic Register. The project met stringent environmental standards for work in a sensitive coastal habitat and Hamilton honored local heritage by preserving and donating large amounts of old bridge rail to the community for use in public parks and a war memorial, thereby diverting 1.47 million pounds of pulverized concrete from landfills.
Best New Highway and Transportation Project Under $10 Million
Burnt River & Union Pacific Railroad Bridge Replacement Project
Hamilton Construction Company
The railroad bridge project involved the removal of three bridge spans – two concrete and one steel truss – which were then replaced by single-span pre-stressed girders. The unique element to the replacement process was the successful use of a new rapid replacement bridge building technique using Ultra-High Performance Concrete grout and precast deck panels, marking the first time this technique was tested in the state of Oregon. The success of this project will allow a new option to contractors across the nation to build more durable bridges and build them significantly faster than traditional methods.
About Alliant Build America Awards
The Alliant Build America Awards highlight the nation’s most significant construction projects. A panel of judges, representing all areas of construction, evaluated an impressive number of submissions this year, assessing each project’s complexity, use of innovative construction techniques and client satisfaction, among other criteria. The awards, which were announced during the association’s annual convention in Las Vegas, are considered by many to be the most prestigious recognition of construction accomplishments in the U.S. View pictures of BAA projects.
AGC Charities’ AGC in the Community Award
Hamilton Construction Company
Hamilton Construction Company also won the AGC Charities’ AGC in the Community Award for launching a $4.4 million capital campaign to build the first centralized child abuse prevention center in Springfield, Ore. Hamilton donated $250,000 to kick start the campaign, but was able to raise a total of $3.8 million to build the new facility. AGC member McKenzie Commercial managed the project, with 12 other AGC members completing 75 percent of the project work at reduced rates or at no cost. Relief Nursery can now continue to host over 500 children and their families every year in a brand new facility thanks to the efforts of Hamilton and its employees, AGC member firms, and the support of the local community.
About AGC in the Community Awards
AGC in the Community Award winners are selected by a panel of judges representing all areas of construction. Award entries were evaluated based on the level of commitment, the scope of the philanthropic efforts and the quality of the benefits to the community. View pictures of AGC in the Community projects.
View all the Alliant Build America Award winning projects and AGC in the Community Award winners.