Divided Highways (Rural) — Silver

Project: Interstate-385 Rehabilitation, Laurens, S.C.

Contractor: McCarthy Improvement Company

Owner/Engineer: South Carolina Department of Transportation

For the first time in the South Carolina DOT’s history, a section of Interstate was closed to allow reconstruction. The project completion window eight months, and late completion penalties of $50,000/day were set.

Concrete paving began on January 19th using stringless technology coupled with a dowel bar insertion system. Over the span of 280 days, the project endured three snow storms, two 25-year rain events, and more than 110 total days of precipitation. It was the wettest and coldest winter in more than 27 years.

On April 30, the project was 38 days behind schedule, but thanks to good weather and perseverance the crews forged ahead, and on July 23, 2010 the northbound lanes were reopened24 days ahead of schedule.

Divided Highways (Urban) — Gold

Project: Interstate-40, Banner Rd. to Garth Brooks Blvd., Canadian County, Okla.

Contractor: Duit Construction Company, Inc.

Owner: Oklahoma Dept. of Transportation

Engineer: Poe & Associates

ODOT officials identified this section of I-40 as one of the worst interstate pavements in the metropolitan area. The project was expedited because of the nearly $30 million dollars in federal funding available in economic stimulus program known as ARRA.

This high profile $61.5 Million project encompassed nearly eight miles of highway in each direction and required the construction of 42 lane miles of roadway. The project also called for rebuilding of three bridges over several I-40 intersections. The project received an early finish bonus equaling $2.5 Million, a smooth ride bonus equaling $685,000.