ACPA Announces Individual & Project Award Winners

Presented during the American Concrete Pavement Association (ACPA) December 2024 annual meeting, the association announced the winners of the association's project-based Excellence in Concrete Pavement Award and lifetime achievement and distinguished service awards. The “Excellence in Concrete Pavements” awards recognize quality concrete pavements constructed in the U.S. and Canada. The awards program encourages high-quality workmanship, quality, and creativity in concrete pavement projects. The award-winning projects were paved by 23 different contractors and are located in 12 states or regions represented by ACPA-affiliated chapters and state paving associations. ACPA also expresses appreciation to the 32 professionals who served as judges of the award submittals, reviewing nomination details, and scoring the projects.

Congratulations to all ACPA 2024 award winners. 

Lifetime Achievement & Distinguished Service Awards

The Hartmann-Hirschman-Egan Award: Glenn Eder

American Concrete Pavement AssociationThe 2024 Hartmann-Hirschman-Egan Award winner is former ACPA Board member Glenn Eder. Glenn retired as American Highway’s Vice President of Technical Sales in 2022. Prior to American Highway, Glenn owned and was the president of Contractors Steel & Accessories from 1986 to 1998. After his company was purchased by Ersco Corporation in 1998, he served as the Vice President & Division Manager of Paving Supplies until 2007. Eder went on to work for another load transfer manufacturer, Block Heavy & Highway, from 2007 until 2011, when that company was acquired by Dayton Superior. Eder made his name within the Dayton Superior organization from 2011 to 2015, where he served as the Sales Manager of Paving Products. In 2015 he transitioned from Dayton Superior to JC Supply, growing its business as the Vice President of Marketing & Business development until JC supply was purchased by American Highway in December 2020.  

“Glenn was a valued member of the ACPA Board of Directors for many years and is considered a trusted advisor and friend. Once again, the members have chosen to honor a gentleman and a legend in our industry,” said Laura O'Neill Kaumo, President & CEO of the American Concrete Pavement Association.

“The more than 40 years of contribution, value, and fantastic personality that Glenn has brought to the entire concrete paving industry make him more than deserving of this award. Glenn and I worked together at different times across our careers, my first interaction with him being at Ersco, where I was his salesman from Dayton Superior. Throughout my career I have considered Glenn a mentor, and our business relationship has grown into a personal friendship,” said Ron Meskis, CEO, American Highway.

American Concrete Pavement Association

The Hartmann-Hirschman-Egan Award is the most coveted of the ACPA service and achievement awards. First presented in 1968, this award was originally named in honor of Harold W. Hartmann, the Association's secretary-treasurer from 1964 until 1974. In 1987, Robert E. Hirschman's name was added in recognition of his term as the association's chairman (then president) in 1967, as well as his tenure as secretary-treasurer from 1975 to 1987. In 2007, the name of Edward A. Egan was added for his service as ACPA's chairman in 1986, as well as secretary-treasurer from 1988 to 2007. The award recognizes individuals or organizations for unparalleled commitment, dedication, participation, and leadership in the concrete pavement community.

The Harold Halm Presidential Award: Matt Zeller, P.E, Concrete Paving Association

American Concrete Pavement AssociationThe 2024 recipient is Matt Zeller, P.E, Concrete Promoter at the Concrete Paving Association (CPAM) of Minnesota. Matt has over 30 years of experience in the concrete paving industry, serving as CPAM’s executive director from 2004 to 2024. During his tenure at the Minnesota Department of Transportation, Matt was a key architect of the water/cement ratio specification, which has resulted in concrete pavements that drastically outperform the concrete pavements built without it. Matt is widely known as an expert on concrete pavements pushing for early opening strength research, leading to ideas that are currently being adopted worldwide.

“Matt is an outstanding person who is passionate about concrete pavement. He is truly deserving of the acknowledgement and appreciation of his years of dedication to the industry,” explained Dan Labo, executive director, Concrete Paving Association of Minnesota.

The Harold Halm Presidential Award is named in honor of ACPA's first president, and this prestigious recognition is awarded at the discretion of ACPA's president to an individual who has made significant contributions to the concrete pavement industry.

The Marlin J Knutson Award for Technical Achievement:  Bernard Izevbekhai, Minnesota Department of Transportation

American Concrete Pavement AssociationThe 2024 recipient is Bernard Izevbekhai with the Minnesota Department of Transportation. With decades of experience in the concrete pavement industry, Bernard has been a leading voice in research, co-authoring and authoring over 40 different research papers, primarily on concrete pavements. His work behind MnROAD was critical and his efforts have received worldwide recognition, contributing greatly to new innovations and applications of concrete paving ideas and technologies.

“Bernard is one of the most intelligent and thoughtful researchers that I have ever known, and his integrity and character has always impressed me through the decades that I have known him. Without a doubt, his contributions to the concrete industry will be referenced by other researchers for decades to come,” shared Dan Labo, executive director, Concrete Paving Association of Minnesota.

The Marlin J Knutson Award for Technical Achievement is named in honor of the second chief executive of ACPA and recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to advancing the development and implementation of technical innovations – as well as best practices – for the design and construction of concrete pavements.

The Outstanding Promoter Award: Brent Burwelll, ACPA Oklahoma/Arkansas Chapter

American Concrete Pavement AssociationBrent Burwelll with the Oklahoma/Arkansas Chapter of ACPA is the recipient of the 2024 award. Brent serves as the primary concrete pavement representative between contractors and the Departments of Transportation for Oklahoma and Arkansas. Brent’s steadfast promotion of concrete pavement and concrete pavement technology, as well as his involvement in specification review processes, encourages decision makers to have confidence in choosing concrete. Brent has skillfully guided meetings between contractors and DOT representatives, providing rare forums where industry stakeholders can collaborate directly on concrete specifications and innovative ideas, effectively managing research and fostering open discussions.

“Brent’s expertise has become a valuable asset, not only to contractors, cement companies, and suppliers, but also to DOTs and municipalities who often seek his insights on concrete-related matters. His technical expertise and professional disposition have created a great deal of respect and trust in the industry, which has undoubtedly resulted in an increased use of high-quality concrete pavements in Oklahoma and Arkansas. Brent truly serves as the ‘cement’ that binds various stakeholders, ensuring cohesion and advancing standards across the industry,” explained Don Weaver, president, Weaver Bailey Contractors.

The Outstanding Promoter Award is given annually to a person who has made significant contributions through promotion efforts or programs to advance the awareness, specification, and/or placement of concrete pavements. This recognition is reserved for those who have been on the front lines making a difference for our industry.

The National Lifetime Pavement Recognition Award: The Dare County Regional Airport 

American Concrete Pavement AssociationThe Dare County Regional Airport has served the Outer Banks Community in North Carolina from its Roanoke Island location since 1943 and is the recipient of the 2024 Lifetime Pavement Award. The airport’s concrete apron – also known as a ramp or tarmac – was in service for nearly 80 years, facilitating more than 32,000 landings and takeoffs each year before requiring renovation. While the renovations the airport were completed in 2022, this airport serves as a great story telling the benefits and longevity of concrete pavement.

“This project is worthy of an award for long-life pavement and the following should be recognized: Dare County, the North Carolina Department of Transportation, and the FAA Southern Region for having the foresight to fund and award a concrete project to fix the long-life pavement that had been in service for 80 years,” shared Greg Dean, executive director, Southeast Chapter, ACPA.

The National Lifetime Pavement Recognition Award is presented to an agency/owner of an in-service concrete pavement that has demonstrated exceptional performance for its state and community, and for local users.

The Best in Show Sustainability Award: Iowa Department of Transportation-Emmet County- Highway 9 project, Emmet County, Iowa

The 2024 recipient was the IDOT-Emmet County- Highway 9 project located in Emmet County, Iowa. Project contractor Cedar Valley believes that “being green” is cost effective and socially responsible and they have been recognized by the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Chamber of Commerce as a Leader in Sustainable Business. This project removed and recycled over 34,000 square yards of concrete which was used as modified subbase under the new mainline pavement. Additionally, the project used 1L cement, reducing the environmental impact of cement production by reducing the CO2 emissions in the manufacturing process. The first operation on this project was the installation of silt fences and ditch checks to prevent fugitive soil from entering the existing water ways. Likewise, disturbed areas were always stabilized if construction activity did not take place for 21 calendar days. The project contractor is Cedar Valley Corp and the owner is the Iowa Department of Transportation.

The Best in Show Sustainability Award is awarded to the organization and project that best showcase sustainable operations and construction practices.

The Best in Show Innovation Award: Route 28 Interchange Improvement Project, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania

The 2024 recipient is the Route 28 Interchange Improvement Project, located in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. The project incorporated many innovative construction practices such as utilizing stringless paving and non-destructive paving. Using stringless paving allows for the elimination of the labor-intensive aspect of setting up stringline for concrete slipform machines and concerns about limited workspace. Using non-destructive paving eliminated the need for nearly 30 concrete cores which would have been drilled into the new concrete pavement. The project contractor is Golden Triangle Construction, the project owner is Pennsylvania Department of Transportation; and the engineer is Michael Baker International.

The Best in Show Innovation Award is awarded to the organization and project that best showcase innovation in either the contracting process or during the construction phase to improve safety, cost to construct, value, quality, and performance.

 Excellence in Concrete Pavement Awards 

Concrete Pavement Restoration for Highways and Airfields, Gold Award – Denver International Airport Runway 17L-35R Pavement Rehabilitation and Electrical Upgrades, Denver, ColoradoAmerican Concrete Pavement Association

Concrete Pavement Restoration for Highways and Airfields

• Silver Award – I-70 Rifle to Silt Concrete Pavement Rehabilitation, Garfield County, Colorado
  Contractor: Myers & Sons Construction
  Owner: Colorado Department of Transportation
  Engineer: AtkinsRéalis
• Gold Award – Denver International Airport Runway 17L-35R Pavement Rehabilitation and Electrical Upgrades, Denver, Colorado
  Contractor: Millstone Weber, LLC
  Owner: City & County of Denver, Department of Aviation
  Engineer: Woolpert, Inc.

County Roads, Gold Award – County Highway B53, Palo Alto County, IowaAmerican Concrete Pavement Association

County Roads

• Silver Award – Kanza Road Reconstruction, Marion County, Kansas
  Contractor: Wildcat Construction Co., Inc.
  Owner: Marion County
  Engineer: EBH Engineering
• Gold Award – County Highway B53, Palo Alto County, Iowa
  Contractor: Croell, Inc.
  Owner & Engineer: Palo Alto County

Roller Compacted Concrete – Industrial-Commercial, Gold Award – Port Houston, Barbours Cut CY 4&5, Seabrook, TexasAmerican Concrete Pavement Association

Roller Compacted Concrete – Industrial-Commercial

• Silver Award – Colonel’s Island Terminal Improvements, North Side, Brunswick, Georgia
  Contractor: Morgan Corp.
  Owner: Georgia Port Authority
  Engineer: Moffatt & Nichol
• Gold Award – Port Houston, Barbours Cut CY 4&5, Seabrook, Texas
  Contractor: A.G. Peltz Group, LLC
  Owner: Port Houston
  Engineer: Jacobs Engineering

Roller Compacted Concrete (Roadways and Airfields), Gold Award – 160th Street Crossing, Noblesville, Hamilton Co., IndianaAmerican Concrete Pavement Association

Roller Compacted Concrete (Roadways and Airfields)

• Silver Award – Air Capitol Drive, Park City, Kansas
  Contractor: Andale Construction, Inc.
  Owner: City of Park City, Kansas Champtown Partners
  Engineer: PEC Engineering
• Gold Award – 160^th Street Crossing, Noblesville, Hamilton Co., Indiana
  Contractor: E&B Paving, LLC
  Owner: Martin Marrietta

Industrial Paving, Gold Award – Sioux Falls Public Safety Training Campus, Sioux Falls, South DakotaAmerican Concrete Pavement Association

Industrial Paving

• Silver Award – Mitchell, IN K4 Plant, Mitchell, Indiana
  Contractor: Milestone Contractors LP
  Owner: Heidelberg Materials
  Engineer: Salas O’Brien
• Gold Award – Sioux Falls Public Safety Training Campus, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
  Contractor: T&R Contracting, Inc.
  Owner: City of Sioux Falls
  Engineer: Stockwell Engineers

Reliever & General Aviation Airports, Gold Award – Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport, Rehabilitate Taxiways, Aprons, and Auto Gates, Green Bay, WisconsinAmerican Concrete Pavement Association

Reliever & General Aviation Airports

• Silver Award – Rosecrans Memorial Airport, Reconstruct Runway 17-35, Buchanan, Missouri
  Contractor: Ideker, Inc.
  Owner: City of St. Joseph
  Engineer: JVation
• Gold Award – Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport, Rehabilitate Taxiways, Aprons, and Auto Gates, Green Bay, Wisconsin
  Contractor: Vinton Construction Company
  Owner: Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport
  Engineer: Mead & Hunt

Military Airports, Gold Award – NAS Lemoore P-391 F-35 Maintenance Hangar, Naval Air Station Lemoore, CaliforniaAmerican Concrete Pavement Association

Military Airports 

• Silver Award – Special Operations Facility (SOF) Hangar at Laguna Army Airfield, Yuma, AZ
  Contractor: Southwest Concrete Paving Company (SWCP)
  Owner: AFCEC/CFS
  Engineer: Mead & Hunt
• Gold Award – NAS Lemoore P-391 F-35 Maintenance Hangar, Naval Air Station Lemoore, California
  Contractor: Southwest Concrete Paving Company (SWCP)
  Owner: NAVFAC Southwest
  Engineer: Jacobs Engineering

Concrete Pavement Restoration for Highways and Airfields, Gold Award – Denver International Airport Runway 17L-35R Pavement Rehabilitation and Electrical Upgrades, Denver, ColoradoAmerican Concrete Pavement Association

Commercial Service Airports

• Silver Award – The New Signal Terminal and Parking at KCI, Platte County, Missouri
  Contractor: Ideker Inc.
  Owner: Kansas City Aviation Department
  Engineer: Garver
• Gold Award – Runway 5R-23L and Taxiway D, Package #2, Indianapolis, Indiana
  Contractor: Milestone Contractors, LP
  Owner: Indianapolis Airport Authority
  Engineer: Circle City Aviation Partners JV (Kimley-Horn & Woolpert)

Municipal Streets & Intersections (less than 30,000 square yards), Gold Award – Mineral Point Historic Downtown USA, High Street Reconstruction, City of Mineral Point, WisconsinAmerican Concrete Pavement Association

Municipal Streets & Intersections (less than 30,000 square yards)

• Silver Award – 30^th Street & Colorado Avenue Protected Intersection and Underpass, Boulder, Colorado
  Contractor: Concrete Works of Colorado
  Owner: City of Boulder
  Engineer: Otak, Inc.
• Gold Award – Mineral Point Historic Downtown USA, High Street Reconstruction, City of Mineral Point, Wisconsin
  Contractor: Parisi Construction Company, Inc.
  Owner: City of Mineral Point
  Engineer: Delta 3 Engineering

Municipal Streets & Intersections (greater than 30,000 square yards), Gold Award – US Highway 18 and SD Highway 44, Tripp County, South DakotaAmerican Concrete Pavement Association

Municipal Streets & Intersections (greater than 30,000 square yards)

• Silver Award – MODOT Route 19 and I-70 Interchange, New Florence, Missouri
  Contractor: Emery Sapp & Sons, Inc.
  Owner: Missouri Department of Transportation
  Engineer: Jacobs Engineering
• Gold Award – US Highway 18 and SD Highway 44, Tripp County, South Dakota
  Contractor: Reede Construction, Inc.
  Owner: South Dakota DOT Winner Area Office
  Engineer: South Dakota Department of Transportation

Overlays (Streets & Roads), Gold Award –175th St/265th Ave NW of Calmar, Winneshiek County, IowaAmerican Concrete Pavement Association

Overlays (Streets & Roads)

• Gold Award –175^th St/265^th Ave NW of Calmar, Winneshiek County, Iowa
  Contractor: Croell, Inc.
  Owner & Engineer: Winneshiek County

Overlays (Highways), Gold Award – PCC Overlay, Roads M-27, B-24, Clay County, IowaAmerican Concrete Pavement Association

Overlays (Highways)

• Silver Award – US-169 Passing Lane & Pavement Project, Neosho County, Kansas
  Contractor: Clarkson Construction Company
  Owner: Kansas Department of Transportation
• Gold Award – PCC Overlay, Roads M-27, B-24, Clay County, Iowa
  Contractor: Cedar Valley Corp., LLC
  Owner: Clay County

State Roads, Gold Award – Perkins Road US-177, Payne County, OklahomaAmerican Concrete Pavement Association

State Roads

• Silver Award – IDOT – Emmet County – Highway 9, Emmet County, Iowa
  Contractor: Cedar Valley Corp., LLC
  Owner: Iowa Department of Transportation
• Gold Award – Perkins Road US-177, Payne County, Oklahoma
  Contractor: Duit Construction Company, Inc.
  Owner: Oklahoma Department of Transportation
  Engineer: Olsson

Urban Arterials & Collectors, Gold Award – Route 28 Interchange Improvement Project, Allegheny County, PennsylvaniaAmerican Concrete Pavement Association

Urban Arterials & Collectors

• Silver Award – City of Madison, South Blair Street, Dane, Wisconsin
  Contractor: Trierweiler Companies
  Owner & Engineer: Wisconsin Department of Transportation
• Gold Award – Route 28 Interchange Improvement Project, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
  Contractor: Golden Triangle Construction
  Owner: Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
  Engineer: Michael Baker International

Divided Highways (Urban), Gold Award – I-75 Modernization Segment 3 Design-Build-Finance-Maintain (DBFM), Oakland County, MichiganAmerican Concrete Pavement Association

Divided Highways (Urban)

• Silver Award – North Split Reconstruction, Indianapolis, Indiana
  Contractor: E&B Paving, LLC
  Owner: Indiana Department of Transportation
  Engineer: Janssen and Spaans
• Gold Award – I-75 Modernization Segment 3 Design-Build-Finance-Maintain (DBFM), Oakland County, Michigan
  Contractor: Ajax Paving Industries, Inc.
  Owner: Michigan Department of Transportation
  Engineer: AECOM Great Lakes, Inc.

Concrete Pavement Restoration for Highways and Airfields, Gold Award – Denver International Airport Runway 17L-35R Pavement Rehabilitation and Electrical Upgrades, Denver, ColoradoAmerican Concrete Pavement Association

Divided Highways (Rural)

• Silver Award – Nebraska-Fremont-Highway 30, Dodge County, Nebraska
  Contractor: Cedar Valley Corp., LLC
  Owner: Nebraska Department of Transportation
• Gold Award – US 69 in Calera, Bryan County, Oklahoma
  Contractor: Duit Construction Company, Inc.
  Owner: Oklahoma Department of Transportation
  Engineer: CEC Corporation