The Associated General Contractors (AGC) has announced the four winners of the Marvin M. Black Excellence in Partnering Awards sponsored by Liberty Mutual. These awards annually recognize the construction projects that epitomize the principles of partnering.
The winners, announced at AGC’s 86th Annual Convention, represent projects that stand out among others for their ability to achieve a common goal, honor all stakeholders, perpetuate partnering, resolve conflicts, improve communication and incorporate team-building activities.
In its second decade, the Marvin M. Black Excellence in Partnering Awards celebrated successful partnerships and years of outstanding results from these collaborations.
The 2005 award winners include:
• Kiewit Western Company and the Arizona Department of Transportation
Project: SR 260, the Christopher Creek Segment Payson to Heber Highway, 20 mi. east of Payson, AZ.
Many challenges, including the largest forest fire in the history of Arizona were overcome because of the dedication to teamwork and partnering cultivated throughout the project.
The result was a transportation facility with characteristics of a major highway, but the appearance and character of an environmentally sensitive byway through one of Arizona’s most scenic forests.
• Sundt Construction Company and the Pima County Department of Transportation
Project: Skyline Drive Design-Build Improvement Project, Pima County, AZ.
The partners commitment to quality and gaining support from the surrounding community empowered the team to overcome initial intense public scrutiny and to complete the project 8.5 months ahead of schedule, resulting in 2.5 mi. of heavily traveled arterial roadway located along Tucson’s scenic, northern “foothills.”
The innovation of this project included many “firsts” that resulted from the partnering process, one of these included visiting, door-to-door, with every property owner early in the project to understand their needs and issues while developing relationships based on trust.
Due to this partnership, Pima County was able to keep its commitment to the community and everyone involved felt they were a part of the project.
• Granite Construction Company and the Arizona Department of Transportation
Project: 19 East Frontage Road: Ruby Road to Rio Rico Drive, Santa Cruz County, AZ.
With the philosophy of “Catch it early, and solve it before losing time,” this project tackled many challenges that made it a landmark for a county that depends heavily on international border trade.
Through the partnering process, the team was able to maintain access to the many warehouses lining I-19 that receive shipments of produce from Mexico and serve as pick-up points for American truckers who distribute in the United States.
The team’s strong commitment to partnering and community relations made the project, which finished under budget, successful and safe, with zero injuries.
• J. P. Cullen & Sons, the State of Wisconsin and Milwaukee County Parks Department
Project: South Milwaukee New High School and Middle School Remodel Project, South Milwaukee, WI.
The project began with early delays due to its environmentally sensitive location.
This challenge was overcome by joining forces with the state of Wisconsin and Milwaukee County Parks Department.
Together they altered the site development to provide a permanent habitat for the endangered Butler Garden Snake and Blue Stemmed Golden Rod while still saving the project $3.2 million, allowing the owner to enhance the project above the initial referendum scope.
Special recognition was given to six other outstanding projects including:
• Project: State Route 95-McCulloch Boulevard South to London Bridge, Lake Havasu, AZ.
Contractor: FNF Construction Inc. and the Arizona Department of Transportation.
• Project: Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center-National Air and Space Museum, Chantilly, VA.
Contractor: Hensel Phelps Construction Company
• Project: W1=W Lambert Airport Expansion-Lindbergh Boulevard Tunnel, St. Louis, MO.
Contractor: McCarthy Building Companies Inc. and Mosley Construction Inc.
• Project: Design-Build Pediatrics Intensive Care Unit, San Diego, CA.
Contractor: Stronghold Engineering, Inc.
• Project: Robert F. Kennedy Main Justice Building, Washington, D.C.
Contractor: Gilbane Building Company.
For more information, visit www.agc.org.
Today's top stories
