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U.S. 95 overlay near Council wins national asphalt paving award

Work on the Idaho Transportation Department’s 40-mile pavement preventive-maintenance project on U.S. 95 and Idaho 55, between Alpine Store and New Meadows, late last summer and early fall, was recognized with a national asphalt paving award for Knife River Corp., the $6.7-million project’s contractor.

The “2014 Quality in Construction” award for excellence was presented to Knife River at the annual meeting of the National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) Jan. 28 in Florida. It is one of seven finalists for NAPA’s 2015 Sheldon G. Hayes award.

The work included an 11.5-mile section of U.S. 95 from Alpine Store to Council, a 24.8-mile stretch of U.S. 95 from Council to New Meadows, and a 3.7-mile stretch of Idaho 55, from the turnoff to Packer John Cabin State Park to New Meadows.

Click here for a picture of the highway project, courtesy of Knife River.

The project, finished in just 54 days and using more than 50,000 tons of asphalt, involved milling off one-half inch of the old roadway surface in various locations to prepare for a new driving surface, repairing asphalt soft-spots, repairing and installing guardrail and delineation, and installing trench drain in specific areas along the highway.

“This award demonstrates the quality level we strive for on all our highway projects,” said ITD Resident Engineer Shawna King. “We are accountable to use taxpayer money responsibly, and this is another indication that we take that responsibility seriously. Knife River did a great job on this project, and the highway users are the ultimate beneficiaries.”

King said a second striping course is needed this spring, along with minor finishing work.

“Quality pavements are something every road builder strives to construct. We want to build pavements that deliver on the promise of high performance and drivability for the public,” said William C. Ensor III, NAPA 2014 Chairman. “Projects that earn a Quality in Construction Award have been measured against industry best practices designed to live up to that promise. I’m proud to say that, in earning a 2014 QIC Award, winning contractors have met or exceeded these rigorous quality standards.”