PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — The Presque Isle branch of Northeast Paving, a paving and construction company with various locations in the northeastern U.S., recently received the Quality in Construction Award from the National Asphalt Pavement Association.
Northeast Paving was the only Maine division of the company to receive the award, which recognized the plant’s work in the rehab and repavement of a 10-mile stretch of Route 1 between Presque Isle and Caribou. The project, coordinated by the Maine Department of Transportation, ended in August 2020 and involved constructing a new 12-inch base down the center of the road and placing gravel for a new hottop surface.
The project came about in an effort to replace the original, 1950s-era construction materials, which were no longer considered suitable for road construction in Maine.
Richard Sheldon, plant manager for Northeast Paving in Presque Isle, said that 30 employees were involved in all aspects of the project, from testing materials in the lab to the construction, as well as controlling traffic while road work was in progress.
“We’re very happy for our team because this project really was a team effort. If any one of us had dropped the ball, we would not be as successful,” Sheldon said. “Our focus is safety, quality and product. Safety means everything to us. It means we can send our employees home at the end of the day and make a quality product.”
NAPA Quality of Construction Awards are given annually to companies who take on projects involving under 50,000 tons of asphalt or over 50,000 tons. The Route 1 project was one of 67 projects receiving an award for construction involving over 50,000 tons.
Awards are given based on project qualities such as “excellence in project management,” “innovative construction practices,” the contractor’s consideration of the environment and surrounding communities and the project’s contributions to the community.
