Inside - Ames Construction

AmesNews
Fall 2011
Ames Construction
is proud to celebrate
50 years of business
This was the first piece of equipment
purchased by company founder Dick Ames.
It was restored in the early 1990s and is
proudly displayed at the entrance to the
company’s headquarters in Burnsville, MN.
It is a lasting reminder of where
Ames Construction started.
Inside
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.............................................. Celebrating 50 Years
................................................................ Corporate
.................................................................. Midwest
..................................................... Rocky Mountain
............................................................... Southwest
................................................................... Western
.................................................... Announcements
CELEBRATING 50 YEARS
The History of Ames Construction
Back in 1952 Richard J. “Dick” Ames
began working, as a day laborer, for the
Volden Highway Construction Company.
As Dick worked for Verdie Volden, he
did all that he could to learn about the
construction business. In 1962, Dick
purchased and renovated a Caterpillar
D8 tractor and started Richard J. Ames
Excavating. Later that year, Raymond
“Butch” Ames, joined the company and,
in 1963, the company name changed to
Ames Construction Inc.
How Long is 50 Years?
Today, Ames Construction is a successful
company that has grown to over 2500
employees in five regional offices
throughout the country. The Ames family
credits much of the company’s success to
working hard in a team setting.
It’s sometimes hard to grasp just how
long 50 years is. To get a sense of what
50 years means, let’s examine the world
as it was when Ames Construction was
in its infancy.
The Ames family — the influential founders of Ames Construction, Inc.
Dick Ames and Verdie Volden at Denver
International Airport, 1991.
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Company CEO Butch Ames operating the first piece of equipment purchased in 1962 by
company founder Dick Ames.
Although shopping malls, as we
know them today, didn’t exist, the first
Walmart and the first Kmart opened in
1962. We had Telstar, the first “active”
communications satellite, and the first
light-emitting diode (LED), but a trip
to the moon was still a thing of fantasy.
There was no such thing as, cordless
phones, Zip codes, catalytic converter,
Microwave ovens, or ATMs.
John F. Kennedy was president, of the
United States, and the nation was deep
in the debate over civil rights. The
Russians had recently exploded the
largest (ever) nuclear bomb, and we
were in the midst of the Cuban
Missile Crisis.
In 1962, the average construction
worker made about $5000 a year,
equivalent to $35,000 in 2012, and
the average cost of a loaf of bread was
22 cents. If you do the math, a loaf
of bread should only cost about $1.54
today, but inflation has made it $2.78.
The cost of the average new home was
$12,500, and yearly tuition to attend
Harvard University was $1,520. The
cost of an average new car was $3,125,
and you paid 28 cents per gallon to get
it down the road.
West Side Story premiered on the silver
screen and Marilyn Monroe is found
dead from an overdose of sleeping pills.
Wilt Chamberlain scores 100 points
in a single NBA game and the Beatles
fired Pete Best and hired Ringo Star to
be the band’s drummer.
A History of Construction
As Ames Construction was just
Construction has always played a
prominent place in history by leaving
a tangible legacy. Whether viewing the
Pyramids of Giza, or the Great Wall of
China, it is possible to get a glimpse
into the culture, religion, and politics of
the people who built the structure.
Ames Construction has built hundreds
of projects over the last 50 years. While
not all of them will go down in the
history books, we can take pride in
every project that Ames completes.
They will stand as monuments to Ames
Construction for another 50 years
and beyond.
2012, A Year of Celebrations
As 2012 gets underway watch for
communications about Ames 50year Anniversary. The Calendar, The
newsletter, videos, the web, and other
communications, are coming your way
and plans are already in the works for
regional 50-year celebrations in the
September–October time frame. Watch
for the invitation to your regional event
and more details to come.
The New Look of Ames News
With the advent of Ames Construction’s
50-Year celebration, the Ames News
is taking on a bold new look. Unlike
the “newspaper style” newsletter of
years past, this new form is designed to
facilitate ease-of-use in print, web, and
mobile media applications. As Ames
moves into the next 50 years, look
to the refreshed Ames News as your
source for what’s happening at Ames
Construction, Inc.
starting out, projects have held a
significant focus for the world stage.
Construction of the Berlin wall began
in 1962 when East German laborers
laid block and mortar to create the
greatest symbol of the cold war. At
the same time, the space needle in
Seattle Washington was just finishing
construction for the World’s Fair and
stands today as a symbol of what people
can accomplish in peace.
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CORPORATE
A Letter from Butch Ames
Hello to all,
2012 will be a momentous year for
Ames Construction, as we will celebrate
50 years in business!
It doesn’t seem long ago that Dick and
I started out in business together. It
has been a fantastic and challenging
experience to work in an industry, and
with a company, that enriches the quality
of so many peoples’ lives. I have had the
unique privilege to work with so many
first rate companies, business associates
and craftspeople.
The economic slowdown, currently
impacting the construction industry, will
pass. As an industry, construction has
demonstrated its value to society, and as
a company, we have learned how to pull
together. With management and labor
working as partners, we have made Ames
more efficient, versatile and profitable,
allowing us to contribute resources back
into our families, communities and
charitable organizations.
During my career, there have been many
changes in the construction industry
and unbelievable growth at Ames. One
thing that has never changed is how
much Ames values and appreciates its
employees. Employees, both past and
present, are the company’s most valuable
and cherished assets. It’s the hard
work, loyalty and dedication of Ames’
employees and their families that have
kept this company moving forward. We
should all be extremely proud of what
we have accomplished together as a
company. We have improved the quality
of life for millions of people, by building
transportation infrastructure, delivering
clean water, and providing housing,
commercial, and industrial development
for future generations.
At Ames, we can take pride in the safety
accomplishments we have achieved.
However, to achieve the next level of safety
excellence we need to work together to
create a workplace where every employee
understands and believes that he, or
she, has the responsibility and ability to
influence safety performance at their job
site. Before an accident occurs, we need
to take some time to reflect on how we
can anticipate and prevent accidents from
happening to ourselves, and others, on the
job. Then we need to communicate our
thoughts by sharing with other employees
and managers how we can better plan to
safely, and efficiently, complete our work.
Please keep these principles in mind,
and from now on, start every project
meeting with a discussion of safety at your
workplace, and what needs to be done to
enhance it.
Our goal for all employees of Ames is that
we will have zero lost-time accidents in
2012. That accomplishment would be the
highlight of Ames Construction’s 50th
year in business!
Is 99% Good Enough?
In school, a grade of 99% is a solid “A”,
and any fielder who fielded at a .990
rate (99% of all balls hit his way would
be caught) would win the Golden Glove
for his position, but let’s see if 99% is
good enough when it comes to safety and
overall performance.
If we accepted 99% as “good enough”,
the following things would occur:
• 12 babies would be given to the wrong
parents each day
• 18,322 pieces of mail would be
mishandled in the next hour
• 22,000 checks would be deducted from
the wrong bank accounts in the next
60 minutes
• 5,517,200 cases of soft drinks, which did
not meet food quality standards, would
be sold this year
• 1 out of every 100 meters would give
a false reading before you entered a
confined space
• 14,208 defective computers would be
sold this year
• 268,500 defective tires would be sold
this year
• 340,000,000 gallons of contaminated
bottled water would be consumed this
year in the U.S.
• 466,750 flights would tragically end
each year
So, what does this mean in terms of
our personal safety?
• 107 medical procedures would be
botched today
Think about a time in your life when
someone you know was seriously injured.
Do you recall how medical treatment
aids like crutches and casts and slings
restricted what they could do—even the
little things like walking or shaving—life
activities that we take all for granted?
• 20,000 incorrect drug prescriptions
would be filled this year
Finally, with the difficult economy, we all
need to remember to make an extra effort
to help those less fortunate during the
holidays this year.
Is 99% really good enough?
You decide for yourself.
I know where I stand on the issue.
Wishing everybody Happy Holidays and
the best in 2012!
Respectfully,
Alan Michaels, CSP
Corporate Safety Director
Butch Ames
My Washington D. C. Trip
Kirk Bergstrom, Colorado Region
The Ames Percherons
Our World Class Ambassadors
The Ames Percherons won first place
Gelding Champion and Reserve, at the
2011 Royal Horse Show, in Toronto
Canada. Victories at this world-class
competition included, first place in
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the Percheron Gelding Heavy Draft 4
and over, and first place in the Percheron
Six Horse Hitch. The Percherons won
an additional six awards during the
remainder of the show. Combined with
the many accolades received throughout
the year, this show proves that, the Ames
Percherons are world-class Ambassadors
for a first class company.
Patriotic Employer Award
Ames received an award from the
National Committee for Employer
Support of the Guard and Reserve.
The ESGR award was the result of a
nomination by an Ames employee,
Clint Ebarb, for supporting his training
efforts in the Navy.
Recently, I had the honor to represent
Ames Construction on the Eagle P3
Project at President Obama’s “American
Jobs Plan” speech. The speech exemplified
my previous employment experiences.
Like many Americans, I had gone through
extended periods of unemployment,
but unlike many Americans, I was
lucky enough to find work with at solid
company. The setbacks we have endured,
during my unemployment, will take years
to overcome, but, with Ames, we are
slowly getting back on the right
financial path.
Earlier in the day, The White House
put on a small reception for guests and
their families. We got to meet First Lady,
During lunch, at The White House,
I received a call, inviting me to meet
the Secretary of Transportation, Ray
LaHood in the afternoon. When we
arrived at his office, the adults talked as
my kids explored his office and received
Department of Transportation toys.
Michelle Obama, before I left for the
United States Capitol. My family stayed
behind to watch the speech from the
theater in the White House and even got a
behind the scenes tour of the place.
At Congress, I found my “Step Seat”,
meaning I sat on the steps, and I had to
wait until the First Lady and Dr. Biden sat
before I could sit down. While listening to
President Obama, I felt as though he was
indirectly referring to me throughout the
speech. Afterward, I met the President.
The entire experience was phenomenal,
and I kept telling myself to take it all
in, since this is a once in a lifetime
opportunity. I want to state again how
honored I am to have represented Ames
Construction at this Congressional
Address, and I would like to thank
everybody at Ames for making the
trip possible.
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MIDWEST
North Dakota
Ames Construction has embarked on
a large workload in North Dakota with
projects located throughout the state.
From Devils Lake, to Minot to Bismark,
Ames is working hard to build and rebuild
critical infrastructure.
Roads Acting As Dams (RAADS) project
for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, for which
Ames is constructing roads on earthen
dams to serve as transportation and water
control. Also, included is the grade raise
for the North Dakota Department of
Transportation (NDDOT) of Highways 57
and 20.
Since Ames started work in the region, the
lake has continued to climb, and NDDOT
has expanded the scope of the current
projects several times. Ames has been
working to meet the demands of these
projects, which is expected to continue
through the entire 2012 season.
Devils Lake
With no natural outlet, the recent wet
climate has the waters of Devils Lake on
the rise. Ames Construction received eight
new contracts this year, related to the
rising waters. A force of over 400 Ames
employees is on-site, performing work for
the City of Devils Lake, Ramsey County,
Benson County and the North Dakota
Water Commission. Projects include the
Minot
An abundance of snow and a late seasonal
melt caused the Missouri and Souris
rivers to flood the city of Minot. Ames
Construction received a contract, by the
Army Corp of Engineers, for emergency
work to construct temporary levees in the
Minot area. Ames built the levee system
before flooding could occur, but the rivers
proved too much for any of the efforts in
the area. While the river still flooded part
of the town, the efforts by the Ames crews
did save a number of schools and homes.
Several additional contracts were awarded
to Ames in this area, including a contract
from BNSF to construct a 12,000’
inspection track in the Minot BNSF Gavin
yard. The track allows for the inspection of
tank railcars carrying North Dakota crude
that pass through the yard. Work on this
project is now complete. Other projects
in the area include a bridge project near
Gavin yard for the City of Minot, and the
grade raise of Highway 83, from Minot
to the Minot Air Force Base, for NDDOT.
Work on these projects will continue well
into the 2012 season.
One of the largest issues for projects in
this area is the lack of riprap. There is
little rock locally available for this purpose.
Ames has a fleet of trucks hauling rock as
far as Bismark, to create this riprap layer
on current projects.
Bismark
In the Bismark area, NDDOT awarded
Ames Construction a project to perform
emergency flood work on the Missouri
River. The focus for Ames on this project
was the protection of the I-94 river bridge
abutments. Working 24/7 on the project,
Ames crews successfully completed the
work prior to the flooding,
saving the bridge.
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MIDWEST
CCLRT West
In August of 2011, the Light Rail
(Civil West) project was awarded
to a joint venture between Ames
Construction, the managing partner,
and C.S. McCrossan. The Minneapolis
metropolitan project runs east from the
Metrodome, through the University of
Minnesota campus, and ends near
Highway 280.
BNSF Burlington Bridge
Bridge 204.66 Over
the Mississippi River
The Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad
contracted Ames Construction to remove
an existing swing span bridge and replace
it with a vertical lift span bridge. In March,
Ames had 30 hours to float out the old
bridge and float in the new one, allowing
train traffic to resume.
The remainder of the work took six
months to complete. Now finished, and
fully operational, the Burlington Bridge
TH 13/101
The Minnesota Department of
Transportation awarded Ames
Construction a design-build project for
reconstruction and grade separation
of the highway 13 and highway 101
interchange in Savage, Minnesota. Ames
has successfully partnered with Alliant
Engineering, as the design lead, and
has completed 40% of the job, with
completion slated prior to the fall of 2012.
The project runs adjacent to railway and
existing businesses, making for a confined
work area. To accommodate the tight
space, Ames crews are performing grading
work at night, to allow more workspace,
reduce traffic flow and maximize safety.
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stands as a testament to the dedication of
Ames, BNSF, HNTB, US coast guard and
all the Subcontractors working on
the project.
During construction of the new bridge
piers and lift span towers, the train traffic
(approximately 30 trains a day) and
navigation (approximately 12 to 16 barge
tows a day) needed to be maintained.
This in combination with uncooperative
weather, made scheduling work difficult.
In spite of these obstacles, Ames
Construction was able to finish the bridge
on schedule and without safety incidents.
Ruby Bell Update
The flagship of the Ames fleet, “Ruby
Bell”, has successfully completed work
on the Burlington Bridge project. She did
a fantastic job stabilizing the work site,
allowing crews to work safely in the swift
currents of the Mississippi. Today, the
Ruby Bell, is back in St. Paul and awaiting
her next project.
A majority of the construction
is structural in nature, with the
reconstruction of the Washington
Avenue Bridge over the Mississippi, as
one large element. The bridge portion
of the work consists of deck removal
and the addition of structural steel
components. The six mile project also
includes seven-foot retaining walls and
a bridge over interstate 35W. Work on
the project is 40% complete and on
schedule to finish by the end of 2012.
Highway 61 Mississippi
Hastings River Bridge
Since the project site lies adjacent to
a continental high quality wetland,
considerable care is taken to minimize
impact to the surrounding environment.
The project time frame is extremely
tight, the same as it would be for any
bid-build project of this size and scope,
but the project has been broken into
design packages so that construction and
design work can be done simultaneously.
This process allows Ames to begin work
immediately and execute the project
within the specified schedule. Currently,
the project is running smoothly
and on time.
The innovative Highway 61 Bridge,
with the longest freestanding arch rib
in North America, will carry four lanes
of traffic when completed. The joint
venture between Ames Construction
and Lunda Construction, is working on
the excavation, grading, and falsework
for the project.
Several factors have threatened to
delay progress on the project. Flooding
in the fall of 2010 and spring of 2011
kept river levels high and delayed
progress by several months. The
state of Minnesota shut down in July,
and the Minnesota Department of
Transportation halted all projects. This
included the Hasting Bridge project
and created a delay of over a month.
To make up the delays, Ames worked
extended hours and re-sequenced work
activities. Currently, the project is
50% complete and is on schedule for
completion in 2013.
Existing Hastings Bridge.
Model of the new Hastings Bridge once completed.
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ROCKY MOUNTAIN
Emergency Work
UPRR Emergency
Bridge Construction
MP 94.25 Near Emmett, KS
A coal train derailment destroyed a
mainline UPRR bridge near Emmett, KS.
On the same day, Ames attended a pre-bid
meeting, turned in pricing, and received
notification of the award to replace the
bridge. The following day Ames was
on site and working 24/7 to construct
a new bridge. Upon completion of the
first bridge, planned as a future second
main alignment, UPPR awarded Ames
the replacement of the damaged mainline
bridge. Ames coordinated around
contractors working on the extensive clean
up to complete the project ahead
of schedule.
A record snowpack in Montana
and Wyoming, with spring
rainfall in central and eastern
Montana, resulted in record
flooding along portions of the
Missouri River. Releases, to protect
reservoirs along the river, added to
major downstream flooding and
the need for significant emergency
railroad work.
Regional Transportation
District Eagle Project
For this large design-build project, Ames
Construction is building 34 at grade
rail crossings, 39 bridges, 36 miles
of Commuter Rail Track, 12 miles of
relocated and new freight rail, and 13
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BNSF Emergency
Railroad Repair
Rulo, NE to Fortescue, MO
Canadian Pacific Railroad Emergency
Repair Kenmare, ND
On May 15 2011, Ames Construction
responded to a call from the Canadian
Pacific Railroad to perform emergency
track repair. Within 24 hours of the call,
project terms were set, and Ames was
on site and working the next day. Ames
worked 24/7 for the next two weeks, and
then single shifts, 7 days a week, for the
next week and a half to repair: mainline
grade, slopes, ditches, drainage and
track bed.
BNSF Railroad
Emergency Levee Construction
Pacific Junction, IA
The Missouri River flood put large
sections of the BNSF track under water.
With flow perpendicular to the elevated
track, water dammed up in some areas
and caused major grade failures in
others. Ames Construction and BNSF
met to evaluate solutions to alleviate track
damage. Once BNSF had determined a
course of action, Ames mobilized, within
48 hours, to carry it out. The project called
for construction of two multi-span bridges
and required 100,000 tons of rock, placed
over the flooded highway 159, to provide
access to the bridge sites.
For the quick response and rapid progress
on this project, BNSF awarded Ames
additional bridge and remediation work
stretching across 73 miles of railway.
Over the course of the next ten weeks, the
additional project required coordination
with 7 other contractors and specialized
equipment to: place rock, concrete barrier,
and construct 3 bridges.
Commuter Rail Park and Ride Stations.
With 75% of the overall design complete,
the current focus is on mobilization
for the Union Pacific Railroad section,
including construction of a new yard and
second mainline track. Additional UPPR
work includes relocation of detention
ponds and bus travel ways, in preparation
for a commuter rail that will run, 22.8
miles, from Coors Field to Denver
International Airport.
On June 6 2011, BNSF contacted Ames
Construction to build an emergency levee
to protect a critical rail corridor. Within 24
hours, Ames mobilized to construct seven
miles of earthen levee, while BNSF crews
raised the existing track grade. Ames,
in conjunction with other contractors,
completed the levee in time to protect the
track and provided stand-by support to
keep the track in service throughout
the flooding.
BNSF awarded Ames with an additional
contract for reclamation work after
the floodwaters had subsided. The
project included levee removal, topsoil
replacement, access road construction,
and reconstruction of the at-grade
crossings with track raised during the
emergency work.
As of September, the pre-construction
survey, and over 30 utility relocations,
have taken place. In the next six months,
hundreds more utilities will be relocated,
and six buildings will be demolished.
Ames has predicted the need for
additional man power by early 2012 to
complete the work.
2010 Restart Project
Climax Molybdenum Mine
The Climax mine, owned by Freeport McMoran Copper & Gold (FCX), is located
13 miles from Leadville Colorado. The
Climax mine operated for over 70 years
until it was shut down in the mid 80’s,
and In 1995, the mine was placed on “care
and maintenance” status. In the spring of
2008, Ames Construction was awarded a
restart package for the mine. The package
required construction of a new ball and
sag mill, a new concentrator building and
other facilities to process ore.
The initial project called for grading work
and construction of retaining walls, but
the scope quickly increased to include
Milton E. Proby Parkway
The Milton E. Proby Parkway project in
Colorado Springs is a highly anticipated
four-lane connection to and from
the Colorado Springs Airport. Ames
Construction was contracted to develop
concrete work for buildings, equipment,
and structural foundations. From June to
November 2008, crews placed concrete
for the additional jobs. Then, in late
2008, the economic climate, and the
value of commodities, forced the owner
to postpone construction of the project.
Ames wrapped up all the work in progress
at the site and demobilized.
In the spring of 2010, FCX asked Ames
to re-mobilize on 24 different projects
including structural concrete and steel
installation, structure excavation and
backfill, MSE wall construction, material
handling, and other incidental activities.
The following January Ames was awarded
additional projects to install a Mill Water
Reclaim Waterline system and all the
the roadways, walls, ramps, and three
bridges, including the first three-level
interchange in Colorado Springs. Ames
will also complete the project by placing
over one thousand trees and shrubs in the
landscape, and paving an urban trail that
ties into the existing Pikes Peak Greenway
Trail System.
The initial contract allowed 25 months
for construction, but Ames completed
the project in only 18 months. The largest
time saver came as the result of road
base conditions. Ames identified that the
road base did not require reconstruction
and recommended asphalt milling
to create the roadway and save time.
Other efficiencies came as a result of
traffic planning. By working nights and
weekends, Ames kept traffic volumes low
so that crews could work more efficiently.
Ames used a public survey, indicating a
preference toward closure to get the work
on-site utility piping. Over the next 18
months, Ames crews peaked at 275
employees, working over 585,000 manhours, to complete the project.
The largest challenge came as a result
of a request by FCX, that construction
would continue throughout the winter.
Working in the Rocky Mountains, with
a record-breaking 600” of snow, Ames
crews worked double shifts, 6 days a week,
for over six months just to plow and haul
snow. The persistence of Ames snow
crews made construction activities and
work fronts available, allowing Ames to
satisfy the client’s request by keeping the
work moving to on-time completion.
done, as justification to shut down traffic
on the east section of the project and
complete it ahead of schedule. Ultimately,
the project finished within budget, and of
the 120 nights scheduled for the project,
Ames completed the work using only half
of them.
Although the project finished far in
advance, this doesn’t mean there weren’t
challenges along the way. An abundance
of utilities, and the coordination of
traffic control around businesses,
neighborhoods, and travelling public
meant many hours of planning.
Modifications to plan designs and multiple
phasing of the irrigation supply system
meant being flexible with workflow. All
of these challenges were overcome with
a dedicated partnering effort between
PPRTA, the designers,
and Ames Construction.
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ROCKY MOUNTAIN
UPRR Bridge Replacement
MP 321.99 Near Atchison, KS
NDDOT – Highway 22 North
The North Dakota Department of
Transportation (NDDOT) awarded
reconstruction, of this 13 miles roadway,
to Ames Construction in May 2011.
Located in Dunn County, just outside
of Killdeer, the project consists of
earthwork, hauling, culvert and
waterline placement, asphalt milling,
and paving. The project also requires
the use of five pilot cars, for traffic
control, while the crews are performing
the work.
In this project, Ames Construction
replaced an existing 75’ steel bridge
with a 60’ steel bridge and 34’ concrete
girders on each end. The project
work occurred on a live track and
faced unfavorable weather that made
scheduling work exceedingly difficult.
Ames crews used careful coordination
to schedule downtimes and worked
between traffic flows. As a result of care
and persistence on the part of the Ames
crew, the project concluded safely, on
time, and within budget.
UPRR Blair to Kennard, NE
Second Mainline Construction
The combination of dedicated Ames
crews, with additional resources
approved by management, allowed
Ames to overcome project delays
and the project is on schedule for
completion by the deadline. If winter
weather arrives early, striping and
erosion control may be suspended until
the spring of 2012.
The corporate manager of the Cripple
Creek & Victor Gold Mine contracted
Ames Construction to construct
the Phase 5 Valley Leach Facility
at the Colorado mine. The project
tasks include preparatory earthwork,
placement of a membrane liner over
processed clay, coverage of the liner
with processed ore material, and the
installation of pipe for the solution
recovery system.
of the Iron Clad Access Road, and
realignment of County Road 82.
The County Road 82 project required
new construction of approximately
2.3 miles of two-lane paved road to
realign an existing county road around
the mine. Realignment of the county
road is an outstanding success, and the
County is extremely pleased with the
results, and an award for the project
is pending.
Lower Yellowstone
Diversion Dam
In November of 2011, Ames completed
the Phase 5 Valley, “Arequa Gulch”
Leach Facility. In conjunction, Ames
received three additional contracts at
the site including construction of the
Grassy Valley Waterline, construction
Even with the convenience of aggregate
processing, the schedule and location of
the project required rock to be hauled
in from as far as 80 miles to the site.
To keep the project supplied with rock
In late January 2011, on the site of the
decommissioned Stapleton airport,
Ames construction began work on
an 800’ long bridge. Working with
the owner, Ames agreed to the use of
accelerating pier cap and superstructure
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Cripple Creek &
Victor Gold Mine
Phase 5 Valley Leach Facility,
LOB Haul Road &
ADR Water Tank
Dunn County experienced one of
its wettest springs on record. The
result was a heavy load restriction
on roadways, until the end of June,
and unsuitable soil conditions that
prevented relocation of utilities.
These delays required Ames to
accelerate the work to a 24/7 schedule
until the project neared completion.
Central Park Blvd. Bridge
For this project, Ames Construction
placed 5.5 miles of second new
mainline construction including five
bridges, culvert extensions, retaining
wall construction, and earthwork. On
this project, weather, access and real
estate issues posed a challenge for the
Ames crews. Despite these obstacles,
the project has been substantially and
safely completed, meeting all of the
time frames set by Union Pacific.
required, an average of 100 trucks, and
peaks of over 150 trucks in a 24-hour
period. This caused significant traffic
congestion and delays in hauling
the rock.
Rentech Clear Fuels Refinery
Commerce City, CO
construction to deliver the project
within the owner’s desired time frame.
In October, girders on the bridge
already spanned a bike trail, Sand
Creek, UPRR tracks and Smith Road.
The seven-span bridge will have decks,
rail, and sidewalks completed prior to
Thanksgiving, with the remainder to be
finished in December 2011.
At the start of the project, Ames
discovered unidentified utilities
and unsuitable soil conditions, due
to jet fuel, that threatened to delay
the project. Ames crews efficiently
relocated the utilities and saved time
by eliminating the need for sand piers
through excavating tainted soil and
using the appropriate fill. In the end,
this project was completed on schedule
with savings of over $200,000 in
project costs.
The Rentech Clear Fuels Refinery is
a plant that will use trees, scavenged
from beetle killed timber and forest
fire, to produce jet fuel and diesel.
Ames Construction was contracted to
build the civil portion for the expansion
of this facility. The initial contract
included demolition, excavation,
concrete foundations, concrete paving
and the erection of structural steel.
During the construction of the initial
package, Ames was awarded an
additional contract for the installation
of mechanical equipment and piping.
Ames crews worked diligently to
complete the additional contract within
the owner’s October time frame.
Despite working in a limited space,
with many contractors and multiple
crews, Ames successfully installed the
mechanical equipment and process
piping for the biomass refinery product
demonstration unit. For successfully
completing the work in adverse
conditions, Ames received three more
contacts. Each of these contracts
required some scope deviation to
accommodate the owner’s needs, and
each time Ames met the challenge.
In August 2010, Ames Construction
began work on the Lower Yellowstone
Diversion Dam project north of
Glendive Montana. The project
is a design improvement of an
existing irrigation system to protect
endangered pallid sturgeons. With the
dam structure and mechanical work
complete, Ames is testing electrical and
mechanical systems, and wrapping up
earthwork. In spring, crews will begin
construction of a building, gravel access
roads, chain link fence, and complete
the final seeding.
The winter of 2010 was particularly
frigid and subzero temperatures
prevented crews from working at the
site. In the spring, flooding raised
the river 10” from overtopping the
cofferdam. The record elevation of
the river threatened the cofferdam’s
integrity and, due to safety concerns,
prevented crews from working for 35
days straight. To overcome these delays,
Ames re-sequenced work activities to
allow numerous construction locations
at a time. Working in a tight area crews
clocked additional overtime, and added
crews to focus on constructing the
diversion dam walls and bridge deck for
the structure.
Considering the challenging
conditions this past winter and
spring, the partnership between Ames
Construction, the United States Army
Corps of Engineers, and the Lower
Yellowstone Irrigation District look
forward to completion of the project
before the irrigation season
begins in April 2012.
13
SOUTHWEST
Integral Algal Bio-Refinery
Sapphire Energy
Once again, Ames Construction takes the
lead in the nation’s green movement. The
Sapphire Energy Integrated Algal BioRefinery project is an effort to decrease
our country’s dependency on petroleum by
producing an environmentally sustainable
alternative. When finished, this pilot
facility will cultivate and process 300 acres
of oil-rich algae to generate one million
gallons of crude oil per year.
Since this project is a beta site, and the
technology is so new, designs are being
refined as the project is already underway.
Unlike firms that manage, but don’t build
the projects, or firms that build the project,
but don’t drive the design, Ames has the
experience to identify the need for design
changes and is helping the EPC to make
the necessary adjustments.
The Sapphire Energy Integrated Algal Bio-Refinery project is an effort
to decrease our country’s dependency on petroleum by producing an
environmentally sustainable alternative. When finished, this pilot facility will
cultivate and process 300 acres of oil-rich algae to generate one million gallons
of crude oil per year.
For the project, Ames is constructing
76 lined ponds with piping, concrete
structures, access roads and building
foundations for the harvesting plant.
Major work to be done on this project
includes earthwork, site finishing, liner
and storm water channel installation,
access road construction, process and
utility piping, concrete structure erection
and the construction of a large
pump station.
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15
SOUTHWEST
SR260 Doubtful Canyon
The SR260 is a highway improvement
project to reconstruct a two-lane undivided
roadway into a four-lane divided highway.
The entire project runs between Star
Valley and the Mogollon Rim, 17 miles
east of Payson Arizona and through the
Tonto National Forest in Gila County.
Ames completed the Kohl’s Ranch
section of the project in 2006 and will
complete the Little Green Valley section
later this year.
The Doubtful Canyon section is the fifth
of six sections and will improve 3.3 miles
of SR260 with: six concrete bridges,
improved drainage and erosion protection,
wildlife fencing, asphaltic concrete and
asphaltic concrete friction course. Ames
crews have already blasted and removed
over 50% of the 1.4 million cubic yards
of rock to widen the roadway and fully
constructed several of the bridges.
Working in such rugged terrain
presents many challenges. Access around
the 5 and 6 stand bridges is very tight due
to the slopes that surround the footings.
It’s kind of like working in a hole. Ames
crews are experienced in working with
such access issues and have safely kept
this project on schedule.
State Road 143
Sky Harbor Blvd. TI
The State Road 143 project will
significantly improve access to Sky Harbor
International Airport by freeing traffic
flow from the airport to the Southeast
Valley. It also eliminates traffic crossing
from westbound 202L onto southbound
SR143 with traffic entering the east end of
the airport.
Ames Construction is erecting a new
bridge from westbound Sky Harbor Blvd.
to southbound SR143 while it widens an
existing bridge over the Salt River. Ames is
Welcome Back Jerry Miller
16
This past summer,
Jerry Miller rejoined
Ames Construction
Inc. as Vice President
in our Southwest
Region. Jerry
graduated from
Montana State University with a Bachelors
of Science in Civil Engineering and started
paving the roadways and installing lights,
signs, FMS facilities and traffic markings.
Ames crews have just completed a SubRegional Operational Group (SROG)
protection structure to shield an existing
72-inch sewer line. All work is on schedule
and the bridges will open to traffic by
February 2012.
It’s a challenge to work around utilities or
traffic, and this project has both. Safety
planning is crucial since hitting a utility
is dangerous and could potentially shut
down the airport. Scheduling is important
so that crews safely coordinate around
traffic flows. Ames crews have regular
with Ames in the spring of 1996. After
interviewing with Tom Flick, Jerry was
hired by John Tripi in the Western Region.
After a short stint in Utah, Jerry was
transferred to Phoenix where he worked
as a project engineer in operations, and
as manager on many of the region’s
projects. In 2009 Jerry left Ames to
pursue the position of General Manager
of the Arizona Region at Skanska, a large
international construction company.
safety and scheduling meetings to ensure
that the project be completed, without
incident, by June 2012.
The structures in this project will be
artistically painted and complemented
with Statues of Hohokam dancers,
making the SR143 a showpiece for
travelers exiting the airport.
We are pleased to have Jerry return in his
current leadership role. To the position,
Jerry brings his experiences at Ames
and the business, safety and strategic
perspectives learned while at Skanska.
Returning with Jerry is his wife Chris,
of 23 years, and his son Nicholas, age 11.
Please join us in welcoming
Jerry back to Ames for a bright and
successful future.
17
WESTERN
In-Pit Crusher
Relocation Project
Kennecott Copper Mine
Ames Construction successfully relocated
the In-Pit Crusher at the Kennecott mine
in Utah. Learning from the experience
in 2002, when a similar project at the
mine won the Richard J. Ames Excellence
Award, Ames compiled the same team
of subcontractors and many of the same
suppliers to ensure that the project would
run smoothly.
I-15 Core Phase 1 and 2
The joint venture between Ames
Construction, Fluor Corporation,
Wadsworth Brothers Construction
Company, Inc. and Ralph L. Wadsworth
Construction Company, Inc. is working to
reconstruct I-15 in Utah County. Roadwork
on the project includes reconstruction
of 24 miles of mainline freeway, adding
lanes of capacity in each direction, and
improvements to cross streets and arterial
streets. A multitude of structures will need
to be constructed to support the roadways,
including 10 interchanges, 58 bridges, and
12 temporary bridges.
For this project, a crew of over 600 is
working to reach two milestones. The
first milestone is the completion of a
four-mile Interchange, and the second
is the completion of the remaining work
by December 2012. Ames has rapidly
completed 65% of roadway excavation,
placement of underground drainage pipe,
and placement of granular and aggregate.
With 75% of the concrete paving and
construction of Mechanically Stabilized
Earth and Noise Walls completed,
the project is on track to meet
both milestones.
The owner of the mine encountered delays
initiating the project that required the
schedule to compress by three months.
To accommodate this, Ames crews
worked double shifts, six days a week,
for a majority of the project. Despite long
hours and the aggressive schedule, Ames
completed the project with a zero incident
safety record.
old site and hauled debris away, saving the
conveyor system re-used by the owner.
During the project, Ames backfilled
Hilfiker retaining walls and poured
concrete structures, including a large
structure on which the crusher sits. Ames
built a transport road and then moved the
six story crusher 2,000’, through tight
tolerances, to reach the newly prepared
pocket of operation. Crews demolished the
The experience and hard work of everyone
involved made the project an enormous
success. The crusher was up and running
ahead of schedule, and the subcontractors
did excellent work on the electrical,
mechanical, structural, and reinforcing
steel. Ames has already installed 800’ of
new conveyor systems and completed 100,
of the 140 precast sleepers for the final
phase of the project. The final phase will
begin in January with the installation of a
2100’ long conveyor belt system. Since the
conveyor will need to be installed quickly,
so that mining can begin, the last phase of
the project will take place during the harsh
winter months when crews will, once
again, be asked to work extended hours on
an accelerated schedule.
The joint venture elected to use
Accelerated Bridge Construction to erect
the four permanent bridges on this
project. On March 26, 2011, thousands
witnessed the longest single bridge
move, in North America, to use Self
Propelled Modular Transporters (pictured
above). In one night, the 345’ Sam White
Bridge was relocated as members of the
public, highway officials, and industry
professionals from China observed. Using
a joystick to control two sets of mobile
jacks, Ames crews lifted the 3.82 million
pound bridge from temporary piers and
rolled it 500’ to the final destination.
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19
WESTERN
Provo Reservoir Canal Enclosure
Provo Water User’s Association
Barrick Goldstrike Mines, Inc.
North Block Tailings Dam
Stage 9A
With a relationship that spans over 23
years of repeat business, Barrick has
currently contracted Ames Construction
to raise the North Block tailings dam
at the Goldstrike mine in Nevada. The
project consists of placing mine waste and
embankment preparation materials on the
inside slope of the active tailings dam to
create a 15’ wide buffer zone. Currently,
Ames subcontractors, from Comanco,
are installing an HDPE Liner while Ames
UT I-15 at 11400 South
Critical to the Salt Lake Valley, I-15 at
11400 South has been operating at above
capacity for over a decade. In 2008, the
Utah Department of Transportation
(UDOT) awarded a project to A&W
Highway Contractors, a joint venture
between Ames Construction and
Wadsworth Brothers Construction, to
improve this transportation route. Ames,
the managing partner, began working on
the design and construction of a Single
Point Urban Interchange, auxiliary
lanes and five miles of five-lane urban
20
crews relocate and install new piping for
the operation. The project is on schedule
for completion in the early part of
January 2012.
averaged 5 million tons of crushed
material per year, for 4 straight years,
without a lost time accident.
Since the tailings deposition line is in
operation during construction, tight
coordination with the mine is essential
to keeping the process running and
the workers safe. Safety efforts, at the
site, have been so successful that Ames
received the Nevada Mining Association’s
1st place award for the best safety rating
during 2010. In Fact, on site Ames crews
at Barrick Meikle – Rodeo Aggregate
arterial. The project required complete
reconstruction of the I-15 lanes between
10600 South and 12300 south and new
bridges over 11400 South, the Union
Pacific Railroad, the Jordan River and
multiple canal crossings.
At the beginning of the project, UDOT’s
goal was to deliver a high quality project,
on time and at a low cost, with a clean
safety record and limited impact to the
I-15 corridor. Ames took these goals to
heart and delivered. As delays from utility
relocations and right-of-way acquisitions
threatened to slow the project, Ames
re-sequenced the workflow to keep
the project on track. To ensure safety,
Originally constructed as the Murdock
Canal in 1914, the Provo Reservoir
Irrigation Canal crosses seven Utah
municipalities starting in Provo and
terminating in Lehi. In an attempt to
help conserve water, the Provo Water
User’s Association has contracted Ames
Construction to enclose the 21-mile canal
with welded steel pipe.
The project includes installation of 100,000
linear feet of pipeline, 34 irrigation vaults,
and three water metering and flow control
structures. To get these items into place
requires movement of over 2.1 million
cubic yards of material, placement of
structural concrete, installation of valves
and associated piping.
The pipeline crosses hundreds of utilities
and multiple roads, requiring movement
of many electrical systems, SCADA and
fiber optic system controls. The pipeline
also runs directly through six of the
municipalities with homes nestled on the
banks of the canal. Despite delays caused
by these obstacles, Ames has kept the
project on track. The pipeline will become
manually operational by the spring of
2012 and wrap up on scheduled in the fall.
Phoenix Copper Leach Project
Newmont Mining Corporation
Ames crews conducted safety meetings
successfully and worked two years
without a single lost-time accident. To
maintain good public relations, Ames
worked closely with local municipalities
to develop information campaigns. In
fact, Ames earned 90% of the available
public information incentive awards. To
minimize the impact of the project, Ames
worked with local governments, railroads,
canal companies, and utility companies
to develop and execute construction plans
that maintained flow in all lanes of I-15
during construction. In August, Ames
achieved on-time completion of the 11400
South I-15 Interchange project, exceeding
UDOT’s needs.
Ames Construction has successfully
enhanced the Newmont Phoenix mine
with a leach pad, designed to reclaim
copper from material previously classified
as waste rock. In late May, construction
began on the first phase of the 207 acre
leach pad, including solution collection
channels, ponds, a haul road and a
secondary containment channel. The
project concluded in November when
a synthetic leach liner, deployed by
Ames subcontractor AEG, was covered
with protective and drain rock layers
manufactured by Ames aggregate
crushing operations.
It was known from the beginning that
mining operations had over-excavated
the leach pad area by an average of 12
feet. Although this creates a solid base for
the leach pad, it also makes site access
difficult and strips away the natural
clay from the area. Ames immediately
identified the need for additional clay
and found a source 4 miles from the site.
Crews hauled in the clay and used it to
create a liner for compacted sub-grade of
edge berms, ponds, collection channels
and leak detection channels.
Once the project was underway, the
client expanded the project to include a
false liner with backfilled sump pumps.
Experienced Ames crews took this design
change in stride and helped to implement
the additional elements within the
originally planned time frame.
21
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Awards and Recognition
Anniversaries
Arizona
25 Years: Bradley E. Kite, Van R. Rasmussen
20 Years: Lars E. Rasmussen
15 Years: David Arambul, Steven E. Hernandez Sr.,
Stephen C. Poolson
10 Years: Henry Len Chaddock , Gabriel Garcia,
Thomas Wayne Howard, Sean M. Sanchez
The Midwest region is the recipient of the
“1 Million Hours of Safety” award. The
award is for the accomplishment of over
1 million man-hours worked without a
safety incident.
The I-35 TH 62 Crosstown interchange
project was named #4 in the top 10 Roads
of the October 2011 issue of Road &
Bridges Magazine.
In July, the AGC of Minnesota awarded
Ames Construction the 2010 Jeff Jensen
Memorial Construction Safety Excellence
Award. The award was given to Ames for
the recognition of more than 300,000 safe
man-hours in that year.
Pictured: David Semerad (CEO, AGC
of MN), Alan Michaels (Ames Safety
Director), Michael Welch (2011 Chairman,
AGC of MN)
The Nevada Mining Association
presented the association’s safety awards
on September 10th, 2011, at the annual
association convention. The award is
based on safety records for the 2010
calendar year. Ames Construction, Nevada
operations, won the first place award in
the contractor category.
Minnesota
25 Years: Jan D. Bentson, Robert R. Dellwo
20 Years: Bradley Orin Jacobs, Butch Trebesch
15 Years: Robert J. Brisk, Steve Franzen, Mick L. Mitchell,
Chris Stay
10 Years: Joseph R. Claffey, Rob Edberg, Glen Patrick Mason,
Murray Joseph Theis
Nevada
15 Years: Vaughn Ellis Harney, Sixto Nunez, Valerie L. Portwood
10 Years: Scott A. Nelson, Ronald L. Graverholt
Utah
25 Years: M. Keith Cummings, Robert J. Eisenmann,
James C. Jarrett
20 Years: Adrian D. Alldredge, Delton Brunmeier,
Brandon L. Evans, Brice D. Larson, Wayne E. Remillong
15 Years: Rodney Shaune Cottam, Joshua T. Davenport,
Jay E. Davis, Terry L. Wampler Jr., Steve R. McPherson,
James R. Schaefer
10 Years: Leonard Allan Boteilho, Donald G. Brummel III,
Dana Coker-Brennan, David Charles Creamer,
Richard John Doud II, Robert Francis Parker,
Thomas Patrick Heneghan, Randy L. Loomer,
Michael R. MacArthur, Gregory S. Neff, Jeff William Rocco,
Jaysen Selley, Cody S. Stoker, Joseph Warnick, James Lynn Wells,
Lewis Roy Young III
The western region was given the 2010
Zero Incident Rate award from the
Wyoming Contractors Association. The
award is for the accomplishment of
100,001 to 200,000 man-hours worked
without a safety incident.
Retiring This Year
Ames Construction has been recognized
by the Operating Engineers Joint
Apprenticeship for Utah, as the Employer
of the Year. The award, presented to the
Utah region, is the result of a nomination
of an Ames employee.
Pictured: Paul Heward (Project Manager),
Dan Openshaw (Superintendent),
Andy Anderson (Regional Safety Manager)
The Utah Safety Council has recognized the
Utah region with an Award of Merit. The
award is in recognition of outstanding safety
performance in the field.
22
Colorado
25 Years: Thomas B. Flick, Michael John Mayer
20 Years: Johnny L. Floryancic David J. Kaminen,
Phillip M. Martinez, Richard Alan Marquez
15 Years: Efrain Alejandre, Ramon Chavarria, Edgar Keith Long,
Millard W. Nealey, Bradley Russell Newton, Daniel Villarruel
10 Years: Nicholas A. Chaddock, Bill J. Clemens,
Mitchell Dean Fletcher, Todd A. Franklin,
Catherine Ann Harrison, Rock Lee Henderson, Jose Juan Parra,
Javier Daniel Quintana, Casey Lee Shade
Minnesota
Dennis Birkholm, Concrete Superintendent, 2002–2011
Ovid Jensen,Carpenter Foreman, 2003–2011
Ronald Mathies, Superintendent, 1987–2011
Fred Ruzynski, Concrete Finisher Foreman, 2003–2011
Gary Steenberg, Operator, 1978–2011
Colorado
Randall Bradbury, Mechanic, 2005–2011
Jack Lawler Jr., Blaster, 1988–2011
New Hires
A successful year has brought many new and talented people to
our Company, so not to miss anyone we would like to welcome all
new employees who have joined the Ames family.
EEO/AA & Sexual Harassment Policies
Equal Employment Opportunity Policy
This is to affirm the Ames Construction, Inc. policy
of providing Equal Opportunity to all employees and
applicants for employment in accordance with all applicable
Equal Employment Opportunity/ Affirmative Action laws,
directives and regulations of Federal, State and Local
governing bodies or agencies thereof.
Ames Construction, Inc. will not discriminate against or
harass any employee or applicant for employment because
of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, disability,
age, marital status, affectional preference, ancestry or status
with regard to public assistance, genetic information or
military membership status.
Ames Construction, Inc. will take Affirmative Action to
ensure that all employment practices are free of such
discrimination. Such employment practices include, but are
not limited to the following: hiring, upgrading, demotion,
transfer, recruitment or recruitment advertising, selection,
layoff, disciplinary action, termination, rates of pay or other
forms of compensation and selection for training,
including apprenticeship.
Ames Construction, Inc. prohibits the harassment of any
employee or job applicant because of sex, national origin
or race.
Ames Construction, Inc. will use its best efforts to afford
minority and female business enterprises with the
maximum practicable opportunity to participate in the
performance of subcontracts for construction projects that
this employer is engaged.
Ames Construction, Inc. will commit the necessary
time and resources, both financial and human,
to achieve the goals of Equal Employment Opportunity and
Affirmative Action.
Ames Construction, Inc. will maintain a hostile free work
environment, and good work conditions for all employees
and supervisors.
Health Insurance Open Enrollment
Non-union employees, it’s time to select your
health care coverage for 2012. Submit your open
enrollment form in December to make changes
to your policy, or your coverage will remain as
elected in 2011. For information, or questions
about coverage contact the Corporate Human
Resources Department.
23
AmesConstruction.com
© 2011, Ames Construction Inc. “Ames Construction, Inc.” and the stylized “A” logo are trademarks and service
marks of Ames Construction, Inc. All rights reserved.
Midwest
2000 Ames Drive
Burnsville, MN 55306
952-435-7106
Rocky Mountain
18450 E. 28th Ave.
Aurora, CO 80011
303-363-1000
Southwest
8333 E. Hartford Drive
Scottsdale, AZ 85255
602-431-2111
Western
3737 West 2100 S.
West Valley City, UT 84120
801-977-8012
Western Branch
2001 Griffen Street
Carlin, NV 89822
775-754-2261