Photo from Advanced American Construction Advanced American Construction won the Grand Award for Construction Excellence for replacing a BNSF Railway bridge in the Columbia Gorge. The replacement structure was built off-site and barged up the Columbia River.

AGC honors top people, projects and programs

In an hour-long virtual program on May 20, AGC of Washington’s annual Build Washington Awards event again recognized the chapter’s top individual and company performances across 32 categories in construction and safety excellence, innovation, community service and diversity over the past year. The 2021 awards program was sponsored by Moss Adams.

May 21, 2021 A Special Section of DJC.COM

This year’s Grand Award for Construction Excellence went to Advanced American Construction for the BNSF Railway Bridge 66.4 reconstruction project, while the Grand Award for Safety Excellence was presented to Swinerton.

Archie Kollmorgen of Guy F. Atkinson Construction was named Project Manager of the Year; Travis Porto of Swinerton was named the Superintendent of the Year; and Kirk Baisch of UMC was named Safety Professional of Year.

“Congratulations to the 2021 Build Washington Award recipients — amazing work by all,” said AGC 2021 President Curt Gimmestad of Absher Construction. “This has been a year to remember — in many ways, a year to forget — as we lived and continue to manage through the COVID pandemic. Our AGC of Washington membership family showed that the construction industry and industry partners never stop striving for excellence. We have shown our spirit, diligence and tenacity over the last year. When faced with adversity, we can pivot, innovate and put plans in place to successfully and safely deliver the projects we have been entrusted to build with quality, on schedule and within budget. The projects and individuals submitted, and receiving awards, are all a testament to our commitment to making a positive difference in the communities in which we live, work and play.”

Construction Excellence judges this year included Joseph Gildner, Sound Transit; John Schaufelberger, University of Washington; Anne Timmermans, Parametrix; Derek Case, Washington State Department of Transportation; and Scott Erickson, DCI Engineers.

Safety Excellence judges included Sathy Rajendran, Central Washington University; Carl Heinlein, American Contractors Insurance Group; Dennis Barlow, AGC-Oregon; and Jeff Killip, Department of Labor & Industries.