Written on February 29, 2012 at 8:46 pm
NAMPA, Idaho–Don’t send that scrap metal littering your yard to the landfill – use it to improve your community. That’s exactly what Idaho Sand & Gravel employee John Thomas did with scrap metal the company removed from one of its construction projects. The company donated the metal to the Idaho Youth Education Recycling Program (iYERP) and was recognized with other local businesses at iYERP’s inaugural Environmental Stewardship Awards ceremony held Feb. 8 at Lyle Pearson’s Mercedes-Benz Showroom in Boise, Idaho.
Founded in 2007 as a fundraising and environmental responsibility initiative, iYERP provides containers for businesses to collect throwaway metals like construction materials, junk cars or copper wire and will pick up the acceptable throwaway metals for recycling. The group raised $85,000 in donations in 2011, which was used to support scholarship grants at Boise State University, College of Idaho and Idaho State University. Grants also go to support local performing arts and the Instrument for Schools program.
iYERP founder “Action” Jackson thanked Thomas for his generosity, saying, “The most important part of this award was not the dollar amount. Idaho Sand & Gravel and John Thomas made a significant commitment to advancing environmental stewardship on an Idaho construction project while at the same time helping to advance our mission of academic excellence, performing arts and outdoor sporting for Idaho youth.”
iYERP is one of the fundraising arms of the John William Jackson Fund, a program set up in honor of Meridian’s own John Jackson, a member of the Boise National Soccer Team who died in a climbing accident in Central Asia. According to its website, “The John William Jackson Fund hopes to capture the enthusiasm, passion, contemplation and enterprise that John exhibited in his life and individual pursuits.”
Written on August 18, 2011 at 10:04 pm
Nampa, IDAHO–Idaho Sand & Gravel and Staker Parson Companies have been hard at work this year using the newest technologies of warm mix asphalt (WMA) to complete paving on their state highways. Both of the Oldcastle Materials Mountain West Division companies are on the forefront of the latest WMA technologies, leading the way for WMA utilization by other companies in their states.
Idaho Sand & Gravel remains on schedule to achieve substantial completion for Idaho Transportation Department’s (ITD) US-95 at the end of July despite extremely wet and windy weather conditions this spring. US-95 was originally bid with hot mix asphalt, but ITD approved a change order allowing Idaho Sand & Gravel to use WMA instead. US-95 is the second major highway in Idaho that features WMA. Idaho Sand & Gravel also completed the state’s first WMA project. Idaho Sand & Gravel expects to capture the quality control and smoothness incentives for the 64,450 tons of warm mix asphalt they have placed.
When Staker Parson approached the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) about incorporating WMA on the I-15 CORE project, they agreed to let Staker Parson Companies use WMA for a small percentage of the asphalt. Project manager Brandon LeFevre reports that Staker Parson has achieved all the quality control and density incentives at a rate that exceeds historical levels achieved for traditional hot mix asphalt. Because of the success of using WMA, UDOT agreed to let Staker Parson incorporate even more WMA, and 160,000 of the tons placed to-date are WMA. Staker Parson has now equipped three of its hot plants in Salt Lake County with WMA capabilities.
“I’m very encouraged by the results of using WMA,” says LeFevre. “We’re hopeful that owners and agencies will continue to develop permissive specifications that allow the use of new WMA technology in place of conventional hot mix asphalt. This continued advancement of WMA will surely lead to benefits for companies, customers, the environment and the community.”
Written on March 28, 2011 at 8:34 pm
Nampa, IDAHO–The renovation of Idaho’s State Highway 78 was recently named one of 2010’s most significant construction projects. As a result, the project’s contractor, Idaho Sand & Gravel Co. (an Oldcastle Materials Co.), was one of 20 firms to receive the association’s Aon Build America Award at an awards ceremony held March 23, 2011.
The renovation of Idaho’s State Highway 78, a $2.6 million project to repave 40 lane miles of highway, won for best renovation of a highway and transportation project under $10 million. The project team partnered with the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) to use warm mix asphalt for the entire paving on the project, totaling 42,000 ton.
Garry Mattson, Idaho Sand & Gravel vice president said, “This project was a huge success for everyone involved. Although we hadn’t produced warm mix asphalt in large quantities prior to this project, we relied on the expertise of other Oldcastle Materials companies and were able to present the benefits of warm mix asphalt to the ITD. We completed the project in 28 days and on budget, all while utilizing the innovative warm mix paving technique and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”
Shawna King, ITD engineer, echoed Mattson’s sentiments about the project, saying, “We are pleased to have partnered with Idaho Sand & Gravel on this warm mix asphalt project. The benefits of mix produced at a lower temperature are great in saved energy costs and reduced emissions and fumes.”
The Aon Build America Awards recognize the nation’s most significant construction projects. A panel of judges, representing all areas of construction, evaluated over 115 projects this year, assessing each project’s complexity, use of innovative construction techniques and coordination with partners, among other criteria. The awards, which were announced during the association’s annual convention in Las Vegas, are considered by many to be the most prestigious recognition of construction accomplishments in the U.S.
Written on March 1, 2011 at 8:46 pm
NAMPA, Idaho—The National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) recently presented Idaho Sand & Gravel (ISG) with the 2010 Quality in Construction Award for their work on the Idaho Transportation Department’s Highway 78 reconstruction and widening project. Highway 78 was the first large scale project completed in Idaho that utilized warm-mix asphalt (WMA).
The $2.6 million, 42,000 ton asphalt paving project covered 40 lane miles of Highway 78 along the Snake River. While the project initially called for traditional hot-mix asphalt pavement, ISG found Highway 78 to be the perfect fit for the Astec Green warm-mix system. Using brochures and research from NAPA and Oldcastle, ISG presented the benefits of WMA and the Idaho Transportation Department agreed to utilize WMA for the entire project.
Shawna King, Idaho Transportation Department engineer, said, “We are pleased to have partnered with ISG on this WMA project. From an end product and mix testing and acceptance standpoint, there is little to no noticeable difference between the warm mix asphalt and conventional hot mix. The benefits of mix produced at a lower temperature are great in saved energy costs and reduced emissions and fumes. We will monitor this stretch of Highway 78 to see how it performs over time, but we expect performance equal to or exceeding that of a conventional mix.”
ISG was also recognized this year by the State of Idaho as a Pollution Prevention Champion in recognition of its commitment to protecting the environment. ISG also received NAPA’s 2010 Diamond Quality Commendation and 2010 Diamond Paving Commendation for their work throughout the year, demonstrating the company’s commitment to excellence, quality and protecting the environment as a responsible representative of the construction industry.
Written on August 23, 2010 at 8:26 pm
NAMPA, Idaho—The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) will hold its pollution prevention month in September to draw attention to the economic and environmental benefits of pollution prevention and to recognize businesses that have implemented practices to prevent pollution. Idaho Concrete Company/Idaho Sand & Gravel was one of five business selected as Pollution Prevention Champions.
The DEQ defines pollution prevention as any technique used to reduce or eliminate pollution generated. In contrast to most pollution control strategies that manage a pollutant’s effect on the environment after it has been generated, pollution prevention seeks to eliminate or minimize the toxicity of wastes and pollutants before they are generated.
Some of the initiatives Idaho Concrete Company/Idaho Sand & Gravel use to prevent pollution include:
“Environmental responsibility is a top priority for Idaho Concrete and Idaho Sand & Gravel,” says Garry Mattson, vice president for Idaho Sand & Gravel. “We have noticed numerous benefits in our business operations through our efforts to prevent pollution.”
Written on August 20, 2010 at 8:40 pm
NAMPA, Idaho–Idaho Sand & Gravel Company (ISG) was recently recognized by the Idaho Business Review for their work as general contractor on one of the top 2010 projects in the state ofIdaho. The winning project, I-84 Ten Mile Road Interchange, was awarded second place in the government category.Idaho’s governor “Butch” Otter presented ISG with a plaque at an awards ceremony held August 5 at theIdahoStateCapitalBuilding.
The new interchange project is located on one of the busiest sections of the I-84 corridor connectingIdaho’s three largest cities,Boise,MeridianandNampa. ISG is constructing a new single-point urban interchange atTen Mile Roadand reconstructingTen Mile Roadto the north and south. Multiple drainage and irrigation improvements are also included in the project.
Shawn Parker, ISG project manager, reports that several public entities have a vested interest in the project, including the Idaho Department of Transportation, Ada County Highway District, and the city ofMeridianIdaho, where the project is located.
“It’s been a challenge just coordinating with everyone that has a stake in the project,” Parker says. “We have detailed weekly coordination meetings with all involved parties. Upfront planning and proper coordination goes a long way for making a successful project.” Daily safety meetings are conducted onsite and safety is the first topic discussed during weekly coordination meetings. ISG has worked over 50,000 man hours to- date without a recordable injury on the project.
Parker says ISG’s experienced personnel are a big part of the company’s success. “Our people and our general attitude distinguish us,” he adds. “We have a very professional staff.” Key members of ISG’s team include project superintendent Steve Walker and project managers Shawn Parker and John Mitchell.
By the time the project is completed next spring, ISG will have placed 800,000 cubic yards of granular borrow, 95,000 tons of road base, 50,000 tons of asphalt paving, 58,000 square yards of concrete paving, and 8,000 cubic yards of structural concrete (supplied by Idaho Concrete Company). Amcor Precast has supplied precast products for the project.
Written on February 1, 2010 at 8:31 pm
NAMPA, ID–Idaho Sand & Gravel Company and its employees were recognized for their outstanding safety programs at the2009 American Road& Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) National Convention held inCharleston,South Carolina.
CNA, a leading national insurance firm, and the ARTBA Foundation developed the program to promote worker safety and health as core values of the construction industry. To qualify for the award, Idaho Sand & Gravel Company demonstrated an OSHA recordable incident rate lower than the industry average. They were then invited to make a presentation before a panel of industry professionals who judged the company’s safety programs based on corporate safety culture, operational safety plans, and worker training programs.
“The first line of our mission statement is to champion world-class safety,” said Garry Mattson, general manager for Idaho Sand & Gravel Company. “We have a company-wide goal to achieve Target Zero—One Day at a Time. Because of our employees’ commitment to safety, we can proudly say that we have over 1.5 million man-hours worked and nearly 5 years without a lost time incident.”
Awards were presented in three categories, based on the number of employee hours worked during the previous year. Idaho Sand & Gravel earned the award for 500,000 or fewer hours worked. Three other firms were recognized with the ARTBA award.
Written on July 2, 2009 at 8:23 pm
BOISE, Idaho — The Idaho Association of Commerce & Industry (IACI) recognized Idaho Sand & Gravel/Idaho Concrete Company with the Environmental Excellence Award for its innovative environmental sustainability projects. The efforts have saved more than 3,000 kilowatts of energy per year for asphalt plants and 20 percent per year in fuel savings for concrete plants.
The conversion from incandescent lights to more efficient lighting systems resulted in an approximate company-wide savings of a gigawatt-hour per year from 2006 to 2008. That is equivalent to an annual reduction of 750 tons of carbon dioxide emissions. The company also made water conservation a top priority by converting several facilities to zero-discharge of storm water.
“We are committed to leadership through sustainable business practices,” said Scott W. Parson, president and CEO of Staker Parson Companies and its Idaho subsidiaries, Idaho Sand & Gravel and Idaho Concrete Company. “Many do not realize that the construction industry recycles a large share of its products and our businesses are at the forefront of advocating for increased recycling opportunities. Each of our more than 50 sites undergoes a rigorous sustainability evaluation every year. We’ve found this practice to drive significant improvement year after year.”
The IACI Environmental Excellence Award recognizes businesses that have achieved outstanding results in environmental protection and enhancement through innovative environmental leadership and accomplishment. All businesses operating in Idaho are eligible for the award, including non-IACI members.
contact us