On February 22, industry professionals gathered at The Heritage Group’s headquarters, The Center, for the 2024 American Concrete Paving Association (ACPA) Indiana Concrete Pavement Workshop & Awards. The day was spent celebrating projects of the previous year and learning about the latest advancements in concrete pavement technology.  

Milestone Vice President of Concrete Operations Steve Friess welcomed the group. Steve became Chairman of the ACPA Board of Directors at the association’s annual meeting at the end of 2022.  

“Steve’s commitment and boundless energy have offered inspiration to many of our members and the ACPA staff” said ACPA National President and CEO Laura O’Neil Kaumo. “Steve is a dedicated Chairman, with extensive contracting knowledge and mostly, a heck of a guy! Thank you, Steve!” 

Steve, we are so proud of the way you have represented Milestone as in your role as 2023 Chairman of the Board. 

The day continued with updates from the Federal Highway Administration, Indiana Department of Transportation, REBEL Technology from Luna Lu, Cemex Cement, and Urban Heat Island findings from Larry Scofield. 

Tylmi Frierson, Performance Management Team Leader, with FWHA kicked off the day. She brought the concrete group updates from AID-PT(Accelerated Implementation Deployment Technology), a customer-focused technology focusing on the use of concrete overlays as a rehabilitation treatment on existing concrete and asphalt pavements. Tymli also spoke to the group about Mobile Concrete Technology Centers, the Low Carbon Transportation Materials initiatives and more.

She encouraged anyone wanting to stay up to date with the current programs and technology in place to visit fhwa.dot.gov for the latest information.  

Another speaker we heard from was INDOT Commissioner Mike Smith. Mike was able to provide our group updates on Next Level Roads, a program 20 year program focused on updating Indiana’s roads and bridges, the 2024 Focus on Safety and Automated Speed Control Programs.  

As we head into the 2024 construction season, Mike spoke of how proud he is of the contributions to the I-69 Finish Line Project.

“I couldn’t be prouder of the teamwork I have seen on the I-69 Finish Line Project,” says Mike. “Our industry has built a lot of credibility with this job.” 

The sixth and final portion of the project will be completed this year, and once complete, the I-69 Finish Line Project will improve safety and reduce the travel time between Evansville and Indianapolis.

One of the most important subjects that Mike touched on was the importance of safety and getting our employees home safe each day. In 2024, INDOT will launch a Focus on Safety program in which their goal is to reduce accidents by 25% over 10 years. Mike believes we are on the right track to this having launched our automated speed control programs last year with the passing of HB 1015, bill that was modeled from Pennsylvania and has a current success rate of 25%. 

Excellence in Concrete Awards 

After updates from industry professionals, we celebrated the work our crews accomplished in 2023. Milestone was awarded six 2024 Excellence in Concrete Awards from the Indiana Chapter of ACPA. Congratulations to the following projects:  

• K4 Plant Mitchell, IN  
• Taxiway Reconstruction Indianapolis Airport  
• Allen Martin Dr./Ellenwood Dr. Reconstruction   
• Runway 5R-23L 2nd Package IND  
• Bass Rd. Reconstruction & Bridge Phase 4   
• Remain Overnight Apron IND

We are proud of the dedication of high-quality workmanship that our team members put in to make earning these awards possible. Because of you, we are able to Make Lives Better One (concrete) Road and Bridge at a Time!