At Milestone, we are committed to Making Lives Better One Road and Bridge at a Time. Central to this mission is the continuous improvement of our facilities and processes across the state. A prime example is the recent investment in upgrades at the Terre Haute plant this past fall and winter. These enhancements are expected to bring numerous benefits, including increased storage capacity, reduced fuel consumption, waste elimination, increased profitability and overall cost savings. 

Enhanced Storage Capacity and Reduction of Trucking Hours 

The previous Terre Haute plant location included four 200-ton silos, which have now been upgraded to five 300-ton silos. This increase in storage capacity will allow for more asphalt mixtures and the capability to produce and store various mix designs before the start of the workday. The additional silos not only allow for increased mixing capabilities but also enable us to mix more tons per day, reducing the need for frequent trucking. This will save time and reduce transportation costs. Additionally, the newly placed silos have 36-inch door openings, compared to the previous 24-inch openings, which will reduce trucking times by allowing trucks to be loaded faster. 

Technology Upgrades

The new plant is equipped with the latest software and technology available on the market. At the previous location, employees found that parts and pieces of the plant’s technology were becoming obsolete and expensive to repair. Investing in the latest technology will now streamline operations and reduce man hours required for tedious repairs. This investment will allow the plant to allocate resources more effectively.

Moisture and Waste Reduction 

The entire lot at the Terre Haute plant was also paved, which will allow moisture to drain out of the stockpile. A paved lot also helps eliminate waste, as each rock can be scooped up from the lot’s surface. Before paving the lot, there was an estimated 10% waste with each stockpile. Now, with the asphalt-paved surface, it is projected that waste for stockpiles will drop to 1% or less. This improvement will contribute to overall efficiency and cost savings. 

Sustainability 

Thanks to the new plant’s ability to store mix, we will be able to operate the burner at a lower capacity, resulting in better air quality as the plant will not always be running at maximum capacity. This change aligns with HC+M’s sustainability shared bet to leave our people, our planet and our communities better than we found them. 

Bidding 

With the new upgrades, the Terre Haute plant will be better positioned to bid more competitively on projects or bid on projects that the old plant may not have been able to meet the needs of. 

Looking Towards the Future 

In addition to the investments in the plant itself, there will also be a new Quality Control lab on site to test our asphalt products. Terre Haute Area Manager Rob Rood is looking forward to getting the new plant fully operational this season.  

“We are positioned right on Interstate 70 with a lot of potential work in the next 10 years. With these upgrades, we have been proactive in preparing for the future,” says Rob.  

Asphalt Plant Manager James Bullock is looking forward to getting into the new plant and better servicing our external customers. This year, he knows he can provide higher quality material in a timelier fashion, all while making less impact on the environment.  

In conclusion, the upgrades at the Terre Haute plant represent a significant investment in the future of Milestone. By enhancing storage capacity, reducing fuel consumption, eliminating waste and improving overall efficiency, the plant is well-prepared to meet the demands of our customers and upcoming projects.