SCAN presents awards for quality and innovation in concrete pavements

The Southeast Concrete Alliance Network (SCAN) Advisory Council initiated an awards program in 2002 in order to recognize outstanding concrete pavement projects in seven southeastern states. These awards are presented annually during the Southeast Concrete Pavement Conference. This year's awards breakfast program was held in March 2006 at the Myrtle Beach Marriott Resort at Grande Dunes.

For Quality in Construction and Innovation, the I-65 widening and reconstruction project in Nashville, Tenn., by Lojac Enterprises Inc. and APAC-TN were recognized.

This project consisted of widening and reconstruction of I-65 north of Nashville. The original pavement was constructed in 1969 and consisted of two lanes in each direction with a third lane being added in the mid 1980s. Current traffic is 115,000 ADT with 20% trucks.

The new roadway has five lanes in each direction. The project had to maintain three lanes of traffic during construction. Maintenance of traffic was a major issue requiring several stages of construction.

First, widening to the outside was done along with reconstruction of overhead bridges and underpasses. The second phase involved removal of the old pavement and reconstruction.

A total of 304,600 sq. yds. of concrete pavement was placed. The pavement was extremely smooth with a profile index of 4.65 in/mi. using a 0.1 inch blanking band. Very little grinding was required mainly at headers and bridge approaches.

This project was recognized for the quality and consistency obtained under difficult construction challenges.

R. J. Griffin 'tops out' Viridian project

R. J. Griffin & Co. of Nashville, Tenn., held the "topping out" ceremony for Viridian, a 31-story-high-rise, in Nashville, Tenn. in April. More than 700 people were present to celebrate Nashville's first high-rise condominium and largest residential property to date.

The project will feature 305 condominium units, amenities such as a fitness center, swimming pool, parking deck, and an H.G. Hills urban grocery store on the ground level.

The event, held on the 9th floor of Viridian's parking deck, featured speeches from R. J. Griffin & Co., Novare Group and Giarratana Development executives, as well as Nashville's own Mayor Bill Purcell and Metropolitan Development Housing Agency representative Phil Ryan.

R. J. Griffin & Company personnel gave guests guided tours of the building, including access to the 31st floor, after everyone was treated to a catered BBQ lunch. All of the tower's units are under contract on this $70 million high-rise located at 415 Church Street.

H&M Co. selected as Memphis Schools program manager

Memphis City Schools has selected H & M Company Inc., headquartered in Jackson, Tenn., with regional offices in Memphis, Nashville, Phoenix and Richmond, to serve as construction manager for its $48 million school program.

The project includes a new Binghampton Elementary School, a new Manassas High School and a new middle school for White Station.

H & M Company, Inc. has also been selected as construction manager by Union University in Jackson, Tenn., to manage the construction of the new $14.5 million, White Hall Science Facility located on Union's Jackson campus. In addition, H & M was selected by Trinity Christian Academy to provide construction management services on a $7.5 million upper school wing to Trinity Christian's new campus in North Madison County near Jackson, Tenn.

H & M Co. is also providing design and construction services for a new $12 million manufacturing facility for Kingsford Charcoal located in Glen, Miss. The facility is scheduled for completion in December.

J. E. Crain & Son gets Belle Meade Town Center project

J.E. Crain & Son Inc. has been awarded the Belle Meade Town Center project. This project is a redevelopment of landmark property in the heart of Belle Meade, Nashville's most affluent community, and will include a 57,000 sq.-ft. Harris Teeter Grocery, 16,500 sq. ft. of retail shop space, a new state of the art 10,000-sq.-ft. AmSouth Bank branch and 54 luxury apartments.

The entire project includes three stories of parking below grade and five stories above grade valued at approximately $20 million.

Located near the corner of Harding Road and Kenner Avenue, this unique project will highlight the historic Belle Meade Theatre as a focal point of commercial activity in the West Nashville area.

Featuring a 16,500-sq.-ft. retail gallery of shops along Harding Road, The Belle Meade Town Center will play host to an array of specialty retailers and restaurants.