ConDig (22-May-25) Granite Construction Inc has been awarded a contract by the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) to lead the first phase of a $54 million highway realignment project in the state’s Interior region.

The contract was awarded under the Construction Manager/General Contractor (CMGC) delivery method, with Granite responsible for realigning a three-mile stretch of the Parks Highway between mileposts 319 and 322. The scope of work includes 2.5 million cubic yards of onsite earthwork, 25,000 tons of asphalt paving, and the execution of a full traffic diversion to maintain safe vehicle flow during construction.

Granite began construction on May 1 and expects to complete the project by September 2027.

The project will utilize Granite’s full range of heavy equipment capabilities, including its portable crusher and hot mix asphalt plant, underscoring the firm’s ability to self-perform large-scale infrastructure work in remote areas.

“This project sets the standard for collaboration, teamwork and partnering through preconstruction,” said Ryan Moren, Granite’s vice president of regional operations. “DOT&PF, Michael Baker International (the designer), and Granite all actively contributed to an optimal design and successful contract award.”

It comes as executive vice president and chief operating officer James A. “Jim” Radich announced earlier this month that he will retire on July 4, 2025. 

Granite will not fill the role with a successor and instead, Granite’s senior vice presidents of construction (Brian R. Dowd, Michael G. Tatusko, and Bradley J. Williams) and senior vice president of materials (Bradly J. Estes) will now report directly to Granite president and CEO Kyle Larkin.