In ThIs - Ames Construction

NEWS
V o l u m e
®
1 8 ,
N o . 1
W I N T E R 2 0 0 9
Ames Construction, Inc. Newsletter
Issue
In This
Message from the
President.............2
Western Regional
News....4
The reservoir construction contract is one of the largest contracts
awarded by the Bureau of Reclamation in recent years.
Southwest
Regional
News....6
Rocky
Mountain
Regional
News....8
Drop 2 storage reservoir is an
environmental boon
Ames Project Addresses Colorado River Conservation
In August 2008, the Interior Department’s Bureau
of Reclamation awarded Ames Construction and San
Diego-based Coffman Specialties the contract for
building a new reservoir near the borders of Southern
California and Arizona.
Referred to as the “Drop 2 Storage Reservoir,” this is
a water system efficiency project designed to conserve
the Colorado River and reduce the amount of water
that must be released from storage at Lake Mead. The
structure is an all-gravity, off-stream storage reservoir
system located north of I-8, about 30 miles east of El
Centro, CA, and 25 miles west of Yuma, AZ.
Midwest
Regional
News....10
Each year, approximately 6 million acre-feet of Colorado
River water is regulated for irrigation and other uses
in California, Arizona and Mexico at the Imperial
Diversion Dam, just north of Yuma, AZ. That water
must be released from storage in Lake Mead, nearly
300 miles to the north. Improved regulatory storage
above the Mexican border will save on average 70,000
acre-feet of Colorado River water each year.
The new reservoir will store Colorado River water
that has been released from Parker Dam to meet
downstream water orders, which for various
reasons, including weather conditions or high
runoff, cannot be delivered. This water typically
is not put to beneficial use within the United
States due to the lack of sufficient storage
capacity below Parker Dam.
Non-storable water from the Colorado River
will be diverted into the All-American Canal
at the Imperial Diversion Dam, and then
into the Drop 2 Storage Reservoir. The
water will then be released back into the
All-American Canal for delivery to, and
use by, the Imperial Irrigation District according to an
approved operations plan.
Key features of the project include an 8,000-acre-foot
capacity reservoir composed of two 4,000-acre-foot
capacity storage cells, a diversion structure from the AllAmerican Canal, a 6-1/2-mile-long inlet canal to carry
diverted water to the reservoir, and a 1/4-mile-long canal/
siphon system to take the water from the reservoir back
to the All-American Canal just downstream of Drop 2.
Principal construction features of this project for Ames
crews include:
• A four-lane detour for I-8
• Earthwork for roads, pipes, concrete structures, the
canal and the reservoir
• Furnishing and installing geomembrane, geonet and
geotextile liners for the reservoir
• Constructing soil-cement liner for the reservoir
and forebay
• Furnishing and laying steel pipes, including a
crossing of I-8
• Constructing reinforced cast-in-place concrete
for structures
• Constructing a temporary bypass channel, concrete
canal lining and a control building
• Furnishing and installing various electrical
and mechanical features
The reservoir construction contract is one of the largest
contracts awarded by the Bureau of Reclamation in
recent years. Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne was
quoted as saying the project will benefit water users “by
allowing them to capture for future use Colorado River
water that would otherwise be lost.”
Completion of the sizable project is expected by
August 31, 2010.
Source: U.S. Department of Interior Bureau of Reclamation
AMES NEWS, WINTER 2009 1
A Letter to all from Dick Ames
My fellow employees,
Let me begin by thanking all members of the Ames Construction
family for another year of hard work and dedicated service to our
company, our clients and our projects. I am so proud of the work
we do, and when I look back on what we’ve accomplished over
the years, it all points to strength of character.
These are uncertain times, and it can be difficult to stay positive
when we’re barraged by bad economic news every time we read
a newspaper, listen to the radio or watch TV. Still, when I talk
to the men and women in our offices, and out in the field, I am encouraged by everyone’s
willingness to face whatever comes next. To me, that’s what strength of character is all about.
We’ve all been through rough patches in our lives. They’re almost impossible to avoid.
But what makes it possible to dig in, stand our ground, and fight our way through is the
knowledge that we’re not alone. Beyond our immediate families and circles of friends, we
are all fortunate to have an extended family — a tight group of hardworking men and
women in regional offices and on job sites across the country. We are family, and together,
we will continue to mobilize and get down to business as new opportunities present
themselves. That, too, is strength of character.
The work we do is essential to keeping America strong and getting the economy back on
track. Building and maintaining safe roads and bridges, working on dams, reservoirs and
flood control projects, expanding rail lines, supporting energy and mining operations,
and developing commercial and residential properties are important work. And while the
economy is weaker than we’d like, America is strong, and Americans are tough.
Strength of character built this country, and I am confident that every member of this
organization will leverage his or her individual strengths and talents to keep America
moving forward.
Best wishes and stay safe out there,
U of M scholarship
honors Jerry
Everson
A civil engineering scholarship in the name of
Gerald W. Everson has been established at the
University of Minnesota. The Gerald W. Everson,
Ames Construction, Inc. Scholarship is a $12,000
annual fund, sponsored by members of the Everson,
Volz and Ames families, as well as friends
and associates.
Gerald “Jerry” Everson was Ames Construction’s
first professional engineer. Before joining our
company, he was an engineer for Dakota County,
MN, and often consulted with Dick and Butch
Ames on projects around Minnesota. Well after
retiring from Ames Construction, those who knew
Jerry often saw him driving around inspecting the
very roads he’d worked on. Jerry passed away on
March 25, 2008, and will be greatly missed by the
Ames Construction family.
Dick Ames
Because everyone, from the
newest crew member to the
folks who have been with
us since the beginning, is
considered part of the Ames
family, we’re always happy
to deliver a little extra joy
during the holidays. It’s
just our way of thanking
you for your hard work
and dedication.
At right is just one of
the many thank-you
cards and letters we
receive from families
every year.
Sue Felmlee retires
after 23 years
Many of you who have come to the Minnesota office
to meet with Butch Ames will certainly remember Sue
Felmlee. Sue was Butch’s assistant for 23 years, and was
the best of the best.
Sue began her career with Ames Construction in Jim
Falls, WI, during work on the Jim Falls Hydroelectric
project. When the project ended, she moved to
Minnesota to work in the corporate office assisting
Butch Ames, and she’s been here ever since.
A true Wisconsinite (and devoted Packer supporter),
Sue, husband Tim and daughter Christine decided it
was time to go back home to Wisconsin. So if you are
ever in Jim Falls, WI, we’re sure Sue would love to
hear from you.
Sue, all the best to you in your retirement!
2 AMES NEWS, WINTER 2009
Ames Crew photo
earns top honors
When Engineering News-Record (ENR) magazine
announced its seventh annual “Images of the Year in
Construction” contest, more than 800 photographs
poured into its office from around the world. The 29
winning images were presented in the January 5, 2009
issue, and a photograph featuring an Ames crew was
among them.
Freelance photographer Silas Crews (the name fits)
was on location at the I-35W/Crosstown Highway 62
project in Minneapolis, MN, when he captured Ames
workers pouring the deck of one of the bridges. “I’m
like a kid in a playground when I get to photograph
on a construction site,” said Crews. “My background
in newspaper photography has been one never-ending
hunt for the perfect moment, while layering multiple
elements in a frame to tell a story in an aesthetic way.”
The ENR staff writer said it best: “The process of
construction is a work of art in itself, often covered
up by the utility or beauty of the project’s final form.
Construction often starts out under conditions that are
difficult, challenging and sometimes dangerous. Still,
the skills, will, and financial ability to succeed usually
persevere, and the built environment and society are
almost always better for the improvement.”
Congratulations to Silas Crews — it’s a great shot!
OPERATION
SAFETY ALERT
The Ames Construction, Inc. Safety Department is
reminding workers of the importance of buckling up
each time they operate equipment or vehicles.
“Seat belts save lives and reduce injuries, simple
as that!” says Roger McBride, Ames corporate
safety manager.
“Every piece of equipment and motorized vehicle in
our fleet comes from the factory with seats belts and
some with shoulder restraints. They come that way
for a reason … so we will wear them. Seat belts are
actually safety devices, and many examples can be
given where they either saved a life or would have if
they had been worn.”
Congrats to Silas Crews!
An Olympian in
the family
There’s a ski champion in the Ames extended family, and
we couldn’t be more excited. Lindsay (Weier) Dehlin
is currently on the road to her third Winter Olympics,
the 2010 Games in Vancouver, B.C., Canada, and is
the grandniece of Dick, Butch, John and Ron Ames.
Ames Construction is proud to be a sponsor of Lindsay’s
Olympic journey.
The youngest American skier to ever go to the Winter
Olympics, Lindsey joined the 2002 United States team
in Salt Lake City, UT, at age 17, then competed at the
2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy. She has been
a Junior National Champion, USSA Senior National
Champion, NCAA National Champion, NCAA AllAmerican, and has represented the U.S. at the Nordic
World Championships. Lindsey was part of the team that
took the top three spots in the women’s Nordic events at
the 2007 NCAA Championships.
her husband, Dan, and is currently completing her
Bachelor’s degree at Northern Michigan University.
You can follow Lindsay’s progress by visiting www.
teamtoday.org, or her official site, www.redgroupracing.
com. We wish her all the best on her way to the 2010
Games in Vancouver. Go, Lindsay!
Lindsay was a Twin Cities-area standout who grew up
in Mahtomedi, MN, and graduated from Mahtomedi
High School. She now resides in Marquette, MI, with
Seat belts are not only a good idea, but their use is
required by state and federal law. Both OSHA and
MSHA regulations require operators and drivers to
use seat belts each and every time the machine or
vehicle is in motion. Company policy also requires
the wearing of seat belts.
Commercial drivers Ames Construction
earns safety
face much stiffer
honors
alcohol rules
The wearing of seat belts must become a habit in
order for it to be effective. Like most habits, the habit
of wearing a seatbelt is formed over time. The Safety
Department’s recommendation: “Get in the Habit!”
The rules for Driving Under the Influence or Driving
While Intoxicated are harsher and consequences can be
more serious for drivers with a CDL. Below are some
fast facts regarding CDLs and impaired driving:
• DOT will place you Out of Service for 24 hours
for any measurable amount of blood alcohol
while on duty.
• The blood alcohol level for DUI is .04% if operating
a Commercial Motor Vehicle.
Ames Construction, Inc., is proud to have received
a 2008 Bronze Category IV Award from the
National Railroad Construction and Maintenance
Association Safety Committee. The award, which
is designated for companies with more than 250
employees, recognizes commendable performance
by employees and management for creating a safe
work environment within the railroad construction
industry. Congratulations to all our safetyconscious railroad project crews and managers!
• If convicted of a DUI IN ANY TYPE OF
VEHICLE, your CDL will be suspended for one
year. Upon your second conviction, you will no
longer be able to get a CDL. Ever.
• Refusal to test results in a one-year CDL revocation.
• Possession of alcohol while on duty is an
automatic OOS.
AMES NEWS, WINTER 2009 3
REGIONAL NEWS
®
WESTERN
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH / CARLIN, NEVADA
WESTERN Region Project UPDATE
The new line’s first train is scheduled to begin
operations sometime in early June of 2009.
BULL MOUNTAIN RAILROAD SPUR
BILLINGS, MT
Western crews are currently constructing a 35-mile
private railroad spur that will facilitate the transport of
coal from an existing mine to points east.
Located approximately 30 miles north of Billings, MT,
the project includes excavating and hauling an estimated
8 million cubic yards of material, using CAT 631
scrapers and Cat 777 100-ton haul trucks, as well as
building five concrete bridge structures. When complete,
two of the bridges will be utilized by trains, while the
other three bridges will route vehicular traffic over the
top of the rail line. Over the course of the project, Ames
crews will process an estimated 300,000 tons of subballast from on-site materials sources.
The Bull Mountain Railroad Spur project is on schedule
to be completed in less than one year, as stated in the
contract, with the new line’s first train scheduled to
begin operations in early June 2009.
BINGHAM CANYON MINE
BINGHAM, UT
Ames Construction, Inc. currently services Kennecott
Utah Copper (KUC) with various concrete and
underground utility projects to update and modify its
mining facilities. At present, Ames crews are expanding
KUC’s refueling facility by installing new fuel tank
concrete foundations and underground pipe chases,
pouring 510 cubic yards of structural concrete, installing
210 linear feet of large reinforced concrete box culverts
and re-routing existing fuel lines at the Bingham Canyon
mine. All work is done while maintaining continuous
access and truck-fueling activities for Kennecott’s largemine haul trucks. The concrete crews are also expanding
and modifying various concrete structures at the KUC
concentrator/smelter, where precious metals are separated
from the mine’s aggregates.
Ames crews are also continuing work on the multiyear contract for the tailings dam operations and dam
raising. The work involves approximately 11.1 million
cubic yards of tailings sand placement every year, to be
completed over 290 workdays. In addition, crews have
a three-month window each year (mid-December to
mid-March) to relocate 7.5 miles of conveyance and
under-flow pipeworks to allow for tailing dam raises and
continuous operations.
The Legacy Parkway project was divided into segments
for construction. Ames Construction, Inc. was the
general contractor on Segment 1 (5.5 miles in length),
while A&W Highway Contractors, a joint venture
between Ames Construction, Inc. and Wadsworth
Brothers, was the general contractor for Segment 2 (7
miles in length).
Substantial completion was accomplished in both
segments by July 28, 2008, a full 47 days ahead of
schedule. The projects have also been named the
Utah Association of General Contractors’ Highway
Transportation Projects of the Year for 2008.
LEGACY PARKWAY, DAVIS COUNTY, UT
Legacy Parkway, a 14-mile divided-lane scenic
parkway in Davis County, UT, officially opened
September 13, 2008, with a ceremony presided over by
Governor Jon Huntsman.
I-15 WIDENING
DAVIS COUNTY, UT
Beginning in March 2008, Ames crews faced daily
challenges associated with widening a 10-mile stretch of
I-15 in Davis County, UT. Running right through the
heart of the county, the particular corridor is considered
one of the busiest sections of roadway in the state.
Ames Construction crews tackled a variety of jobs,
including structure and pavement demolition,
excavation, roadway base-material import and
placement, plus the placement of drainage and
appurtenances that involved approximately 30,000 linear
feet of pipe and 400 concrete drain outlets.
4 AMES NEWS, WINTER 2009
Segment 1 work involved nearly 266,000 cubic yards
of roadway excavation, 758,000 tons of borrow,
388,000 tons of granular borrow, over 106,000 tons of
bridge embankment, 278,500 tons of untreated base
course, and 509,000 tons of surcharge material. The
project also included 10 new bridges, as well as 18,600
Ames crews were also responsible for MSE block wall
construction and 12,500 linear feet of cast-in-place
concrete median barrier wall, equaling 10,000 cubic
yards. The median barrier wall ranged from 6–15 feet in
height along the entire length of the project. In addition
to these activities, Ames crews were also responsible for
widening of the existing F-195 Roadway Bridge median,
which included approximately 8,500 linear feet of piling,
1,000 cubic yards of structural concrete, precast bridge
girders, precast deck panels and appurtenances.
The project was separated into two segments. Time
Segment 2 was completed by mid-September to coincide
with the grand opening of the Legacy Parkway Project.
Time Segment 1 achieved substantial completion
US-6 MP 200 BRIDGE REPLACEMENT
SPANISH FORK, UT
Ames Construction was contracted by the UDOT to
build the US-6 Bridge Replacement project in Spanish
Fork Canyon, which consists of two new bridges and
approximately one mile of roadway widening.
The project is divided into two phases and is slated for
midsummer completion. Earthwork activities include
184,500 cubic yards of excavation, with the majority
coming from a 300-foot-tall sliver cut, 33,200 square
feet of MSE walls and 1,600 feet of drainage pipelines.
Ames crews are also processing the required 263,000 tons
of aggregates for the project. The project also consists
of two, four-lane divided roadway precast bridges (precast abutments, beam girders and deck panels) as part of
UDOT’s new ABC Construction concept, which
fast-tracks projects and minimizes impacts to the
traveling public.
As of December 2008, Ames crews had completed phase
one of the two bridges, 95% of the earthwork and all
aggregate processing. Traffic was switched from the old
bridge to the new bridge in December, achieving a major
milestone. Ames crews are on schedule to complete the
project on time.
square feet of MSE walls. Ames crews also installed more
than 19,000 feet of drainage pipe, and over 19,000 feet
of irrigation pipe.
Segment 2 work involved nearly 80,000 cubic yards
of roadway excavation, 700,000 tons of borrow,
565,000 tons of modified embankment, over 300,000
tons of lightweight aggregate, 272,000 tons of untreated
base course and 85,000 cubic yards of berm embankment. Ames crews also constructed two new bridges
and three large cast-in-place pedestrian tunnels, as well
as 70,000 square feet of MSE walls. Drainage requirements called for the installation of over 1,000 linear feet
of precast box culverts and approximately 20,000 feet of
HDPE pipe.
These projects resulted in a unique and spectacular
view of the area for the traveling public. Ames crews are
very proud to have played a role in making the client’s
vision a reality.
by November 28, 2008, almost six months ahead of
the original contract schedule. Ames Construction
management would like to thank all crews for their hard
work and tireless attention to detail. Well done, everyone!
Western Region teams help meet growing demand for power
Artist’s rendering of the
completed power plant.
DRY FORK STATION UNIT 1
GILLETTE, WY
Ames Construction Western Region teams continue
substructure work on Basin Electric Power Cooperative’s
Dry Fork Station Unit 1, and are on track to meet
the owner’s goal of putting the new power plant into
operation by the year 2011.
Work began in mid-November 2007, with Tom Duffy
and his crew of pile bucks beginning installation of the
approximately 4,000 foundation piles required for the
mat slab foundations. The majority of the 2,800 H-Piles
installed through the end of July 2008 were accomplished
using three pile crews, working six days a week, right
through the winter season. Installation of the remaining
1,080 piles began again in November 2008, with work
expected to continue through mid-March 2009.
Carlin, Nevada Project Update
PHOENIX MINE
BATTLE MOUNTAIN, NV
In 2008, crews from Ames’ Carlin, NV, office completed
work on Newmont Mining Corporation’s new Phoenix
Mine alluvial leach pad site. The project included
excavating and hauling more than 4.8 million cubic
yards of material to a stockpile location for future use
in capping spent tailings, ore and waste rock piles. To
accomplish the objective, Ames crews utilized twelve
CAT 777 100-ton haul trucks and two CAT 992
loaders. The project operated 20 hours per day,
seven days a week, through completion.
NEWMONT PHASE VII LEACH PAD
The Ames crews are pleased to announce the completion
of the Newmont Phase VII Leach Pad project. This
particular leach pad measures 1.8 million square feet,
or slightly more than 41 acres. Work and materials
included 250,000 cubic yards of cut-to-fill excavation,
80,000 cubic yards of clay liner, storm water conveyance/
diversion channels, 3,000 cubic yards of riprap and
approximately 116,000 feet of plastic collection/
conveyance piping. Additionally, crews placed
150,000 cubic yards of Ames-processed protective drain
rock over the clay liner.
Newmont’s New Leach Pad
Phase VII Construction
MEIKLE AND RODEO
UNDERGROUND MINES
ELKO, NV
Ames crews continue to produce specified material for
underground mine backfill through their aggregate
crushing operations at Meikle and Rodeo Mines near
Elko, NV. This is a long-term project that began in
1996, and Ames crews are pleased to announce that
work has recently been extended for another five years.
In 2008 alone, Ames crews crushed more than
1.9 million tons of aggregate backfill material.
Throughout the 2008 construction season, three
concrete crews placed 46,855 cubic yards of the projected
65,755 cubic yards of concrete required to complete
the project.
backfilled over 450,000 cubic yards of material to date.
In the initial stages of the project, Steve Martin managed
the daunting task of ensuring all underground utilities
were installed with maximum efficiency.
The first concrete crew, led by Mike McMillan, and later
by David “Lefty” King, was responsible for completing
the underground duct banks and electrical manholes.
It should also be noted that Ames crews could not have
kept this project moving forward without the hard work
and determination of Unlimited Steel & Rebar and
Modern Electric, two major subcontractors on
the project.
The second crew, headed by Randy Anderson, was given
the task of completing all foundation areas that were
not part of the power block, and will complete the truck
hopper and elevated conveyor tunnel in the upcoming
construction season.
Josh Davenport heads up the third concrete crew.
Josh’s crew was given the task of completing the power
block foundations.
The Ames Project Management staff would like all crew
members to know how much we appreciate your time
and effort. We have no doubt our crews will show
the same level of enthusiasm for the duration of
the project.
Beyond installing a projected 218,000 linear feet of
piling and pouring nearly 65,000 cubic yards of concrete,
the Basin Electric project also features a staggering
86,334 linear feet of underground piping to be installed.
Pipe crews, led by Brice Larson, have been tasked with
installing the underground piping throughout the
project site.
Our dirt crews have been key to the installation of the
underground piping and duct banks. Led by both Cody
Stoker and Steve Martin, these crews have excavated and
CORTEZ GOLD MINE EXPANSION
ELKO, NV
Carlin, Nevada-based Ames crews recently began
construction on a county road realignment, truck shop
and crusher pocket for a new location on the Cortez
Gold Mine Expansion project at Mount Tenabo. The
Cortez gold mine is owned and operated by Barrick.
EUREKA CANYON SUBDIVISION
EUREKA COUNTY, NV
Following a groundbreaking ceremony held August
18, 2008, Ames crews mobilized to begin initial
groundwork on a temporary construction campsite that
will ultimately become a long-term employee housing
neighborhood for a large portion of General Moly’s
Mount Hope Molybdenum Mine project’s labor force.
Ames crews are developing the basic neighborhood
infrastructure, including roads and electrical and water
distribution facilities. The project’s scope includes
mass grading of approximately 700,000 cubic yards
of excavation cut-to-fill, and the installation of all
underground utilities, including approximately
40,000 linear feet of various-sized piping and manhole
structures. Ames crews expect all curbing and roadway
paving to be completed in the early summer months
of 2009.
SIPHON AND PENSTOCK RELOCATION
LEHI, UT
In August 2008, Staker Parson Companies awarded
Ames Construction a contract to relocate approximately
800,000 cubic yards of material associated with the
relocation of an existing siphon and penstock pipeline at
Point of the Mountain, near Lehi, UT. The main portion
of the work was located within a trench cut that was
between 70 and 90 feet in depth to provide the
future pipeline corridor. In addition, approximately
200,000 cubic yards of structural fill embankment was
constructed on a 2:1 slope from the pit floor up to the top
of the ridge, located 150 feet above the pit floor — again
part of the new pipe corridor. The project was completed
in December 2008.
Volunteer Spotlight:
Mila Widdop
Folks in the Western Region may know Mila
Widdop as the wife of Ames Construction
manager Rick Widdop, but to patients, visitors,
coworkers and fellow volunteers at Timpanogos
Regional Hospital in Orem, UT, Mila is a
shining example of where a life of service
to others can lead.
Mila began volunteering at a local hospital where
she worked the information desk by greeting
visitors and assisting them in whatever they
needed, from looking up patient information
and giving directions, to delivering food and
flowers. She was even known to help visitors find
their cars, because she understood how hard it
could be to remember small details when you’re
focused on visiting a family member or friend
in the hospital.
Today, Mila Widdop is a familiar face at
Timpanogos Regional Hospital with good
reason. She has been a volunteer at the facility
for nearly 12 years, and has held a variety of
titles, including patient advocate, hospitality
chair, quilting chair and more recently, regional
representative, vice president and now president
of the Utah Association of Healthcare Auxiliaries
and Volunteers.
Mila has made volunteering her life’s work,
and for that, we salute her.
AMES NEWS, WINTER 2009 5
REGIONAL NEWS
®
SOUTHWEST
PHOENIX, ARIZONA
Southwest Region Project Update
SR 77
GILA COUNTY, AZ
The SR 77 project involves widening two miles of
an existing two-lane highway in Gila County, AZ.
The purpose of the project is to improve safety by
providing 8-foot shoulders on both sides of the
roadway, and providing a rockfall containment ditch
to capture falling debris from the adjacent hillside.
The adjacent terrain is rugged and scenic, with the
roadway located between a 100 to 150-foot rock
face to the north, and a 50 to 60-ft drop into the
Gila River to the south. The alignment cuts into an
existing mountain, and the width varies from
20 feet to almost 30 feet, depending on the location.
Of the 400,000 cubic yards of excavation, blasting
is required for approximately 350,000 cubic yards.
Road closures are allowed between 6:00 a.m. and
6:00 p.m., as long as access is maintained for school
buses and emergency vehicles. The largest cut is
160 feet high.
Because the project is located within sensitive
wildlife habitat, there are many environmental
restrictions, including seasonal blasting limitations,
requiring all blasting work to be completed within
six months. Also, because the project separates
a community of nearly 320 residents from the
adjacent communities of Winkelman and Kearney,
it is a very sensitive public involvement project.
The community is in support of these needed safety
improvements, and is allowing the contractor to
work with them to make the construction period as
short as possible.
The SR 77 project has many environmental restrictions including seasonal
blasting limitations, requiring all blasting work to be completed within six months.
employee update
SR 260: WESTERN DRIVE
VERDE VALLEY, AZ
The Wilbur Canyon Bridge is a five-span, 602-foot-long bridge
that rises 75 feet above the wash.
The scope of this project included two miles of new
two-lane westbound roadway with two multi-span
AASHTO precast girder bridges, two miles of milling
and overlay of existing roadway for use as the new
eastbound roadway, and nearly one-half mile of new
5-lane undivided roadway. The Wilbur Canyon
Bridge is a five-span, 602-foot-long bridge that rises
75 feet above the wash. The Black Canyon Bridge is
NEW HIRES
Julie Hewitt — Administration/Lead Payroll
Rhonda McClellan — Shop Administration
George McManis — Engineer
Ted Michaelidis — Engineer
BIRTHDAYS
Russell Morrison reached the proud age of 45 on
September 30, 2008. Happy Birthday from his
loving wife Stacy, his kids, grandkids and friends
at Ames Construction!
6 AMES NEWS, WINTER 2009
a three-span, 362-foot-long bridge that rises 40 feet
above the wash. Other major work included two deep
concrete box culvert extensions, a 9,000-square-foot
soil nail wall with aesthetic formliner facing, plus
maintenance and protection of traffic on this heavily
traveled highway that connects I-17 to the growing
Verde Valley communities in Yavapai County, AZ.
Ames Construction on the web
www.amesconstruction.com
Visit the Ames Construction, Inc. website to find
company information, including our company profile,
news, awards, recognitions, project locations and
contacts. Apply online for job opportunities. Stay
informed about current and past projects. Learn more
about the company you work for, and find out why
more and more often,
Ames Construction
is the choice for civil,
highway and mining
construction. Just log on to
www.amesconstruction.com.
Rescue Task Force — 20 years of service
The soldier pictured here is on the road to recovery
after sustaining severe injuries in the battle zone. He
carries with him his Rescue Task Force backpack.
Ames Construction Southwest Region is proud to have
coordinated the donation of many backpacks to the
Rescue Task Force organization.
Founded in October 1988, Rescue Task Force is a nonprofit corporation that provides volunteer medical teams,
medical supplies, clinics and humanitarian aid to local
disaster sites and to remote, isolated regions of the globe.
Ames Construction is proud to have
donated many backpacks to the
Rescue Task Force organization.
The Rescue Task Force also delivers “Welcome Home”
and “We Have Not Forgotten” backpacks filled with
over $600 worth of entertainment and personal items.
Local volunteers assemble the packs for our severely
wounded U.S. military men and women when they
arrive by MedEvac from Iraq and Afghanistan at Balboa,
Walter Reed, Bethesda and Brooke military hospitals.
531 backpacks have been delivered to date, with 80
more ready to go to hospitals now.
A sincere thank-you to the Rescue Task Force, and
to our men and women in uniform, from Ames
Construction.
Workplace Violence Policy
Ames Construction, Inc. is committed to
maintaining a safe, healthful and efficient
workplace where employees are free from the
threat of workplace violence or harassment.
In keeping with this policy, Ames Construction
prohibits any employee from engaging in any
act, either on company premises or during the
performance of work-related duties, that:
1. T
hreatens the safety of any employee,
affiliate and/or customer;
2. A
ffects the health, life or well-being of
any employee, affiliate and/or customer;
3. R
esults in damage to company, employee,
affiliate and/or customer property.
Any employee or manager who have been
threatened, are victims of a violent act, or witness
to any threats or violent acts, shall report such
activity to the Corporate Human Resources
manager immediately at 952-435-7106.
Each report will be promptly investigated.
Ames Percherons — Symbol of Pride
The story of the Ames Percherons began in 1874,
when John and Eliza Ames emigrated from their native
England to America, and sons George and Charles
developed an interest in this beautiful breed of horse.
Years later, the brothers would own more than 60
purebred Percherons.
horse. When Chester was 17,
his father moved the family to
Minnesota, after which Chester
met and married Ruby Belle
Reisinger and started his own
farm in Farmington, MN.
The origins of the Percheron are uncertain, but it’s believed
that native mares of the Le Perche region of France were
mated with Arab stallions hundreds of years ago, producing
the horse we are
familiar with today
— a breed known
for its strength and
substance.
Chester and Ruby Ames raised
eight children, and the family’s
long-standing
tradition of farming
and horsemanship
was passed along.
Their oldest son,
Dick, developed
a profound
respect for the
Percheron.
Despite being
driven to nearextinction by the industrial
revolution, breeders like the Ames
family remained staunch advocates of the Percheron.
Since the Percherons are no longer a necessity for
plowing and hauling, showmanship and competition
have become mainstays for present-day teams at the
Ames Percheron Farm.
Charles Ames
bred, registered
and showed
Percherons from 1915 through 1939. The most notable
of those was Irida Boy, sired by Althazar, winner of
the 1914 Eastern States Percheron Futurity Show, out
of the French-bred mare Irida. The senior-breeding
stallion for Chas. G. Ames and Son from 1919 to 1929,
Irida Boy was considered the best of his breed. Even
after retirement from breeding, Irida Boy continued to
head the Ames show string, campaigning at the 1929
Chicago International Livestock Exposition at the age of
13, with numerous offspring following suit. When the
Percheron Society of America initiated its Premier Sire
Award in 1929, Irida Boy stood eighth in the top 10
sires then found in the United States.
The Ames’ love and respect for the Percheron continued
through George’s son, Chester, who carried on his
family’s passion for farming and for this marvelous
Breaking News!
National Western Stock Show
Ames Percheron Team Results
January 23rd — 1st Place: 6-Horse Hitch
January 24th — 2nd Place: 6-Horse Hitch
January 25th — 1st Place: 8-Horse Hitch
Today, the Ames Percheron Farm is a division of Ames
Construction. The farm is located in Jordan, MN,
not far from the company’s corporate headquarters.
Managed and trained by Travis Shaw, along with
assistant trainers Randy Riemer and Tim Sparrow and
groomsman George Rothenberger, the Percheron teams
perform as ambassadors for Ames Construction in
competitions and shows throughout the United States
and Canada. Presently, 32 Percherons reside at the
farm, all dapple-gray geldings, ranging from ages 3 to
11 years. When the Ames hitch is not at an event, the
horses can be found at home, driven daily to keep
well conditioned.
Ames Construction, Inc. is one of the nation’s largest
heavy civil and industrial construction companies, so
it is only fitting that the Percheron was chosen as the
company’s symbol of Ames “Pride.” With a workforce
of over 2,500 employees, the company takes pride
Dick Ames driving the 1st Place Amateur 4-Horse
Hitch at the 2008 Scott County Fair, Jordan, MN
in its reputation for quality construction of airports,
bridges and highways, golf courses, mine development,
commercial site development, power plants, railroads
and water treatment plants. The corporate headquarters
is located in Burnsville, MN, close to where the family
tradition began many years ago.
Ames Percherons 365
A limited number of our beautifully
photographed 2009 Ames Percheron
calendars are available by request.
Email info@amesco.com for more
information or check with your
regional office.
AMES NEWS, WINTER 2009 7
REGIONAL NEWS
®
ROCKY MOUNTAIN
DENVER, COLORADO
ROCKY MOUNTAIN Region Project Update
NEBRASKA CITY 2 PROJECT
NEBRASKA CITY, NE
I-80 EXPANSION
LINCOLN, NE
RUETER HESS DAM PHASE 2
PARKER, CO
Ames crews began work for the Omaha Public Power
District on the staging and maintenance tracks for the
Nebraska City 2 Project in July 2008, and completed
work in January 2009. The project consisted of two
segments of earthwork and bridgework and installation
of siding and maintenance tracks for the new coalburning unit at the power plant in Nebraska City, NE.
Our contract called for two precast railroad bridges
with driven H-Pile foundations, 6,360 cubic yards of
excavation, 38,016 cubic yards of embankment,
21,470 cubic yards of sub-ballast, 1,771 linear feet of
CMP culvert extensions, 10,027 linear feet of barbedwire fence installation, 110 pole-mounted lighting
fixtures, 4 acres of seeding and 12,615 linear feet
of track installation.
Ames Construction is finishing up the second year
of this three-year project. Most of the eastbound
lanes have been constructed, along with a portion of
the westbound lanes. During next season, all of the
remaining new westbound lanes of this 6-mile, six-lane
project will be completed. Even with above-normal
rainfall this year, approximately 70% of the 1 million
cubic yards of excavation has been accomplished; a
majority of the excavation had to be hauled to off-site
waste areas. In addition, extra precautions were required
to protect the tiger beetle, an endangered species that
resides along a major creek in the middle of the project.
This included heavy use of silt collection devices and
limited nighttime work around the creek area during
the spring mating season.
Work has begun on Phase 2 of the Rueter Hess Dam
located in Parker, CO. Ames Construction was invited
to negotiate pricing for the capacity improvement
project after a very successful completion of Phase
1. The Phase 2 bid package includes the following
work: raising the three-chamber intake tower by 65
feet, constructing a 370-foot, three-span access bridge,
extending two concrete-encased 78-foot welded steel
pipes downstream 450 feet, construction of terminal
facility structures, and mechanical works for distribution
to four participating water districts. Work began in
October 2008, with completion expected in the
fall of 2011.
IN MEMORY
Our condolences to
Larry Pagel and family;
Larry’s parents died in a car
accident in Colorado on
November 20, 2008.
I-70/SH 58 INTERCHANGE
DENVER, CO
employee update
BIRTHS
Welcome Finley Katherine Chiasson, daughter
of Eric and Kelly Chiasson, who was born on
October 7, 2008. The happy arrival was
8 lbs., 7 oz. Congratulations!
Brad Newton and his wife Paula had a baby girl
on March 3, 2008, named Tess Ray, who was
7 lbs., 2 oz. Congratulations!
WEDDINGS
Brett Starr married Tina Bauer on July 11,
2008. All the best to you!
8 AMES NEWS, WINTER 2009
Ames Construction began work on this CDOT project
at I-70 and SH 58 in February 2007, and it was
completed ahead of schedule on November 17, 2008.
The 11-span flyover bridge is 2,115 linear feet long,
and consists of a concrete deck on twin pre-cast, posttensioned, spliced concrete U-girders. The greatest cross
slope is 6% at approximately mid-span. The approach
and departure profile are both at approximately 5%. The
bridge is approximately 40 feet above ground level and
crosses I-70, SH 58 and Clear Creek. The longest span is
about 227 feet.
BNSF ABO CANYON PROJECT
ABO CANYON, NM
The long-awaited Abo Canyon project began on August
29, 2008, when Ames Construction received notice to
proceed. Bill Valerio wasted no time in mobilizing crews
and equipment to begin the project. The first order of
business was to provide safe access into the project by
making modifications to Highways 60 and 47. The
project team immediately started blazing the access
road and constructing river crossings into the canyon.
Jack Lawler organized the blasting crew, and by the
middle of November was blasting twice a day. With
the blue cut nearly completed, crews are working on
the BLM cut to the east. A fleet of 777 and 773 trucks,
respectively, has already moved about 220,000 cubic
yards of rock with another 1.4 million cubic yards to go.
On the structures side, Ames Construction received
news that BNSF will delay the start of any bridgework
until early 2010. This will push the final completion
date out until early in 2011.
I-25 INTERCHANGE
DENVER, CO
Ames Construction is the general contractor for
an I-25 interchange on the south side of Denver,
south of the former T-REX Project. Although the
work is on Colorado Department of Transportation
right-of-way, the contract itself is with the City of
Lone Tree, with monetary contributions from the
Federal Highway Administration. The project was
designed and managed by PBSJ. The interchange
will replace two exits and allow better access to the
Sky Ridge Medical Center (a former project of Ames
Construction), and a 3,500-acre multiuse Denver
Tech Center development, including high rise
buildings, commercial, office, residential, green belt
and recreation areas. The new City of Lone Tree will
also relocate to this area with permanent facilities.
The project includes a post-tensioned bridge
built on grade with I-25 and designed to allow
Ridgegate Parkway traffic to flow underneath. It
is also intended to help handle the 120,000 cars
per day from I-25. Other work includes a semicloverleaf construction with 750,000 cubic yards of
dirt, significant storm drainage, lime treatment and
concrete paving. There are also soldier pile walls,
MSE walls and decorative precast walls associated
with this project. Much attention has also been
given to erosion control and storm water
runoff prevention.
The project began in September 2007 and is
scheduled for completion in April 2009.
US 59 REALIGNMENT
OTTAWA, KANSAS
This highway project included construction of
18 bridges and moving over 4.5 million cubic yards
of dirt and rock. We have already built 16 of the 18
bridge decks and moved 98% of the dirt on the project.
Unusually severe weather made this project a challenge.
Crews performed work on no fewer than six bridges
simultaneously, and moved dirt in three different
locations along the 8.5-mile-long project segmented by
multiple county roads, creeks and I-35. Work started in
mid-2007 and will be completed in March 2009.
The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT)
viewed this project as an opportunity to try different
design modifications, including those pertaining to the
bridge decks and their concrete mix design, as well as
the use of silica fume overlays.
In addition, Ames Construction submitted a value
engineering proposal that involved significant traffic
maintenance and allowed us to move several major
operations off the critical path of the schedule. This
approved change made it possible to perform the
majority of the asphalt paving three months ahead of
schedule, in warmer weather, and generated both
cost and schedule savings for KDOT and
Ames Construction.
The Ames field team includes general superintendent
Todd Castle, structures superintendent Benny Hersey,
project engineer Eric Chiasson, structures engineer
Jamiee Aragon, surveyors Mike Brown and Shawn
Hess, and safety supervisor Carla Brown.
A special thanks goes out to several of our major
subcontractors, including Reece Construction, Beachner
Construction, Gus Construction, Ewell Construction,
Killough Construction and C-Hawkk Traffic Control.
Our survey team did an excellent job as well, working
with KDOT in managing strict survey requirements
and working through the challenges of the project,
while introducing the KDOT team to the use of GPS
controls on highway projects. As a result, KDOT is
beginning to move toward this technology.
further stressed by utility relocations and encountering
large, buried concrete structures that had to be removed.
In late June, concrete crews began pouring structural
concrete foundations for the mill building. Between June
and November, crews poured over 11,000 cubic yards
of concrete in extremely tight quarters, sequencing ahead
of the structural steel erection to maintain the owner’s
schedule to close in the new mill building before winter,
which allowed work to continue inside the building and
meet the overall project schedule.
MSE Wall #3: Hilfiker MSE Wall
approximately 24,500 square feet.
CLIMAX MINE
LEADVILLE, CO
In April 2008, Freeport McMoRan Mining Corporation
announced that Ames Construction had been awarded
the initial earthwork package for the site development and
construction of a new mill building and other facilities
for the reopening of the Climax Molybdenum mine near
Leadville, CO. The contract included approximately
500,000 cubic yards of grading and 45,000 square
feet of MSE retaining wall. In May, our scope of work
was increased by approximately 27,000 cubic yards of
structural concrete for the new mill building
foundations, equipment foundations and ancillary
structures foundations.
Led by project manager Steve Leach and superintendent
Bill Newman, early-planning and mobilization crews hit
the ground running, but abnormally high snow levels
at the project location (11,400 feet) required crews to
spend the first month on the job removing snow before
earthwork could commence. The earthwork schedule was
During this time, our earthwork scope was increased to
over 1 million cubic yards, and thanks to our crew’s ability
to deliver a quality product safely and on schedule, our
earthwork scope increased incrementally as project design
progressed and additional work packages were released.
The owner elected to postpone completion of the project
in November 2008. Although still on schedule, crews
wound down work in progress and demobilized in early
January 2009. Work is currently estimated to restart in the
spring of 2010, for a 2011 opening.
Segment 1 during track construction
(earthwork operations complete).
GGS TRACK EXPANSION PROJECT
SUTHERLAND, NE
Ames crews began work for the Nebraska Public
Power District on the Gerald Gentleman Station
Track Expansion project in late February 2008, and
finished work in November. The project included
four segments of earthwork and the installation
of maintenance tracks for the coal-burning power
plant in Sutherland, NE. The contract consisted of
225,731 cubic yards of excavation, 92,872 cubic
yards of embankment, 10,563 cubic yards of subballast, 371 linear feet of CMP & RCP culvert
extensions, 5,125 linear feet of barbed-wire fence
installation, 16,306 linear feet of track installation
and 81 acres of seeding.
Concentrator Building earthwork 95%
complete and structural concrete foundations
75% complete, August 2008.
AMES NEWS, WINTER 2009 9
REGIONAL NEWS
®
MIDWEST
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA
MIDWEST Region Project UPDATE
76TH STREET BRIDGE
RICHFIELD, MN
Ames crews recently completed the construction of the
76th Street Bridge project over I-35W in Richfield,
MN. The project included the removal of an existing
four-lane bridge, realignment of a sanitary sewer, and
the construction of a two-span pre-stressed concrete
beam bridge. The fast-pace schedule started on April
28, 2008, and was completed on November 8, 2008.
Unique to this project was the realignment of the
sanitary sewer and construction of the bridge over
one of Minnesota’s most traveled roads, I-35W.
The sanitary sewer realignment required Ames crews
to maintain gravity flow of a 3,200-gallon-per-minute
sanitary sewer that flowed through the project. Crews
completed the construction of two cast-in-place flow
structures and installation of the sewer pipe without
shutting off the flow or bypass pumping.
Ames Construction completed the project on schedule,
with zero recordable incidents and zero loss days.
I-35W/CROSSTOWN COMMONS
MINNEAPOLIS, MN
Midwest Region crews continue work on the I-35W/
Crosstown Commons project in Minneapolis, MN.
Ames Construction is the managing partner of this
joint venture with Lunda Construction and Shafer
Contracting. The 3.7-mile-long project is being
constructed for MnDOT to ease traffic flow on Highway
62 and I-35W south of downtown Minneapolis. Structures
work by Ames crews includes 62,000 cubic yards of
structural concrete for seven bridges and retaining walls,
300,000 square feet of MSE walls and over 750,000
square feet of wood noise attenuator walls. Civil work
includes 3.25 million cubic yards of earthwork and over
100,000 linear feet of pipe installation.
BNSF MEMPHIS INTERMODAL FACILITY
MEMPHIS, TN
Ames Construction is the general contractor on this
railroad intermodal expansion project. The scope of
work involves site and drainage work to expand the
existing rail yard by adding a 190-acre site adjacent to the
existing mainline rail. The site will increase the BNSF
capacity to transfer cargo containers between rail and
truck more efficiently.
10 AMES NEWS, WINTER 2009
During 2008, approximately 130 dedicated Ames
employees worked double shifts, contended with
240,000 cars per day, and completed eight weekend
highway closures to safely bring the project to 55%
completion. Notable accomplishments in 2008 included
construction of 162,000 square feet of MSE walls,
20,000 square feet of temporary H-Pile and lagging
walls, and completion of four 36-inch and larger water
and sewer crossings through the Interstate corridor.
Crews will continue pipe installation and retaining wall
construction through the winter in preparation for an
equally busy 2009 construction season.
Ames crews will also complete 1.7 million cubic feet of
earthwork, concrete and asphalt removal and crushing,
over 25,000 square feet of pile and lag retaining wall,
cast-in-place retaining wall construction, duct bank and
concrete sub-grade stabilization. Over 95,000 linear feet
of miscellaneous-size pipe will also be installed.
When completed in spring of 2009, the project will include
over 18 miles of pipe and box culvert installation, as well
as concrete and aggregate processing and placement.
TH 212 DESIGN-BUILD
CHASKA/CARVER, MN
The design-build team of Ames Construction,
Fluor Corporation and Edward Kraemer and Sons
completed the TH 212 design-build project with the
opening of the last interchange at TH 212 and
CSAH 147 on August 28, 2008. The project was
awarded in May 2005 and was completed in
October 2008.
The project consisted of designing and building
over 11.5 miles of multilane freeway, with 6
interchanges, in both urban and rural settings.
Major work included 1 million cubic yards of muck
excavation, 10 million cubic yards of excavation and
granular borrow, 28 bridges, 200,000 square feet of
noise and retaining walls, and 220,000 linear feet of
water main, sanitary sewer and storm sewer.
Crews worked more than 1.4 million man-hours
without a lost-time incident.
New Projects
WLSSD REMEDIATION
DULUTH, MN
Ames Construction was recently awarded the Western
Lake Superior Sanitary District Sanitary Landfill
Remediation Phase 1 project in Duluth, MN. The
project is part of the Minnesota Pollution Control
Agency’s (MPCA) Closed Landfill Clean-up Program.
Construction activities will be similar to those
performed on past MPCA Closed Landfill Clean-up
Projects such as Pine Lane, East Bethel, Louisville
and Winona landfills.
In January 2009, Ames crews started removing
waste from the wetland areas that surround the
existing landfill and placing it in a designated dump
area. A total of 250,000 cubic yards of waste and
earth will be excavated. After the waste has been
removed, the excavated areas will be backfilled with
common borrow and returned to natural wetland
areas. The designated dump area will be covered with
1 foot of cover soil and stabilized until the liner is
installed in Phase 2.
FARIBAULT BRIDGE
FARIBAULT, MN
Ames crews will be starting construction on a
MnDOT contract located in Faribault, MN, in early
February 2009, and will finish work by mid-October.
The major portion of work for this project entails
rebuilding a concrete arch bridge that was originally
constructed in the 1930s. Ames crews will remove and
replace the deck and spandrels all the way to the arch.
The overall length of the bridge is 750 feet.
WHISPERING WILLOW
HAMPTON, IA
In early December 2008, Ames Construction
was awarded the civil package for Alliant Energy
Corporation at the Whispering Willow Wind
Farm-East project in Hampton, IA. The project
includes constructing 23 miles of tower access roads,
backfilling 121 tower foundations, public road
intersection widenings, construction of 121 crane
pads, grading 18 miles of crane walk paths and
tower grounding systems. The project started in
mid-December, with the completion of the access
roads scheduled for May 2009. The remaining work,
including site restoration, has a completion date
of December 31, 2009.
GAS COMPRESSION STATIONS
PARIS, TX, AND SHERMAN, TX
Ames Construction was awarded two natural gas
compression station projects by Price Gregory
International for sites in Paris, TX and Sherman,
TX — approximately 60 miles apart. Each site is a
booster station in which natural gas from various
areas is brought to the station via pipeline, and is
then compressed and pushed farther down the line
eastward to the Gulf Coast region, and eventually
onto the Eastern Seaboard.
These projects are part of a major push to increase
capacity of the system. (2008 had the largest
development of pipeline miles that the United States
has seen in over ten years.) Ames crews commenced
work on both sites in June 2008 and will finish work
on both sites in February 2009. Ames Construction
crews were the first contractors on site and will be the
last to leave, taking the project “from cradle to grave.”
Scope of work include all site grading and
concrete for both sites. Quantities of work for both
sites include 160,000 cubic yards of site grading,
60,000 cubic yards of stripping and replacing topsoil,
16,000 cubic yards of imported aggregates, 13,000
cubic yards of CIP concrete and installation of over
3,000 anchor bolts. At the height of construction,
we have had over 50 employees working between
the two sites at the same time. This project is
nearing completion with zero incidents. The project
superintendents are Curt Rudolph, Jr. and Scott
Klein. Jason Duss was the project engineer and Justin
Gabrielson was the project manager.
Hey Ryley!
Megan Ames’ son, Ryley, rides shotgun at the
annual wagon/sleigh ride held at the McKenna
Crossing Assisted Living Community in Prior
Lake, MN. Grandpa Ron Ames organizes the
treat for the senior residents every year.
Just a Reminder
Drugs and Alcohol
ARE Prohibited on All
Ames Projects
Drugs and alcohol on Ames job sites are strictly
prohibited! Showing up for work under the influence
is also forbidden. This Ames policy applies to all
workers, including supervisors, and also includes
every project site under our control. This policy is
not limited to regular work hours only, but bans
drugs and alcohol from our job sites and Ames motor
vehicles at all times, including before and after work.
employee update
2009 River Valley
YMCA golf
tourney tees off
Ron Ames accepted the Volunteer Service
Award at last year’s event from Harold
Mezile, president and CEO of the YMCA of
Metropolitan Minneapolis (left), and Fred
Friswold, YMCA general board member and
Capital Campaign Chair (center), for his
outstanding volunteer spirit in this
fund-raising campaign.
Dubbed a “YMCA Community Hero” by the YMCA
of Metropolitan Minneapolis in June 2008, Ron
Ames will resume his role as chairman of the 2009
YMCA Challenge Golf Tournament, responsible for
raising funds to build the new River Valley YMCA in
Prior Lake, MN. Groundbreaking ceremonies for the
beautiful 50,000-square foot facility took place in July
2008, with grand opening festivities scheduled for
Fall 2009.
This year marks Ron’s third year
as chairman of the tournament,
which to date has raised more
than $140,000 through the annual
outing. Plans are currently under
way for this year’s golf outing
and fundraiser to be held at
Somerby Golf Club in Byron,
MN on June 18th. For more information about
the event, call tournament organizers Megan Ames
or Pat Mason at the Ames Corporate Office.
New Hires
Mike Billing — Field Engineer
Ray Guest — Corporate Safety Specialist
Tony Johnson — Project Engineer
Dawn LeTourneau — Data Processing
Michelle Roach — Data Processing
Clint Hart — Engineer
Births
Josh Brudelie and his wife, Elly, welcomed
their baby girl, Megan Elyse. Megan joins
siblings Kaila, Emma and Ian.
Alex McLean and wife Liz had a baby boy,
Andrew Alexander McLean, on November 10,
2008. Andrew makes a great twosome
with sister, Olivia, 2 years.
AMES NEWS, WINTER 2009 11
Ames Construction, Inc.®
PRESORTED
FIRST-CLASS MAIL
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
MINNEAPOLIS, MN
PERMIT NO. 3395
2000 Ames Drive
Burnsville, MN 55306
Ames Construction, Inc.
Dick Ames honors OUTLOOK vision
discount program
Ed Hutterer
This personal thank-you note to Dick Ames appeared
in the Summer 2008 edition of The Associated
General Contractors of Minnesota’s “Constructive
Comment Newsletter.”
On behalf of my family and myself, I’d like
to publicly thank Dick Ames, founder and
chairman of the board of Ames Construction,
Inc., for his very generous donation of $10,000
to the scholarship fund of AGC of Minnesota
Foundation. This donation was made in memory
of my father, Ed Hutterer, a 40-year employee of
MN/DOT, who passed away in June 2007. The
letter accompanying the check read in part:
In 1968, Mr. Hutterer was the Project
Manager for the first Minnesota State Highway
contract ever awarded to Ames Construction,
Inc. It was the reconstruction of Highway
212 between Lake Elmo and North St. Paul,
Minnesota.
Mr. Hutterer was extremely helpful in
educating me on the intricacies of working
for the State of Minnesota. In fact, he went
out of his way to make sure that the Project
was a success for both the State and my small
company. Without people like Ed Hutterer, it
would have been impossible to have grown our
company to what it is today.
Here’s a tip for the next time you get your eyes checked.
OUTLOOK Vision Services® is an eye care program
with a schedule of benefits and/or a percentage discount
that provides substantial savings off the regular retail
price for eyewear. The network consists of over 10,500
optical providers nationwide. A nominal dispensing
fee may apply in certain areas. Members may choose a
provider by calling toll free at 1-800-342-7188 or by
visiting www.outlookvision.com.
USDOT medical
card reminder
Cards are usually good for two years, but:
Your CDL is not valid unless accompanied by a current
DOT approved Medical Certificate. It is a driver’s
responsibility to make sure that your Medical Certificate
is current, that you comply with any restrictions, that
your Regional HQ has a copy in your file, and that you
carry a copy with you while on duty.
Rocky Mountain Rock Star Bill “Elton John” Sutton.
Ames Construction, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity
Employer and does not tolerate discrimination
against any individual for any reason.
This is to affirm the Ames Construction, Inc. policy of
providing Equal Opportunity to all employees and applicants for
employment in accordance with all applicable Equal Employment
Opportunity/Affirmative Action laws, directives and regulations of
federal, state and local governing bodies or agencies thereof.
termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation, and
selection for training, including apprenticeship.
Ames Construction, Inc. will not discriminate against or harass
any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color,
creed, religion, national origin, sex, disability, age, marital status,
affectional preference, ancestry or status with regard to
public assistance.
Ames Construction, Inc. will use its best efforts to afford minority
and female business enterprises with the maximum practicable
opportunity to participate in the performance of subcontracts for
construction projects that this employer engages in.
Ames Construction, Inc. will take Affirmative Action to ensure
that all employment practices are free of such discrimination.
Such employment practices include, but are not limited to, the
following: hiring, upgrading, demotion, transfer, recruitment
or recruitment advertising, selection, layoff, disciplinary action,
12 AMES NEWS, WINTER 2009
If the transcript or class schedule is not submitted
every August and January, all medical and dental claims
will be denied until the information is received. The
student has 30 days from the first of the month
to provide the documentation.
Important Reminders
Denise (Hutterer) Woods
Director — Communications & Events
Equal Employment Opportunity Policy
A full-time student is required to be enrolled with a
minimum of 12 credits at an accredited university,
college, secondary school or vocational school, and
must provide a copy of the transcript or class schedule
that states the school name, address and phone
number each semester.
When a dependent ceases full-time student status,
you must contact the Ames Help Line or the
Corporate Office to ensure that COBRA coverage will
be offered to the student.
Dad would be very proud yet humbled to know
something he did so long ago will impact the lives
of the next generation of industry leaders.
EEO/AA and Sexual
Harassment Policies
Full-time student
status defined
Ames Construction, Inc. prohibits the harassment of any employee or
job applicant because of sex, national origin or race.
Ames Construction, Inc. will commit the necessary time and
resources, both financial and human, to achieve the goals of Equal
Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action.
Ames Construction, Inc. will maintain a hostility-free work
environment and good work conditions for all employees
and supervisors.
Need to ADD your new baby, spouse or dependents to
your insurance? Need to REMOVE an ex-spouse, or a
dependent age 19 or older who is not a full-time student?
Please complete a new Enrollment form and submit it to
the corporate office.
Have you MOVED? Please submit a completed Change
of Address form to your regional office.
If you have any questions, please call the Human
Resource Department at the Corporate Office,
952-435-7106.
LifeWorks® — Confidential
Employee Assistance
As a benefit to employees, Ames Construction offers the
LifeWorks employee assistance program. LifeWorks is
a confidential resource designed to assist you and your
dependents with health and wellness, stress management,
individual/family counseling, mental health, substance
abuse and much more. Dependents receive assistance
at no additional cost. The program is available 24
hours a day, seven days a week. For more information,
contact 1-888-267-8126, or access LifeWorks from the
Employee Resource page at www.amesconstruction.com.