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CONTENTS
2025 Asphalt Construction
If
Graniterock Celebrates 125 Years of Service to California’s Construction Industry –The Secret? It’s The People
By Brian Hoover / Photos provided by Graniterock
Bruce Woolpert, President/CEO 1987 – 2012
“Tell the truth, even when it's not popular.”
Graniterock marks a major milestone in 2025 as it celebrates 125 years of service to California’s construction industry. Founded on Feb. 14, 1900, by Arthur Roberts Wilson, the company has played a pivotal role in the growth and development of California’s Central Coast and beyond.
The company’s origins trace back to the purchase of the Logan Quarry in Aromas, a critical source of construction materials that laid the foundation for
Tom Squeri, President/CEO 2012 – 2023
“I am proud that we were able to bring the company through some very tough times. Step one was to survive, then get better and then get back to the point of thrive.”
Graniterock’s future. Over the decades, Graniterock expanded into general contracting and introduced groundbreaking technologies that helped shape Northern California’s infrastructure. Graniterock’s leadership has remained in the Wilson-Woolpert family for more than a century. The founder’s wife Anna Wilson, daughter Betsy Wilson, and grandson, Bruce W. Woolpert,
Peter Lemon, President/CEO 2023 - Present
“I feel my charge is to build the culture for the future.”
carried on the legacy after he died in October 1929, reinforcing the company’s values of quality, service and community engagement.
Key milestones in the company’s history include the establishment of Central Supply and Granite Construction in the 1920s, the installation of California’s first asphaltic concrete plant in 1936, and the transformation of the Logan Quarry into the state-of-the-art A.R. Wilson Quarry in the 1980s.
Above: Bruce W. Woolpert, pictured here with HP CEO and gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman, led Graniterock to receiving the Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award.
In 1992, Graniterock received national recognition when President George H. W. Bush awarded the company the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award—one of the highest honors for performance excellence in the United States.
The company has weathered its share of challenges, including economic downturns and the tragic passing of CEO Bruce W. Woolpert in 2012. Following his death, General Counsel Tom Squeri was appointed president and CEO, guiding the company through the post-recession recovery and a period of historic growth. Under Squeri’s leadership, the Construction Division expanded with the acquisition of FMG, a grinding
company, and broadened its regional footprint by establishing a team in Contra Costa County. The A.R. Wilson Quarry has undergone continuous upgrades, including the development of a wastewater reduction plant and solar energy infrastructure.
In January 2023, Peter Lemon was named president and CEO. Born and raised in Monterey, Lemon began his career at Graniterock as a UC Davis intern in 1998. Lemon succeeded Squeri, who now serves as vice chairman of the Board of Directors alongside Chairman John Orcutt.
“We could not have reached this milestone anniversary without our customers and community, who have remained
Henry
Ramirez,
Executive Vice President Services Group
“I remember the Great Recession days, because it was the craft guys that helped us keep the place functioning. Yes, this was a tough time in terms of economics, but it was a good time for young leaders to shine and develop.”
Nick Wenzel, Wilson Quarry Manager
“We’re finding better and more efficient ways to mine rock. We are always finding more efficient ways to maintain the plant, to produce aggregate, and meeting specifications. We just keep getting better and better.”
Cheryl Hatley, Inside Sales Manager
“It is great to have the quarry, but if we didn’t have the customers, what’s the point. Our customers are not just clients, they are our partners.”
Jon Erskine, Director, Sustainability and Geology
“I think the really special thing about the solar farm is that it took an entire team to do it.
From the family to Mark on the Board of Directors, and Peter our Quarry Manager, Spencer our Construction Manager and Steve Snodgrass.
Stephanie Kniffin, Workers Comp and Wellness Administrator
“Thinking back on my career, I remember that is all started at San Jose State sitting in class and reviewing a case study about this company that focuses on and has a unique culture and it was Watsonville, California Graniterock. I said, ‘hey that is where I am from, and I felt this sense of pride. Not too long after that a position for a communication specialist popped up and the opportunities just kept coming.”
Shirley Ow, Vice President Retired
“We all appreciate talent, and as a manager, people who are talented just make your department and services just that much more successful because they are so motivated, have great aptitude and are very goal oriented. They want to make a difference at Graniterock.”
Stephanie Lovell, Products and Services Business Manager
“I was always lucky and fortunate along the way to have supportive leaders that even though I was not saying that I wanted more, they just recognized that in me.”
Below Right: The Graniterock construction team has been a trusted partner for building and maintaining the runways and other infrastructure at San Francisco International Airport. The partnership has been recognized on several occasions by the International Partnering Institute.
Bottom: Caterpillar’s D11 dozer is one of the most important pieces of heavy equipment at the A.R. Wilson Quarry in Aromas. The dozer pushes rock off the quarry face to a 992K loader that scoops up the aggregate and dumps it into the company’s Krupp mobile crusher that processes roughly 3,000 tons an hour.
loyal to Graniterock and helped us build the crucial infrastructure of our region,” said Lemon. “From the roads we drive on to the landmarks that define our communities, Graniterock’s dedication to quality and service will continue to stand the test of time.”
Beyond construction, Graniterock has led efforts in environmental sustainability, implementing solar fields currently providing 65% of the energy required to run operations and the use of 100% renewable energy at the A. R. Wilson Quarry. Graniterock has also implemented state-of-the-art recycling programs, and stormwater management systems. The company also maintains a strong culture of community service, supporting local organizations through sponsorships and volunteerism. This support is exhibited by the more than 900 members of the Graniterock team who have volunteered their personal talents and shared financial support with more than 700 organizations in Alameda, Monterey, San Benito, Santa Cruz, San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Clara Counties.
{ Continued on page 10 }
Julie Giannotta, Chief Accounting Officer
“When I think back over my career and the leadership changes, something I think that has been constant is Graniterock’s commitment to its people and our culture.”
John Torres,
Director of Private Work and Special Projects
“When I first started, our construction group was called Pavex and we did two things, paving and grading. Today, we are more talented and in sync than we ever have been in my 25 plus years with the company.”
Terry
Tuggey,
Construction Division Area Manager
“Like everything else at Graniterock, if you have the talent, the job will find you. When I started in 1994, we picked up a job at San Francisco International Airport which serves around 35 to 47 million people each year. That is a lot of people that touch Graniterock products directly or indirectly.”
Top: Graniterock’s pavement recycling team brought back to life Highway 1 along California’s coast in Pescadero on a recycling pilot project with Caltrans in 2021.
Above: Graniterock has performed numerous road and safety improvement projects on Highway 17, including the construction of a $5 million wildlife tunnel for the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County.
{ Continued from page 8 }
Mark Darosa,
Senior Project Manager
“I have been working under Terry Tuggey’s group for 25 years now, primarily doing large scale improvement projects at SFO. Our team has paved every runway, some twice.”
“We are proud to help steward one of California’s oldest family-owned companies,” said Marianne Woolpert, greatgranddaughter of founder A.R. Wilson. “Our commitment to quality and our deep roots in the community are important to our family—and to Graniterock’s team members as well.”
As Graniterock celebrates this historic anniversary, the company remains focused on the future. Investments in technology, workforce development, and sustainable
practices will help ensure the company’s continued leadership in the construction industry and economic contributions across the region.
“Our success is built on the dedication of our team members and the trust of our customers,” Lemon said. “As we look forward to the next 125 years, we remain committed to our legacy of innovation, sustainability and community partnership.”
Graniterock is widely regarded as a leader in paving and milling throughout Northern California, delivering high-
Willie Diaz, Sales Rep., Concrete
“Graniterock’s Quality laboratory builds all of our mix designs and if we have any special needs, we lean on them as our partner to trial batch or take samples on the jobsite. They are our go to and are very good at what they do.”
Stephanie Smith, Construction Project Manager
“I remember in my interview, I asked those on my panel, ‘hey, after 120 years, what’s the secret sauce.’ I remember one of them said, ‘it’s the people,’ and that really resonated with me.”
Abbie Gordon,
Accounts Payable Manager
“I have been with the company for 27 years and many of us have had the pleasure of working with Bruce, Tom and now Peter. Each had their own visions that were so important to the growth and success of Graniterock, its employees, families and communities.”
Above: The company opens the door to the A.R. Wilson Quarry every October for a community fun run that draws about 200 people and raises money for local schools.
Amy Nama, Executive Assistant
“The culture of caring is a legacy here at Graniterock. I am very excited for what the future holds and what we can do to give, participate and influence other people to feel that desire to give and help others in need. This just really comes from my heart.”
performance solutions for highway, municipal, commercial and private projects. The company’s services range from new construction and overlays to maintenance paving and large-scale rehabilitation efforts.
Services include full-depth reclamation, asphalt overlays, seal coating, and detailed grading. The company also specializes in warm-mix asphalt and open-graded friction courses—techniques that promote safety and sustainability.
As part of its environmental commitment, Graniterock maximizes the reuse of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) in new mixes, conserving resources and reducing environmental impact. Backed by generations of industry experience, Graniterock continues to support the region’s infrastructure needs with innovation and reliability. Graniterock also offers a wide selection of construction aggregates, including coarse and fine materials available at multiple locations. Customers
Top: Graniterock CEO Peter Lemon takes a selfie while visiting the crew working at Monterey Regional Airport.
Mark Kiminski, Chairman of the Board Retired
“Bruce and I met in 1990 and he was a man of 100 percent integrity. ”
Shanna Crigger, Director of Comms.
“Graniterock could not have achieved this milestone without our loyal customers that have been with us for so many of these past 125 years. We owe them all a great deal of gratitude.”
Keith Severson, Director of Marketing and Community Involvement
“These communities are very important to us. This is where we live, work and play and grow our families. It is really all about the Graniterock people. Their passion and drive. Our dedication to customers is vitally important to us. It is the value that Graniterock
Above: Spanning 125 years, Graniterock’s photo albums are full of images that capture the company’s history. Graniterock has led many technological advances in the construction industry over the decades.
can also find ready-mix concrete, hot mix asphalt and other building materials for both large-scale construction and residential improvements.
“It’s rare to have the opportunity to work for a company celebrating 125 years, especially one that began right here in Aromas. Peter Lemon is a bright, dynamic leader, perfectly suited for today's construction environment and well-positioned to guide Graniterock into the future,” says Keith Severson, Director of Marketing and Community Involvement. “Our foundation
in total quality management drives us to continuously seek new and more productive methods. While our history has shaped who we are today, our focus remains on innovating for the future—to sustainably mine resources, build robust infrastructure, and support future generations of Californians.”
For more information about Graniterock’s 125th anniversary, visit www.graniterock.com.
Please visit the Graniterock 125 Year commemorative video at https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=RhFqmsg_c1E Cc
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By Brian Hoover / Photos provided by McGuire and Hester
McGuire and Hester Completes Grading, Paving and Other Infrastructure Work on Veterans Home
Skilled Nursing Facility in Napa Valley
McGuire and Hester recently completed extensive site infrastructure work at the new Skilled Nursing and Memory Care Facility at the Veterans Home of California-Yountville in Napa County. The Alameda-based construction firm, with field offices in Oakland and Sacramento, performed grading, paving, excavation, concrete work, and underground utility installation as part of this major state-funded project.
The new 240-bed facility at Yountville, scheduled to open in mid-2025, is part of a larger $278 million modernization effort replacing the existing Holderman Hospital and Franklin D. Roosevelt Building. Spanning approximately 317,000 square feet, the multistory building will provide longterm skilled nursing and memory care for veterans, particularly those with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and traumatic brain injuries. The construction and design by CannonDesign, the project's
architect, specifically incorporate features such as natural lighting, single-occupancy rooms with ensuite restrooms, and accessible common areas tailored to veterans' specialized healthcare needs.
McGuire and Hester worked under the prime design-build contractor Rudolph and Sletten, a subsidiary of Tutor Perini Corporation. Rudolph and Sletten was awarded a design-build contract valued at approximately $269 million by the California Department of General Services
Above: McGuire & Hester using their Cat 1055F paver to place the first lift for the drive aisle to the central utility plant of the new skilled nursing facility in Napa Valley.
Right: Top lifting the main entrance to the patient drop off area.
(DGS), representing the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet). This major development supports California's obligation to care for veterans, as the state has the largest population of veterans in the nation.
The firm managed significant earthwork in their cut and fill operations, moving approximately 50,000 to 60,000 cubic yards of dirt. McGuire and Hester also handled all of the grading and paving tasks for the new facility, including the installation of a new 166,000-square-foot parking lot area. Infrastructure installed by McGuire and Hester included domestic water lines, fire hydrants, sewer lines, a pump station, storm drains, steam, and gas utilities.
Kyle Carone, Grading and Paving Division Manager for McGuire and Hester, described the complexity of the terrain at the site, stating, "The old parking lot was at elevation 213, and we cut it
down to elevation 135. The existing parking lot was on a steep slope that ran down into the campus area. We executed a two-step earthwork process that involved the installation of 6-foot to 15-foothigh retaining walls with tiebacks to support the hillside. Most of the earth was moved with scrapers, excavators and haul trucks for the cut and fill operations. We also installed keyways and perforated pipe for proper drainage."
Pete Lambert, General Paving Superintendent, emphasized the logistical challenges of coordinating with various trades, including electrical, plumbing, steel, framing, and other construction specialists. "Space was tight and limited due to numerous trades working simultaneously. A carefully organized schedule allowed us
to effectively manage paving operations," Lambert explained. “An amazing thing happened when the time came for the asphalt paving operations. All of the cars and equipment were removed and the trade crews were brought to the site via shuttle vans from another parking lot area. Rudolph and Sletten went to great lengths to move shipping containers and other supplies so that our 13-person crew would have plenty of room to operate during the placement of both lifts performed months apart over a total paving period of 12 days.”
The paving process occurred in two distinct phases to accommodate project timelines and site conditions, but first the pavement from the previous parking lot needed to be milled off by subcontractor, Anrak
Corporation. Next, McGuire and Hester crew members placed and compacted eight inches of Type 2 aggregate base layer. Then, Griffin Soil performed lime treatment on the parking lot site. This was followed by the installation of the first 2-inch lift of hot mix asphalt, completed in the middle of the COVID outbreak. “This first 2-inch lift was placed well before the second to allow for runoff and prevent water from accumulating on the pavement surface,” says Lambert. “We returned to the site recently to complete the paving process and put down the top 2-inch lift. The entire paving process required around 4,000 tons of 6410 hot mix asphalt provided
by Vulcan Materials. We utilized our Cat 1055F paving machine for a smooth and precise asphalt application.” Throughout construction, McGuire and Hester demonstrated a commitment to sustainable practices including trucking the asphalt spoils to the nearest Vulcan plant for recycling.
The Veterans Home of California-Yountville, established in 1884, is the largest veterans' home in the United States, accommodating nearly 1,000 veterans and spouses. The sprawling 615-acre campus provides comprehensive care and a vibrant community environment. The new skilled nursing facility occupies
Left: McGuire and Hester’s paving crew on site at the Skilled Nursing and Memory Care Facility at the Veterans Home of California–Yountville in Napa County.
Bottom: Finish rolling the lower parking lot area at the Veterans Home of California-Yountville in Napa County.
approximately 11 acres of this historic site and will significantly enhance the quality of care available.
Both Carone and Lambert highlighted the project's profound impact on veterans residing at the home. "Many veterans watched daily, proudly wearing hats signifying their military branch and service theater," Carone noted. "It was rewarding to interact with them and answer their many questions."
Lambert echoed this sentiment, remarking on the inspirational nature of the project site, which prominently featured a plethora of American and other flags from around the world. "It was impressive and motivating to contribute [ Continued on page 20 ]
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something meaningful for these veterans who have sacrificed so much for our country," he said.
Additional subcontractors who collaborated on this complex project included Sierra Traffic Markings (striping), Pacific Northwest Oil, and Plus Sweeping. Nick Lambert served as the paving foreman for McGuire and Hester, leading a dedicated 13-person paving crew.
Designed to achieve LEED Gold standards, the new skilled nursing and memory care facility at the Veterans Home of CaliforniaYountville represents a significant
step forward in veteran healthcare. With completion anticipated by mid-2025, this state-of-the-art facility will ensure modern, efficient, and dignified living conditions for veterans who have honorably served this nation.
Established in 1926, McGuire and Hester specializes in grading, paving, landscaping, concrete services, and underground utilities. The company has significantly contributed to Northern California's infrastructure development, recognized for its innovation, safety, and sustainability practices. Known for successfully delivering
complex projects ranging from commercial developments to public works improvements, McGuire and Hester has earned numerous awards and maintained enduring collaborations with municipalities, developers, and industry partners. McGuire and Hester is headquartered in Alameda with field offices in Oakland and Sacramento. For more information, please visit www.mcguireandhester.com or call (510) 632-7676. The CalVet website can be seen at www.calvet.ca.gov. Cc
Above: Performing digout repairs on main drive isle of the existing main road of the Veterans Home facility.
Right: Performing base repair prior to top lifting the drive aisle.
Above: McGuire & Hester crew paving and compacting the employee parking lot near the loading dock.
Pavement Preservation: Extending the Life of California’s Roads Through Smart Maintenance
By Jeff Roberts Photos supplied by VSS International, Inc
Care and maintenance of our road networks is a critical responsibility for city, county and state agencies throughout the United States. Pavement maintenance and preservation in California is vital to our infrastructure given the state’s vast and heavily traveled road network. California’s climate, especially areas with unique microclimates, can be extremely tough on pavements which are subjected to hot summers, cold winters, occasional heavy rains and snow.
Not only does Pavement Preservation have a positive impact on large agency budgets, but its benefits also trickle down to local road and pavement owners such as airports, homeowners’ associations and commercial property owners. Below is a
breakdown of the key advantages of Pavement Preservation systems such as crack seal, fog seal, slurry seal, micro surfacing, chip seals and thin hot mix overlays.
First, preservation treatments provide significant cost savings to their users. Treatments like crack seal, slurry seal, micro surfacing and other thin overlays are polymer modified and still far less expensive than full reconstruction or major rehabilitation. They can be placed during day or nighttime hours and extend pavement life at a fraction of the cost of thicker overlays. Preventive maintenance techniques keep moisture out of the roadway’s base and maintain a safe wearing surface while they allow agencies to better manage their budgets by ensuring their limited budgets can address
Below: Placement of a micro surfacing overlay at the Golden Gate National Recreational Area.
more miles of roadway each budget year.
Regular roadway maintenance keeps roads in good condition longer, delaying the need for costly and disruptive repairs. Pavement Preservation treatments not only extend pavement life, but they can also improve surface quality by restoring surface texture, improve skid resistance and reduce roughness of the pavement surface.
Preservation treatments also provide significant environmental benefits to those who use them.
Caltrans has specific sustainability objectives which will impact the use of certain construction materials in the future, and preservation techniques typically lower the carbon footprint by requiring fewer raw materials and less energy to produce than most full reconstruction techniques. Requiring fewer materials to be hauled to and from the work site can greatly reduce the number of deliveries to and from the jobsite, removing a significant number of heavy trucks from the local roadways and keeping critical freight and commuter routes functioning properly.
Fewer materials being delivered to the jobsite means that preservation work is typically performed faster and less intrusively than major construction, meaning fewer traffic disruptions which limits exposure of workers
to the hazards of local traffic. Additionally, better road conditions help reduce crashes, especially when skid resistance is improved.
An additional environmental consideration is the use of recycled tire rubber in hot applied chip seals. It is estimated that Rubberized Asphalt Concrete (RAC) extends road lift by approximately 50% compared to conventional materials and helps reduce environmental impacts from waste tires. CalRecycle’s Rubberized Pavement Grant Program promotes the use of ground tire rubber in road paving by offering funding and incentives to local government agencies and qualifying entities.
On a statewide level, Caltrans performs a considerable amount of Pavement Preservation projects as part of their Statewide Pavement Program. The goal of this program
is to enhance pavement quality across the state by monitoring and estimating future pavement conditions, creating standards and specifications, and partnering with districts and industry to identify good candidates for future projects and develop innovative materials to reduce costs or improve quality on the projects.
Many California city and county agencies are utilizing network-level thinking to keep their roadways in top shape. A good example of a local urban Pavement Preservation program (UPP) would be Stanislaus County. They focus on maintaining urban roads in good or fair condition through cost-effective treatments like slurry seals, chip seals and thin hot mix overlays. The program dedicates approximately $3 million dollars annually to urban neighborhoods where each urban road is
VSS International, Inc. Crews applying slurry seal and micro surfacing at Yosemite National Park.
Above: Placement of Type III micro surfacing for Caltrans District 11 in San Diego County.
Right: Placement of slurry seal for the City of San Diego. The City of San Diego has one of the largest slurry seal programs in the United States.
scheduled for a preservation treatment three times over a 25-year period, thus ensuring long-term maintenance.
It has long been known that Pavement Preservation brings many economic, performance, longevity, mobility, safety and environmental benefits to those who use them. There is no larger potential benefactor from the use of Pavement Preservation techniques than the hot mix asphalt industry. Hot mix asphalt is the proven solution for providing a smooth and sound foundation on over 90% of our nation’s roads. Pavement Preservation techniques are simply the toolbox needed to economically maintain and care for our asphalt roadways. This partnership between the hot mix asphalt and Pavement Preservation industries will only become more critical as Product Category Rules (PCRs), Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) and Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) begin to become prevalent in our workspace. When used
collectively, the combination of soundly constructed asphalt roadways properly maintained by the appropriate Pavement Preservation techniques over time will always prevail in the ongoing battle to be the most environmentally friendly pavement design solution with the lowest life cycle cost over the long haul.
California industry members are fortunate to have some great local resources should you want to learn more about the basics of Pavement Preservation. The California Pavement Preservation Center is located at CSU Chico. They offer a Pavement Preservation Academy which is a certificate program designed to enhance the design and construction of Pavement Preservation treatments. The academy provides training courses and technical manuals on various methods such as chip seals, slurry surfacing, cape seals and thin hot mix overlays. Another great resource is the Western Regional Association for Pavement Preservation.
Above: Crew places a chip seal application for Caltrans near Salinas, California.
Founded originally as the California Chip Seal Association in the 1970’s, this association now has hundreds of members representing buying agencies, contractors and materials suppliers who are dedicated to the improvement and promotion of the Pavement Preservation industry. Whether we make our living placing hot mix asphalt or preserving asphalt roadways, we all know that the success of our products boils down to putting the right treatment on the right road at the right time! Cc
Jeff Roberts is President & CEO of VSS International, Inc. and he currently serves as the President of the International Slurry Surfacing Association.
References:
The California Pavement Preservation Center Website is https://www.csuchico.edu/cp2c/
The WRAPP Website is www.wrapp.org.
Astec/Carlson
Hazard Construction Completes Extensive and Precise Paving Operation at Chula Vista's Gaylord Pacific Resort in Chula Vista
The construction of the Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center in Chula Vista, California, commenced with a groundbreaking ceremony on July 27, 2022. This $1.3 billion project, a collaboration between Mortenson Construction and McCarthy Building Companies, Inc., in partnership with RIDA Development and HKS Architects, is a significant component of the Chula Vista Bayfront Master Plan. Spanning 36 acres, the resort is designed to include 1,600 guest rooms, a 4.25-acre water park, and extensive convention facilities, aiming to transform the city's waterfront into a premier destination.
Throughout the construction process, the project team employed advanced construction techniques and sustainable practices. The resort has been constructed to comply with California’s energy code Title 24, which exceeds LEED certification requirements, ensuring energy
efficiency and environmental responsibility. The infrastructure development included the paving of roadways and parking facilities that are integral to the project and the visiting public. Construction also included the development of a 600-stall design-build parking lot, enhancing accessibility for guests and visitors.
The new and exciting resort held its grand opening on May 15, 2025, as the surrounding areas have also seen significant improvements. The expansion of park spaces and the enhancement of public access to the bayfront are part of the broader vision to revitalize Chula Vista's waterfront, offering both residents and visitors a blend of luxury accommodations and community-oriented spaces.
Hazard Construction took on the extensive asphalt paving project at the Gaylord Resort in Chula Vista. Geoff Acosta serves as the General Superintendent of Paving for Hazard Construction, and he oversaw the paving on this
project. “Our paving crew installed more than 7,000 tons of asphalt for multiple roadway improvements and new infrastructure. The project involved paving new frontage roads, resurfacing existing adjacent roadways, and constructing numerous onsite roads and bike paths,” says Acosta. “Additionally, our team implemented temporary roadways and bike paths to maintain efficient construction operations. We also provided grading and excavating, aggregate base preparation, seal coating, and detailed pavement marking services. This project was another successful Hazard Construction team effort. Another big win for the Hazard Construction team! Huge thanks to everyone who played a part in making it happen.”
The paving component of the Gaylord Pacific Resort was especially significant given the complexity and precision required. Hazard Construction emphasized careful planning to accommodate tight mobilization windows and
By Brian Hoover / Photos provided by Hazard Construction
minimize disruptions to ongoing resort construction and public accessibility. To achieve this, the company strategically scheduled paving operations during off-peak hours, including nighttime and early-morning shifts, which required meticulous coordination with project stakeholders and city inspection teams. These strategies ensured minimal interference with other construction trades and facilitated smooth transitions between project phases.
Serving as a subcontractor under the oversight of the City of Chula Vista and prime contractor MMJV Mortenson McCarthy Joint Venture, Hazard navigated a challenging seven-phase schedule
that required precise coordination and tight mobilization windows. Materials were sourced strategically from two suppliers and four separate asphalt plants to meet stringent scheduling demands. Hazard's crew used advanced state-of-the-art equipment, including Vogele Super 2000 and 1700 pavers and Hamm Rollers HD110i, HD70i, GRW 180I RTR, and HD12, ensuring high-quality paving and compaction.
Hazard Construction's commitment to sustainability aligned seamlessly with the overall project's environmental objectives. The paving team prioritized the use of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP), integrating recycled materials
into asphalt mixtures to reduce waste and environmental impact. Additionally, advanced paving methods, such as warm-mix asphalt technology, were employed to further reduce energy consumption and lower emissions during installation. These sustainable practices complemented the resort's adherence to California’s rigorous energy code, Title 24, demonstrating a cohesive effort toward environmental responsibility across all aspects of construction.
Throughout the duration of the project—from July 2022 to the present—Hazard coordinated effectively with multiple grading and paving crews, alongside numerous subcontractors, city
Below: Hazard Construction crews placing final lift of hot mix asphalt (HMA) in parking bays along the public frontage road at the Gaylord Pacific Resort, part of the Chula Vista Bayfront infrastructure improvements.
Above: Utilizing a Vogele Super 2000i tracked paver and Hamm HD+ series rollers, Hazard Construction achieves specified density and smoothness criteria per project specifications set by the Developer and City of Chula Vista.
inspection teams, and quality assurance representatives. The project posed unique challenges related to construction access, public traffic, and environmentally sensitive restrictions. Despite weather disruptions and scheduling complexities across the various mobilizations, Hazard's flexibility and the strategic deployment of multiple crews and equipment resulted in meeting all major milestones.
The collaborative nature of this expansive paving project also highlighted Hazard Construction’s strength in communication and teamwork. Regular meetings and daily progress briefings involving subcontractors, suppliers, and municipal representatives were vital for identifying potential issues before they arose, ensuring
that project milestones were consistently met. Hazard’s proactive approach to communication facilitated quick adaptation to unexpected challenges such as weather disruptions or logistical hurdles related to construction access, ultimately enabling the project to remain on schedule.
In addition to the technical aspects, Hazard Construction actively engaged with the local community throughout the paving process, recognizing the broader significance of the resort to Chula Vista’s economic future. Efforts included clear signage, effective traffic control measures, and transparent communication with local businesses and residents to minimize inconvenience. The company’s careful attention to maintaining good community
relations helped build public goodwill, contributing positively to the project's overall reception and success.
Hazard Construction’s expertly paved infrastructure serves not only as the literal foundation for visitor access but as a testament to the high-quality standards maintained throughout the project. The newly paved roads, parking lots, and bike paths ensure smooth and safe accessibility for guests and enhance the overall visitor experience, setting the stage for Gaylord Pacific Resort’s long-term success as a premier waterfront destination.
For more information on Hazard Construction, please visit www.hazardconstruction.com or call their Lakeside headquarters at (858) 587-3600. Cc
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