WASHINGTON, DC – Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) today announced that Cajun Constructors, Inc.’s work on the Hurricane Katrina Repairs and Modifications – Inner Harbor Navigation Canal East Side Floodwall Repair in New Orleans, La., has earned the company first place in the Infrastructure/Heavy category of ABC’s Excellence in Construction awards. T.E. Cajun Constructors’ representatives received the award June 12 during the 17th annual EIC and National Safety Excellence awards celebration at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C.

 

“ABC congratulates Cajun Constructors for its outstanding work on the Hurricane Katrina Repairs and Modifications – Inner Harbor Navigation Canal East Side Floodwall Repair,” said Kirk Pickerel, ABC president and CEO. “This project truly embodies the exceptional craftsmanship and professionalism that define merit shop construction. It is a pleasure for the association to honor this innovative project with our top construction excellence award.”

 

ABC designed the national Excellence in Construction program to recognize excellent performance in the merit shop construction field. The award honors all construction team members, including the contractor, owner, architect and engineer. This year''s competition was open to all construction projects completed by ABC member firms during 2006. The winning projects were selected from entries submitted from across the nation and were judged on complexity, attractiveness, unique challenges overcome, completion time, workmanship, innovation, safety and cost.

 

Facing an extremely fast-paced schedule and national media attention, Cajun mobilized to demolish damaged floodwalls, create a temporary flood-control system, drive 32 miles of epoxy-coated H-piles and pour approximately 12,000 cubic yards of concrete – safely and on time for the next hurricane season.

 

A panel of industry experts served as the competition’s judges. This year''s panel included representatives from the American Council of Engineering Companies, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the American Institute of Architects and National Institute of Building Sciences.

Editors Note: Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) is a national association representing more than 24,000 merit shop construction and construction-related firms in 78 chapters across the United States. For more news and information, visit ABC’s website, http://www.abc.org/.