Still time for crew recognition, company prestige with QIC deadline approaching

Ty JohnsonOctober 12, 2026

4 minutes read

There is still time for members to apply for Quality in Construction Awards. Learn more about the QIC program at AsphaltPavement.org/Awards.

The 2026 NAPA Awards & Commendations application window will close on Friday, Oct. 31, but there is still time to ensure your crews, road projects, and plants all receive the recognition they deserve.

Winners of the Sheldon G. Hayes Award, Ray Brown Airport Award, and Larry H. Lemon Awards will be announced at the NAPA 2027 Annual Meeting in Miami Beach, Florida Feb. 8-10. QIC winners will also participate in photo opportunities at the NAPA Awards Gallery.

NAPA’s Quality in Construction (QIC) Awards identify road projects across the nation that meet and exceed standards for performance, from state road overlays to full-scale interstate paving.

Dozens, even hundreds, of QIC projects are recognized annually through NAPA Awards, but the highest rated road projects can qualify for other prestigious awards, like the Larry H. Lemon Award.

LARRY H. LEMON WINNERS REPRESENT THE TOP QIC PROJECTS UNDER 50K TONS

The 10 highest-scoring Quality in Construction (QIC) projects each year receive the coveted Larry H. Lemon Award. Check out some of last year’s winners below:

CADILLAC ASPHALT LLC, A CRH CO.

This project is Crooks Road from Big Beaver to W Maple Road.

PROJECT COMPLETION DATE
10/25/2024

MILL & OVERLAY

Crooks Road was a 1.5″ edge mill at the curb lines and butt joints, then overlayed with 1.5″ of 5EML HMA. Road Commission for Oakland County (RCOC) received threats through their claims program on this project. An individual submitted threats warning that we must stop doing construction or they would “show up in full force. Putting many innocent lives in danger.” Cadillac partnered with the Troy Police Department to ensure safety during this project. We were able to close Crooks Road to complete paving in one single day with three different paving crews paving in Echelon. 3,660 tons were placed over a 5+ lane roadway in one day.

CWR CONTRACTING, INC., A CONSTRUCTION PARTNERS INC. COMPANY

Improvement plans for the Villages of Sumter Morse Boulevard. Phase 1 and Stillwater Trail.

To get to Stillwater Trail from US HWY 301, head east on CR 466 until you get to Morse Blvd. Then, head south on Morse Blvd to the third (3rd) roundabout (Stillwater Trail), which will be the start of the project. From there, it extends west on Stillwater Trail to Buena Vista Blvd, which is the end of the project.

PROJECT COMPLETION DATE
5/1/2025

MILL & OVERLAY

This job consisted of milling and resurfacing the Still Water Trail from Buena Vista Boulevard to Morse Boulevard in The Villages for Sumter County, Florida. The road became deteriorated, and once the milling and paving were completed it turned out beautiful.

R.J. DAIGLE & SONS CONTRACTORS INCORPORATED

r.j. daigle and sons contractors incorporated — PHOTO BY R.J. DAIGLE

If you’re driving on Interstate 10 in Louisiana, get off at Exit 182. That’s the Sorrento exit. Head South on LA 22 until you reach a roundabout that ties into LA 70. Drive south down LA 70 for about 7 miles, then drive on the Sunshine Bridge which crosses over the Mississippi River. From there, continue on LA 70 until LA 3089 appears on your right, and then take LA 3089 for the next 6 miles. It will go through Donaldsonville and turn into LA 1. As you drive down LA 1, you will see LA 943 at the 6-mile mark on your left. Take a left turn onto LA 943. It’s approximately 7.72 miles long, and it goes through the cane field and returns to LA 1.

PROJECT COMPLETION DATE
9/17/2025

RECONSTRUCTION

This project involved a full reconstruction of an existing roadway. There were several existing drainage crossings that were replaced prior to the road work beginning. After the drainage was complete, the road was milled 2″ in depth. Once all the milling was complete, the soil cement process began. The entire road had soil cement processed through it. This process fixed all the base issues the road was suffering from. We processed soil cement at a depth of 12″ at 8% by volume. Next was the inner layer process. This is a two-layer chip seal that goes over the entire area of soil cement processed base. Its job is to prevent reflective cracking in the asphalt. Next was the 2″ binder lift of asphalt. After we finished paving the binder, we ran the IRI to make sure we were getting our smoothness numbers. Finally, the wearing course was installed at a depth of 2″. Consistent density was achieved on both lifts of asphalt. All cores came back passing, and 100% pay was awarded. The IRI was 45.01 which gave us the smoothness bonus on the job. The shoulders were pulled up, followed by striping, rumble strips, and mailboxes.

The new road has a brand-new base and a smooth ride that is of interstate quality. The residents will enjoy this road for a very long time.

SCOTTY’S CONTRACTING AND STONE, LLC

Northbound lane I-65 in Kentucky from Mile Marker 65.150 to Mile Marker 82.200. Distance of 17.03 miles.

PROJECT COMPLETION DATE
7/11/2025

TOTAL TONS OF ASPHALT USED
19,217

MILL & OVERLAY

This project involved the resurfacing of the northbound lanes of Interstate 65, spanning Hart, LaRue, and Hardin counties in central Kentucky. As a major corridor for freight and passenger travel, I-65 required not only high-quality workmanship but also exceptional coordination to minimize disruption and ensure safety.

What made this project particularly unique was the simultaneous resurfacing of the southbound lanes by the prime contractor for the project. This dual-contractor setup demanded clear, consistent communication, precise scheduling, and close collaboration to maintain traffic flow, avoid conflicts, and uphold safety standards across both directions of travel.

Despite the complexity, the northbound work was completed ahead of schedule, with exceptional attention to detail in surface preparation, paving, and striping. The final product reflects a high level of craftsmanship and quality control, ensuring durability and a smooth driving experience for thousands of daily motorists.

This project stands as a testament to effective teamwork, strategic planning, and superior execution, making it highly deserving of recognition in Quality in Construction.