An Overview of the Caltrans Excellence in Partnering Award

Based in Humboldt County, Mercer Fraser Co is one of the oldest construction companies in California. In 2020, the company celebrated the 150th anniversary of its founding in the city of Eureka. Mercer Fraser Co performs a wide range of civil construction projects and has earned numerous accolades, including the Caltrans Excellence in Partnering Awards.

Headquartered in Sacramento, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), has given its Excellence in Partnering Awards since 2000 to partners that have completed contracts while optimally utilizing the principles of partnering. The annual statewide awards provide a chance to honor stakeholders and celebrate success and knowledge sharing.

Prospective recipients must meet both objective and subjective criteria to be eligible for the award. A jury comprised of Caltrans construction managers and experienced industry executives evaluates the applications. They judge companies based on innovation, conflict resolution, and adherence to the principles of partnering. There are five different levels of recognition, ranging from nominee to best in class.

To learn more about the company’s celebration of its 150th anniversary, visit https://eurekatimesstandard-ca.newsmemory.com/?publink=05d2634a6_134392c.

Humboldt County Recognizes Contractor in its 150th Year

Headquartered in Fortuna, California, Mercer Fraser Co. is a heavy civil engineering contractor and producer of vital construction materials such as ready-mix and asphalt concrete. The company has been in existence since 1870, playing a vital role in the completion of infrastructure projects across Humboldt and Trinity Counties. In 2020, Mercer Fraser Co. marked its 150th anniversary. In its honor, the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors resolved on Dec. 15, 2020, to mark the special occasion.

The resolution was presented by 1st District Humboldt County Supervisor Rex Bohn. He presented it to recognize the rare fete that the engineering contractor had achieved, and that is by staying relevant and successful in the market for 150 years. The company undertook major infrastructure projects, such as building concrete batch plant operations and producing concrete, to rebuild San Francisco after the 1906 earthquake to constructing railroad track lines for the Northwest Pacific Railroad, building the Fort Seward brick railroad, constructing the Burns Freeway, and grading and paving several city streets in the city of Eureka.

The company also put up prominent buildings like Eureka Municipal Auditorium, Veterans Memorial Building, and the old General Hospital. The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors’ resolution also credited Mercer Fraser Co. for providing quality jobs to Humboldt County residents and donating generously to charities and community groups.

How Using Local Construction Materials Benefits Communities

As a heavy civil contractor, Mercer Fraser Co has completed a variety of civil construction projects in Humboldt County, California, over the past 150 years. Mercer Fraser Co. believes in having a strong community presence and supporting projects that contribute to community development. One way it seeks to benefit communities is by locally sourcing its construction materials.

Obtaining construction materials from local sources can show that a company is committed to investing in its community. Purchasing materials locally supports nearby suppliers and manufacturers, which can help a community’s economy. Sourcing from these businesses can help them be more profitable and compensate their employees well, who will in turn likely invest in local businesses. These successful businesses are then more likely to contribute to the community through fundraising and sponsored activities.

In addition to economic benefits, localizing supplies may reduce shipping distance and storage times, which can reduce emissions and cut energy consumption. Decreasing pollution can benefit not only the local community, but also public health in general.

Understanding Concrete Recycling

A heavy civil contractor firm headquartered in Fortuna, California, the Mercer Fraser Co., furnishes construction materials and carries out frequent public works projects. An environmentally conscious company, the Mercer Fraser Co. practices concrete recycling.

Concrete is an ubiquitous construction material with a simple recipe. The two main ingredients are the aggregate (usually rock or sand) and water. The final ingredient, powder cement, serves to bind the water with the aggregate. Once mixed, concrete forms a kind of liquid slurry that can be easily poured. With time, however, it hardens into a durable material fit for a variety of construction projects.

During demolition, contractors usually end up with a significant amount of cement rubble. Contractors can dispose of the rubble cement, though transporting cement to the landfill and the resulting disposal fees can be quite expensive.

Concrete recycling is another option that involves removing and crushing appropriate concrete rubble. The crushed material can then be used as an aggregate when mixing concrete. It’s also useful in other ways, like being employed as a fill or a drainage layer.

Many types of concrete, including those used in paving, are 100 percent recyclable. Concrete recycling has numerous positive environmental impacts. For instance, recycling reduces the need to mine materials for new concrete, saving energy. Moreover, concrete recycling reduces traffic at construction sites, and reduces demand for landfills.