Construction Group wins big with four Project of the Year awards

Graniterock’s Construction Group celebrated a major accomplishment this year, having received four Project of the Year Awards from the American Public Works Association (APWA) Monterey Bay Chapter.

The honors recognize outstanding public works projects that improve the communities where we live and work, highlighting the skills and teamwork of our Construction Group.

Each of the award-winning projects showcases Graniterock’s commitment to high-quality project delivery, including safe project execution and strong collaboration with local agency partners.

Cutino Park Improvements – City of Seaside $1.5 million

Project Engineer: Davis Wright

This project marked Phase 1, Part 2 of the City of Seaside’s Cutino Park improvements, transforming the aging park into a modern recreation hub. Graniterock’s team oversaw a full reconstruction that included demolition of outdated play structures, pavement and site features. Work included installing new playground equipment, parking areas, concrete pathways, site furnishings, stormwater management features including a bio-retention pond, landscaping and irrigation systems.

New bleachers were added near the sports field and the team incorporated components of the next phase, including shaded picnic areas with concrete picnic tables and additional amenities.

This transformation offers a safer, more accessible and enjoyable space for Seaside residents of all ages, “a clear example of public infrastructure making a positive community impact,” according to the APWA.

Glenwood Drive Emergency Road Repair – Santa Cruz County $2.5 million

Project Manager: Armando Hernandez
This emergency repair project addressed a catastrophic road failure on Glenwood Drive near Scotts Valley, caused by the powerful atmospheric river storms of 2022/2023. Torrential rains led to the collapse of a concrete retaining wall, which had been undermined by extreme creek flows. The damage closed the roadway and created an urgent need for reconstruction.

Graniterock’s team responded with expertise and efficiency, demolishing the collapsed wall and failed roadway, stabilizing the site with a soil nail wall to support deep excavation and installing a water diversion system to protect the work area. The project involved constructing two precast concrete crib walls atop a 2-foot-thick reinforced foundation slab and rebuilding the road to match its original profile.

Thanks to quick mobilization and exceptional project execution, the team restored a vital transportation link for the community, overcoming complex engineering, safety and environmental challenges.

Ocean Street Pavement Rehabilitation – City of Santa Cruz $4 million

Project Manager: Justin Kim; Project Engineer: Antonio Chavez
Graniterock led a comprehensive street improvement project along one of Santa Cruz’s busiest thoroughfares, Ocean Street, spanning from Highway 17 to Water Street. The scope of work included removal and replacement of ADA-compliant curb ramps to improve accessibility, as well as partial depth roadway rehabilitation using sustainable Cold-In-Place Recycling (CIR) technology.

The project wrapped up with updated roadway striping throughout the area, improving traffic flow and safety.

Graniterock’s use of CIR not only delivered a durable, high-quality driving surface but also reduced environmental impact, reinforcing a commitment to sustainable construction practices while improving infrastructure for the community.

Ohlone Parkway Grind and Overlay – City of Watsonville $1.5 million

Project Manager: Forrest Sundquist; Project Engineer: Antonio Chavez
This pavement improvement project on Ohlone Parkway was originally designed to be completed in 18 separate phases to maintain access to surrounding neighborhoods and nearby schools. Recognizing an opportunity to improve efficiency, Graniterock’s project team re-engineered the work plan into just six streamlined phases, reducing complexity while still meeting all access requirements.

The work involved a full grind and overlay of the roadway, enhancing the driving surface and extending the life of this arterial route. Thanks to the team’s proactive planning and smart execution, the project was delivered ahead of schedule and under budget, a win for both the City of Watsonville and the community.

This project is a great example of Graniterock’s ability to deliver efficiency without compromising on quality or public access.

“These awards are a testament to the entire team’s hard work and the trust we’ve built with our agency partners,” said Construction Manager Martin Canning. “From project managers to field crews to our support teams, everyone played a role in delivering exceptional results.”

Congratulations to Davis, Armando, Justin, Forrest, Antonio and all of the crews behind these award-winning projects. Your work continues to elevate Graniterock’s reputation for excellence throughout the region.