The Montana Contractors Association (MCA) recognized 17 projects and 12 Montana contractors for excellence in construction during their annual winter convention in Helena.
“We are proud to honor Montana contractors for their exceptional expertise,” said David Smith, MCA
Executive Director. “This acknowledgment not only showcases their remarkable skills but also emphasizes a steadfast commitment to quality and excellence in supporting our communities.”
In the face of fierce competition across all categories, the remarkable quality of each project positions
Montana’s construction industry as a true leader among the finest in the nation. The Excellence in Construction Awards celebrate outstanding contractors and projects while reinforcing the strength and
dedication of Montana’s workforce.
Among the recipients were Sletten Construction for their contributions to the Rocky Boy Water Treatment Plant and Blackfoot River Bridge projects and Montana Lines, Inc. for the I-90 Incident Management project. The local Scheels Aim High Big Sky Aquatic & Recreation Center project in Great
Falls was also recognized for construction excellence.
2024 MCA Concrete Excellence Awards
“Best Industrial Commercial Project”
Presented to: Sletten Construction
Project: Rocky Boy’s Water Treatment Plant Phase 1, Chester
This project involved the construction of a 74,000-square-foot structure housing and an 11-million-gallon-per-day conventional water treatment facility for the Chippewa Cree Tribe. The treatment process features flocculation, plate settlement, and filtration systems, along with chemical feed and necessary pumping equipment. The build utilized over 7,200 cubic yards of cast-in-place concrete, precast tilt-up exterior panels, and structural steel framing. The project is part of a larger regional water system which will provide potable water to seven counties in north-central Montana.
2024 MCA Concrete Excellence Awards
“Best Bridges Project”
Presented to: Sletten Construction
Project: Blackfoot River Bridge, Lincoln
The project featured structure removal, new structure construction, bridge curb, bridge rail, approach
slabs, Portland cement concrete paving, slope paving, deck grooving, rip rap, bioengineered bank, grading, gravel, new private approaches, fencing, drainage, pedestrian passes, and guardrail. After demolition of the structure, temporary ramps for work bridge access were constructed. A 120-foot work bridge was then installed, concurrent with rip rap and bioengineering bank installation to facilitate drilled shaft and bridge abutment work. Following work bridge and bridge abutment completion, the steel truss was delivered and erected. This truss superstructure consisted of six different truss sections with eleven
floor beams and fifty stringers. The bridge deck was then formed in 40 separate bays and poured with 122
cubic yards of concrete. Concurrent to structure installation was bridge-end backfill and grading. This
allowed Sletten to swiftly pour the approach slabs and Portland cement concrete paving sections at the
bridge approaches. The concrete driving surfaces were then transversely grooved to increase surface
friction. Once approach work was complete, embankment protectors and guardrail were installed with
slope paving and curb installed for water erosion mitigation improvement.
2024 MCA Highway Excellence Awards
“Special Recognition”
Presented To: Montana Lines, Inc.
Project: I-90 Incident Management; Three Forks to Billings
This $7.8M project was designed to increase the safety of the traveling public along the I-90 corridor. The
project included 17 massive Variable Message Signs, 34 road closure gates, roadway illumination,
flashing signs, guardrail, as well as other significant signing and electrical upgrades. All these elements
were strategically placed among 23 sites along I-90 between Three Forks and Billings with the intention
of alerting the traveling public to weather and safety events, as well as providing infrastructure to quickly
and safely close and divert traffic during such events. Careful and constant planning and coordination
between Montana Lines, Mountain West Holding Company, and the owner, were key to the success of
the fast-paced and widespread project.
2024 MCA Building Excellence Awards
“Best Commercial Project”
Presented To: Swank Enterprises
Project: Scheels Aim High Big Sky Aquatic & Recreation Center; Great Falls
The Scheels Aim High Big Sky Aquatics and Recreation Facility is a 45,000 square foot facility that is
the central location for city-sponsored indoor recreation programs, skills and personal development
courses, multiple fitness options, and aquatic training for the local military community (Malmstrom Air
Force Base and the Montana Air National Guard) of Great Falls. The facility contains full indoor aquatics,
including a 25 meter 8-lane lap pool, a recreational pool complete with a lazy river, warming pool and
waterslides. The facility also sports a full-size gymnasium to accommodate basketball, volleyball and
pickle ball; cardio and weight training areas; a child-care area with an outdoor playground and outdoor
splash pad; and multipurpose classrooms/meeting rooms which can accommodate exercise classes as well
as parties. A walking track above the gym provides the community, especially seniors, a safe place to
walk and exercise. A sauna is easily accessible between the locker rooms. The lobby houses a sitting area
as well as a fireplace that provides an inviting atmosphere to the building design.
MCA is in its third decade of presenting construction awards. The first recipients were recognized for
concrete excellence in 2003. Additional categories have been added throughout the years. The
MCA/MDT partnering award was presented for the first time in 2021. Contractors submit their projects
for consideration, projects are reviewed and judged by a panel of their peers.
A list of all 2024 Excellence in Construction award winners is available at https://mtagc.org/member-
benefits/mca-excellence-awards/.
