In the Midwest, weather can stretch a construction season longer than expected — or cut it short without warning. For contractors, preparing in advance is key to staying on schedule and avoiding costly delays.

One company that exemplified the importance of planning and persistence this season is ACI Asphalt & Concrete, LLC. Sales associate Mike Picott spent two years cultivating a relationship with Tashitaa Tufaa of MTN in Fridley, Minnesota. That effort finally paid off when Tufaa greenlit a major paving project for his Minneapolis site.

The job? A 157,995-square-foot asphalt parking lot — home to 650 school buses that run daily — with new striping to better manage traffic flow.

A Team Effort from Start to Finish

Executing such a massive project smoothly required collaboration across multiple departments. Picott worked with estimating manager Mike Dietz to develop a detailed proposal. After numerous site visits, ACI president Justin Pomerleau joined Picott in meeting the client.

Picott said having Pomerleau involved helped seal the deal:
“It added a significant piece of customer service, and a personal touch, to instill confidence that selecting ACI was the best choice for his company.”

That confidence paid off — Tufaa signed the contract, and the project moved forward.

Smart Scheduling Meets On-the-Ground Expertise

ACI superintendent Jeff Hollenback and milling/grading superintendent Barry Hall led the onsite planning. The existing lot had severe drainage issues and was extremely flat, presenting logistical challenges.

Hall, known for his hands-on approach, worked closely with Hollenback, who carefully scheduled each phase to ensure efficiency.

When change orders emerged, estimator Dustin Velasco stepped in as project coordinator. He revised site maps, oversaw changes, and handled logistics.

“He was also able to run some ideas for improvements past Tufaa,” the report noted, highlighting Velasco’s added value on the project.

Beating the Weather Clock

Work officially began on October 23, 2024 — late in the season. Crews had to navigate not just the weather, but also ongoing site activity from electricians, concrete workers, and hundreds of moving buses.

The project required 4,000 tons of asphalt and 700 feet of B612 curbing. Considering a typical truck hauls around 16 tons, that meant a significant volume of traffic and tight coordination.

While the rain eventually let up, just as crews found momentum, a surprise October snowfall dropped four inches and halted progress. Fortunately, the snow melted within two days, allowing the team to resume work and complete the job within two weeks.

A Successful Finish Despite the Elements

Despite all the obstacles, the team persevered. Tufaa’s confidence and engagement throughout the process lifted morale on the job site. In the end, he was highly satisfied with the results:

“The safety and efficiency of the new parking lot thrilled Tufaa,” the report stated.

ACI Asphalt & Concrete took pride in the project’s outcome — and is using the lessons learned to prepare for an even stronger 2025.

Originally reported by Kathy Laur in For Construction Pros.