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°Õ³ó±ðÌýOregon Concrete & Aggregate Producers Association (OCAPA) and the Oregon chapter of the American Concrete Institute (OACI) celebrated the top projects in their industry during the 46th annual Excellence in Concrete Awards banquet on May 1 at the Sheraton Portland Airport Hotel.

In addition, the organizations recognized Jim Lang of LaRusso Concrete with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Lang has worked in the concrete industry for more than 40 years. Originally based in Denver, he moved to Seattle and then Portland, serving in various capacities with LaRusso from apprentice, cement mason and foreman, to superintendent, branch manager, president, owner and board chair.

In 1996, Lang opened LaRusso’s Portland branch, and in 2007 he purchased the company; he later sold it to his employees in 2018. He stayed on as president until retiring in 2023, and he remains the acting board chair.

Lang was a member of the Local 555 union his entire career. He was involved with OACI for several years in various roles, including as a board member, committee member and examiner. He is known for advocating for training and education of the next generation of leaders.

In addition, owners, architects, engineers, concrete suppliers, contractors and concrete finishers were recognized for their projects in Oregon and Southwest Washington. Projects were recognized for sustainability, innovation and design.

Eight category winners were selected:

Bridges

Project: US 97 & US 20 Bend North Corridor – Flyover Bridge, Bend

Owner/developer: state of Oregon

Engineer: Kiewit

General contractor: Kiewit

Concrete contractor: Marcum & Sons

Ready-mix supplier: Knife River

Decorative

Project: Inlow Hall Grand Staircase at Eastern Oregon University, LaGrande

Owner/developer: Eastern Oregon University

Engineer: AHBL

Architect: Peter Meijer Architect

General contractor: Garco Construction

Ready-mix supplier: RD Mac LaGrande Ready-Mix

Education

Project: Reed College Sports Center, Portland

Owner/developer: Reed College

Engineer: KPFF

Architect: ZGF Architects

General contractor: Fortis Construction

Concrete contractor: Pence/Kelly Concrete

Ready-mix supplier: Glacier Northwest/CalPortland

Concrete finishing: LaRusso Concrete

Additional contributor: R2M2 Rebar & Stressing

Infrastructure

Project: Palensky Highway 30 Wildlife Underpass, Portland

Owner/developer: Columbia River Estuary Study Taskforce

Engineer: Murraysmith

Architect: Murraysmith

General contractor: Moore Excavation Inc.

Concrete contractor: Whitaker/Ellis Builders

Ready-mix supplier: CalPortland

Concrete finishing: Whitaker/Ellis Builders

Low-rise

Project: QTS HIL2 – DC2, DC3, DC5, Hillsboro

Owner/developer: QTS

Engineer: Peoples Associates Structural Engineers (PASE)

Architect: Sheehan Nagle Hartray Architects

General contractor: HITT Contracting

Concrete contractor: Whitaker/Ellis Builders

Ready-mix supplier: CalPortland

Concrete finishing: Whitaker/Ellis Builders

Mid-rise

Project: Waterfront Block 7 Parking, Vancouver, Washington

Owner/developer: Gramor Development

Engineer: JWSE Structural Engineers

Architect: International Parking Design

General contractor: Robertson & Olson Construction

Concrete contractor: Marion Construction

Ready-mix supplier: CalPortland

Concrete finishing: Industrial Concrete

Paving & Flatwork

Project: Cottage Grove Main Street Revitalization, Cottage Grove

Owner/developer: city of Cottage Grove

Engineer: Branch Engineering

Architect: Dougherty Landscape Architects

General contractor: Wildish Construction

Concrete contractor: Wildish Construction

Ready-mix supplier: RiverBend Materials, a CRH Company

Concrete finishing: Wildish Construction

Repair & Restoration

Project: DAS Executive Building Renovation, Salem

Owner/developer: state of Oregon

Engineer: KPFF

Architect: SERA Architects

General contractor: Pence Contractors

Concrete contractor: Pence/Kelly Concrete

Ready-mix supplier: WCP

Concrete finishing: LaRusso Concrete