Granite Wins $20M U.S. 101 Rehabilitation Project: A Strategic Milestone in Monterey County
Granite has officially announced its selection by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) for a critical infrastructure rehabilitation project along a vital artery of the Central Coast. The project focuses on an eight-mile corridor of U.S. Highway 101 near King City in Monterey County, representing a significant investment in the region’s transportation efficiency and long-term safety.
Valued at approximately $20 million, the contract is backed by federal funding and is slated to be integrated into Granite’s first-quarter Committed and Awarded Projects (CAP). This win underscores Granite’s dominant position in California’s heavy civil construction market and highlights the company’s evolving operational synergy.
Revitalizing a Critical Corridor
U.S. 101 serves as the primary north-south coastal link between Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area. The stretch near King City is a high-traffic zone, essential for both the regional agricultural economy—often referred to as the “Salad Bowl of the World”—and long-haul logistics. Years of heavy use have necessitated a comprehensive structural intervention.
The scope of the project is expansive, moving beyond simple surface repairs to address the underlying health of the highway. Key objectives include:
- Pavement Restoration: Stripping away aged surfaces and replacing them with high-performance materials to extend the roadway’s service life by decades.
- Safety Modernization: Updating guardrails, signage, and other safety devices to meet current federal and state standards.
- Infrastructure Longevity: Repairing and clearing culverts to improve drainage, which is crucial for preventing hydroplaning and road erosion during California’s increasingly intense winter storm cycles.
- Technological Enhancements: Improving highway lighting for night visibility and installing advanced sensors for more accurate traffic data collection.
The Power of Strategic Synergy
This project serves as a “proof of concept” for Granite’s recent expansion strategy. In particular, it highlights the successful integration of Papich Construction, which Granite acquired to bolster its footprint in the Central Coast and Central Valley regions.
“This project reinforces our core strengths and demonstrates the value created through Granite’s strategic acquisition of Papich Construction,” said Larry Camilleri, Granite Vice President of Regional Operations. “It leverages the capabilities, materials, and expertise across multiple Granite regions to deliver high-quality, long-lasting infrastructure for the communities we serve.”
By combining the specialized fleet and localized knowledge of the Papich team with Granite’s massive logistical scale, the company can bid more competitively and execute more complex projects with a self-sufficient supply chain.
Sustainable Materials and Local Production
A hallmark of this rehabilitation is the commitment to sustainable, high-durability materials. Granite’s Coalinga Asphalt Plant will play a pivotal role as the primary supplier for the project’s paving needs. The plant is expected to produce:
- 31,900 tons of Rubberized Hot Mix Asphalt (RHMA): This material incorporates recycled tires, providing a quieter ride, increased resistance to cracking, and a second life for rubber waste.
- 5,930 tons of Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA): Used for foundational layers and specific structural repairs.
The use of RHMA is particularly significant in Monterey County. Rubberized asphalt is known for its “skinny” footprint—it requires less material to achieve the same structural integrity as traditional asphalt—while significantly reducing road noise, a major benefit for the communities bordering the 101.
Economic and Community Impact
Beyond the physical road improvements, the $20 million investment provides an economic boost to Monterey County. The project will support local jobs and utilize regional resources, keeping the economic benefits of the federal funding within the California Central Coast ecosystem.
For the thousands of commuters and freight operators who navigate the King City stretch daily, the project promises to reduce vehicle wear and tear and decrease transit times by eliminating the need for frequent, patchwork emergency repairs. The improved traffic data collection systems included in the project will also allow Caltrans to better manage future congestion and plan for long-term growth in the Salinas Valley.
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