Lunda Construction Emerges as Apparent Low Bidder for $28.6 Million Highway 243 Infrastructure Project
Tutor Perini Corporation, one of the leading providers of civil, building, and specialty construction services in North America, has announced that its subsidiary, Lunda Construction, has been identified by the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) as the apparent low bidder for Project SP 1311-06. The proposed contract, valued at $28.55 million, represents another significant infrastructure opportunity for the company and reinforces its continued presence in the transportation construction sector.
The project is located along Highway 243, spanning portions of Chisago County, Minnesota, and Polk County, Wisconsin. The planned improvements will extend from approximately 0.25 miles west of the St. Croix River to Cascade Street (Wisconsin Highway 35). Once awarded, the project will focus on upgrading a key transportation corridor that serves both local communities and regional traffic, improving roadway safety, accessibility, and long-term infrastructure performance.
According to Tutor Perini, Lunda Construction submitted the lowest bid for the project at $28,551,380, positioning the company for the potential contract award pending the completion of the state’s review and approval process. Being identified as the apparent low bidder is an important milestone that indicates the contractor has submitted the most competitive qualifying proposal while meeting the project’s technical and administrative requirements.
The Highway 243 improvement project includes a comprehensive range of construction activities designed to modernize the corridor and enhance its durability for future transportation demands. Among the primary components of the work is grading, which will prepare and reshape the roadway foundation to improve stability and support new pavement construction.
The contract also includes the installation of bituminous pavement, providing a durable driving surface designed to improve ride quality while extending the service life of the roadway. Asphalt paving remains one of the most widely used solutions for highway rehabilitation because of its performance, cost-effectiveness, and ease of maintenance.
In addition to roadway improvements, the project calls for the construction of reinforced soil slopes, an important engineering feature used to stabilize embankments and improve the structural integrity of transportation infrastructure. These systems help minimize erosion, increase slope stability, and support long-term roadway resilience, particularly in areas with varying terrain or environmental challenges.
Accessibility improvements also form an essential part of the project. The contract includes upgrades designed to meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), ensuring that sidewalks, pedestrian crossings, and other public infrastructure provide safer and more convenient access for individuals with disabilities. These enhancements reflect ongoing efforts by transportation agencies to create more inclusive public infrastructure that accommodates all users.
Another major component of the project is the construction of a new bridge, which will play a vital role in improving connectivity and supporting reliable transportation across the corridor. Bridge construction requires extensive planning, structural engineering expertise, and coordinated execution to ensure long-term durability and safety. Lunda Construction has built a strong reputation for successfully delivering complex bridge and heavy civil infrastructure projects, making the company well-positioned to undertake this important portion of the contract.
Construction activities are expected to begin in fall 2026, following final contract approval and preconstruction planning. The project is scheduled for substantial completion in fall 2028, reflecting the scale and complexity of the work required over the two-year construction period. Once completed, the improvements are expected to enhance traffic flow, improve roadway conditions, and provide safer travel for motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians using the Highway 243 corridor.
Tutor Perini also stated that the contract value is expected to be included in the company’s third-quarter 2026 backlog after the project receives final award. A strong project backlog is an important indicator of future revenue and business activity for construction companies, representing the total value of contracted work that has yet to be completed. Adding this project to its backlog would further strengthen Tutor Perini’s portfolio of transportation infrastructure projects across the United States.
Lunda Construction has long been recognized as one of the premier heavy civil contractors within Tutor Perini’s operating companies. The subsidiary specializes in complex bridge construction, highway improvements, marine infrastructure, and other large-scale public works projects. Its extensive experience with technically demanding transportation projects has helped establish the company as a trusted contractor for state departments of transportation and other public agencies.
The Highway 243 project aligns with increasing public investment in transportation infrastructure aimed at improving roadway safety, extending the lifespan of aging assets, and supporting regional economic development. Projects such as this help modernize critical transportation networks while creating employment opportunities throughout the construction phase and delivering long-term benefits to surrounding communities.
Tutor Perini Corporation, founded in 1894, has built a reputation as one of the world’s leading construction companies, delivering major civil, building, and specialty projects for both public and private clients. The company provides a broad range of services, including general contracting, preconstruction planning, project management, and design-build delivery.
Its expertise spans multiple project delivery methods, including design-bid-build, design-build, construction management, and public-private partnership (P3) projects. Tutor Perini also self-performs several specialized construction activities, including earthwork, excavation, concrete placement, steel erection, electrical systems, mechanical installations, plumbing, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), and fire protection systems.
Through subsidiaries such as Lunda Construction, Tutor Perini continues to expand its role in delivering high-quality transportation infrastructure that improves mobility, strengthens regional connectivity, and supports the long-term needs of communities across North America. The Highway 243 project represents another opportunity for the company to apply its engineering expertise and construction capabilities to a critical public infrastructure investment.
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