Milestone Contractors Celebrates 30 Years with Speedway Project
BY Zoe Buhl
From building to preserving infrastructure, Milestone Contractors celebrates heritage with speedway and company anniversary
This year, Milestone Contractors proudly celebrates its 30th anniversary, marking three decades of growth, innovation and commitment to quality in the construction industry. A significant facet of Milestone’s legacy is its long-standing relationship with the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS). This partnership has led to innovative pavement preservation strategies, ensuring the track remains in top condition for events like the Indianapolis 500. Today, Milestone Contractors stands as a testament to continuous growth and excellence.
Implementation of the Best Practices program in 1997 led to a 75% decrease in recordable incidents from 1996 to 2004.
Milestone and its partners have played a large role in preserving the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) track, home of the Indianapolis 500. In 2004, THG’s research and development lab Heritage Research Group (HRG) developed a pavement rehabilitation strategy for the pavement to last 15 years in conjunction with Milestone and Grady Brothers Asphalt. This year celebrates the 20th anniversary of the most recent IMS paving
Thirty Years of Growth
Milestone Contractors has a rich history marked by strategic acquisitions and growth. The company traces its roots back to 1954 with the founding of Columbus Paving Company, which merged with Meshberger Stone Company to form Meshberger Contracting, Inc. Over the years, the company expanded through strategic acquisitions, starting with Lucas Paving Company in 1971. In 1970, the Fehsenfeld family purchased the company, renaming it Contractors United Incorporated (CUI) and incorporating it into The Heritage Group (THG) family of companies. Founded in 1930, THG is a fourth-generation family-owned business that manages a diverse portfolio of companies specializing in construction and materials, environmental services and specialty chemicals.
Milestone Contractors crews take on all manner of infrastructure builds and maintenance for the state, including the Curry Pike roundabouts project.
Following additional acquisitions through the 1990s, CUI, Fauber Construction Company and Astro Paving united under the name Milestone Contractors, LP in 1994. The company continued to expand in the 2000s and 2010s, acquiring Indiana Asphalt, Inc., Walsh & Kelly, Berns Construction and Lica Construction. Recent years have seen Milestone further solidify its presence with acquisitions like Yates Construction in 2018 and the assets of RA Myers, Inc. in 2021, in addition to the Speedway and Primco acquisitions of 2022. This year marks the 30th anniversary of Milestone Contractors’ name, and Milestone continues its steadfast dedication to quality within the construction industry.
Milestone Contractors Rebuilds Indiana Site with Higher RAP, Long-Term Service in Mind
Milestone has nine principal offices, 19 hot-mix asphalt plants and 15 concrete batch plants strategically located throughout Indiana, and it employs about 2,500 people during construction season. The company offers a comprehensive range of construction services, focusing on asphalt and concrete paving. It also specializes in bridge construction and site development, handling projects of all sizes with a commitment to safety and sustainability. Milestone Contractors is dedicated to delivering high-quality, innovative solutions The Milestone Way, with a focus on trust, quality, commitment and passion in every project. Today, Milestone continues to grow within the Heritage Construction + Materials (HC+M) division of THG.
“Milestone Contractors is proud to serve communities across Indiana, delivering high-quality solutions to enhance local infrastructure,” said Milestone Chief Operation Officer CJ Potts. “Our team’s commitment to innovation has made a significant impact, fostering community development throughout the state.”
Milestone requires new hires to wear different colored hard hats than the rest of its employees to ensure crews can easily identify those who may need an extra hand. This was a groundbreaking practice when it was implemented in 2005.
Milestone is also an active member of the National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) and the American Concrete Pavement Association (ACPA) and received many awards through both organizations in 2023. Six Milestone projects received the ACPA’s Excellence in Concrete Award in 2023, including three projects at the Indianapolis International Airport, and six additional projects also received NAPA’s Quality in Construction Awards. In 2022 Milestone was also awarded the Indiana Constructors, Inc. (ICI) Gold Safety Program Award.
“From my perspective, there’s a long history of our relationship with the IMS, and it’s imperative to make sure it is preserved and passed on to those that follow us to maintain that relationship.”—Scott Cornelius.
Preserving a Speedway
Notedly, Milestone and its partners have played a large role in preserving the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) track, home of the Indianapolis 500. In 2004, THG’s research and development lab Heritage Research Group (HRG) developed a pavement rehabilitation strategy for the pavement to last 15 years in conjunction with Milestone and Grady Brothers Asphalt. This year celebrates the 20th anniversary of the most recent IMS paving, marking a significant achievement in pavement rehabilitation, preservation techniques and innovation.
The paving history at the IMS dates to the 1930s, and Grady Brothers took care of the asphalt paving from then until 2004. HRG was involved in the 1988 overlay, and by 1995, the organization was not only designing the mix but also developing the pavement rehabilitation strategy.
Milestone and its partners have played a large role in preserving the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) track, home of the Indianapolis 500. In 2004, THG’s research and development lab Heritage Research Group (HRG) developed a pavement rehabilitation strategy for the pavement to last 15 years in conjunction with Milestone and Grady Brothers Asphalt. This year celebrates the 20th anniversary of the most recent IMS paving
By 2004, Milestone sister companies were heavily involved in the materials production in addition to HRG. When the track was paved 20 years ago, US Aggregates® provided all the aggregate for mixes, while Asphalt Materials, Inc. (AMI) produced all the liquid asphalt. Milestone was responsible for making and controlling the production of the mix, and HRG developed the pavement rehabilitation strategy.
“When I was there in 2004, they were long, hard, hot days of work, but I still found myself realizing the opportunity Milestone was given to be part of history,” said Milestone Vice President and Area Manager Scott Cornelius.
The pavement of a racetrack is vastly different than a typical HMA project. Smoothness and friction is important to both INDYCAR and NASCAR, but NASCAR consistently challenges the pavement surface at the IMS due to their higher weight and higher tire pressures.
THG companies developed several innovative products near the 2004 paving that have since become widely used in the industry. One such product was J-Band®, AMI’s void reducing asphalt membrane (VRAM) product. J-Band was applied at the eventual location of the three paving joints between lanes on the track. VRAM works to fill air joints in the longitudinal joint, the most vulnerable part of a pavement, and today, J-Band is used on highways across more than 27 states.
A rapid penetrating emulsion (RPE) was also placed in the fall of 2004 after paving. RPE is designed to reduce the permeability of the asphalt mix from the top of the pavement down by penetrating and filling air voids. Additionally, a joint adhesive produced by AMI was applied on the face of joints to provide additional joint compliance. These advancements have significantly improved the IMS’s pavement performance and durability.
Noticeable cracks did not begin to appear on the pavement until 2016, when HRG partnered with the IMS to determine the best process to fill the cracks. All hands were on deck to use squeeze bottles to fill the cracks by hand with emulsion specially made by HRG. Through the present day, all involved in the preservation of the IMS track have worked closely with the IMS to determine the best strategy to extend the pavement life while maintaining a safe racing surface.
“In everything from how the mix was produced and handled at the plant, how it was unloaded from the trucks, paved, compacted and more, we tried to be very consistent,” said HRG Quality Control Director Bill Pine. “We learned how that plays a huge role in performance over a period of time.”
In 2022 Milestone was also awarded the Indiana Constructors, Inc. (ICI) Gold Safety Program Award.
The pavement of a racetrack is vastly different than a typical HMA project. Smoothness and friction is important to both INDYCAR and NASCAR, but NASCAR consistently challenges the pavement surface at the IMS due to their higher weight and higher tire pressures. Racetracks require densely compacted surfaces, and the turns require special attention to detail in paving. Not only has paving and preservation evolved to rise to the challenge in the last 20 years, but the IMS has evolved with it. The number of events and races held at the IMS has increased significantly since 2004, which causes more stress to the pavement, and scheduling can impact maintenance efforts.
The Milestone Contractors family participates in work zone safety awareness weeks and food drives and other service projects to assist neighbors in the communities where they work.
The Milestone team is always on call to ensure the track maintains its high level of quality and to react to pavement preservation strategies in real time. Milestone’s relationship with the IMS goes beyond the project itself. Milestone and HRG lead routine smoothness and friction testing and reporting and do isolated bump grinding to smooth specific high spots. The IMS has also trusted Milestone with additional paving around the track including a full reconstruction of its 2.4-mile road course in 2013. Milestone has also paved the IMS’s internal lots, roads and cart paths.
“From my perspective, there’s a long history of our relationship with the IMS, and it’s imperative to make sure it is preserved and passed on to those that follow us to maintain that relationship,” said Scott Cornelius.
Through the present day, all involved in the preservation of the IMS track have worked closely with the IMS to determine the best strategy to extend the pavement life while maintaining a safe racing surface.
Commitment to Safety
Milestone’s commitment to safety and innovation has been a constant as it’s grown throughout the decades. Operating acquired companies in unison is challenging, but with the implementation of its Best Practices in 1997, Milestone grew stronger and more efficient. The Best Practices allowed the company to take strengths from each of its areas of business and implement them company-wide, resulting in consistent business practices. This led to a 75% decrease in recordable incidents from 1996 to 2004.
Milestone was also one of the first companies in the surrounding area to have Stop Work Authority (SWA). SWA is a safety program that empowers employees and contractors to halt work if they perceive unsafe conditions or behaviors. The goal is to prevent accidents and ensure a safe working environment. Milestone also requires new hires to wear different colored hard hats than the rest of its employees to ensure crews can easily identify those who may need an extra hand. This was a groundbreaking practice when it was implemented in 2005.
The Milestone Contractors family participates in work zone safety awareness weeks and food drives and other service projects to assist neighbors in the communities where they work.
Outside of its continued use of innovative materials and processes, many technological advancements globally have impacted the way Milestone does work. Computer advancements allow companies to bid more work than ever before, upgraded GPS and UTS equipment allows more efficiency in the field and hiring is done primarily online today.
Through decades of innovations, Milestone has not only expanded its footprint in Indiana but also set new standards in safety and sustainability. The company’s pivotal role in preserving the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway underscores its expertise and dedication to excellence. As Milestone celebrates its 30th anniversary, it continues to build on its rich legacy, driven by a passion for delivering high-quality, innovative solutions. Looking ahead, Milestone remains poised to lead the industry with its steadfast focus on trust, quality, commitment and passion in every project.