Feb 12, 2025
S.T. Wooten Wins National Airport Paving Award
BY NAPA
For excellence in construction of an airport asphalt pavement, S.T. Wooten Corporation of Wilson, N.C, received the National Asphalt Pavement Association’s (NAPA) 2024 Ray Brown Airport Asphalt Pavement Award during NAPA’s Annual Meeting in Wailea, Maui, Hawaii.
“The asphalt pavement industry is committed to building high-quality projects that deliver superior performance to the traveling public. All contractors’ projects earning a Quality in Construction award are measured against best practices designed to live up to that commitment,” said 2024 NAPA Chairman Brady Meldrem of Norris Asphalt Paving Co. “Earning the Ray Brown Airport Asphalt Pavement Award demonstrates that S.T. Wooten Corporation has met or exceeded these rigorous standards.”
S.T. Wooten Corporation received top honors for their work on the Michael J. Smith Field in Beaufort, N.C. The project showcased two advanced longitudinal joint construction techniques. Crews employed a propane-powered infrared heating system that maintained joint temperatures at 250°F while uniformly heating pavement up to 18 inches wide and 3 inches deep. Additionally, they used a specialized wedge-shaped joint compaction device attached to the paver screed, creating pre-compacted, tapered edges for enhanced durability and bonding between courses. These techniques demonstrate Wooten’s commitment to superior asphalt construction with attention to every detail.