Latest News
Austin Commercial Selected as General Contractor for Formula 1 United States™ Facility
Formula 1 United States™ developers announced that Austin Commercial, a subsidiary of Austin Industries and one of the largest construction companies in Texas that specializes in civil, commercial and industrial construction, has been selected as the general contractor for the Austin racetrack… read more »
Austin Commercial Receives VPP Star Safety Designation
Austin Commercial’s commitment to safety was once again rewarded with national safety recognition. Austin Commercial’s project, the biomedical research building at UT Southwestern Medical Center, received OSHA’s Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) Star status. This is Austin Commercial’s… read more »
Austin Industries welcomes new vice president of human resources
John Foley has joined Austin Industries in the position of Vice President of Human Resources. Click here for press release. read more »
Austin Commercial completes Rental Car Center at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport
Austin Commercial has recently completed the Rental Car Center at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. This massive facility streamlines efficiency at the world’s busiest airport. Ten rental car companies share a 137,000-square-foot customer service area; improving customer service… read more »
Museum of Living Art Opens at Fort Worth Zoo
March marked the opening of the Fort Worth Zoo’s newest exhibit, the Museum of Living Art (MOLA). Austin Commercial served as construction manager for the 30,000-square-foot, indoor/outdoor herpetological facility that contains more than 100 exhibits housing 5,000 reptiles, amphibians and more.… read more »
Austin Tops Contractor List
Austin Industries has reclaimed the number one position on Texas Construction’s 2010 list of Top Texas Contractors. With $1.44 billion of revenue in Texas, Austin Industries is the largest and among the oldest construction companies in Texas. Comprised of three operating companies – Austin… read more »
Irving Convention Center Tops Out
The 275,000-square-foot Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas is part of a mixed-use entertainment district on 40 acres in the Las Colinas Urban Center. The facility's highly flexible, stacked design allows it to host several different types of events concurrently, and the building's unique architecture,… read more »
Austin Tops 2010 Green Builder List
Austin Industries has been ranked the number one position on Texas Construction’s 2010 list of Top Green Contractors. The list is the results of an annual survey of Texas firms and ranks the top contractors, both publicly and privately held, based on construction contracting-specific revenue… read more »
Austin Commercial to Construct Newest LAX Terminal
Austin Commercial was recently selected as the construction manager at risk for the new, $425 million, 1.5 million square-foot Bradley West Terminal project at Los Angeles International Airport. This new terminal will include 10 gates with concourse area and passenger boarding areas. Preconstruction… read more »
Parkland selects Austin Commercial joint venture team for new hospital campus
Austin Commercial, one of the largest commercial construction management firms in Texas, has been named one of four construction managers awarded the $1.27 billion (project total) Parkland hospital. The $1.27 billion project includes an 862-bed hospital, outpatient center, office center and parking.… read more »
Overpass Project on Schedule, TxDOT Says
The overall project connected to the rebuilding the State Highway 34/Wesley Street overpass across Interstate 30 remains on schedule, according to Craig Miser, Area Engineer with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Paris District Office in Greenville.
“They are staying… read more »
Freeway Set to Open
The final portion of the Kell West Extension will open at 11 a.m. today with a special ceremony.
Texas Department of Transportation public information officer Adele Lewis said less traffic on frontage roads and improved safety will be just two of the benefits of the extended freeway.
Slow Stimulus: Where's the Money?
It's been ten months since the government unveiled the massive $787 billion dollar stimulus plan. The goal was to spread the money out to all sectors of the economy -- both to government and private interests to create as many jobs as possible.
The jury is still out how all of this will… read more »
Transportation Construction Workers Ready to Help Stimulate U.S. Economy
The American Road and Transportation Builders Association released this Briefing Paper, which states that recent Federal Highway Administration data indicate that
Austin Bridge & Road president Jim Andoga quoted in ENR
Click here to read more the article on ENR.com. read more »
Austin Industries: Ranked 29 in Top 400 Contractors
Click here to view the entire list on ENR's Web site. read more »
Austin opens Loop 303 project for Media Tour
Representatives from the Arizona Department of Transportation showed off the latest Loop 303 construction Friday morning. Peoria city government officials and members of the media saw the stretch of Loop 303 being built from Happy Valley Parkway north. The road then curves east, under Lake Pleasant… read more »
Work is underway in the West Valley Desert
Click here to read more about the Loop 303 project on AZcentral.com. read more »
Austin Bridge & Road and Austin Commercial team to support community
Click here to read the newsletter, "On The Leading Edge," by the City of Peoria. Austin Commercial and Austin Bridge and Road have partnered with the City of Peoria to do community work. To date, the group had worked on two projects. In the first… read more »
Austin teams with TXDOT to remind motorists to be aware of highway work zones
Click here to read the story released by the Herald Banner. read more »
DART Blue Line Groundbreaking Ceremony
Click here to read the City of Rowlett press release. read more »
Job Statistics
Recent Federal Highway Administration data indicate that every $1 billion of highway construction supports over 27,800 jobs (this does not include the traditional state match). This includes 9,537 on-site construction jobs and 4,324 jobs in industries that either directly or indirectly… read more »
Austin Selected as Best Value Contractor for CPS Project
Austin Bridge & Road was awarded $47.4 million project with City Public Service Energy (CPS Energy) in San Antonio that includes the construction of two bridges over Calaveras Lake, totaling 4,107 feet in length. The lake bridges will be built utilizing barges. The project also includes… read more »
Austin completes first pass through finance project in Texas
Williamson County Commissioner, Valerie Covey, spoke at the ribbon cutting ceremony for SH 29. She recognized the Austin team for completing the project "on time and under budget." Austin Bridge & Road began the $3.7 million project on October 25, 2007. The project consisted of one… read more »
DART Blue Line Groundbreaking Ceremony Video
Click here to watch the video on DART.org. read more »
Texas Rangers commend Austin Bridge & Road
Click here to read the letter from Rob Matwick, Executive Vice President of Ballpark Operations. read more »
Austin Bridge & Road Employee-owner Makes National News
Click here for press release. read more »
Austin Commercial Receives AIA Quality Award
The Fort Worth Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) recently honored Austin Commercial with the Quality in Construction Award at its annual awards banquet on March 5. The award was established in 1994 to recognize and honor a person or group for their constant search for quality… read more »
Omni Fort Worth Opens
Forever changing the Fort Worth Skyline, the Omni Fort Worth epitomizes the city of cowboys and culture. The 614-room luxury hotel has proved to be well worth the wait. Wrapped in glass and filled with native stone and rich hardwoods, the hotel was constructed with a unique design and style that draws… read more »
DART contracts Texas firm to design, build Blue Line extension
Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) recently awarded a design-build contract to Austin Bridge & Road for the Blue Line extension between Garland and Rowlett, Texas. Work on the nearly five-mile line is expected to begin next month. The $188 million extension is scheduled to open in December 2012.… read more »
Austin Industries announces appointment of financial executive
Click here for the press release. read more »
Twenty-Two New Bridges For Texarkana
Children's Medical Center Legacy celebrates opening
Children’s Medical Center Legacy, North Texas’ newest pediatric specialty hospital, celebrated its grand opening September 25, 2008. Located in Plano, Texas, Children’s Medical Center sits on a 155-acre site and provides specialized medical care for families in rapidly growing Collin… read more »
ASU Taylor Place Opens in Downtown Phoenix
Austin Commercial, Capstone Development, Arizona State University and the city of Phoenix all celebrated a milestone Monday, Sept. 8 as the newest residences on Arizona State University’s Downtown Phoenix Campus were officially deemed open by ASU President, Michael Crow and Phoenix Mayor, Phil… read more »
Austin completes first pass through finance project in Texas
Williamson County Commissioer, Valerie Covey, spoke at the ribbon cutting ceremony for SH 29. She recognized the Austin team for completing the project “on time and under budget.” Austin Bridge & Road began the $3.7 million project on October 25, 2007. The project consisted of one… read more »
Austin Commercial Receives ABC Eagle Award
Austin Commercial was awarded the Associated Builders and Contractor’s (ABC) Eagle award during its annual convention on June 18, 2008 in Washington D.C. for the construction of the Special Care Nursery at Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas. ABC’s Awards of Excellence Program has become the… read more »
Locks of Love
Human resources coordinator, Katie Coyle, recently donated her hair to Locks of Love. Locks of Love is a public non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis. Most of the children helped by Locks… read more »
Austin awarded maintenance services at Bridgestone tire facility
Austin Industrial transitioned a new contract with Bridgestone Americas Tire Operation in Wilson, North Carolina, and welcomed new employee-owners at the facility, including a new site manager, Edward Smith. Austin is providing preventive maintenance technicians, machinists and battery attendants… read more »
Austin Industrial transitions new contracts
ConocoPhillips. Two of the new sites are with ConocoPhillips oil refineries in Borger, Texas and Ponca City, Oklahoma. The Borger site involves maintenance and capital work and transitioned more than 200 employees to Austin. About 80 people were transitioned to Austin… read more »
Long Center Opens as Austin's Newest Landmark
Austin Commercial recently completed construction on the Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long Center for the Performing Arts in Austin, Texas. The center opened in March and provides a contemporary backdrop for symphonies, concerts and operas while featuring recycled elements from its past as the Palmer Auditorium.… read more »
Thirteen Leading U.S. Construction Contractors Announce the Establishment of an Initiative to Promote Ethical Business Conduct and Compliance
Washington, D.C. (April – 2008) The CEOs of 13 of the leading U.S. construction companies serving the nation’s public and private construction needs announced the establishment of an initiative to promote and monitor high ethical standards and compliance with the law. The founding… read more »
Austin recognized by AGC of America
Austin Bridge & Road was recognized by the Associated General Contractors (AGC) of America for construction excellence on the SH 45, Section 8, project in the Heavy Highway-New Construction division. Items of evaluation by the judging panel included the project and its team’s ability to meet… read more »
Road to Six Flags completed for Opening Day at the Ballpark in Arlington
A press conference was held Thursday, April 3rd, to recognize the opening of the Road to Six Flags and Baird Farm Road extensions along the north side of the Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. Austin Bridge & Road constructed this fast-track project, creating a new east-to-west artery running west… read more »
Ronald J. Gafford succeeds William T. Solomon as chairman of Austin Industries
Dallas-based Austin Industries, one of the largest general contractors/construction managers based in the southern half of the United States, promoted its president and chief executive officer, Ronald J. Gafford, to the position of chairman, president and CEO, effective March 17, in a planned succession.… read more »
Tim Muller Wins World Cup in Italy
Tim Muller, southwest regional manager, recently won a bronze medal in the discus throw at the World Masters Track & Field Championships in Riccione, Italy. He was involved in throwing events, such as shot-put and discus, in high school and college and began competing again at the Masters level… read more »
Robert Vallejo Recognized by AGC and TxDOT
Robert Vallejo was recognized by the AGC of Texas and TxDOT for “exemplary cooperation and performance” on the SH 45, Sec. 8, construction project, at the September 06 AGC luncheon. Vallejo has served Austin Bridge & Road as the general superintendent on the fast-paced, high-profile… read more »
Picnic Highlights Safety Appreciation and Awareness
Tim Bruce, project manager on the US 82 project in Arkansas, and more than 100 employee-owners and their family members gathered at the annual safety awareness picnic Saturday, August 25, at Magic Springs Amusement Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Everyone was given free admission including roller-coaster… read more »
Hard Hat Saves Employee-owner's Life
As things will have it, accidents can occur, which highlights the need to focus on safety. A member of the US 82 team has his personal protective equipment (PPE) to thank for saving his life. David McCollum and Jonathan Sykes, along with other crew members, were loosening the chain and plates, which… read more »
Austin Bridge & Road Employee-owner Knocks Kindness Out of the Park
Austin Bridge & Road employee-owner Jeff Cormican and his wife Brondwyn love to give back when ever they can. As a baseball fan, Cormican was at a Rangers game and could not resist making his guess of when Sammy Sosa would get his 600th home run. He simply filled out a ticket at a booth… read more »
Employee-owner Celebrates 40 Years at Austin
Thank you, Johnny Webb, for 40 years with Austin. On August 29, 2007, Webb, a superintendent with the company, celebrated his 40th year with Austin Bridge & Road. “I was 19 years old when I started working for Austin, ” he said. “Back then, they hired people right on the spot,… read more »
EFCO Recognizes Austin Bridge & Road for Outstanding Safety
Austin Bridge & Road has been recognized by Economy Forms Corporation (EFCO) as an outstanding safety award winner. The award was given by EFCO in recognition of Austin’s use of the EFCO plate girder on the IH 30 overpasses at Loop 12 in Dallas, a $42 million project from the Texas Department… read more »
Crews Set Record for Laying Hot Mix
Austin Bridge & Road’s hot mix paving crews were recently named Austin Advantage Builders for their outstanding performance during a recordbreaking operation. From Friday, October 12, at 11:30 p.m. through Sunday, October 14, at 10:30 p.m., Austin Bridge & Road hot mix paving crews broke… read more »
Austin Commercial Completes Two iMRI BrainSUITEs
Austin Commercial has completed the construction and installation of two BrainSUITEs, one of the world’s most technologically advanced operating rooms for treating brain tumors. Austin Commercial has successfully completed these BrainSUITEs at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center… read more »
Crew Sets More Than Four Million Pounds of Structural Steel Since May
Creating lifts from barges is never an easy task, especially with flooding weather in Shreveport. Rain this year delayed work and forced the team to make up lost time. Since they started at the end of May 2007, the crew has set 4,039,800 pounds of structural steel. The crew constructed five spans or… read more »
Community Involvement - Mercy Street
Kelly Fox, project lead on the Austin Way project and consultant to Austin Bridge & Road, was introduced to Mercy Street in April 2007. Mercy Street, a nonprofit organization, is a relationship- based initiative, which is looking to bring hope to children and their families in a high poverty area… read more »
VPPPA praises Richard McConnell
Editors note: The following letter was sent to Ronald J. Gafford, Austin Industries chairman, president and CEO; and cc'd to Barry Babyak, Austin Industrial president, from Mike Maddox of the Voluntary Protection Program Participants' Association (VPPPA) regarding Richard McConnell's… read more »
Employee-owners reach safety milestones
Baker Petrolite. Austin Industrial employee-owners have worked eight years without a recordable injury at the Baker Petrolite facility in Pasadena, Texas. The company has been working at the site since January 1997. BASF. Austin Industrial employee-owners… read more »
ABCC recognizes Austin Industrial employee-owner
Austin Industrial employee-owner, Alex Giffin, was named Craft Professional of 2010 by the Associated Builders and Contractors of the Carolinas (ABCC) at the first ABCC safety conference in Charlotte, North Carolina. He was awarded a plaque and a $500 American Express gift card by Tim Eldridge,… read more »
Austin Bridge & Road Partners with OSHA in Pursuit of VPP Status
Austin Bridge & Road has entered into a partnership with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in further promoting an effective safety and health management system. OSHA’s Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) set performance-based criteria for a managed safety and health… read more »
Austin Bridge & Road Implements OJT Program
The US 82 Arkansas approach to the Mississippi River bridge project offers on-the-job training to all interested employee-owners. This program not only provides an opportunity for employee-owners to learn and improve their career, but it also increases the number of skilled employee-owners on the project… read more »