Rochester’s 2012 reconstruction work earned the city the honor of being named a “Top Concrete” project by the Michigan Concrete Association at the end of February.

The program looked at more than 50 submitted projects and awarded 21 based on quality, innovation, complexity and speed of construction, according to Kerry Sutton, MCA director of engineering.

The work in downtown Rochester received top ratings for the annual award, out of all projects in its category.

“This was a very complex project, with the underground work and coordination with local businesses,” Sutton said. “It was high-impact and timing was critical. The work was done quickly and efficiently.”

A plaque was given to contractor Angelo Iafrate, Oakland Michigan Department of Transportation Service Center, Fishbeck, Thompson, Carr & Huber and concrete supplier Superior Materials, in addition to the city’s recognition, Sutton said.

Rochester’s projects lasted one construction season, from April to December, though the design took two years, according to Lori Swanson, MDOT project manager on the Rochester road reconstruction. She said the lifespan of pavement is about 20 years, so it will have a lasting impact.

Construction included:

– Reconstruction of Main Street, from the Clinton River bridge to the south and to the Paint Creek Bridge north

– Reconstruction of the roads and sidewalks

– New storm sewers, water mains, lighting, planter boxes, trees, landscaping, benches, trash receptacles and exposed aggregate sidewalk

Nik Banda, Rochester deputy city manager, accepted the award at a ceremony last Monday.

Though there are some finishing touches to be made on the renovations this spring, like planting of flowers and finishing work on a new-found well, the project was “the most important in the history of the city,” with partnership and team effort by all involved, Banda said.

“We really worked hard on making sure everyone – residents, business owners, commuters – knew what was going on so that it would help them to still come downtown and also to get people around town and just make traffic flow a lot easier,” Swanson said. “So that was probably our biggest success. We delivered an excellent project that’s going to give many years of beautification and good pavement, but engagement was key.”