Sletten Companies Earns Construction Association Awards

The Montana Contractors Association (MCA) honored 18 projects and 12 different Montana contractors for excellence in construction during their annual winter convention held in Helena.

"We are proud to honor Montana contractors for their exceptional expertise," stated David Smith, MCA Executive Director. "This acknowledgment not only showcases their remarkable skills but also emphasizes a steadfast commitment to quality and excellence in supporting our communities.”

In a highly competitive environment, the outstanding quality of each project positions Montana’s construction industry as a true leader among the best in the nation. The Excellence in Construction Awards celebrate exceptional contractors and projects while reinforcing the strength and dedication of Montana’s workforce.

Sletten Companies, a member of the MCA based in Great Falls, received recognition for two outstanding projects in Montana.

The 2025 MCA Concrete Excellence Award for best concrete bridges was presented to Sletten Companies for the timber bridges project in the Glasgow area. Sletten replaced 16 structures along a 150-mile stretch of north-central Montana roadways over three seasons. All removed bridges were timber. The design-build project ultimately included 11 precast concrete girder bridges, one steel girder bridge, and four precast box culverts. Shoefly detours were constructed around all bridges. The project design was straightforward to create economical replacements. Thirty subcontractors, often located more than 100 miles apart, required creative coordination. Fossum Materials supplied quality concrete in 30 separate pours, while Mountain West Holding Company managed traffic detours and closures to facilitate the placement of precast structures.

The 2025 MCA Building Excellence Award for best institutional project was presented to Sletten Companies for the Logan International Airport terminal expansion project. Billings Logan Airport has experienced a 10% increase in passengers since 2018. Materials for the five-phase expansion were procured at the onset of COVID-19 and stored at the airport. The expansion, covering 60,000 square feet across two levels, tied into a 70-year-old terminal. This required collaboration with the TSA to maintain security. Progress on the project could not advance without completing prior activities, necessitating creativity in equipment spacing, concrete pours, and steel erection. One phase required the creation of an 80-foot by 100-foot opening in the terminal's center. Additionally, a loading bridge for emergency landings was added, which was not part of the original plans.

The MCA has been presenting construction awards for over 20 years. The first recipients were honored for concrete excellence in 2003, and additional categories have been incorporated over the years. The MCA/MDT partnering award was introduced in 2021. Contractors submit their projects for consideration, which are then reviewed and judged by a panel of their peers.

The Montana Contractors Association, a chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), is a trade organization representing leading heavy civil, highway, and commercial contractors in Montana. The MCA works to advocate for quality contractors, people, and projects, providing value and opportunity for its members. For more information, visit www.mtagc.org or contact David Smith, Executive Director, at david@mtagc.org or 406-442-4162.