Walking through the downtown district in Birmingham today is a unique study in contrasts. The high-end boutique stores and eateries are all in full summer swing, filled with people shopping, eating, and working. But as your eyes rise above the sidewalk, there is an entire other world, as the streets are a bustling construction site. Barricades rise to separate the walkways from the work, and it is not unusual to see several people peering over the dividers to witness the rebirth taking pace in the streets in front of them. It is a small glimpse for these observers into what it actually takes to carry out such a large-scale project, and they find it fascinating.

The Downtown Birmingham project is just one of many going on in Michigan this summer, which has proven to be one of the busiest in years. From restoration of vital infrastructure, to the upcoming ground-breaking on a new International Bridge, it is hard to find a corner of the state where the heavy equipment run by members of Operating Engineers 324 isn’t rumbling and hard at work.

Many of these projects, including much of the downtown Birmingham work, are the undertaking of Angelo Iafrate Construction. Iafrate has been partnered with Operating Engineers 324 for many years, and together are working on some of the state’s largest projects.

“There are approximately two dozen Michigan jobs that are currently under way” with Iafrate Construction, says Vice President of Operations Bruce Young. “It is a mix of MDOT (county & city), some automotive & ACM Test Track at Willow Run and a few commercial development projects.”

In Birmingham, the work is an almost complete rebuild of the downtown. The project began at the end of March, and has a 125 day schedule.

“It’s wall to wall, right up to the businesses, remove and replace everything,” says Bill Stevenson, Iafrate Site Superintendent. “New underground, new water, new sanitary, pavement, landscaping. Pretty much everything.”

For 20 year Operating Engineer 324 member Sam Tallman, running a GPS dozer on site has kept him busy this summer. “I’ve been on the project since it first started,” says Tallman. “I was part of the crew that tore the concrete out…and now we’re working to put it back together.” Tallman goes on to mention they even made it in the Detroit Free Press when they came by the project early to take some pictures.

The Birmingham project is slated to run to mid-summer. As busy as it is, it is not Iafrate’s largest job ongoing. Says Young, “696 and M-59 are the two largest and most visible. Combined they employ 75 to 90 people including approx. 40+ operators and 60 pieces of equipment.”

The I 696 project is one of the most visible in Metro Detroit, with first the westbound and then eastbound freeway shut down for a massive rebuild project. A lack of investment in recent years had led to a serious deterioration of the road surface, making it dangerous to cars and even leading to some serious injuries. A complete shutdown was necessary to rebuild the road surface and make it safe for drivers.

The project runs from May to November, and Iafrate is in charge of all concrete removals, all of the new underground storm system, edge draining, fine grading, and new concrete preparation. This means excavators, dozers, loaders, backhoes and other equipment is buzzing down the miles long stretch of highway.

“The value of quality individuals running this equipment is priceless. In 21 days we’ve gone 6 miles – concrete removed, earth removed, edge drain, pipe and fine grading, and if you don’t have great people you don’t get to that point,” says Iafrate Site Superintendent Mark Green.

“I enjoy the rush of working on a project like this,” Brad Nelson, Operating Engineer 324 member working on I-696. “You get to work with so many different people, you learn so much all the time.”
Iafrate’s partnership with OE324 extends past the job site. When the Construction Career Center instituted its equipment loan program in 2016 to increase the amount of hands-on equipment training they were capable of, Iafrate was one of the first contractors to answer the call.

“With new equipment constantly coming online, the need has never been greater for this program to help train and retrain the skilled trades workers who help build and repair our roads, bridges and schools,” said John Osika, OE324 Training Director. “I’d like to thank contractors like Iafrate statewide who took part in this vital program for entrusting us with their equipment during the offseason. Our contractor partners are a big part of the reason OE324 members are the most highly trained in the construction industry.”

Says Young, “The union asked if we would take part in training current and future operators and we were in – we (union and contractors) are only as strong as our people, so it only makes sense to invest in the people.”

This dedication to training, safety and excellence on the job site and in the classroom are what the strongest partnerships are built of. Iafrate and Operating Engineers 324 share that goal, and the results.

“We do quality work, everywhere we go. We try to stay safe, is our key element. That’s the most important thing in this business, keeping everybody safe,” says Tallman. “I’m proud to be an Operator, and to work for Iafrate.”