At A.W. Oakes & Son, we have always believed that the quality of our work lives on long after the last orange cone is removed. We are thrilled to announce that this commitment to excellence has reached a major new milestone. In early December of 2025, our company was honored on a national stage in San Diego, California, as a recipient of the GOLD National Award for Excellence in Concrete Pavement.
This prestigious recognition from the American Concrete Pavement Association (ACPA) is more than just a trophy for our shelf; it is a validation of the hard work, precision, and technical expertise that our entire team brings to the job site every single day.
Excellence in Paddock Lake: The STH 50 Project
The award specifically recognizes the outstanding design and construction of our work on STH 50 in Paddock Lake, Wisconsin.
Competing in the category of Municipal Streets & Intersections (>30,000 SY), this project was a massive undertaking that serves as a vital artery for the local community. To achieve a "Gold" rating at the national level, a project must meet the industry’s most rigorous standards for smoothness, durability, and finishing. Winning gold on this stage is no small feat—it requires a seamless blend of precision engineering, the highest quality materials, and a crew that refuses to settle for anything less than perfection.
Project Manager Connor and Paving Superintendent Craig traveled to San Diego to represent the company and accepted the award on behalf of the A.W. Oakes & Son team.
A Win for the Entire A.W. Oakes & Son Team
While Connor and Craig were there to receive the honor, this achievement is a testament to the collective effort of every employee at A.W. Oakes & Son. From the initial planning and logistics handled in the office to the operators and laborers who ensured every yard of concrete was poured and finished to perfection, this was a true team victory.
A project of this scale requires synchronized effort across multiple departments. The beautiful result in Paddock Lake is a direct reflection of the pride our crew takes in their craftsmanship. We are incredibly proud of how our team managed the complexities of this large-scale intersection and street project to provide a lasting, high-quality result for the community.
Making Wisconsin Proud
While we are celebrating our team's success, we are also honored to stand alongside our industry peers here in Wisconsin. We want to extend a sincere thank you to the Wisconsin Concrete Pavement Association (WCPA) for their ongoing support and tireless advocacy for quality infrastructure in our state.
We also want to send a huge congratulations to Zignego Company, Inc. and Vinton Construction Company for their respective Gold wins. Together, we are proving to the entire country that Wisconsin is home to the best paving professionals in the industry. It is an honor to work alongside companies that push the bar higher for everyone.
Looking Toward the Future
From the first day of planning to the final finishing touches on STH 50, our mission was to provide the Village of Paddock Lake with a project that would stand the test of time.
As we look ahead to 2026 and beyond, we remain more committed than ever to maintaining this gold-standard quality. Whether it’s a local municipal street or a major highway intersection, the A.W. Oakes & Son team is ready to continue building the infrastructure that keeps our communities moving forward.
Congratulations to the entire A.W. Oakes & Son team on this incredible national achievement!
