Client: Laclede Steel
Location: Alton, Illinois, United States
Project Type: Civil/Heavy
Contract Amount: $1,000,000 USD
Delivery Method: Time & Material/Negotiated
Project Size: N/A
Start Date: March 2000
Completion Date: July 2000
Architect/Engineer: Not Applicable

Laclede Steel Melt Shop Rehabilitation

When disaster strikes, quick thinking, experience and the ability to mobilize a project management team in a hurry, are the ingredients that can quickly bring order to a dangerous, chaotic event.

On the last day of March 2000, disaster struck Laclede Steel's facility in Alton.  Massive ducts which funnel exhaust from the mill's melt shop, collapsed and pulled structural steel and the mid-section of the melt shop down with it.  After the initial collapse, parts of the remaining ductwork hung precariously over the melt shop, threatening to fall at any moment.  The 14 and 1/2-foot diameter ducts had to be removed in pieces.  There was no time to lose and no time to "shop" other contractors.  Laclede Steel management was banking on Alberici's reputation and expertise to pull them out of this potentially devastating situation.

Alberici Constructors worked closely with Laclede Steel management to control the cost of the project and made every effort to turn this nightmarish disaster into an opportunity to make things better for Laclede Steel.  A sincere desire to help the owner rebuild and reopen his mill as expediently as possible, cemented Alberici's partnership with Laclede in a way that positively affected the outcome of this project.

This project was the winner of the AON Build America Award in 2001.