NAWIC Announces Winners of 2025 Project Excellence Awards
Innovative, exceptionally executed, construction projects honored
Fort Worth, Texas — November 3, 2025 — The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) announced the winners of the 2025 Project Excellence Awards, which honor outstanding construction projects led by industry professionals committed to the highest standards of quality, safety, and sustainable practices.
From transportation and healthcare to electric vehicle innovation and residential development, this year’s winning projects showcase the power of construction to meet community needs and push industry standards forward.
An independent panel of industry professionals evaluated and judged all projects.
Award Winners:
Civil/Heavy Highway
Winner: Dunn Construction Company, Birmingham, AL
Project: US Highway 31: For the Alabama Department of Transportation, Dunn resurfaced, widened, and improved sections of US Highway 31. The highway, which was originally built in 1926, runs from Alabama to Michigan. The areas between Clanton and Thorsby, which allow people to commute to the Birmingham area, saw enhanced safety and efficiency. The project was completed within a 75-day schedule, and required precise milling, slope correction, and paving during overnight hours to minimize traffic disruption. All 10,163 tons of milled asphalt were recycled into Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement, reflecting Dunn’s commitment to sustainability and cost efficiency. “Roads connect us all,” a Dunn spokesperson said, “and it is never more apparent than when we work on a roadway that has historically connected rural Alabama to other parts of the state.”
Commercial
Winner: Barton Malow Company, Baltimore, MD
Project: BlueOval SK Battery Park Kentucky GE2: Barton Malow partnered with Gray Construction and worked with multiple trade unions, to build the $2.63 billion BlueOval SK Battery Park GE2 plant in Glendale, Kentucky. The 3.9 million-square-foot lithium-ion battery manufacturing facility was created to power the next generation of Ford and Lincoln electric vehicles. Despite the project’s massive scale and aggressive schedule, the team maintained a 3% variance on actual costs to monthly projections. Using tools like Earned Value Management, BIM 360, and Installation Work Packages ensures next-level efficiency, quality, and safety. Key achievements included moving 4.3 million cubic yards of soil, erecting over 40,000 tons of steel, and, at the project’s peak, employing 3,500 workers. Barton Malow also signed a Construction Partnership Program (CPP) agreement with the Commonwealth of Kentucky Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for the full program. The project implemented unique safety practices and fostered community through multiple initiatives. Cleared timber was sold to a local sawmill, with the proceeds benefiting the local fire department, and thousands of craft jobs were created.
Institutional
Winner: Nabholz Corporation, Conway, AR
Project: Encompass Healthcare Rehabilitation Hospital Addition: Nabholz partnered with Encompass Health to deliver an 8,336-square-foot addition to its Jonesboro facility, providing 16 patient rooms, a central dayroom, a nurse’s station, and essential support spaces — all completed ahead of schedule and under budget without disrupting care. Innovative strategies included modular BLOX bathroom units, phased night work, and precision demolition that allowed the hospital to remain at full capacity for months. Safety remained paramount, with 22 audits, daily walkthroughs, and HEPA-filtered barriers so that over 21,000 labor hours resulted in zero OSHA recordables. Sustainable practices such as reduced demolition, natural daylighting, and local sourcing minimized waste, lowered emissions, and supported the local economy. Through strategic coordination, value engineering, and a patient-first approach, the project both returned $100,000 in savings and delivered a high-quality, operationally seamless expansion for one of Jonesboro’s leading healthcare providers.
Residential
Winner: RS&H, Inc., Jacksonville, FL
Project: Willoughby Corner — RS&H collaborated with regional housing partners to design and deliver an inclusive residential development aimed at improving affordability and long-term sustainability. The project features a mix of single-family homes and multi-family units designed with energy efficiency, accessibility, and community integration in mind. While delivering a high-volume residential program, the team balanced modern construction methods with neighborhood compatibility and environmental considerations. Willoughby Corner stands out as a model of thoughtful residential development that addresses housing challenges with both creativity and care.
“It’s a privilege to honor these exceptional projects with 2025 Project Excellence Awards,” said Kelly Aust, the 2024-2025 president of NAWIC and project manager at Skanska. “Each project showcases a strong commitment to innovation, safety, and sustainability, and demonstrates the multitude of ways that a construction project can benefit and uplift the community in which it happens. Congratulations to the leadership involved in these works- they demonstrate the best of the best in the construction industry.”
To be eligible for submission, projects must have been built in the 50 U.S. States, including Washington D.C. and U.S. Territories, between January 1, 2024, and December 31, 2024.
For more information about the projects, awards, or additional images, please visit nawic.org
About NAWIC: The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) continues the vision of its founding members by advocating for the value and impact of women builders, professionals, and tradeswomen in all aspects of the construction industry. With more than 120 chapters nationwide, and over 6,000 members, NAWIC offers opportunities for professional development, education, networking, and leadership training. To learn more, visit nawic.org.
