PileDriver Magazine - Issue #5, 2025

piledriver-issue-5-2025-cover

A New Issue of PileDriver Magazine!

In PileDriver Issue 5 2025, explore three U.S. projects that showcase unique pile driving approaches and problem-solving in the field. Get an inside look at four PDCA member companies shaping the future of deep foundations, and discover a construction-specific charity that deserves a place on your giving list. Plus, learn about recent permitting changes in Miami-Dade County that directly affect pile driving contractors working in the region. You'll find all this and more in Issue 5 of #PileDriverMagazine!

Dive into 120 pages of industry insights, project stories and PDCA updates  available now!

On the Cover: The Howard Frankland Bridge

Pile driving at the Howard Frankland Bridge in Florida

Spanning Old Tampa Bay and connecting Tampa to St. Petersburg, the new Howard Frankland Bridge is a feat of pile driving precision and teamwork. Built by the Archer WesternTraylor Bros. JV, this project relied on more than 3,000 concrete piles and over 11,000 feet of new causeway  all while withstanding hurricanes, complex subsurface conditions and strict environmental protections.

Discover how innovative equipment, careful planning and unwavering collaboration kept this massive bridge project on schedule and on budget solidifying its place as one of the largest driven pile undertakings in Florida.

Read the full story

Innovation in the Marsh:
How Sealevel Construction built stability where there was none

Aerial shot of precast concrete pile installation

Transforming wetlands into a foundation strong enough to support a 230-foot compressor station platform is no small feat but that's exactly what Sealevel Construction achieved for TC Energy's ELXP Compressor Station in Golden Meadow, La.

Working in soft, saturated terrain under rigorous environmental oversight, Sealevel installed 279 precast concrete piles  some up to 225 feet long while battling Hurricane Francine, pile heaving and shifting schedules. Despite the challenges, the team completed more than 46,000 man-hours of work safely and on time, delivering a resilient structure elevated 28 feet above grade.

Read the full story.

Prestressed Concrete Sheet Piles:
A seawall built to withstand the elements

View of the concrete seawall from the ocean

When storm damage took down the original seawall at Westgate Resort, East Coast Marine Construction & Design (ECMCD) was tasked with building a stronger, smarter replacement on an active public beach. The result: a 281-foot seawall reinforced with 25-foot prestressed concrete sheet piles, designed to endure Florida's harsh coastal environment and support a future 18-story development.

From engineering around limited site access and nesting sea turtles to restoring the beachfront after Hurricane Milton, ECMCD's crew combined precision, environmental care and technical mastery to complete the project on time, on budget and with a perfect safety record.

Read the full story.

Interview: Leadership in the Field and at Home

Kelli Wilson climbing into an excavator

From selling paper to leading a deep foundations company, Kelli Wilson has charted a bold, unconventional path in construction. As president and co-founder of American Shoring Inc., she shares candid insights about building a business alongside her husband, overcoming financial hurdles, balancing family life and creating more opportunities for women in the industry.

In this in-depth interview, Wilson opens up about lessons learned from tough contracts, the power of emotional intelligence in leadership and why she believes women bring unique strengths to construction management.

Read the full story.

Helping Our Own: Construction Angels brings comfort and aid to families after tragedy

Showcasing a large check as an industry donation to Construction Angels

Every day, nearly three construction workers lose their lives on the job in the U.S. and Construction Angels is there to help the families left behind. Founded by Kristi Ronyak, this nonprofit has already provided nearly $1 million in direct financial aid and grief counselling to families in 33 states, thanks to the generosity and partnership of construction associations and companies across the country.

Through its A.N.G.E.L.S. values  Ambition, Nurture, Generosity, Efficient, Leadership and Service  the organization offers immediate assistance, ongoing support and scholarships that help children and spouses rebuild after loss.

Read the full story.

Streamlining Coastal Resilience

Commissioner Eileen Higgins speaks in front of a crowd in Miami-Dade County

Contractors working in South Florida's waterfront markets have reason to celebrate. Miami-Dade County has rolled out a sweeping reform of its seawall and bulkhead permitting process, cutting wait times from up to two years down to just 90 days.

Led by Commissioner Eileen Higgins, the initiative shifts approvals to technical experts, speeds up reviews and encourages innovation including 3D-printed seawalls and modular ecological designs that enhance coastal resilience and marine biodiversity. The result? A system that empowers contractors to work efficiently while building smarter, greener and more sustainable infrastructure.

Read the full story.

The 2026 Media Kit is Here!

Front cover of the 2026 PDCA Media Kit

Plan your year with the 2026 PDCA Media Kit, now available online. Explore advertising opportunities across PileDriver magazine, the PDCA Membership Directory, e-newsletters and more and connect your brand with the driven pile industry's most engaged audience.

View the 2026 Media Kit!

PDCA's Driven Pile Academy

Graphic for the Driven Pile Academy

It's back PDCA's revolutionary Driven Pile Academy.

Learn more about the program and register soon, as this hands-on training program has limited space remaining. Join us from Nov. 1113, 2025, in Port Bienville, Miss.

Learn more.

Are you interested in being interviewed or writing an article for PileDriver magazine? Editorial coverage is one of the FREE benefits of PDCA membership! The PDCA Communications Committee is always looking for companies, pile driving projects and industry stories to write about. To learn more or to ask about how you can join a PDCA Communications Committee call email matt@piledrivers.org.

 

Posted in PileDriver Magazine.

Who won? Read stories about 2025's winning Project of the Year entries!

PileDriver Issue 4 2025 cover featuring Projects of the Year

Issue 4 of PileDriver is Online

In this special edition of #PileDriverMagazine, find out which PDCA members are taking home a coveted Project of the Year Award. Lauded by multiple judges as the most competitive year in the history of the program, the winning projects showcase ingenuity, construction and engineering excellence and the dedication of PDCA members.
 

This dedicated email is sponsored by:
Steel Foundation Solutions from Nucor Skyline

 

Precision on the Waterfront

ASAP project in Miami

What do you do when you need to excavate a man-made pond without disturbing the seawall of a luxury island development? For ASAP Group, the answer was a carefully executed driven pile solution in one of Miami's most exclusive neighbourhoods. Learn how their innovative approach earned them a 2025 PDCA Project of the Year Award in the Land: Less than $1M category.

Read the full story

 

Engineering Excellence on the California Coast

Ralph L Wadsworth project along the California coastline

Replacing a 541-foot rail bridge in a protected coastal zone is no small feat, especially when construction must respect fragile ecosystems, archaeological sites AND an active railway overhead. Ralph L. Wadsworth Construction Company rose to the challenge, using an innovative driven pile strategy that minimized disruption and maximized precision. Their outstanding work earned a PDCA Project of the Year Award in the Land: $1M to $5M category.

Read the full story.

 

Redefining What's Possible in Pile Driving

LNG Canada project in Kitimat BC - Canada

Constructing a 1.1-mile (1.8-kilometer) trestle through a protected estuary teeming with salmon, eagles and grizzlies? Pacific Pile & Marine made it happen without ground access, during a pandemic and on Canada's largest infrastructure project. Their use of a one-of-a-kind cantilever bridge machine, along with world-class engineering and coordination, helped deliver this record-setting project safely and successfully. It's no wonder this earned a 2025 PDCA Project of the Year Award in the Land: Over $5M category.

Read the full story.

 

Built to Last: A Smarter Approach to Bulkhead Replacement

Blakeslee Arpaia Chapman Inc marine project

When faced with a corroded, century-old bulkhead at a historic power facility, Blakeslee Arpaia Chapman Inc. delivered more than a fix: they delivered a smarter, safer and more sustainable solution. With custom-engineered pile driving techniques, 76-foot sheet piles and zero environmental impact, this project earned a 2025 PDCA Project of the Year Award in the Marine: Less than $5M category plus $750,000 in cost savings.

Read the full story.

 

548 Piles. Zero Visibility. One Remarkable Rebuild.

The McCarthy Building Companies project at the Port of Beaumont Main Street Terminal 1

Rebuilding a collapsed century-old dock in zero-visibility waters? That's exactly what McCarthy Building Companies achieved  five months ahead of schedule  at the Port of Beaumont's Main Street Terminal 1. With GPS-enabled demolition, custom-engineered pile systems and 548 concrete piles driven with precision, the team delivered a state-of-the-art terminal that expands capacity at one of America's top military ports. It's no wonder this project earned PDCA's 2025 Project of the Year Award in the Marine: Over $5M category.

Read the full story.

 

Smarter Solutions for a Safer Site

Blakeslee Arpaia Chapman Inc replaced a planned slurry wall with a driven sheet pile barrier

At a Superfund site in upstate New York, Blakeslee Arpaia Chapman Inc. (BAC) turned a complex environmental challenge into an award-winning success. By replacing a planned slurry wall with a driven sheet pile barrier, BAC delivered a more efficient, cost-effective solution that enhanced containment and protected groundwater. Their strategic three-tier contingency plan, advanced equipment and precision execution earned them a 2025 PDCA Project of the Year Award in the Earth Retention: Less than $5M category.

Read the full story.

 

Driven Innovation, Arctic Conditions

PND Engineers project at the edge of the Arctic Circle

At the edge of the Arctic Circle, PND Engineers, Inc. delivered a dock like no other. Their proprietary OPEN CELL SHEET PILE™ system enabled construction of the Oliktok STP Dock in sub-zero conditions on sea ice, with no summer access and no room for error. Over 2,900 sheet piles were installed entirely in winter to serve the remote Pikka oil field. For this feat of engineering ingenuity and environmental coordination, PND earned PDCA's 2025 Project of the Year Award in the Associate/Engineering Affiliate category.

Read the full story.

 

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

Skip Gardella in front of a machine

 

Interview: Skip Gardella

What better way to celebrate 30 years of PDCA in 2025 than to feature PDCA's first-ever president in an in-depth interview about his career and the beginnings of the association? Read all about Skip Gardella in this issue's Interview column.

Find the article here.

 

PDCA's Driven Pile Academy

Graphic for the Driven Pile Academy
It's back PDCA's revolutionary Driven Pile Academy.

Learn more about the program and register soon, as this hands-on training program will sell out. Join us from Nov. 1114, 2025, in Port Bienville, Miss.

Learn more.

 

Are you interested in being interviewed or writing an article for PileDriver magazine? Editorial coverage is one of the FREE benefits of PDCA membership! The PDCA Communications Committee is always looking for companies, pile driving projects and industry stories to write about. To learn more or to ask about how you can join a PDCA Communications Committee call email matt@piledrivers.org.

Posted in PileDriver Magazine.

Winners REVEALED! See the List of 2025 Projects of the Year

POY 25 winners
(L) Blakeslee Arpaia Chapman wins TWO awards, pictured are Sr. Eng. Jim Dempsey and wife Deb; (R) PND Engineers wins Engineering Affiliate/Associate, VP Rian Johnson pictured 
 
Each August, the Pile Driving Contractors Association announces the winners of the annual PDCA Project of the Year Awards Program, exclusively in Issue #4 of PileDriver magazine. On Friday, August 1st, the digital edition of PileDriver magazine was delivered to industry inboxes through the A Pile of News e-newsletter, and readers got the first look at the companies and projects that are being honored for the best in pile driving for 2025.

Read the digital issue of PileDriver magazine - Issue #4, The Project of the Year Awards Edition.

Here, we will give you the Cliff's Notes of this year's PDCA Project of the Year Awards Program in the way of a list. The winning projects and the PDCA member company that performed its pile driving installation and/or design portion are:
 
And the Winners are...
Final POY Logos 11-22-21-01
Land Under $1M:Swire Temporary Business Center by ASAP Group LLC
 
Land $1M - $5M:  Union Pacific Railroad Santa Barbara Hub Bridge Replacement by Ralph L. Wadsworth Construction Company
 
Land Over $5M:LNG Canada Project Lode Line Trestle Construction by Pacific Pile & Marine
 
Marine Under $5M:Montville Bulkhead Replacement Project by Blakeslee Arpaia Chapman Inc.
 
Marine Over $5M:Port of Beaumont Main Street Terminal 1 by McCarthy Building Companies 
 
Earth Retention Under $5M: Vestal Environmental Sheet Pile Project by Blakeslee Arpaia Chapman Inc.
 
Associate/Engineering Affiliate:Oliktok STP Dock by PND Engineers, Inc.


Congratulations to the 2025 winners of the PDCA Project of the Year Awards! A ceremony honoring them will take place during the 2026 PDCA Annual Conference at the Four Seasons Resort Orlando, scheduled for July 7-9, 2026. Read more about each of the projects listed above in PileDriver magazine - Issue #4, 2025.

Posted in PDCA Awards, PileDriver Magazine.

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