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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

Interview: Leadership in the Field and at Home

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.

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

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.

Streamlining Coastal Resilience

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.

The 2026 Media Kit is Here!

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.

PDCA's 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.

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.

June brings a brand-new issue of PileDriver magazine; flip through the digital edition!

The Walsh Group Building Connections & Communities

The Walsh Group may be one of the country's largest contractors, but its roots remain grounded in old-fashioned family values. The company started as a one-man show in 1893, and Matthew Myles Walsh grew his business one relationship at a time. Today, the company is about as far from a one-man show as you can get. About 8,000 employees work on Walsh's projects across North America.

When it comes to pile driving, this PDCA member often performs its own works, driving all kinds of pile concrete, steel, timber, etc. in both land and marine environments.

PileDriver Issue 2 2025 is Online

The second issue of #PileDriverMagazine for 2025 is available NOW and arriving in mailboxes all over the world.

Located in Amelia, La., the Bayou Chene Flood Control Structure is deemed to be the largest flood gate of its kind in the world. The structure was designed and installed to combat backwater flooding from the Atchafalaya River. Prior to the installation of the permanent structure, government officials would employ local marine businesses to temporarily sink a barge in the waterway during seasons of anticipated flooding, costing millions of dollars each time.

Sealevel Construction was awarded the general contract to construct the new, permanent structure. Completed in 2022, the Bayou Chene Flood Control Structure eliminates the use of the temporary barge.

Find out how Sealevel self-performed about 95% of the construction work, which included timber piles, plumb and battered pipe piles and steel sheet piles.

Michael Jahnigen's Reflections from 50 Years in Pile Driving

"This may sound crazy, but why didn't we learn to keep the ambient sound up on job sites, so the pile driving was not so annoying?

"A lot of pile drivers say, 'Well, if they want to do auger cast, we'll just buy an auger cast machine,' even though most of them know that the driven pile is the better unit. I'm a pile driver because I believe the driven pile is the best that you can put in [the ground]. Why would you settle for something less? Why do we give it up? Why couldn't we have gone ahead and really fought, shown our strength to the industry? We gave up our market share too easily."

Michael Jahnigen retired in January 2025, and he shares his history, lessons learned, golden rule and more.

Under the Hat™: Kiewit's Focus Supports Employees and Their Families

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the suicide rate in construction stood at 66 per 100,000 workers in 2021, significantly higher than the suicide rate among the general population.

However, the CDC points out that "workplaces can be important settings for suicide prevention" through the implementation of prevention-based programs, policies and practices. One example is the Under the Hat: Building Healthy Minds (UTH) program at Kiewit Corporation, one of North America's largest construction and engineering firms.

Launched in 2021, UTH is focused on improving the mental health of Kiewit's employees and their family members. Alicia Edsen, senior vice president at Kiewit, says the underlying premise is a recognition that Kiewit employees wear many hats at work, at home or in their communities and to provide them with comprehensive resources to help them manage mental health challenges.

PDCA's Best Annual Conference Yet

The PDCA 25th Annual Conference took place Feb. 46, 2025, in San Antonio, Texas, and what an event it was! From record-setting attendance, passionate speakers and presenters, a buzzing exhibit hall and more, this event far exceeded our expectations and raised the bar for all future PDCA events.

Reminisce about our incredible week in the Lonestar State by flipping through the photo gallery in PileDriver magazine. 

PDCA's 2025 Media Kit Available Now! 

Still planning your 2025 marketing? Download PDCA's 2025 media kit to learn more about the advertising opportunities that will help you target the largest concentration of pile driving professionals anywhere in the world.  

Many prime positions are already sold out, but there are many opportunities available to put the spotlight on your products and services.