Two of Michigan's largest general contractors - Barton-Malow and Walbridge- Aldinger - were tapped earlier this month to oversee construction of two of the state's largest construction projects. The jobs have a combined price tag of $850 million.

A new GM engine plant is being constructed in Flint that will be part of a $450 million re-investment in the Van Slyk Road Manufacturing Center. The 442,000 square-foot plant will be constructed by Ideal Contracting in association with Barton-Malow and together with their subcontractors and the building trades.

The GM Flint Global V6 Engine Facility broke ground Dec. 17, 2004 and is scheduled for completion by Oct. 28, 2005. The fast-track project is being designed using computerized 3D Virtual Factory tools, in order to eliminate field conflicts and reduce overall schedule and cost as part of the integrated design-build process.

The design-build team, along with the GM project team, are both located in the
Barton Malow Headquarters, to expedite the design and decision-making process, said Alex Ivanikiw, Barton-Malow Senior Vice President. "This integrated approach to bringing the team together for 3-D design and engineering will greatly streamline the process, reducing costs and accelerating the pace of construction."

On Feb. 3, Wayne County Airport Authority Board approved the hiring of Walbridge-Aldinger and Barton-Malow to build Phase I of the Detroit Metro Airport North Terminal Redevelopment Project.

Under Phase I, Walbridge/Barton Malow, LLC will provide pre-construction services for the project, a planned 25- to 27-gate terminal complex which will replace the airport's existing Davey & Smith terminal complex.

When complete, the $403 million North Terminal complex will be used to accommodate
airlines that are currently operating out of the aging L.C. Smith Terminal (American Airlines, America West, Southwest, Spirit, United, US Airways, and others). The contract duration is estimated at 46 months.

"There has been very positive interaction with the staff and there is a real enthusiasm for this project and Walbridge/Barton Malow as our Construction Manager," said Metro Airport Authority CEO Lester Robinson.

Walbridge-Aldinger and Barton Malow have both performed significant work at
Metro Airport. Barton Malow served as a lead member of the program management team for the $2.2 billion Capital Improvement Program that built the infrastructure, sixth jet runway and a host of projects to prepare for the Midfield Terminal Project.

Walbridge-Aldinger has performed over $700 million worth of construction as contractor, design-builder or construction manager on portions of the Capital Improvement Program, on a number of airline maintenance hangars, for various air freight and rental car companies, on terminal renovations and additions for both the airport and for airlines, and currently on the expansion of the McNamara Midfield Terminal.