Moving Mountains for Crystal Bridges

Visitors are getting their first look at the expanded Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas — a transformational project that strengthens Northwest Arkansas as a destination for art, culture, and community.

For the Emery Sapp & Sons (ESS) employee-owners who helped build it, the expansion represents what’s possible when a team takes on tough, high-stakes work and delivers.

ESS crews performed critical earthwork, rock excavation, controlled blasting, creek reconstruction, utility relocations, deep excavation, and site stabilization to support the museum’s 114,000 SF addition — expanding the campus footprint by roughly 50 percent while preserving its natural setting.

This was anything but a typical project. Work took place in the shadow of a world-class museum, surrounded by active public spaces, mature trees, waterways, and priceless artwork.

Blasting Next to Priceless Art

One of the most sensitive challenges was controlled rock blasting immediately next to the occupied museum. With the facility open to visitors and housing irreplaceable art, ESS used vibration monitoring, strict sequencing, and close coordination to ensure every blast was executed safely. The team delivered without impacting the structure, finishes, or collections.

Working With Nature, Not Against It

Crews also worked through an active creek system running through the site, reshaping and widening the corridor while maintaining stormwater flow. Temporary dams, pumping systems, and staged water diversions allowed work to continue through constantly changing conditions, all while protecting the surrounding environment.

Throughout construction, the museum and surrounding trails remained open, requiring constant coordination to safely manage public access alongside heavy civil operations.

Over more than three years, ESS employee-owners showed up daily to solve problems, adapt to evolving conditions, and keep the work moving through complex, high-pressure conditions.

 “This wasn’t a typical jobsite,” ESS Project Superintendent, Chad Wallis said. “Every decision mattered, and the team never lost sight of the responsibility we had working next to a world-class museum and active public space.”

Projects of this scale are never accomplished by one company alone. The success of the Crystal Bridges expansion was the result of strong collaboration between General Contractor Flintco, ESS, trade partners, and the project ownership team.

As visitors experience the expanded museum for the first time, we’re proud to recognize the employee-owners whose hard work helped make it possible.

Kudos to everyone involved in bringing this landmark project across the finish line.