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Paving Through the Pressure on I-70
Rain came down hard through most of the summer on the Improve I-70 Project, pushing start dates back and tightening an already packed schedule. When the weather finally cleared, the I-70 crew pulled together, paving through the pressure and proving what hard work and teamwork can do.
Now, they’re not just back on track — they’re ahead of it. Since firing up the paver, the team has not only caught up to the original schedule, they’ve already started tackling scope planned for 2026.
The Night Shift Grind
Long nights. Short turnarounds. Steady focus. This is the kind of grind that defines ESS crews.
Working exclusively at night on one of Missouri’s busiest highways brings its own challenges. The team starts paving around 8 p.m. and wraps by 5:30 a.m., adapting quickly to new schedules and heavy traffic flow while keeping safety front and center.
“What I’m most proud of is the way the guys overcame the obstacles, especially working safely at night under heavy traffic,” said Rodney Wiley, Superintendent on I-70. “The first few months were slow getting started because of the weather, but once that cleared, it was all about adapting to traffic flow and staying safe.”
Tools, Teamwork, and Ownership
The crew’s success comes from a mix of experience, teamwork, and the right tools. They’re using stringless paving technology, which allows for tighter accuracy and faster setup. A key part of how they keep pace without sacrificing quality.
As employee-owners, every person on the crew has a direct stake in the company’s success, and that shared investment shows up in their work.
“When everybody’s got skin in the game, it’s not just the company’s money, it’s ours,” Wiley said. “We work hard to make sure the company succeeds because that means we succeed. We take pride in the ESOP and how it brings out that company culture and pride in our work.”
A Team Effort From Start to Finish
With every shift, progress is visible. Each new stretch of smooth concrete represents the hours, the planning, and the precision it takes to stay on track, and proof of what can happen when skill meets determination.
“I’ve been paving for 25 years, and this is one of the toughest jobs I’ve ever been on, but we’ve beat it. It’s been a huge team effort,” said Wiley. “I’m really proud of the whole team, from the engineers down to quality control and the plant people. It’s been a total group effort.”
From rain delays to race-against-the-clock deadlines, the I-70 paving crew didn’t just survive it, they owned it. Proving again what defines ESS is hard work, planning, and a team that doesn’t back down.
