Granite’s Asphalt Guru Platform Wins National Innovation Award
The new AI learning platform for Granite Construction – Asphalt Guru – received the national Innovation of the Year Award from The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) during the AGC Annual Convention this past spring. Demonstrating how Granite
and asphalt binder. Granite will recycle approximately 12,000 tons of existing asphalt and concrete into recycled ag- gregates and utilize approximately 88,000 tons of subbase and base from its local aggregate and recycled aggregate plants. Additionally, the project incorporates
approximately 24,000 tons of HMA and 13,000 tons of rubberized HMA, a prod- uct that incorporates and recycles old tires, from Granite’s Salinas Hot Plant, a certified green business – all high- lighting the company’s commitment to environmentally conscious practices and sustainability. As the project remains on schedule and budget, moving towards comple- tion next year, Hussar said that “com- munication and transparency through partnering” have been key drivers in the success to date. “It’s been impressive to see the ded-
ication to clear communication by ev- eryone on the project, from our side and the owner,” he said. “Open, transparent
continues to lead in infrastruc- ture and innovation, Asphalt Guru leverages a vast and expanding internal knowledge base that includes 900 pages of interview transcripts and thousands of documents. By in- tegrating external data such as OSHA injuries, DOT standards, industry articles and more, Asphalt Guru supports employees by answering technical questions, offering interactive training, and simplifying complex concepts. “This award reflects Granite’s commitment to innovation and empowering
Granite accepted the 2025 AGC of America Innovation of the Year Award.
our teams,” said Olivia McNary, Granite Data Analyst and Information Technol- ogy Business Partner. Daniel Mekis, Granite CI Project Manager, added, “It’s an honor to be recognized for a tool that preserves the expertise of our paving professionals. Their knowledge and experience are intangible assets for the company; finding a way to preserve and share it with future generations of con- struction professionals will provide value for decades.” According to Granite, more than 400 employees have used the platform,
which has answered more than 1,000 questions. The platform is now integrated into the company’s Asphalt Basics E-Learning program and is also available via mobile devices in the field. Mekis and McNary presented the platform to a panel of 11 judges at the
2025 AGC Convention in Columbus, Ohio, where they received the top hon- or. For more information on the platform, visit
http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=QwViWhv9nMM.
communication means we can identify potential issues early, quickly identify potential solutions, and gather decision makers to adjust or develop mitigation plans efficiently. Granite looks forward
to delivering this project for the SCCRTC. It is an exciting endeavor that carries meaningful benefits for the community and encompasses a diverse range of scopes.”
CALIFORNIA CONSTRUCTOR JULY/AUGUST 2025
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