In Wyoming, paving work does not happen on an easy schedule. Crews work through short construction seasons, fast-changing weather and long distances between jobsites and support. For contractors taking on aviation work, those challenges only get bigger. Powder River Construction, Inc. knows that firsthand. Based in Gillette, Wyoming, PRC has grown from a small excavating and hauling company into a contractor known for concrete paving, heavy civil construction and complex infrastructure work where quality and uptime have to show up every day.
On the Northeast Wyoming Regional Airport runway project, PRC worked inside a tight six-week closure window to complete concrete panel replacement, joint sealing and crack repair. That meant every day counted. There was little room for rework, little tolerance for downtime and no easy way to make up lost production once the schedule started moving.
Wyoming Contractor Snapshot
Customer:
Powder River Construction, Inc. (PRC)
Location: Gillette, Wyoming
Specialty: Concrete paving, heavy civil construction, transport and excavating
Fleet Highlights: Wirtgen Slipform 50 paver, stringless GNSS guidance technology and a truck fleet that supports civil construction and material delivery work.
Why are Airport Road Projects Difficult?
Airport runway work compresses risk into a short window. Once a runway closes, airlines, airport staff, passengers, freight movement and support crews all adjust around that closure. Contractors have to move quickly, but they also have to hit strict quality targets for smoothness, durability and long-term performance. On a runway, poor joints, uneven slabs or premature cracking are not minor issues. They can affect aircraft movement, increase wear and create operational headaches long after the crew has left the site.
That pressure is amplified in Wyoming. Weather can shift fast, and a paving day that starts clean can turn with wind, cold or moisture. For PRC, runway work is not just about placing concrete. It is about controlling the process from setup to service checks to final finish so production stays steady and the reopening date stays realistic.
What Works? Precision Pavers Paired with Reliable Parts and Service
For contractors in production paving, machine performance matters. But serviceability matters, too. PRC highlighted both when talking about its WIRTGEN GROUP slipform pavers. The value is not only in placing concrete consistently. It is also in how fast crews can get back to work if something needs attention. The combination of precision paving, easier field service and local support helps protect production when schedules tighten.
Mike Gross, PRC’s maintenance superintendent, pointed to one practical detail that makes a difference in the field.
“A big one was hydraulics — specifically the termination points for hydraulic lines," he said. "We can pull the covers and change hoses quickly, in about 15 minutes, instead of chasing everything around the back of the machine.”
That kind of serviceability is not a side benefit on concrete work. It is a production factor. When crews can diagnose issues faster and make repairs without burning valuable hours, they protect the paving window and keep the rest of the operation moving. PRC’s experience also reflects a broader reality on remote jobsites: the best machine is the one that helps crews maintain consistency while minimizing downtime.
How PRC Repaired the Runway in Weeks?
The Northeast Wyoming Regional Airport project came with a firm reality: the runway could only stay closed for a short period. PRC had to work efficiently through concrete panel replacement, joint sealing and crack repair while maintaining the kind of quality aviation work demands. On a project like that, production is not just measured by how much concrete gets placed. It is measured by how few delays interrupt the sequence.
That is where repeatable equipment performance and support structure matter. Slipform paving technology helps crews maintain consistent placement, and local parts and service help keep that production from stalling when time is tight. The result is a workflow built around fewer interruptions, less rework and more confidence inside a narrow closure window. That was especially important on a project where the schedule affected aircraft operations and the surrounding community.
Why RDO for Concrete Projects?
PRC’s reasoning was straightforward: when the job is remote and the schedule is tight, local support matters.
“We know RDO has parts and service close by — basically on our doorstep," said Matt Walker, Powder River Construction's founder.
That comment gets to the center of why contractors choose RDO for concrete paving work. The partnership is not only about iron on a job site. It is about access to people, parts and service when uptime becomes the deciding factor. The transcript summary from your raw file also reinforces that theme, noting PRC’s emphasis on product support, leadership and a team that listens and responds to customer feedback.
For contractors like PRC, that support model fits the realities of concrete work in the Mountain West. Long distances, compressed build seasons and schedule-driven public projects all reward a partner that can help reduce downtime risk and keep crews working.
PRC’s Future Projects
PRC’s growth points toward more of the work that demands both production and precision. The company’s service mix spans concrete paving, heavy civil construction, material handling and heavy highway and aviation work, including runways, taxiways and aprons. That puts PRC in a strong position to continue expanding into projects where quality control, schedule management and equipment uptime all carry equal weight.
As PRC continues building across Wyoming and the surrounding region, the formula looks familiar: take on more demanding work, keep production predictable and back every job with equipment and support that can handle real-world conditions. That is how contractors keep moving when the margin for delay gets small.
Contact your local RDO store to explore WIRTGEN GROUP equipment and technology solutions.
Dennis Howard
Dennis Howard has spent more than two decades with RDO Equipment Co.’s construction equipment division. As a Senior Vice President of Roadbuilding and Minerals, he leads RDO's WIRTGEN GROUP business throughout RDO's footprint. He’s a member of the Association of Equipment Management Professionals (AEMP), a regular contributor to ForConstructionPros.com, and host of The Track – Construction Equipment from RDO web series. Subscribe to The Track on YouTube, or connect with Dennis personally on LinkedIn.
