Heritage Construction + Materials

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Veteran’s Support: HC+M and The Healing Fields

Posted on by Joe Ball

How the Heritage Construction + Materials portfolio of companies helped strengthen a veteran’s organization in Howard County, Indiana.

Every September, thousands of veterans from across the country gather in Howard County, Indiana, for a reunion unlike any other. Since 1987, the Howard County Vietnam Veterans Organization (HCVVO) has hosted its annual event on 39 acres known as ‘The Healing Fields’ — a peaceful space built by veterans, for veterans.

What began as a small local gathering has become the nation’s longest-running annual reunion for service members. ‘The Healing Fields’ are more than a campground — they’re a sanctuary where veterans from every branch and era can reconnect, reflect and heal together.

Over time, the roads winding through the property began to wear down. Dust, rain and erosion made travel difficult, especially for those with mobility or respiratory challenges. When members of the HCVVO reached out for help, the companies of Heritage Construction + Materials (HC+M) — Asphalt Materials, Inc., Milestone Contractors, and US Aggregates® — didn’t hesitate to step in.

Milestone began by donating reclaimed millings from a nearby project to stabilize the roads. Asphalt Materials followed with chip- and fog-sealing expertise, improving accessibility across more than 15,000 square yards of roadway. US Aggregates supported the effort by providing the essential materials needed to make those improvements last.

Working alongside the Howard County Highway Department, these teams transformed the grounds into a smoother, safer space for veterans and their families.

For everyone involved, this was more than a construction project — it was a way to give back to those who’ve given so much.

This Veterans Day, we’re honored to stand beside the Howard County Vietnam Veterans Organization and all who serve. Because healing doesn’t happen all at once — it’s built, one act of service at a time.

HAHDhAHSDHAHS

Creating Safer Highways

Posted on by Joe Ball

HC+M’s Milestone Contractors Leads the Charge in INDOT Safe Zone Speed Camera Pilot Program

Road safety is a paramount concern, especially in construction zones where the risk of accidents can be high. As part of our unwavering commitment to safety and innovation, Heritage Construction + Materials (HC+M) and Milestone Contractors are at the forefront of championing the Indiana Department of Transportation’s (INDOT) Safe Zone speed camera pilot program, which aims to protect motorists and workers on the state’s highways.

Speeding and inattentive driving are big challenges for construction crews working on Indiana’s interstates. That is why we fully embrace the pilot program as a significant step forward in reducing collisions and casualties in work zones. For Milestone General Superintendent Chad Scott, the initiative is personal; as someone who has experienced the loss of a co-worker in a construction zone accident, the cameras represent the hope that reduced speeds might prevent other families from experiencing a similar loss. Scott and other industry professionals testified before the IN House in July 2023, leading the enactment of HEA 1015, which authorized the speed camera pilot program.

Scott recently led a transformative I-70 design-build project in Greenfield, IN. This crucial infrastructure upgrade added travel lanes in both directions to accommodate the region’s traffic volume. With its high stakes and location, the I-70 project became the inaugural site for the deployment of SafeZone speed cameras in August 2024. Previously, only concrete barriers and barrels stood between construction workers and fast-moving traffic.

Travelers along I-70 in Indiana now encounter highly visible signage notifying them of the speed cameras ahead. The SafeZone program is a game-changer, setting a new standard for penalizing speeding and promoting a change in driver behavior. The program aims to significantly reduce the number of accidents. In 2023, 33 fatalities and more than 1,750 injuries occurred in Indiana work zones, with unsafe speeds frequently being a contributing factor. Now, speed cameras offer an added layer of protection, ensuring workers can return home to their families safely each day.

Visit SafeZonesIN.com for more information about the Indiana Safe Zones program and its impact across Indiana.

Indiana’s Bold Move to Protect Workers and Drivers

About Heritage Construction + Materials

Heritage Construction + Materials (HC+M) is part of The Heritage Group, a privately held, family-owned business headquartered in Indianapolis. HC+M has core capabilities in infrastructure building. Its collection of companies provides innovative road construction and materials services across the Midwest. HC+M companies, including Asphalt Materials, Inc., Evergreen Roadworks, Milestone Contractors and US Aggregates, proudly employ 3,000 people at 68 locations across seven states. Learn more at www.heritagebuilds.com.

About Milestone Contractors, L.P.

Milestone Contractors is a privately held, family-owned business headquartered in Indianapolis. Milestone Contractors is a fully integrated heavy construction company specializing in highway, bridge, asphalt and concrete paving and site development. Over its 30-year history, Milestone has built a reputation for prioritizing safety, quality, people and innovation. Milestone Contractors is a part of The Heritage Group’s family of companies. Learn more at www.milestonelp.com.