Sturgeon Electric Earns 2026 NECA Project Excellence Award for Streetlighting Nov 5, 2026

NECA recognizes team for exceptional execution of lighting and signal improvements along key Alaskan highway

Alaska's Glenn Highway is a critical transportation corridor, connecting Anchorage to more rural parts of the state making it a heavily trafficked highway used by residents and visitors.

Sturgeon Electric Company (Sturgeon Electric), an MYR Group subsidiary, earned a 2026 Project Excellence Award from the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) for its work on this unique streetlighting project along the Glenn Highway.

Sturgeon Electric provided much needed light and signal improvements for the Parks Highway to South Inner Springer Loop, a section of road that is often dangerously congested - particularly during the annual Alaska State Fair. The upgrades improved safety and traffic flow on this stretch of the highway.

What began as a two-intersection lighting and signal improvement project, was expanded to become a 4.5-mile highway reconstruction project for this well used route. The two-lane highway was widened to four lanes, roadway configurations were changed and additional intersections were added.

Sturgeon Electric adapted its work sequencing and construction approach as roadway geometry and intersection layouts were modified to expand the project while it was underway.

Working for the general contractor, Sturgeon Electric performed the complete electrical scope of work. This included installing approximately 60,000 feet of conduit, mostly underground, 127 fixtures and lights, two complete traffic signal systems which consist of traffic control cabinets and signal poles with mast arms from 50 to 70 feet, and all associated signal infrastructure.

"We are incredibly honored to receive the NECA Project Excellence Award for this project. It is a testament to the outstanding work of our entire project team, whose success was built on not only a great bid, but also thorough planning, strong project management, and, most importantly, exceptional execution in the field," District Manager Alan Growden said. "I am deeply grateful to every team member who contributed to this effort and to NECA for recognizing their dedication, professionalism, and commitment to excellence."

Overcoming Inaccurate Underground Conditions

Early in construction, Sturgeon Electric recognized that the existing records did not accurately reflect field conditions, including the location of nearby water and sewer underground infrastructure. This created significant risk for pile driving underground foundations.

To resolve the issue, they paused installation of pile foundations to develop a verification process to complete the work safely. The team physically checked the location and depth of underground utilities by potholing (digging small, targeted test holes), before proceeding with pile installations, helping to ensure safe clearances and reduce risk of utility damage.

Sturgeon Electric coordinated closely with the general contractor and pile foundations subcontractor to carefully sequence the work. All 36 pile foundations and 91 cast-in-place concrete foundations were successfully installed without damaging any underground utilities or causing significant project delays.

The project team also self-performed the trenching and backfill operations which included about 42,000 feet of excavation and 60,000 feet of conduit installation. Making their work even more complex, bore operations were conducted beneath active railroad crossings requiring careful coordination with railroad operations and planning. Boring was completed safely without impacting rail traffic.

Maximizing Productivity in Alaska's Compressed Construction Season

Roadway construction in Alaska is different from many others places due to its very short construction season. This compressed season results from the constraints of a late seasonal thaw and how early the ground freezes again in the winter. Construction teams have a very limited peak construction window.

To succeed within those constraints, Sturgeon Electric relied on preconstruction planning, prefabrication, and worked extended schedules during the peak construction window.

Excellent pre-planning was critical to productivity. Sturgeon Electric procured long lead-time items early and preassembled mast heads and signal poles in a controlled environment during the winter months to enable rapid deployment once field conditions allowed for installation. Once construction was underway, crews worked six day weeks with ten-hour shifts for roughly three months.

Alaskans traveling this section of the Glenn Highway now that the upgrades have been completed can travel more safely and efficiently all year round.