Amid powerful natural challenges, CWR Contracting’s paving teams across the southeastern United States are putting in extra hours to enhance roadways, upgrade drainage systems, and improve travel safety.
In recent years, it has become clear that certain regions across the country are experiencing more frequent and intense weather events, putting additional strain on essential infrastructure. In southeastern states such as Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas, the hurricanes of 2023 and 2024 alone caused billions of dollars in damage. However, these major storms are only part of the challenge. Beyond the immediate destruction, these states—and the road construction teams maintaining them—must continue regular upkeep and improvements to ensure infrastructure remains safe and functional.
CWR Contracting has been actively working in northern Florida, near the Georgia border, tackling essential infrastructure projects. While they completed multiple assignments for the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) last year, their resurfacing project on SR-83 near DeFuniak Springs, FL, exemplified the kind of routine maintenance required regardless of extreme weather events.
“This road is a critical evacuation route out of the Panhandle, so heavy traffic can accelerate wear and tear,” explained Michael Gilley, Operations Manager at CWR Contracting. “Although storm-related usage played a role, the primary reason for this project was simple—the road had deteriorated, and it needed resurfacing.”
Beyond asphalt resurfacing, the project included a range of additional improvements and modifications, such as:
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Milling and resurfacing SR-83 from north of CR-185 to the Alabama state line
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Overbuild enhancements
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Shoulder and radius widening
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Guardrail upgrades
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Replacement of mitered end sections
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Curb and flume reconstruction
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Bridge joint repairs
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Installation of new signage and pavement markings
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Minor flashing signal improvements
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Drainage system enhancements
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Ramp construction
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Utility adjustments for the City of DeFuniak
This comprehensive effort ensured that the roadway remained safe, efficient, and prepared to handle both daily traffic and emergency situation.
Covering Every Detail
With heavy semi-truck traffic passing through daily, one of the key improvements on this project involved widening the turn radii at intersections and side roads to better accommodate large vehicles.
“Some of the side streets just didn’t have a wide enough turn radius for semis, forcing them onto the shoulder or into the dirt,” explained Michael Gilley, Operations Manager at CWR Contracting. “We adjusted those radii so trucks could make smoother, safer turns.”
Beyond these modifications, crews also tackled various problem areas that required additional earthwork.
“The overbuild areas mainly addressed slope correction,” Gilley added. “On super-elevated curves—where one side of the road is raised higher than the other—gradual wear can cause the banking to shift. To ensure safety at higher speeds, we raised those sections back to their proper elevations.”
Much like the banking on a NASCAR track, these adjustments improve handling and stability for vehicles moving at highway speeds. Gilley noted that about 60% of their projects involve mill-and-fill work, with other forms of maintenance and repair occurring as needed.
“There are times we have to address eroded road shoulders, especially after heavy rainfall,” he said. “But in this region, the sandy soil drains water pretty quickly, so washouts aren’t as frequent as you might expect.”
For this project, CWR Contracting used Wirtgen milling machines to remove three inches of existing pavement before repaving with a three-and-a-quarter-inch asphalt layer. The paving process involved a CAT 1055F paver working in tandem with a Weiler e1250C shuttle buggy, while a pair of CAT BC13 rollers followed closely behind, ensuring optimal compaction with minimal passes.
