MdQI (Maryland Quality Initiative) held its annual conference Feb. 9-11, 2021, culminating in the annual Awards of Excellence presentation. M Luis Construction was recognized for the second time in the past five years in the category of Baltimore City Department of Transportation Modal Award over $5 million for the Key Highway at Light Street Intersection Improvements project.
The work was multi-faceted and complex, consisting of intersection reconfigurations, asphalt milling and overlay, concrete flat work, signal reconstruction, storm-water management, and much more. This particular project was complicated by the historic nature of the area as a former industrial site for ship building and steel mills. This was especially evident when working underground.
Maiwand Shamsi, project manager for M Luis Construction, recognized the challenges M Luis faced on the Key Highway project and is proud of the way his team rose to meet them. “It was a challenging project, however; the teamwork made the dream work and we completed this two-year project on time. This was a total team effort, and we are appreciative to the Baltimore City Department of Transportations for their relentless assistance, coordination, and support that aided our success. Not only did we complete the project on time, we did so without compromising our high standards of quality and excellence.”
When asked why she thought M Luis Construction was recognized by MdQI for the Key Highway project, Beki Mitiku, project engineer, said that teamwork and adaptability were the leading factors of the project’s success. “All of the teamwork and collaboration of this very intricate and complex job – from everyone on site, in our office, and at M Luis Products who provided the asphalt – made all the difference. We collaborated, communicated and worked together, and we adapted and adjusted quickly when needed. This award reflects the hard work and collaboration of all involved.”
Read about the project and view more photos in our Gallery
About M Luis Construction
M Luis is a woman and minority-owned, multi-generational Asphalt Manufacturer and Construction Services company. Established in 1985, M Luis is a regionally recognized hot-mix asphalt manufacturer, and asphalt and concrete construction services company. We employ a dynamic and diverse team of educated professionals, engineers and construction specialists who are focused and determined to provide exceptional service and the highest quality products in the marketplace.
About the MdQI Awards of Excellence
The 2021 MdQI conference offered everything the construction community has come to expect – networking, professional development hours, a robust exhibit hall, and awards of excellence – with one difference. This year’s conference was a virtual event, and by all accounts a big success.
In 1993, the MDOT State Highway Administration and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) approached Highway Industry leaders in Maryland about transforming the annual dinner meeting into an MdQI annual conference with the Maryland with Pride Awards being presented at the conference banquet. The first annual MdQI conference was held in 1994. Since that time, the Awards of Excellence have been presented at the annual conference banquet. In 2008, the committee changed the annual awards process to recognize projects completed within a fiscal year instead of a calendar year. In 2009, the committee added new categories including “Green” projects. In 2011, the committee introduced Modal Awards (now for MDOT TBUs, Baltimore City and CEAM). MdQI presents annual Awards of Excellence and Partnering Awards for public sector transportation projects in Maryland.
MDQI Award of Excellence: BCDOT Modal Award over $5 million
Key Highway at Light Street Intersection Improvements
Maiwand Shamsi: Project Engineer Manager
Beki Mitiku: Project Engineer
Walt Leizear: General Superintendent
Oscar Allende: Superintendent
M Luis Products: Materials Supplier