Earthmoving Excellence in Airport and Reservoir Construction by Beaver Excavating

[MikePhua]

Beaver Excavating and Its Infrastructure Legacy
Founded in 1953 in Canton, Ohio, Beaver Excavating Company has grown into one of the Midwest’s most respected heavy civil contractors. Specializing in large-scale earthmoving, site development, and environmental construction, Beaver has completed hundreds of high-profile projects across transportation, energy, and water infrastructure sectors. With a fleet of more than 600 pieces of equipment and a workforce trained in precision grading, mass excavation, and environmental compliance, the company is known for tackling complex terrain and aggressive schedules.
Among its most notable undertakings are airport expansions and reservoir developments—projects that demand not only brute force but also logistical finesse, environmental stewardship, and engineering coordination.
Akron-Canton Airport Expansion
Beaver Excavating played a central role in the multi-phase expansion of the Akron-Canton Airport, a regional hub serving northeastern Ohio. The scope included over 2.5 to 3 million cubic yards of earthmoving across three phases, with Phase 5 alone requiring an additional 2.1 million yards. The work involved runway extension, taxiway realignment, and stormwater management upgrades.
Heavy equipment deployed included:

• Caterpillar 385C L and 375 L excavators for mass excavation
  
• D8R, D8N, and D8L dozers for grading and push work
  
• Four 773F haul trucks for material transport
  
• Multiple D6 dozers for finish grading and support
  
• GPS-enabled survey equipment for precision layout
  

Challenges included wet soil conditions that forced Beaver to reevaluate its bid strategy. The company anticipated double-handling of saturated material, which impacted its competitiveness on Phase 5. Ultimately, the contract was awarded to H.M. Miller, but Beaver’s earlier phases set a high standard for execution and safety.
A local resident recalled watching the transformation from the south end of the site, where thousands of cubic yards were relocated to the north apron. The scale of the operation was visible even from nearby neighborhoods, with convoys of yellow iron moving in synchronized rhythm.
Marysville Upground Reservoir Project
In Marysville, Ohio, Beaver Excavating undertook a $6.7 million reservoir construction project involving the relocation of approximately 1.7 million cubic yards of earth. The reservoir was designed to serve municipal water storage needs and included embankment construction, liner installation, and associated piping infrastructure.
Equipment on site included:

• Seven tractor pans for high-speed dirt hauling
  
• Six Caterpillar 631 scrapers for mass excavation
  
• Five 773 haul trucks for long-distance material movement
  
• Three D6 dozers for shaping and finish work
  
• Hitachi EX1200 and Komatsu PC400 excavators for deep cuts
  
• D9L, D9N, and D9R pushcats for scraper support
  
• Two 825 compactors for embankment density
  
• Caterpillar 16G motor grader for haul road maintenance
  

The reservoir required careful coordination between excavation crews and environmental engineers. Beaver’s team installed synthetic liners and intake structures while managing stormwater runoff and sediment control. The project was briefly delayed due to rain, but the company’s contingency planning minimized downtime.
A superintendent on site noted that the use of tractor pans allowed for rapid cycling between cut and fill zones, reducing fuel consumption and wear on traditional haul trucks. The embankment was compacted in 12-inch lifts, with density verified by nuclear gauges and GPS compaction monitoring.
Technology and Workforce Integration
Beaver Excavating’s success in these projects reflects its investment in technology and workforce development. The company integrates GPS machine control, drone surveying, and real-time project tracking to optimize productivity. It also partners with the University of Akron’s Construction Engineering program, offering internships and donating equipment time for student training.
Recommendations for similar projects:

• Use dual GPS systems on dozers and motor graders to reduce staking costs
  
• Implement moisture conditioning protocols for cohesive soils
  
• Schedule liner installation during dry weather windows to avoid delays
  
• Maintain dedicated haul road crews to reduce equipment downtime
  
• Use drone photogrammetry for daily progress tracking and volume verification
  

A project manager in Georgia adopted Beaver’s moisture conditioning strategy on a clay reservoir and saw compaction pass rates improve from 78% to 96%, reducing rework and inspection delays.
Conclusion
Beaver Excavating’s airport and reservoir projects showcase the power of coordinated earthmoving, technical precision, and adaptive planning. Whether shaping runways or building water storage systems, the company combines legacy craftsmanship with modern tools to deliver infrastructure that lasts. In the world of heavy civil construction, moving dirt is just the beginning—what matters is how it’s shaped, compacted, and engineered to serve generations.