AUI Named Award of Merit Winner in National Competition

Business Wire, May 7, 2007

FORT WORTH, Texas -- AUI Contractors, a full-service general contractor that serves the public and private sectors, has been named a winner in the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) National Excellence in Construction Awards. AUI will receive the Award of Merit for its White Rock Lake pedestrian bridge project in Dallas at the ABC Legislative Conference in June 2007 in Washington, D.C.

The Excellence in Construction Awards recognize outstanding construction projects across the United States. Winners from local ABC chapters qualify to compete in the national competition. The Award of Excellence is the top honor and is presented to one entrant per category. Up to two construction projects in each category are eligible for the Award of Merit.

"The White Rock pedestrian bridge was the first bridge we built over water, and the first time we had to use tools such as tug boats and barges," said Mitch Chappell, AUI's project manager for the White Rock Lake pedestrian bridge project. "Despite its complex nature and the hurdles we experienced early in the project, we successfully completed the bridge five months before the estimated finish date and left the client extremely happy, which makes us equally happy."

Dallas County commissioned and designed the White Rock Lake pedestrian bridge. The project cost approximately $2.35 million. Started in June 2005 and finished in March 2006, the White Rock Lake pedestrian bridge is the first bridge AUI has built over water. White Rock Lake is a unique, 1,015 acre city lake in central Dallas, offering a wide variety of outdoor activities.

"This is the first year we've submitted an application for the Excellence in Construction Awards," said Chappell, "We're honored to receive this recognition on both the local and national levels, especially because it's our first year in the competition. Our client is extremely delighted with the finished bridge, so we're pleased as well. This award and subsequent recognition for our work on this project is the icing on our cake."

Toby Cummings, president and chief executive officer of ABC North Texas commented on AUI's recognition.

"Given that AUI Contractors is a relatively new member in ABC, I was elated with the news about them receiving this Merit Award," said Cummings. "The ABC National Excellence In Construction competition is tough across the nation, but I was confident that the quality and character that AUI exhibits here in North Texas would be recognized on a national level."

About AUI Contractors

Headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, AUI Contractors is a full-service general contractor serving the public and private sectors and has completed more than 700 construction projects since 1983. AUI's commercial services include design-build construction, construction management services and facilities development. The Company's civil services include site development, road construction, heavy civil contracting projects, parks and trail development. AUI has approximately 300 employees and annual revenues of $120 million. For more information on AUI, please visit www.auicontractors.com.