Tuesday, July 20, 2021

Mercer Fraser Co Contributes

Established in Eureka, California, in 1870, Mercer Fraser Co is one of the oldest construction companies in the state. Now headquartered in Fortuna, Mercer Fraser Co performs a variety of heavy civil construction projects, ranging from marine construction to bridge work. The company has also completed a number of smaller projects throughout the Humboldt County community, including the Fortuna Bike Park renovation in 2020.

The construction company’s contributions to the park include a paved pump track for cyclists, which allows the park to support riders of all ages all year long. A ribbon cutting ceremony was held to celebrate the re-opening of the park in November of 2020. The ceremony was led by Fortuna Parks and Recreation Director Cameron Mull, who spoke about the limitations of the original dirt track. The dirt track not only had to be closed down for portions of the year, but also it required more maintenance compared to the now paved track. All materials and work were donated free of charge, saving the project between $25,000 and $30,000.

The Fortuna Bike Park is free to use for all riders. Helmets are required, though spare equipment and loaner bicycles have been donated by Sport & Cycle in Fortuna and Adventures Edge in Eureka.

Tuesday, June 22, 2021

Asphalt Industry, America's Top Recycler


Mercer Fraser Co., a construction materials producer and heavy civil contractor, is headquartered in Fortuna, California, serving the surrounding communities. Mercer Fraser Co. maintains associations with many organizations, including Shasta Builder's Exchange, the California Asphalt Pavement Association, and the National Asphalt Pavement Association.

The National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) supports and advocates for the asphalt pavement industry on a national level. NAPA carries out its mission in a variety of ways. The organization supports the industry through offering education, advice, and peer engagement to companies as well as advocates by engaging and collaborating with decision-makers such as Congress.

One of NAPA’s goals is to advance the asphalt pavement industry by engaging in research and innovation, and promoting safe and environmentally sustainable operations. The industry, according to a recent survey in 2019, produces materials that are America’s most recycled product. In fact, 97 million tons of reclaimed asphalt pavements were recovered for future use. To this, NAPA’s Chairman responded, “NAPA [is] committed to building and maintaining our country’s infrastructure [through] recycling, sustainability, and concern for our environment.” 

Monday, March 1, 2021

Published: Mercer Fraser Looks Back on 150 Years of Work in Humboldt County


I published “Mercer Fraser Looks Back on 150 Years of Work in Humboldt County” on @Medium https://ift.tt/2PeY8qn

Thursday, November 19, 2020

Published: Local Contributions Enable Fortuna Bike Park Upgrade


I published “Local Contributions Enable Fortuna Bike Park Upgrade” on @Medium https://ift.tt/3fetTJj

Friday, October 30, 2020

Published: The Process of Asphalt Paving


I published “The Process of Asphalt Paving” on @Medium https://ift.tt/35P6cCL

Thursday, October 29, 2020

The Use of Recycled Materials in Road Construction

For more than a century, Mercer Fraser Co. has completed vital infrastructure projects, such as roads and highways, in California. Mercer Fraser Co. also produces construction materials, including recycled materials.


Recycled materials include recycled concrete aggregates, plastic waste, mine waste, recycled asphalt shingles, crushed glass, steel slags, old tires, and coal combustion output. These materials are at different stages in their use for road construction, with research still ongoing. They also have different purposes due to their inherent properties.

One advantage of their use is environmental improvement due to lesser quantities of waste materials going to landfills. They also are cheaper than using asphalt alone, in many situations.

Some of these recycled materials provide more durability than conventional roads. Some materials also withstand wear and tear much better than traditional road projects due to their water-resistant qualities. Water-resistance prevents cracks and potholes from developing, which makes maintenance costs lower than the costs of conventional roads.

Wednesday, September 30, 2020

Published: The Boys and Girls Club of the Redwoods Helping Humboldt’s Youth


I published “The Boys and Girls Club of the Redwoods Helping Humboldt’s Youth” on @Medium https://ift.tt/2SfcG7W