Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Trusted Hot-Mix Asphalt & Highway Construction Services in Louisiana
Prairie Contractors has been a leader in hot-mix asphalt production and highway construction since 1961. Founded in Opelousas, Louisiana, we expanded strategically through rail and waterway access points across southcentral and southwestern Louisiana. Our team includes industry veterans with decades of combined experience in asphalt manufacturing, engineering, and infrastructure development. We pioneered the first Superpave HMA mixture in Louisiana and established the state's first AMRL-certified HMA laboratory. Our commitment to safety, quality, and innovation has made us a trusted partner for municipal, state, and federal projects.We operate five stationary HMA facilities and maintain rigorous quality control through our certified laboratories. Our leadership team combines advanced engineering expertise with deep local market knowledge to deliver tailored solutions. We prioritize workforce development and community engagement while maintaining cutting-edge technical capabilities. Our 60+ years of experience ensure clients receive proven expertise with forward-thinking approaches. We remain dedicated to setting industry standards through continuous improvement and technological advancement.
Services
Hot-Mix Asphalt Production
Asphalt Construction
Base Work
Milling
Patching
Aggregate Unloading
Details
- Year established: 1961
Highlights and features
- 41+ years of asphalt production and construction expertise
- Operate 5 AMRL-certified quality control laboratories
- Strategic rail/water distribution network across Louisiana
- Pioneered Louisiana's first Superpave HMA mixture
- Leadership team with 250+ combined industry years
Associations and certifications
- AMRL
Services
Hot-Mix Asphalt Production
We produce high-quality hot-mix asphalt at five stationary facilities across Louisiana. Our AMRL-certified laboratories ensure strict quality control for all mixtures. Our capabilities include 4.75 mm to 25 mm asphalt mixtures, thin lift wearing courses, and specialized blends for drainage applications.
Asphalt Construction
Our highway construction services cover streets, highways, and interstates. We implement Superpave mixtures and foamed asphalt base technology. Projects include major rehabilitation work like the I-210 ARRA project and US 190 improvements in Beauregard Parish.
Aggregate Unloading
We provide railcar-to-truck aggregate unloading services at strategically located distribution points. Our facilities handle limestone, sandstone, rhyolite, and granite materials. We maintain Louisiana DOTD specification compliance for all crushed stone products.
Milling Services
Our milling operations prepare road surfaces for resurfacing projects. We handle both city/parish street work and major highway rehabilitation. This service supports our comprehensive pavement management solutions across Louisiana.
Engineering Services
We offer engineering expertise for asphalt mixture design and construction methodology. Our team includes licensed professionals with advanced degrees in civil engineering. Services include laboratory testing, mix design optimization, and construction quality assurance.
People
James M. (Jay) Winford, Jr.
President
Ph.D. and licensed engineer with 41 years in the industry. Leads technical innovation and strategic direction. Oversees operations since 1995. Maintains focus on quality control and engineering excellence.
Woodson Harvey III
Vice-President
Licensed engineer with 35 years of experience. Manages operational expansion and client relations. Has directed growth since 1994. Focuses on maintaining industry-leading safety standards and project execution.
R. Keith Leblanc
CFO
Certified public accountant with 10 years in financial leadership. Oversees financial operations since 2010. Ensures fiscal responsibility while supporting infrastructure investments and business development.
Damien P. Doucet
Engineer
Licensed engineer with 10 years in asphalt technology. Manages technical operations and quality control. Implements engineering solutions for complex paving projects across Louisiana's diverse terrain.
Richard Leblanc
Secretary Treasurer
42-year industry veteran with deep operational knowledge. Oversees administrative functions since 1978. Provides continuity through multiple leadership transitions while maintaining core business values.
Questions
What areas does Prairie Contractors serve?
We operate across Louisiana with production facilities in Opelousas, Lake Charles, Lafayette, Leesville, and New Iberia. Our rail and waterway distribution network covers southcentral and southwestern Louisiana.
What certifications does Prairie Contractors hold?
We maintain AMRL certification for all five of our hot-mix asphalt quality control laboratories. This ensures our materials meet the highest industry standards for performance and durability.
What types of asphalt mixtures do you produce?
We manufacture 4.75 mm, 9.5 mm, 12.5 mm, 19 mm, and 25 mm asphalt mixtures. Our capabilities include thin lift wearing courses, open-graded friction course, stone matrix asphalt, and drainage blankets.
How long has Prairie Contractors been in business?
We've been serving Louisiana since 1961 when Laddie L. James founded the company as a concrete contractor. We've specialized in asphalt production and highway construction since the 1970s.
What makes Prairie Contractors unique?
We pioneered Louisiana's first Superpave HMA mixture and built the state's first AMRL-certified HMA laboratory. Our combination of engineering expertise, production capacity, and local market knowledge sets us apart.
What projects has Prairie Contractors completed?
Notable projects include the I-210 ARRA rehabilitation in Lake Charles, US 190 improvements in Beauregard Parish, and the first foamed asphalt base project in Louisiana. We've completed over 60 years of infrastructure work across the state.
