As the United States marks its 250th anniversary, Kiewit looks back on helping build the infrastructure that moves, powers, protects and connects communities across the country for more than half the nation’s history.

Every day across the United States, thousands of Kiewit employees head to offices and jobsites to work on projects that help move the nation forward. Together, their contributions continue a legacy 142 years in the making.

That legacy began in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1884, with a small masonry contractor helping build a growing city in the heart of the country. As America grew, Kiewit grew with it, building highways, power systems, water infrastructure, transit, public works and places where communities gather.

From the Great Depression through World War II to today’s demands for more resilient infrastructure, expanded clean water systems and new energy solutions, the company’s work has continued to meet the needs of the nation.

Answering the Nation’s Call

Kiewit has a long history of delivering federal infrastructure projects, especially when the country needed it most.

Throughout World War II, the company supported the national defense effort by building military bases, airfields, shipyards and other critical facilities across the country.

When Kiewit launched its employee magazine in 1945, Peter Kiewit reflected on the company’s wartime work, crediting employees’ “loyal, patriotic and efficient support” with helping the company establish “an enviable record in every section of the United States.”

That same commitment continues today. Kiewit teams support federal, defense and public-sector clients on projects that require careful planning, close coordination and a clear understanding of the institutions, communities and missions those projects serve.

Recognition Across Decades

Through the years, Kiewit has received federal recognition for its support of national defense and military service members.

In 1943, the company received the Army-Navy “E” Award for excellence in war production. More than eight decades later, Kiewit received the 2024 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award, the Defense Department’s highest recognition for employers supporting National Guard and Reserve members.

The two honors recognize different forms of service across different eras, but together they reflect a continuing commitment to the country and the people who serve it.

Growing with America

As America’s needs evolved, Kiewit expanded its capabilities to help meet them. What began as a masonry business grew into work spanning transportation, mining, water, power, industrial construction and more. These milestones trace how Kiewit entered new markets, took on new challenges and built what the country needed next.

1900

Building

Kiewit Brothers builds the Bekins Warehouse, its first project as a general contractor in Omaha, Nebraska.

Today

Kiewit delivers building projects of all sizes across sectors including cultural, federal and government, healthcare, mission-critical, sports and entertainment, transit and aviation, and university and education.

1930s

Transportation

The Great Depression reduces demand for commercial building construction, leading Kiewit to venture into the highway construction business. After the Federal Highway Act of 1956 authorizes the Interstate Highway System, Kiewit builds more lane miles of the system than any other contractor.

Today

Kiewit combines in-house engineering and self-perform construction capabilities to deliver transportation infrastructure across aviation, bridges, rail and transit, roads and tunnels.

1943

Mining

Kiewit enters the coal mining business at Big Horn Mine near Sheridan, Wyoming.

Today

Drawing on its experience as both a contractor and mine owner, Kiewit supports the full mine life cycle, from planning, engineering and infrastructure development to contract mining, mineral processing, operations and reclamation.

1946

Water

Kiewit takes on its first contract on California’s Friant-Kern Canal, eventually building 100 of the canal’s 152 miles.

Today

Kiewit provides integrated engineering and construction solutions for water and wastewater treatment, reuse, storage and conveyance projects, including dams and hydropower facilities, desalination and industrial water systems, and pump stations.

1952

Power

Kiewit is selected to build a $1.2 billion gaseous diffusion plant in Portsmouth, Ohio.

Today

Kiewit provides integrated engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning solutions across natural gas, nuclear, solar and geothermal generation; battery and long-duration energy storage; carbon capture; and power delivery infrastructure.

1966

Oil, Gas & Chemical

Construction begins on a 1,300-acre petrochemical plant in Louisiana.

Today

Kiewit provides integrated project development, engineering, procurement, fabrication, construction and commissioning solutions across upstream, midstream, LNG, petrochemicals, refining, renewable fuels and emerging energy projects.

2018

Industrial

While Kiewit and its subsidiaries have worked on many industrial projects throughout history, industrial becomes an official company market.

Today

Kiewit provides integrated solutions from feasibility and project development through engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning and startup for data centers; industrial energy and water; mining, minerals and metals; process and manufacturing; and semiconductor facilities.

2023

Marine

Kiewit officially enters the marine market when acquiring Weeks Marine, Inc. and its subsidiaries, building on the company’s long history in marine and port construction.

Today

Kiewit delivers integrated engineering and construction solutions across marine construction, dredging and coastal resiliency, supported by one of North America’s largest marine fleets and extensive self-perform capabilities.

A Letter from the Past

In a message titled “Rededication” in the January-February 1976 issue of Kieways, President and CEO Bob Wilson called on employees to recommit to the principles that had guided Kiewit for more than 90 years: getting work at the right price, building it at the lowest cost and taking care of company assets.