Lehigh Portland Cement reached a milestone in the major modernization project at its Union Bridge, Md. cement plant. In late May, company officials and employees, together with employees of Cianbro Construction, the project's general contractor, celebrated the “topping off” of the plant's 460-ft preheater tower (right). This marks completion of an important phase of construction on the $265 million modernization/expansion project.

The plant construction project includes North America's most modern and highest capacity kiln. The start-up for the kiln was scheduled for September 2001, and the full plant is scheduled for completion in early 2002. The completed plant will be the largest among Lehigh's 12 plants and will be the most modern cement plant in North America.