Norwest Construction & Blacktop

Tim Kudlacik launched Norwest Construction & Blacktop in 1978, having spent time in Rockford's asphalt industry before going out on his own. The company's headquarters are in South Beloit, Illinois, and it works in Rockford and across the border region of southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois, providing asphalt paving, concrete work and pavement maintenance.

Its client list includes Winnebago County, the transportation departments of Illinois and Wisconsin, and a number of municipalities, as well as homeowners, area businesses and private contractors. The company is DOT-certified in both states and often provides budget numbers for projects still in planning. It also works as a signatory contractor with the local construction trades. On commercial jobs it can act as either the general contractor or a subcontractor.

The commercial division handles new construction, reconstruction and resurfacing for subdivisions, shopping malls, roads, industrial and private drives, sports courts, parking lots at commercial and industrial sites, and paths for golf courses, walking and recreation. Specific services include cold milling and full-depth roto-milling, overlays of existing asphalt, removal and replacement of failed pavement, subgrade and surface repairs, site preparation and new paving, rebuilding catch basins and storm drains, speed bumps, and handicap access ramps built to ADA standards. A church project in Belvidere is among the jobs the company highlights.

Maintenance work includes crack filling, asphalt repairs, seal coating, signage and pavement markings. For homeowners, Norwest paves driveways and stresses preparation and proper equipment on those jobs.

Concrete is a second line of business. The company pours flatwork for driveways and borders, sidewalks, patios and garages, and it offers stamped and stained finishes that add texture or imagery to the surface. Owners who are undecided between materials can ask for a price comparison of asphalt and concrete along with a recommendation. Estimates are free and provided in writing.