Visitors to scenic Denver may consider their trip to and from the airport the least remarkable part of their journey. They can thank Denver International Airport (DIA) — owned and operated by the City and County of Denver — for investing $10 million to repave the airport’s main artery.

Originally built in the early 1990s, the four-lane divided highway developed severe alkali silica reactivity damage that required costly and disruptive maintenance, especially on a curving three-mile stretch approaching the airport. Not only did replacing Peña Boulevard produce a smoother ride, the project was named the 2015 Triad Award winner by Public Works and its sister publications.