Shirley Contracting Company Celebrates 50 Years

by Beth McGinn, vice president of communications, ARTBA

On April 10, 1974, Robert E. “Bob” Post founded Shirley Contracting Corporation in Arlington, Va., a suburb of Washington, D.C. The name was a nod to a massive project he previously managed for another company—the “Mixing Bowl” located along Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway (I-395) next to the Pentagon.

The company’s first project was the rehabilitation of the George Washington Memorial Parkway Bridge over Four Mile Run, a major commuting artery along the Potomac River connecting communities north and south with bridges into D.C., as well as access to the Pentagon and National Airport.

“I’ll never forget they put us in an office trailer on land adjacent to National Airport, and that was our first office,” recalled company CEO Michael Post, Bob’s son.

As time passed, the company developed their headquarters in Lorton, Va., and took on bigger projects. One of Shirley’s earliest and most visible was the Pennsylvania Avenue Reconstruction and Improvements Project completed in the 1980’s. The iconic street connects two branches of American government—the White House and U.S. Capitol. It carries presidential motorcades during inaugural parades and has been the backdrop of many movies. This complex, high-profile project required extensive maintenance of traffic and pedestrian accommodations for the many tourists and was complicated by the multiple utilities under the roadway.

Another notable project came in 1986 when Shirley was tapped to build the historic Chinatown Friendship Arch in Downtown D.C. Sixteen Chinese artisans were brought in from China to work with Shirley’s team on the intricate, hand painted decorative elements. At the time, it was recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest single-span archway in the world. Today, it is one of the city’s most cherished local landmarks.

A New Era Begins
Tragically, Mr. Post passed away after a brief illness in 1992. Shortly thereafter, Shirley became part of OMNI Construction Inc., now The Clark Construction Group, LLC, and under the leadership of Michael Post.

By the late 1990’s the population in and around the Nation’s Capital exploded. Commuters and truck traffic were converging at the juncture of I-95/I-395 and the I-495 Capital Beltway, creating severe backups in all directions. To solve the problem, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) announced it was moving forward with the Springfield Interchange Improvements Project. Shirley was well positioned and won two of the largest segments—Phases II&III, and Phase IV. At the time, these were the largest projects in VDOT’s history and the company’s first $100+ million projects. Both were completed early.

Today, Shirley Contracting Company, LLC, has grown to become a leading provider of comprehensive transportation and heavy civil construction services throughout the Mid-Atlantic Region. Some of their biggest projects to date include the half-billion-dollar Intercounty Connector (ICC) in Maryland and the Route 28 Corridor Improvements P3 Project in Northern Virginia. With two other divisions—Metro Earthworks (also celebrating their 25th anniversary in 2024) and Shirley Underground—the company has broadened their services to include site excavation and grading, underground pipe video inspection and cleaning, hydro excavation, and test-pitting.

The firm’s diverse capabilities made it the perfect choice for helping build the National Museum of African American History and Culture near the White House and Washington Monument. Shirley’s Metro Earthworks division was awarded the foundation excavation package in 2012. The challenging schedule required the team to work six days and six nights a week in a congested urban environment. The excavation was nearly 80 feet deep and encompassed a full city block on the National Mall.

50 Years And Counting
From national landmarks to interstate highways and local interchanges, Shirley has helped build the Nation’s Capital. Looking back on the company’s 50-year history, current president Greg Smith says, “We have accomplished so much because of our great people, and because we adhere to all of our core values—Safety, Integrity, Innovation, Pride, and People.”

If you visit Washington, D.C., or the surrounding region, there is a good chance you are on infrastructure built by the company Mr. Post founded five decades ago.

And the need for Shirley’s services will not slow down anytime soon. The D.C. Metro area and surrounding states are still growing and diversifying at a rapid pace. As they do, Shirley will continue to grow and thrive right alongside them.