Nearly 340 years ago, an exceptional team of engineers, mathematicians and surveyors in Japan joined forces to produce an architectural marvel--the wooden Kintai Bridge in Iwakuni.Originally built as a gateway to the Iwakuni Castle across the Nishiki River, the bridge is the oldest of its type in the country and is viewed as one of the most important historic properties in Japan.

When Paul Young, project superintendent for Clark Companies, stepped up to the plate last fall to give Alliance Bank Stadium in Syracuse, N.Y., a facelift from AstroTurf to natural grass, he met some unique challenges.