Muschlitz Excavating – Lehigh Valley Site Prep

The Rausch Creek project in Tremont, Pennsylvania, looks like a desert from above for now. What was once a strip mine is being reshaped into commercial land, and Steven Goffredo’s team at Muschlitz Excavating is handling the heavy lifting.

Phase one is already complete. Muschlitz moved more than 2 million square yards of dirt, debris, and rock to make way for an Amazon distribution center, a 1.3-million-square-foot facility now fully operational. From that location, a truck can reach a third of the U.S. population in a half-day drive.

Phase two is underway, and the terrain is anything but flat. The site has hills and eight ravines ranging from 40 to 80 feet deep, requiring blasting, crushing, and careful fill work.

“We crushed our own aggregate. It was a very tricky site because we were filling deep ravines. We have some of the largest earthmoving equipment in the area. Teaming that with some of the most skilled people in the business allows us to move more efficiently and quicker than our competitors.”

— Steven Goffredo, Vice President, Muschlitz Excavating

Signature Projects

Northampton Business Center

Before Rausch Creek, the company’s biggest project was site prep for the Northampton Business Center, a five-building industrial park in Northampton, Pennsylvania. Goffredo’s crew moved over 1.5 million cubic yards of mostly rock—drilling, shooting, and hauling through winter to keep the schedule on track. A stream crossing required a large culvert and a road running through it, and surrounding roads had to be realigned and widened.

Goffredo managed the logistics personally, coordinating weekly and biweekly schedules with superintendents, adjusting for plan changes and design issues, and keeping communication open between Muschlitz, the general contractor, and the owner.

Lehigh Valley International Airport Runway

Early in his tenure, Goffredo took on a project outside Muschlitz’s usual scope: rebuilding a runway at Lehigh Valley International Airport. He learned the ropes by picking the brains of experienced counterparts, sometimes showing up with a six-pack to get them talking. Asphalt work has a tight window, and runway tolerances are a quarter-inch.

“I was just about to marry and almost missed my own bachelor’s party. The margin for error is a quarter-inch in runway work.”

They delivered — with an eighth of an inch to spare.

The Muschlitz Approach

Equipment and Expertise

Muschlitz owns some of the largest earthmoving equipment in the region. The company handles earthwork, paving, site preparation, and utility installation for general contractors on projects worth several hundred million dollars. Every site is different, and all work is subject to environmental regulation.

Tackling the Tough Sites

Goffredo takes pride in developing “less desirable” ground—old strip mines, rocky hillsides, and other sites most builders would avoid.

“Fifteen or 20 years ago, some of these grounds would be untouched. We take pride in tackling the ugly projects.”

Leadership and Culture

From the Ground Up

Goffredo joined Muschlitz in 2011 as a project manager and became vice president in 2022 after buying out his former partner. He learned the business hands-on rather than through an engineering degree, and he believes that gives him credibility with the crews.

His role splits between problem-solving and policy-writing. He describes himself as the liaison between the company, the general contractor, and the client, making sure everyone stays on the same page.

Workforce and Retention

The construction industry faces labor shortages, but Muschlitz maintains strong retention. Goffredo prioritizes attitude and work ethic in new hires, then relies on veteran employees to teach the skills.

“Many guys might leave us, but they’re back in two or three years. I attribute that to our culture. We’re family-first.”

Time Management

Goffredo aims to leave the office by 6 p.m. and expects his team to do the same. When deadlines demand it, they return at 4:30 a.m., but he’s clear that family time comes first whenever possible.

“That’s part of manning up. You’ve got to suck it up and do so in a way that works. But I don’t want to take away from anyone’s family time.”

Community and Legacy

Goffredo was elected to the Pen Argyl Borough Council last year, bringing hands-on construction experience to local infrastructure decisions. He’s the fourth generation of his family to work in construction and sees his career as a way to make a lasting mark.

“My family has always been in construction, and I’m the fourth generation to do so. I come from a large and prideful Italian family and feel fortunate to be making a mark. I want my last name to mean something.”

Bottom Line

Muschlitz Excavating turns difficult, rocky, and environmentally sensitive sites into functional commercial and industrial property. With Goffredo’s mix of field experience, scheduling discipline, and community involvement, the company is positioned to keep shaping the Lehigh Valley’s development landscape for years to come.