Aecon selected as Construction Manager for building Canada's largest IKEA in
Ottawa

TORONTO, May 21 /CNW/ - Aecon Group Inc. (TSX: ARE) announced today that its Buildings Division has secured a Construction Management contract to complete the construction of Canada's largest IKEA, to be built in Ottawa.

Located at the west end of Pinecrest Mall, the new store development will consist of approximately 398,000 square feet of showroom, market, warehouse, administration, shop and restaurant space distributed throughout two floors. The building incorporates such sustainable initiatives as water-conserving plumbing fixtures, and skylights to reduce the need for artificial lighting.

The new store will be three times the size of the chain's existing Ottawa location. The project also includes the remodelling of the existing mall. Construction has already begun, and is expected to be complete by late 2011.

"The awarding of this contract is a result of Aecon Buildings' growing reputation for successfully completing large-scale projects that incorporate green initiatives," said Frank Ross, President, Aecon Buildings. "We are excited to be working on such a significant project and look forward to building a strong relationship with our new client."

Aecon Group Inc. is Canada's largest, publicly traded construction and infrastructure development company. Aecon and its subsidiaries provide services to private and public sector clients throughout Canada and on a selected basis internationally. Aecon is pleased to be recognized as one of the 50 Best Employers in Canada as published by Report on Business Magazine.

The information in this presentation includes certain forward-looking statements. These "forward-looking" statements are based on currently available competitive, financial and economic data and operating plans but are subject to risks and uncertainties. In addition to general global events outside Aecon's control, there are factors which could cause actual results, performance or achievements to vary from those expressed or inferred herein. Risk factors are discussed in greater detail in the section on "Risk Factors" in the Annual Information Form filed on March 31, 2010 and available at www.sedar.com. Forward-looking statements include information concerning possible or assumed future results of operations or financial position of Aecon, as well as statements preceded by, followed by, or that include the words "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "estimates," "projects," "intends," "should" or similar expressions. Important factors, in addition to those discussed in this document, could affect the future results of Aecon and could cause those results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements.

%SEDAR: 00004778EF

For further information: Mitch Patten, Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Aecon Group Inc., [phone], [email protected], www.aecon.com