| News for and about the civil engineering community |  |
| Top Story |  |  |
|
- $2B Seattle tunnel project advances
Crews working on a $2 billion Seattle tunnel project have finished a 400-foot pit for "Bertha," a massive tunnel-boring machine. "Completing the launch pit means we're that much closer to the start of tunneling," said Linea Laird, the Washington State Department of Transportation administrator for the project. Excavation work on the $2 billion tunnel will begin this summer, once the borer has been completely assembled. American City Business Journals/Seattle
(5/14)     
| Infrastructure Watch | | |
|
- NRC carefully reviewed $14B Ga. plant expansion, court rules
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission carefully considered the lessons from the Fukushima Daiichi incident in Japan when it green-lighted Southern Co.'s $14 billion Plant Vogtle expansion project in Georgia, a federal appeals court ruled. Several environmental groups claimed that the agency didn't thoroughly assess severe accident consequences and requested that the project's license be revoked. The court, however, rejected such allegations. Bloomberg
(5/14)
- Va. transportation-funding bill signed by Gov. McDonnell
A transportation-funding bill that eliminates the gas tax in Virginia and increases the sales tax was signed Monday by Gov. Robert McDonnell. The legislation is expected to generate $1.4 billion per year for the state's highways, roads and rails. "This bill is crucial to the future growth of Virginia’s economy, and this is a great day for job creation in the commonwealth," McDonnell said. The Washington Post
(5/13), Virginia Business
(5/13)
- $293M Cleveland bridge project faces challenge installing huge girders
As the completion of Cleveland's Inner Belt Bridge nears, the project must face one of its biggest challenges -- the placement of steel girders weighing up to 50 tons over the Cuyahoga River. The river will be closed to traffic, and Walsh Construction crews will use two barges, one to carry the steel beams and the other for the 20-story crane. The $293 million project is slated to be completed in October. The Plain Dealer (Cleveland)
(5/14)
- N.C. city manager intros plan to pay for phase 2 of streetcar project
Charlotte, N.C., City Manager Ron Carlee presented a plan to the City Council on Monday to pay for the second part of a streetcar project whose first part is already under construction. Under the $126 million plan, federal grants would cover half the project and the city would pay for the rest with cash it has and borrowed money that will be paid back using revenue from sales tax, vehicle rental tax and interest on investments. WSOC-TV (Charlotte, N.C.)
(5/13)
| Trends & Technology | | |
|
- China's Sky City project to break ground in June
Broad Sustainable Construction says it will break ground on the Sky City project in China next month. The tower, which will use "bundled tube" frame design, will be built to withstand a magnitude 9 earthquake and will use "eight-inch thick insulated walls and triple glazing." The tower will be built by 3,000 full-time workers and 16,000 part-timers using prefabricated segments to be assembled at the site over three months. TreeHugger
(5/14)
| Sustainable Development | | |
|
- High-efficiency systems help Maine hospital get LEED Gold
Energy-efficient features such as a white roof, low-flow water technology and high-efficiency lighting, heating and cooling systems are expected to slash utility costs by half at a new hospital in Augusta, Maine. Hospital officials aimed for the LEED Silver certification, but instead will receive the Gold designation, the project manager said. The hospital is set to open in November.  Morning Sentinel (Waterville, Maine)
(5/12)
- Levee amendment to water-resources bill gets Senate approval
The Senate has approved an amendment by Sen. Thad Cochran, R-Miss., to the proposed Water Resources Development Act that would bring Mississippi's governor to the table during any talks concerning a Louisiana levee plan. "It will give Mississippians a role in guaranteeing that a flood-control project built by our neighbors won't inadvertently increase flood risk on our side of the border," Cochran said. The Sun Herald (Biloxi-Gulfport, Miss.)
(5/14)
| Advancing the Profession | | |
|
- Tony Stark would make a lousy CEO
Tony Stark, the fictional business hero who transforms into Iron Man, makes a great movie hero but would be a lousy boss, writes Dana Theus. Surveys show that workers prefer humbler, more patient and feminine-style leadership to Stark's bombastic management style. "Not only does the modern alternative hero not look like Tony Stark, in a twist sure to puzzle Superman, it doesn't even look male," Theus writes. SmartBrief/SmartBlog on Leadership
(5/13)
| News from ASCE | | |
|
-
Apply the ASCE 7-10 seismic load and analysis provisions with confidence
If you're designing buildings or other structures in accordance with ASCE 7-10 Minimum Loads Standards, you know seismic-resistant design must be considered. The use of these documents can be daunting, particularly for engineers with little training in seismology, seismic hazard analysis, structural dynamics, and inelastic behavior. ASCE’s upcoming seminar, Seismic Loads for Buildings and Other Structures, will help you navigate these provisions with confidence. You'll learn how to use the code-based procedures, and understand why the provisions are written the way they are. For your convenience, the seminar will be held twice -- May 23 to 24 in New York City, and Sept. 19 to 20 in St. Louis. The instructor is a leader in the field of earthquake engineering with years of practical experience, including roles in code development. Get more details on the seminar and register today.
-
Civil Engineering online exclusive: Jordan Airport Extension reflects local influences
The concrete used to create undulating roof domes above a new extension to the Queen Alia International Airport reflects the colors and textures of the local landscape. Check out the novel design, then explore more fascinating articles at www.asce.org/cemagazine.
| SmartQuote | | |
|
 | That which is always within our reach is always the last thing we take; and the chances are, that what we can do every day, we never do at all."
--L.E. Landon,
British writer and poet
|
| |
|
ASCE SmartBrief is a daily news digest produced by SmartBrief, Inc., exclusively for ASCE.
|
| |
|
Read more at SmartBrief.com |
|
A powerful website for SmartBrief readers including:
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
| | Recent ASCE SmartBrief Issues:
- Tuesday, May 14, 2013
- Monday, May 13, 2013
- Friday, May 10, 2013
- Thursday, May 09, 2013
- Wednesday, May 08, 2013
| | | Lead Editor: Jennifer Hicks
Mailing Address:
SmartBrief, Inc.®, 555 11th ST NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20004 | |
| |
|
| © 1999-2013 SmartBrief, Inc.® Legal Information |
|
