| March 29, 2012 | News for contractors and the construction industry |
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| Infrastructure & Project Focus | | |
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- Congested roads cost Americans $100B+ a year in wasted time, fuel
Traffic congestion wastes 1.9 billion gallons of fuel in the U.S. each year, according to a Treasury Department report. That, combined with time lost, cost drivers more than $100 billion, the report added. The report highlights the need for better roads, public transit and other facilities to reduce traffic congestion. USA TODAY
(3/25)      
- $2.1B Va. tunnel expansion moves ahead with P3 approach
Approval of an essential environmental permit for a second Midtown Tunnel under the Elizabeth River between Norfolk and Portsmouth, Va., moves the project ahead. The $2.1 billion tunnel will be a public-private partnership that will involve dredging 1.2 million cubic yards from the riverbed and building temporary structures such as piers, mooring dolphins and 300-foot support walls. The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk)
(3/28)
- N.J. city advances $1B development that includes 47-story towers
The first phase of a $1 billion project that includes two 47-story residential towers in Fort Lee, N.J., has been given final approval by the city's Planning Board, and construction could begin by this fall. The first phase also includes a restaurant, museum, movie theater and public park. However, the mayor says construction can't begin until the developer, Fort Lee Redevelopment Associates, can present traffic congestion relief measures and ensure that the the towers' glass cladding minimizes reflection. The Record (Hackensack, N.J.)
(3/27), The Record (Hackensack, N.J.)
(3/28)
- Miss. city begins work on $400M worth of sewer upgrades
Jackson, Miss., is in violation of the Clean Water Act because much of its stormwater drains into its sewer system, and the city could face a consent decree from the Environmental Protection Agency for up to $400 million in required sewer upgrades. However, it is starting on some of the projects now, including its West Bank interceptor line. In all, the upgrades are expected to take almost 18 years to complete. The Clarion-Ledger (Jackson, Miss.)
(3/27)
| Economic Update | | |
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- Master developer could bring $1B to help rebuild Joplin, Mo.
City officials in Joplin, Mo., will consider signing up Wallace Bajjali Development Partners of Sugar Land, Texas, a developer with a somewhat checkered past. The company's role would be to function as master developer, finding $1 billion in private investment to add to public financing to promote retail, commercial and housing construction in the tornado-ravaged area. Meanwhile, the city has issued more than 3,900 rebuilding and repair permits since the May 2011 tornado. The Joplin Globe (Mo.)
(3/27), The Joplin Globe (Mo.)
(3/27)
- Study: Eco-friendly businesses missing tax payoffs
Only 16% of companies surveyed involved their accounting departments in their sustainability programs, resulting in missed opportunities for tax benefits, according to a new study by Ernst & Young. "Reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions, switching to alternative energy and fuel sources, innovating for cleaner technologies and offsetting carbon emissions -- all of these efforts have tax considerations," said Ernst & Young executive Paul Naumoff. BusinessNewsDaily.com
(3/20)
| Innovation & Green Building | | |
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- Mobile technologies can help improve project management
Mobile technologies can help construction firms oversee project sites and improve communication among team members, according to this piece. The Prolog Solution for architectural, engineering and construction firms from Trimble's Meridian Systems allows work-site information to be sent to off-site locations. Meanwhile, e-builder in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., has upgraded its e-builder Mobile application for construction to enable project managers to easily gather data in real time. Constructech (free registration)
(3/28)
| Policy Watch | | |
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| Association News | | |
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BIM in a horizontal world
A half-day Civil, Industrial, and Utilities VDC Forum will be held April 24 in conjunction with the April 25-26 BIMForum in San Antonio. This session will feature implementations of BIM and VDC on Highway, Road, Bridge, Utility, Treatment Plants and Power Distribution projects. These projects will show the potential of BIM and VDC to realize substantial financial and schedule savings. Presentations will focus on the use of BIM and VDC to enhance work flow, minimize schedules, increase safety, provide a better end product and increase field productivity. Learn more.
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AGC Annual Report is now online
This year's report focuses on the way that AGC works for the members -- We Fight, We Educate, and We Connect. AGC continues to represent the industry and provide value to construction companies. The report is available online. It showcases our many educational programs, collaborative work on construction technology and successes in defending the industry from unwise legislation and unneeded regulations.
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| | Recent AGC SmartBrief Issues:
- Wednesday, March 28, 2012
- Tuesday, March 27, 2012
- Monday, March 26, 2012
- Friday, March 23, 2012
- Thursday, March 22, 2012
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