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- N.Y. names JV led by Fluor to build new Tappan Zee Bridge
A Fluor Enterprises-led team -- called Tappan Zee Constructors and including Granite Construction Northeast, American Bridge Co., and Traylor Bros. -- will design and build the new Tappan Zee Bridge across the Hudson River at an estimated cost of $3.142 billion. The design features "two pairs of tapering H-shaped pylons supporting the main span." The team's plan "offers New York toll payers the biggest bang for their buck -- with the best price, shortest construction time, minimal dredging, and can accommodate mass transit in the future," Gov. Andrew Cuomo said. Engineering News-Record
(12/17), The New York Times (tiered subscription model)/City Room blog
(12/17)     
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| Infrastructure Watch | | |
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- Colo. DOT launches RAMP to expedite its construction program
The Colorado Department of Transportation has launched a new program dubbed Responsible Acceleration of Maintenance and Partnerships or RAMP. "Efficient and effective use of public money is at the core of this effort," said Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper. "The program doesn’t solve the state’s long-term transportation needs, but it does accelerate many projects that might otherwise have had to sit longer." American City Business Journals/Denver
(12/14)
- Risks linked to climate change are addressed in Sandy-recovery bill
A bill that would provide $60 billion in relief after Hurricane Sandy has climate-change-related risks as an undercurrent. Under the measure, "project sponsors shall consider, where appropriate, the increased risks and vulnerabilities associated with future extreme weather events, sea level rise and coastal flooding," the bill says. The legislation also calls for government agencies to make plans that "reduce vulnerabilities from and build long-term resiliency to future extreme weather events, sea level rise and coastal flooding." The Hill/E2 Wire blog
(12/17)
| Trends & Technology | | |
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- P3s: What's good, what's bad
As states struggle to find funds to pay for road construction and repair, some are turning to private companies such as Bechtel and Goldman Sachs and forming public-private partnerships. However, when control over building and maintenance is in private hands, some wonder what will happen if the private sector doesn't do the maintaining. Others, however, see more positive benefits from P3s than they do negatives. CNNMoney
(12/18)
| Sustainable Development | | |
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- Green Globes standard provides flexibility in green buildings
The Green Globes certification from the nonprofit Green Building Initiative in Portland, Ore., can be an alternative to the LEED rating system, according to this piece. The Lake Nona campus of Valencia College in Florida shifted to Green Globes to be able to use a bipolar-ionization system to treat its indoor air -- something LEED didn't allow. The building achieved three Green Globes, which is similar to achieving a high-level LEED status. Orlando Sentinel (Fla.)
(12/16)
- Boston's Castle Square completes Deep Energy Retrofit
Castle Square Apartments in Boston is a mixed-use complex with townhouses and affordable housing units. It was awarded LEED Platinum certification after 192 residential units underwent a "Deep Energy Retrofit" that is expected to reduce energy use by 72%. The retrofit, which cost more than $8 million, included a "five-inch super insulated shell," an insulated reflective roof, high-efficiency windows and extensive air sealing. Commercial Property Executive
(12/16), Inhabitat
(12/17)
| Advancing the Profession | | |
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| News from ASCE | | |
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Save the date for ASCE's 143rd Annual Civil Engineering Conference
Don’t miss your best opportunity in 2013 to expand your professional development -- come to ASCE's Annual Civil Engineering Conference, next Oct. 10-12, in Charlotte, N.C. Join industry professionals from around the globe who will gather in the Queen City to discover and discuss the latest "Innovations in Project Financing," the theme for the conference. Contribute to your industry as a presenter at the conference! Answer the call for presentations and offer proposals for sessions, workshops and seminars. Mark your 2013 calendar for Charlotte!
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Take a survey on the use of BIM in structural engineering
Offer your professional insights on the use of digital building information modeling by taking part in a respected, internationally recognized survey on BIM as applied to structural engineering. It considers several key areas of BIM, including firm demographics, structural system definitions, interoperability, implementation, and the direction it should take relative to structural engineering needs. Take a few moments to participate in the online survey, a collaboration of ASCE's Structural Engineering Institute, the Council of American Structural Engineers Committee on Building Information Modeling, and the Structural Engineers Association of Texas Information Technology Committee on BIM. Results of this fifth annual survey will be presented in an online webinar, date and time to be announced. For questions or comments on the survey, write to survey@SEIbim.org.
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