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November 6, 2012

News for contractors and the construction industry

Top Story

Billions needed for Ariz. transportation system
Arizona's population has increased over the years, but its transportation system has not kept up. To bring it up to date, the state needs to spend a minimum of $26.2 billion over the next 25 years. To do all that is needed would cost $88.9 billion, and if the goal is to promote economic development, the cost would soar to $250 billion over the next 25 years, according to a study by the Valley Forward Association. American City Business Journals/Phoenix/Phoenix Business Blog (11/2)

4 Ways To Make Cost Estimating Less Painful
Cost estimates are a pain, but they play a key part in your company’s success. See ways to make your cost estimates (almost) fun.

Infrastructure & Project Focus

Completed WTC will be resistant to storm damage
Not much can be done to keep open construction sites from flooding, but the design of the World Trade Center in New York City should help protect it from storms once it is completed. Work has resumed at the site, and 6.5-foot-thick concrete walls at the foundation and the eight corners of the building should limit water and wind damage in future storms. WNYC-AM/FM (New York Public Radio) (11/3), The New York Observer (11/5)

Company plans to invest nearly $4B in La., Iowa facilities
CF Industries, a fertilizer maker, plans to invest $2.1 billion to expand its nitrogen complex in Donaldsonville, La., the biggest nitrogen facility in North America. The company also plans to build a $1.7 billion facility in Iowa, a project expected to create 2,000 construction jobs. The Town Talk (Alexandria, La.)/The Associated Press (11/2)

$1B P3 project will transform Calif. Army Base into logistics complex
The former Oakland Army Base in California will be converted into a warehousing and logistics center. The $1 billion public-private project includes rail improvements and new warehouses. The project will create an estimated 5,000 jobs and is expected to start by December 2013. The Oakland Tribune (Calif.) (11/4), Oakland Local (Calif.) (11/3)

Md. wants to reintroduce $2.2B Red Line light-rail project
The Maryland Transit Authority hopes to reintroduce Baltimore's $2.2 billion Red Line light-rail project with a $55.6 million request to help fund preliminary engineering costs. Construction of the 14-mile, east-west rail system could begin in 2015, but the state needs to come up with $1.1 billion in order to get matching federal funds, and state legislators voted down a gas-tax hike that could have helped raise the funds. The Baltimore Sun (11/5)

Neb.'s Pinnacle Bank Arena is 50% finished
Construction work on the Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Neb., is 50% finished. The project has used 25,000 cubic yards of concrete, 2,500 tons of steel structure and crews are currently installing the four main roof trusses. The arena has created jobs for 250 workers and is on track to be completed for its fall 2013 opening. Lincoln Journal Star (Neb.) (tiered subscription model) (11/2)

Economic Update

Sandy recovery might spur construction activity and jobs
U.S. construction work and employment are expected to increase as basic infrastructure, including residential buildings and transportation, require repair because of superstorm Sandy. However, the projected job increase is still less than the favorable growth rate, analysts say. SeattlePI.com/The Associated Press (11/4), American City Business Journals/Tampa, Fla./Wake-Up Call blog (11/5)

Innovation & Green Building

A changing BIM landscape
The building information modeling landscape is changing as firms work to enhance data integration and make field use easier. Trimble has acquired Vico Software and entered partnerships with Bentley Systems and Computer Guidance Corp. Autodesk has acquired Vela Systems. But there is still room for new entrants, according to this piece. Constructech (free registration) (11/6)

"eVortex:" Generating power from sewer flows


Source: KNOE-TV

Erez Allouche and his team at Louisiana Tech University have developed the "eVortex Generator," which has the potential to turn sewage and stormwater into a source of energy. A pipe, vessel to capture the liquid, generator and four blades work together to increase the velocity of the water and convert it into energy. The group has been working on a second prototype to test it in real sewers. KNOE-TV (Monroe, La.) (11/3)

Policy Watch

Obama and Romney in a tight race as Election Day arrives
Polls indicate that on the eve of Election Day, President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney were pretty much tied. However, Obama has a small edge in some key battleground states, according to polling by Reuters and Ipsos. Reuters (11/5), The Washington Post (11/5), ABC News/Polls blog (11/5)

Association News

5 steps to a successful incident-investigation package
Accidents occur on construction jobsites every day. Incident investigations determine how and why these failures occur. By using the information gained through an investigation, future accidents may be prevented. Order it here, or visit the AGC Store.

Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) Parts 1, 5 & 6
This publication is a must-have for contractors involved in highway construction. The Federal Highway Administration has revised the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) Parts 1, 5 and 6 Temporary Traffic Control, and you are required to know about and meet these specifications. This manual will help you meet those requirements. Purchase it here, or visit the AGC Store.

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