Page 34 • March 31, 2012 • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT GUIDE
The Road Connection Visits CEG in Fort Washington, Pa.
Construction Equipment Guide Editor-in-Chief Craig Mongeau (c) visits with The Road Connection’s Andrew Gillman (L) and Curt Peterka outside the office of CEG in Fort Washington, PA.
After stops at the World of Asphalt in Charlotte, N.C., and Washington, D.C., The Road Connection took time out from its current trip up the East coast corridor to pay a visit to the Construction Equipment Guide office in Fort Washington, Pa., on March 21. “The reaction we’ve had so far has been great,” said Curt Peterka of The Road Connection, who has covered just over 10,000 miles so far with his Road Connection partner Andrew Gillman. “People are very interested to hear what
(L-R): Andrew Gillman of the Road Connection, Construction Equipment Guide Editor-in-Chief Craig Mongeau, CEG Production Specialist Matthew Seslow, CEG President Ted McKeon and Curt Peterka of The Road Connection gather for a photo around The Road Connection truck that has logged just over 10,000 miles before stopping at the CEG office on March 21.
we’re doing and see it as such a good, positive thing for everyone. So many jobs could be created by supporting and seeing money get directed towards the infrastructure jobs we need. “We need to make the decision makers and politicians know where funding needs to go. Plus, you’re never going to hear anyone vote for more potholes.” The Road Connection is a nationwide initiative to high-
light the need for increased road and infrastructure funding. Since roads and bridges are essential to everyone, participants in the Road Connection range from leading manufacturers to industry organizations to media members to consumer groups. For more information, visit www.theroadconnection.org.
TWORKS Makes Its Presence Felt With U.S. 50 Project IMPACT from page 1
freight movements by type, amount and value to calculate a score. One of the many factors in choosing this stretch of roadway for improvements was the community concerns about safety, including the high amount of truck traffic and congestion in general. This project will reduce the existing curve on U.S. 50 and replace the traffic signals with two interchanges. These improvements will move traffic more safely and efficiently through the area. In addition to its safety benefits, the project will enhance access to the Salt City Industrial Park — home to the Siemen’s wind energy nacelle plant — and the medical / commercial concentration on the city’s east side. It also will better accommodate the large amount of traffic coming into Hutchinson for the Kansas State Fair. The $46 million contract was awarded to Dondlinger & Sons Construction of Wichita in June 2011. Work includes extending the four lanes of U.S. 50 to just east of Airport/Yoder Road in Reno County. There will be new interchanges at K-61 and Airport/Yoder Road, and it will reduce the sharpness of a curve south of the city. Dondlinger is self-performing all dirt/subgrade work and construction of bridges 139,
140, 142 and 143. King Construction Company of Hesston was subcontracted for the construction of bridges 019, 141, 144,145, and 146. Other subcontractors include Cornejo and Sons Construction of Wichita for base and concrete pavement; Cillessen & Sons Inc., also based in Wichita, for traffic control and signing, and Elkhorn Fence Company, headquartered in Valley, Neb., for fencing. RFB Construction of Pittsburg, Kan., was hired for erosion control, and Hutchinson’s own Garber Surveying Service P.A. performed the surveys.
The U.S. 50 project will use approximately 5,520 cu. yds. (4,220.6 cu m) of concrete for bridges and 68,874 cu. yds. (52,661 cu m) of concrete for mainline pavement, for a grand total of 74,394 cu. yds. (56,881.7 cu m). In addition, 20,256 tons (18,372 t) of asphalt will be used. Dondlinger’s arsenal of equipment on the job site includes a Link-Belt LS 138H crane, a Volvo EC 210C excavator, a Cat 345D excavator, a Cat 938G wheel loader, a Delmag 1632 pile-driving hammer, a Cat 637G scraper, and a Komatsu 65WX dozer. Work on the U.S. 50 project is slated to be
complete in late 2013. “The Highway 50 corridor is a vital connecting link for economic development in our region,” said Hutchinson City Manager John Deardroff. “We are fortunate to have leadership in all levels of government throughout our state who understand the significant role a good highway system plays in our ability to compete for economic development.” (This story also can be found on Construction Equipment Guide’s Web site at www.constructionequipmentguide.com.) CEG
Crews were working 24 hours a day, six days a week on earthmoving and compaction operations in January and February of this year.