Published Nationally
Western Edition
$3.00
® August 25 2024 Vol. XXV • No. 17
“The Nation’s Best Read Construction Newspaper… Founded 1957.” 470 Maryland Drive • Ft. Washington, PA 19034 • 215-885-2900 • Toll Free 800-523-2200 • www.constructionequipmentguide.com
Inside
Sukut Employs Chopper On Erosion Job
Kirby-Smith Machinery Announces Newest Promotion...12
Komatsu Achieves Major Milestones in Mining Industry First...12
Caterpillar Hosts Its First Dealer Technician Challenge...26
Construction Crews Utilize Helicopter to Assist With Project
Table of Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Attachments & Parts Section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17-23 Aggregate & Recycling Section . . . . . . . . . . . . .31-35 Truck & Trailer Section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45-57 Auction Section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50-55 Business Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53 Advertisers Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54
By Irwin Rapoport
On most projects, cranes are able to meet the needs of general contractors to lift and place heavy pieces of materials, be it pipes, concrete or steel beams, concrete piers, etc. However, in some situations, a crane — despite its size and capabilities — is insufficient.
CEG CORRESPONDENT
This is why Sukut Construction LLC made use of an Agusta AW-119 helicopter to place 12 pieces of heavy wire mesh on a slope adjacent to the southbound lanes of State Route 14 (Antelope Valley Freeway) in Santa Clarita as part of a slope protection project by the California Department of see CHOPPER page 24
Construction Inflation Dilemma Increased Costs, Long Lead Times for Materials, Union Labor Agreements Worsen Situation Rising highway construction costs are draining more CEG CORRESPONDENT dollars from BIL funds allocated for federal transportation projects across the country. The FHWA admits that what can be purchased today with BIL funds earmarked in 2021 is markedly less that what was pledged. Those construction costs rose an “unprecedented” 26 percent in 2022. The record annual increase was 20 percent in 2005, said the agency. By Lucy Perry
see COSTS page 44
Adobe Stock photo
The increased cost of construction is tapping more dollars from the bipartisan infrastructure bill, reducing the amount of infrastructure that can be bought today.