Alabama 5, March 6, 2024

Tuscaloosa Sees Progress On Road Expansion Project

The city of Tuscaloosa, Ala., is looking to ease travel times for local drivers by spending millions of dollars on the McWright’s Ferry Road Extension project.

One of the largest construction efforts to ever take place within Tuscaloosa County, the extension of McWright’s Ferry Road, which got under way last July, will connect Rice Mine Road to the new Watermelon Road, creating a bridge across the North River.

Additionally, the project includes a pedestrian bridge over the river and a shared-use path which will ultimately connect to Tuscaloosa’s Northern Riverwalk. It also is expected to reduce commute times for those traveling in and out of the area and create additional access for first responders in emergencies.

Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox told WVTM-TV in Birmingham that the road project is long overdue for many residents.

By Cindy Riley CEG CORRESPONDENT

In Alabama, a $28 million project designed to accommodate weekly international cargo flights from Stuttgart, Germany, to Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHM) is nearing completion. The roughly 53,000-sq.-ft. air cargo facility is constructed from pre-engineered metal with a wind load of 107 mph.

“Several years ago, the Birmingham Airport Authority [BAA] began to detect an increasing demand for cargo operations in central Alabama,” said Kim Ford, BAA vice president of communications. “This included a growing trend for logistics companies looking to operate out of ‘secondary airports,’ which refers to smaller airports that are less congested than the large hubs. When these companies go looking to partner with airports, they typically want to lease existing facilities.

“To be in the game, the BAA needed the right kind of facility in place. The board committed to designing and building a new facility so the BAA could leverage both existing infrastructure and the new building in negotiations with future operators.”

The project is 100 percent funded by BAA and should be completed by early summer. A ceremony to officially kick off construction took place in May 2023.

Ford noted that Birmingham is an ideal site for additional cargo business.

“BHM is located in central Alabama, with great access to major highway and interstate systems. BHM has the infrastructure to accommodate additional cargo traffic on the airfield. BHM does not have the congestion found at larger hub airports in the region, which means that companies can get goods in more quickly and on to their destination more efficiently.”

The main impact to day-to-day activity is that the existing air cargo apron is cut down to half its capacity while concrete reconstruction and apron expansion is under way. This is one of the many areas where collaboration between contractor, operators and airport operations is critical.

“The general contractor on this project is Stone Building Company,” Ford said. “Stone is a local company, which means that BAA’s investment is having the maximum economic impact on our local community. Stone earned the contract by being the lowest responsive and optimal bidder in a very structured and open process.”

Ford said for the most part, the work is going according to plan.

Bold as a Lion Studios photo Crews have put in long hours at times to stay on schedule.

City of Tuscaloosa, Ala., photo

The extension of McWright’s Ferry Road, which got under way last July, will connect Rice Mine Road to the new Watermelon Road, creating a bridge across the North River.

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$28M Cargo Project Will Accomodate International Flights

“We ran into some unforeseen challenges with utilities early in the project while getting to the base elevation. We found more wet, soggy conditions than expected, which required more excavation than originally anticipated.”

Ford added that to bring the project to life, it took the vision of the BAA board to anticipate the need for the facility and to begin to plan for it several years before breaking ground.

“The BAA could not have pursued this project, had it not been in a financial position to fund the project. Along with several years of planning, the BAA collaborated with interested, potential cargo partners whose customers were accepting of BHM as a future option.”

Ford said the airport’s partnership with global logistics leader Kuehne+Nagel (K+N) was announced in February 2023.

“K+N began weekly international cargo flights from Stuttgart, Germany, two months later, operating out of a temporary facility. K+N will lease the new facility once it is completed, and it will be home base for their operation. We couldn’t ask for a better partner. They are committed to growing their cargo business and customer base here in the automotive, pharma and aerospace sectors.”

According to Marcelo Lima, vice president of planning and development for the BAA, the biggest obstacle on the project — the unforeseen utility issues — required a significant amount of planning and coordination.

This included the relocation of a main sewer line.

“It’s a credit to the entire team on this project that we have worked through the challenges and kept the project moving forward.

“Right now, we are seeing the filtration vault take shape under the apron expansion area. This involves digging a huge, deep hole, pouring concrete sections in place and installing elements that will help filter water run-off from the site. The filtration vault was necessary to reduce water pollutants into the local waterways, due to the increased impermeable surface from the cargo apron expansion.”

The facility was constructed on what used to be a hill. To build on the site, the contractor had to remove the hill, condition the dirt and install the embankment back in place for the elevated building pad.

“In an effort to recycle the existing material, we overexcavated portions of the site and built it back up with the conditioned material. Approximately 60,000 cubic yards of dirt was excavated/removed for this project.”

As for working in a busy airport environment, said Lima, “We are always concerned about safety and security, particularly when embarking on a project like this one. This project is being completed on an active air cargo apron. That means that all vehicles, heavy equipment, construction activities, subs and schedules must be part of a detailed, approved plan that is communicated to all affected parties at all times.

“Additionally, tall equipment, such as cranes, must undergo an airspace analysis and be coordinated with the Federal Aviation Administration and Air Traffic Control. The BAA’s

airport operations team carries the heavy task of constantly inspecting the construction site, to assure compliance with all safety and security measures. There are a lot of moving parts on a project like this.”

Crews have put in long hours at times to stay on schedule. Workers were tasked with running electrical conduit across active portions of the airfield. The work could only be performed at night.

Lima said a variety of machinery is needed to complete the assignment.

“We have relied on heavy equipment for many of the critical pieces of this project. This includes concrete pavers, excavators, temporary batch plant and cranes.”

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CARGO from page 1

Stone Building Company photo

The main impact to day-to-day activity is that the existing air cargo apron is cut down to half its capacity while concrete reconstruction and apron expansion is under way.

CHA rendering

The project is 100 percent funded by BAA and should be completed by early summer.

Stone Building Company photo

All vehicles, heavy equipment, construction activities, subs and schedules must be part of a detailed, approved plan that is communicated to all affected parties at all times.

One of Tuscaloosa’s Largest Road Projects Due to Complete in 2025

“Right now, in Tuscaloosa, there’s only one access across the North River,” he explained. “Whenever there is construction or improvements, it requires people to go 45 minutes around just to detour, so [the extension] gives us another access point across the North River.”

Maddox continued by telling WVTM-TV, “There are going to be traffic issues. There’s also going to be the unexpected. There’s going to be a water line that is going to get hit. There’s going to be a transmission pole that could get damaged. There’s going to be something that happens when you have a project [of] this scope and scale. What we want to do as a city is make sure we have realtime information if something is going to truly impact their commute.”

With an expanding population of more than 110,000 citizens, it became increasingly important for Tuscaloosa city officials over the last several years to begin formulating plans to help sustain the current and future growth of the college town, home to the University of Alabama.

According to the city’s website, McWright’s Ferry Road “stands as a prime example of our commitment to building the foundation for tomorrow.”

Roadway’s Extension Should Be Finished By Fall 2025

The comprehensive building effort not only aims to enhance emergency response, create safer and reduced commutes, but “unlock new avenues for future expansion.”

Funding for the addition to McWright’s Ferry

Road came from the Tuscaloosa County Road Improvement Commission (TCRIC).

By Jan. 11, the project’s contractor had moved 60 percent of the required material at the site, installed girders on three of the seven spans for the vehicle bridge, and laid asphalt on around 2,000 ft. of new roadway.

In addition, blasting and earthwork continued between Alabama Highway 297 and the North River and in the new section of the roadway south of Ala. 297.

In early February, Tuscaloosa noted that a substantial portion of the cut and fill is complete on the new portion of the road between North River and Oak Glen. Crews are also making headway on building the McWright’s Ferry Road bridge over the waterway, and the truss span of the pedestrian bridge over the river had been set.

More than 1,600 ft. of new sanitary sewer lines have been installed, as well.

Beginning in March, plans call for a vehicle lane closure on Ala. 297 as well as a lane shift on Rice Mine Road which may cause traffic delays, both of which are related to the Ala. 297/Rice Mine Road intersection improvements, the city noted.

Periodic lane closures also will begin on the east side of McWright’s Ferry Road for water and sanitary sewer installation.

The McWright’s Ferry Road Expansion project is expected to be completed by the fall of 2025. For text message updates on the progress of the McWright’s Ferry Road Extension Project, text MCWRIGHT to 888777 

Alabama AGC... AGC Names Its New 2024 Board of Directors

Alabama AGC has announced its executive committee and board of directors for 2024.

As the new year begins, incoming board members aim to work together to bring construction professionals and related industries together to safeguard the interests and integrity of the workforce.

Mac Caddell of Caddell Construction Co. (DE) LLC was named president, with Greer Walker of Wiregrass Construction Co. Inc. as vice president.

The Alabama AGC 2024 Executive Committee is as follows: Mike Scarborough of Rabren General Contractors Inc. as second vice president; Hasting Sykes of Sykes Weaver LLC as treasurer; and Rob Middleton of Middleton Construction LLC as chairman of the board.

“We are thrilled to have Mac assume the leadership of Alabama AGC. His experience as a leader in Caddell and the many years he has been involved with Alabama AGC will be a great asset,” said Billy Norrell, Alabama AGC’s chief executive officer. “We appreciate all our volunteer leaders and the

companies they represent.”

“The board will ensure that the decisions and policies made by Alabama lawmakers benefit AGC member companies and the state’s construction industry. It is an honor to serve as president of the Alabama AGC, our state’s oldest, largest and most financially strong construction organization,” said Caddell. “I will work hard to represent this organization as I interact with our board members and continue down this path of success that Alabama AGC has forged for over a century.”

Alabama AGC is excited to see long-time members of the chapter join this year’s board.

“I am humbled to be selected as an officer in this outstanding organization,” Sykes said. “I have been involved with Alabama AGC for decades and I am honored to represent our company, Sykes Weaver LLC as well as the many others that count on Alabama AGC. I’m looking forward to participating in the levels of leadership and working with my fellow officers, Rob Middleton, Mac Caddell, Greer Walker and Mike Scarborough.” 

Temporary Batch Plant Supplying Concrete for Project

The project has included the removal of approximately 15,000 sq. yds. of pavement (concrete and asphalt), approximately 15,900 sq. yds. of P-307 (6-in. cement-treated permeable base course) and 15,600 sq. yds. of P-501 (15-in. concrete pavement).

The facility consists of gable roof type. The interior of the structure is equipped with dock levelers at each loading dock and two scissor lifts and conveyor systems by McKenzie Handling Systems Inc.

“This project is about 50 percent concrete work,” said Lima. “Rebuilding and expanding the air cargo apron is a big undertaking and must be completed to standards established by the FAA.

The new building will have little effect on commercial airline or general aviation customers at the airport.

“The greatest impact will come over time, as the BAA continues to grow cargo business at the airport. This will only strengthen the airport’s strong financial performance, which will help the BAA fulfill the mission of being an economic generator for Birmingham and central Alabama.”

Lima added, “The new building represents a new line of business for BAA. Seeing the facility nearing completion is very exciting for the airport, the community and the future of the region.”  CEG

CARGO from page 2

ROAD from page 1

Stone Building Company photo

A $28 million project designed to accommodate weekly international cargo flights from Stuttgart, Germany, to Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHM) is nearing completion.

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