California 24, November 20, 2022

By Irwin Rapoport CEG CORRESPONDENT

The ongoing multi-billion-dollar project to establish a highspeed rail line between San Francisco and Los Angeles has seen its fair share of obstacles in gaining approval, but contractor crews have started significant construction in certain areas of The Golden State.

The design-build project, overseen by the California HighSpeed Rail Authority (Authority), has been divided into separate construction packages. Construction Package 4 (CP 4), which covers portions of Tulare and Kern counties, is being constructed by California Rail Builders (CRB), a joint venture of FerrovialAgroman West LLC and Griffith Company.

CP 4 is the third significant construction contract being undertaken for the Initial Operating Section of the high-speed rail program, which covers a 22-mi. stretch that starts approximately 1 mi. north of the Tulare and Kern County line and ends at Poplar Avenue to the south. This package includes construction of at-grade embankments, culverts and wildlife crossings, retained fill overcrossings and viaducts, aerial sections of the high-speed rail alignment and the relocation of 4 mi. of existing Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) tracks.

HNTB Corporation is serving as the Authority’s project and construction manager.

“They are our eyes and ears on the ground in the Central Valley,” said Augie G. Blancas, the Authority’s public information

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Volvo Trucks, TEC, Performance Team Grow Electric Fleet

Volvo Trucks North America’s largest West Coast dealership, TEC Equipment, is working with Performance Team to integrate its growing battery-electric fleet into its Southern California operations. In March 2022, Performance Team ordered 126 Volvo VNR Electrics to service its short haul warehouse distribution routes, demonstrating the company's ongoing commitment to reducing its carbon footprint. Performance Team’s full order of Class 8, zero-tailpipe emission trucks are scheduled to complete delivery by Q3 2023.

As of October 2022, Performance Team has taken delivery of its first 30 Volvo VNR Electric trucks, with 16 operating from its Santa Fe Springs location and an additional 14 trucks set to begin operating from its Commerce location later this month.

Performance Team worked closely with the sales team at TEC Equipment - Fontana, a Volvo Trucks’ Certified EV Dealership, and Volvo Trucks North America to identify the ideal Volvo VNR Electric configurations needed to run its daily freight routes. In addition, the partners leveraged Volvo Trucks’ Electric Performance Generator (EPG) tool, which simulated Performance Team’s realworld routes to determine which ones were best suited for the Volvo VNR Electric trucks, taking into consideration operational factors such as speed, payload, terrain, and ambient temperature. The EPG also considers specific route details, including traffic patterns, to determine if an opportunity charge would be required.

“Introducing any new technology into your fleet operations can come with a learning curve, which we are definitely seeing as customers make the switch from diesel to battery-electric trucks. It is inspiring to see our very first Volvo Trucks Certified EV Dealer working side-by-side with the largest Volvo VNR Electric fleet in the world, both of which are fully committed to facilitating the widespread adoption of zero-tailpipe emission transportation solutions,” said Jared Ruiz, acting head of electromobility sales for North America, at Volvo Trucks North America. “TEC Equipment and Performance Team are taking a trailblazing role in demonstrating how a dealership and customer can collaborate to maximize the benefits of battery-electric trucks when they are deployed into fleet operations at scale.”

The scaled deployment of zero-tailpipe emission Volvo VNR Electric models is part of Performance Team’s environment, social and governance (ESG) strategy to decarbonize logistics. Its California-based fleet operates 215 trucks, which Performance Team intends to fully transition from diesel to battery-electric trucks. The 126 Volvo VNR Electric trucks are the first step in that plan, as well as creating new charging infra-

structure to support its battery-electric fleet.

“Both Volvo Trucks and TEC Equipment continue to go above and beyond to support Performance Team’s growing battery-electric fleet. One example is the ongoing training they are providing to help our drivers optimize the range of the Volvo VNR Electric, including how to leverage regenerative braking benefits to add power back to the battery,” said Michael Gallagher, head of indirect sourcing, North America, at

Performance Team. “Overall, our drivers have had a very positive experience with the Volvo VNR Electric.”

Performance Team is also taking advantage of the Volvo Gold Contract, Volvo Trucks’ premier service offering for the VNR Electric model, a turn-key solution for the first six years of ownership that provides customers with access to 24/7 support, including tow services, should any issues arise. As part of the Volvo Gold Contract,

TEC Equipment provides comprehensive services to Performance Team’s fleet including scheduled and preventative maintenance, towing and vehicle repair including the vehicle’s energy storage unit and the complete electromobility system, to ensure peak vehicle uptime, performance, and productivity.

As a Certified Uptime Center, TEC Equipment has a goal of diagnosing customer trucks within two hours of being brought in for service to minimize downtime and get trucks back on the road quickly. The Uptime Services bundle from Volvo Trucks has been adapted for the Volvo VNR Electric to include a battery monitoring service that further supports customer uptime and peak operating conditions and provide operational peace of mind.

“TEC Equipment is dedicated to providing our customers with a seamless transition to battery-electric trucks. It’s exciting to help Performance Team move beyond just a few battery-electric trucks to a full fleet and figure out how to make that functional and cost-effective,” said Tracey Craik, regional sales director, TEC Equipment. “We have a customer-focused approach at all of our dealer locations and collaborate with customers on an ongoing basis to ensure they are prepared and supported along every step of their electromobility journey.”

(All photos courtesy of Volvo Trucks America.)

(L-R): Michael Gallagher, head of indirect sourcing, North America, Performance Team; Tracey Craik, regional sales director, TEC Equipment; and Jared Ruiz, acting head of electromobility sales for North America, Volvo Trucks North America; with Performance Team’s Volvo VNR Electric fleet at their Santa Fe Springs facility.

A lineup of Volvo VNR Electric trucks charging at Performance Team’s Santa Fe Springs facility.

Construction Package Pushes Forward Despite Hurdles

officer. “Team members working with the Authority are providing assurance to the people of California that technical and contract requirements are met for CP 4.”

According to the Authority’s 2022 Business Plan, CP 4 will be substantially completed by March 2023.

Project Status

Efforts are ongoing to ensure that the overall project has secured all the approvals to construct the HSR.

The Authority’s board of directors approved contracts to advance design of the 52.4 total mi. that will extend the project into Merced and Bakersfield, which brings the project closer to constructing the final Central Valley packages to complete the 171-mi. highspeed rail electrified segment and ultimately connect to the Bay Area and Los Angeles.

At the Merced Avenue Grade Separation south of Wasco, crews installed 15 precast girders that spanned more than 177 ft. They are some of the longest manufactured by subcontractor Con-Fab California at its Lathrop plant.

“Each girder weighs more than 220,000 pounds,” said Blancas. “Confab also has provided precast concrete girders for other high-speed rail structures including the San Joaquin River Viaduct and Pergola in Fresno and Madera counties.”

The Merced Avenue Grade Separation will be more than 509-ft. long and 43-ft. wide when it’s completed.

“Taken together, these contracts bolster the Authority’s effort to have highspeed trains operating in the heart of California by the end of the decade,” said Authority Chairman Tom Richards in a press release. “These contracts demonstrate our ability to leverage lessons learned from past contracts, increase project readiness and prepare for continued progress on this transformative project.”

The Authority awarded the $41 million Merced to Madera extension design contract to Stantec Consulting Services Inc., which covers approximately 33.9 mi. with 40 structures. The $44.9 million Fresno to Bakersfield (Locally Generated Alternative) extension contract was awarded to HNTB and covers approximately 18.5 mi. between the cities of Shafter and Bakersfield in Kern County with 31 structures.

“The contracts are expected to last two years and the two companies will work with the Authority to finalize the project configuration footprint and advance design work to

refine costs and travel time enhancements, and map right of way and utility relocation,” stated the HRS press release. “These critical steps will move the sections closer to construction, with the goal of electrified high-speed trains running between Merced and Bakersfield by the end of the decade.”

Earlier the summer, the U.S. Department of

Transportation awarded the Authority $25 million in federal grant funding to advance the project into downtown Merced. The Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant will provide more than half of the cost for the Madera to Merced design contract.

In a press release issued on Aug. 18, 2022, the Authority’s board of directors certified the Final Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement (Final EIR/EIS) and approved the approximately 43-mi. project for the San Francisco to San Jose section. This action completes the environmental clearance for high-speed rail in Northern California and extends environmental clearance to 420 mi. of the project’s 500-mi. alignment from San Francisco to Los Angeles/Anaheim.

“With environmental studies completed in Northern California, we are closer than ever to realizing a first in the nation, statewide highspeed rail system,” said Richards in a press release. “We look forward to working with all of our regional partners and stakeholders in developing modern, sustainable transportation infrastructure, completing our work in the Central Valley and connecting to the Bay Area as soon as possible.”

The approval of the San Francisco to San Jose HSR project section and its environmental document represents a major milestone in advancing the entire statewide program by linking the San Francisco Bay Area and the Peninsula to San Jose, the Central Valley and Los Angeles County in Southern California.

This past summer, the Authority announced it reached a historic milestone as the last of the precast concrete girders were placed in the whole of CP 4 with the installation of 12 girders over the State Route (SR) 46 Underpass. This structure will take high-speed trains at 220 miles per hour over SR 46, which will run parallel with the BNSF railroad. With this placement, all structures along the 22-mi. stretch of high- speed rail between are now in construction.

Construction continues north beyond CP 4. Construction Package 1 is a 32-mi. stretch of high-speed rail between Avenue 19 in Madera and East American Avenue in Fresno

CP 4 is the third significant construction contract being undertaken for the Initial Operating Section of the high-speed rail program, which covers a 22-mi. stretch that starts approximately 1 mi. north of the Tulare and Kern County line and ends at Poplar Avenue to the south.

This package includes construction of at-grade embankments, culverts and wildlife crossings, retained fill overcrossings and viaducts, aerial sections of the high-speed rail alignment and the relocation of 4 mi. of existing Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) tracks.

San Francisco Area Receives

$155M Worth of Upgrades

The California Transportation Commission (CTC) recently allocated nearly $3 billion for projects to repair and improve transportation infrastructure throughout the state. The allocation includes more than $452 million in funding from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 (IIJA) and more than $123 million in funding from Senate Bill (SB) 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017.

“This allocation — which includes a significant federal investment — allows Caltrans and our local partners to continue building the equitable, sustainable and safe transportation system on which future generations will depend,” said Caltrans Director Tony Tavares.

The projects to receive the largest amount in funding are in Contra Costa County, located in the East Bay of the San Francisco Bay Area. Those projects include:

•$84.9 million to install lighting and remove existing and install new concrete barrier, upgrade guardrail and drainage and overlay pavement to improve safety on I-80 from Alameda County line to 0.6 miles West of Solano County line. This project includes $77.8M in IIJA funding;

•$63.9 million to rehabilitate pavement by replacing damaged slabs, grind and resurface existing asphalt, construct additional lanes on offramp, modify signals, upgrade guardrail and upgrade facilities to ADA standards on SR 4 in Contra Costa County. This project includes $56.6M in IIJA funding; and

•$6.4 million to apply polyester concrete overlay on bridge decks and approach slabs on I-680 in Danville, San Ramon and Walnut Creek in various locations.

from just north of Cypress Ave Undercrossing to 0.6 mile north of Oasis Road Overcrossing on Interstate 5 in Shasta County): Provide standard vertical clearance over I-5 at the Northbound 273/Northbound I-5 connector ramp; provide improved vertical clearance under four structures at I-5 at Twin View Blvd and SR 299 crossings; add a third mixed-flow through lane; install high tension cable barrier and concrete barrier in the median as determined by the median width; construct four auxiliary lanes; widen seven bridges; upgrade bridge rails on both sides; place overhead signs, guide signs and warning signs as recommended by Traffic Ops; and remove and replace existing guardrail and end treatments.

•$3.5 million in federal IIJA funding for a city of Rancho Cordova project for roadway, sidewalk, curb ramp, bike lane and traffic signal improvements on Mather Field Road between Folsom Boulevard International Drive;

•$2 million in State Highway Operational and Protection Program (SHOPP) funds for project development and right of way costs for intersection and safety improvements at Live Oak Boulevard/Encinal Road and State Route 99 in the Lomo Crossing area in Sutter County.

District 4: Oakland/Bay Area

• San Mateo County San Mateo County: $37.8 million to replace Cordilleras Creek Bridge on Route 101 in Redwood City. This project includes $33.5M in IIJA funding;

•Approximately $2.6M toward embankment, guardrail and drainage repairs along U.S. 101 from Water Plant Road to the East Hill Undercrossing near Willits in Mendocino County;

•Approximately $1.9M toward roadway, guardrail and culvert repairs along Route 299 west of Three Creek Road near Willow Creek in Humboldt County;

•Approximately $1.1M toward construction of a left turn lane at Timbers Boulevard, lighting and other roadway improvements along U.S. 101 near Smith River in Del Norte.

• San Francisco County: $4.7 million to rehabilitate roadway, upgrade signs, concrete barrier and transportation management system elements, rehabilitate drainage and upgrade facilities to ADA standards on I101 in San Francisco;

• Alameda County: $7.7 million to mitigate eroded channel side-slope tidal scour and reinforce bridge approach slabs in Oakland at East Creek Slough Bridge.

•$34.5 million ($30.5 million in federal IIJA funding) to replace the San Jose Creek Bridge on State Route 217 near

District 3: Marysville/ Sacramento

District 1: Eureka District 2: Redding

District 5: San Luis Obispo/Santa Barbara

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State Invests $1.2B for Freight Corridors, Port Upgrades

Less than a year after Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order targeted at relieving supply chain congestion, the pandemic-induced backlog of cargo ships at the state’s ports is rapidly fading. With the focus turning to longterm supply chain improvements, the California State Transportation Agency issued final guidelines and a call for projects for the unprecedented $1.2 billion in one-time state funding for port and freight infrastructure projects to build a more efficient, sustainable and resilient goods movement system.

“California’s ports are critical to exporting and importing goods both abroad and throughout the United States,” said Gov. Newsom. “After decades of neglect, we are finally making the critical investments needed to modernize our ports — helping us to keep up with demand in a way that is environmentally sustainable and brings our distribution process into the 21st Century.”

Finalized in the state budget, the port and freight infrastructure program aims to make long-term upgrades that will increase the capacity to move goods throughout the state while lessening environmental impacts on neighboring communities.

“Thanks to Governor Newsom’s leadership, California is investing in our nation-leading supply chain infrastructure like

never before to support a cleaner and more dynamic goods movement system that will power our economy for decades,” CalSTA Secretary Toks Omishakin said. “I look forward to identifying priority projects as we look to maximize this historic one-time investment.”

Seventy percent of the program funding will go to projects that support goods movement through the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach — the busiest ports in the Western Hemisphere — and 30 percent will fund ports and goods movement infrastructure in the rest

of the state.

The Port and Freight Infrastructure Program is a direct result of the executive order Gov. Newsom issued last October that called on state agencies to develop longer term budget proposals that support port operations and goods

movement. The program builds off the successful short-term actions by the state to address supply chain congestion.

Project applications are due Jan. 13, 2023 and CalSTA expects to announce the funding awards in March 2023. 

rest of the state.

Gov. Newsom photo

Seventy percent of the program funding will go to projects that support goods movement through the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach and 30 percent will fund ports and goods movement infrastruce in the

“After decades of neglect, we are finally making the critical investments needed to modernize our ports — helping us to keep up with demand in a way that is environmentally sustainable and brings our distribution process into the 21st Century.”

Gov. Gavin Newsom

Caltrans photo

The California State Transportation Agency issued final guidelines and a call for projects for the unprecedented $1.2 billion in one-time state funding for port and freight infrastructure projects to build a more efficient, sustainable and resilient goods movement system.

Truck

CTC Allocates $3B for Improvements Throughout State

Goleta in Santa Barbara County to meet current standards and provide shoulders for disabled vehicles, maintenance workers, pedestrians and bicycles.

•$9.9 million ($8.9 million in federal IIJA funding) to improve the curve and flatten the slope along State Route 25 near Pinnacles National Park from approximately one-half mile north of San Benito Lateral/Old Hernandez Road to 2.4 mi. south of State Route 146 in San Benito County. This project will improve safety and reduce the number and severity of collisions.

No projects allocated.

•$2.9 million to install ZeroEmission Vehicle (ZEV) charging stations at various safety roadside rest areas (SRRAs) on Interstate 10 (I-10) in Riverside County near Banning and Blythe and in San Bernardino County near Yucaipa.

overlay that will extend and preserve the pavement life. It also will upgrade signs along the highway.

•Valued at $18.6 million, Interstate 605, in the cities of Irwindale and Baldwin Park, between Interstate 10 to Interstate 210 — rehabilitate pavement, modify signals, upgrade guardrail and upgrade facilities to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards.

• State Route 127 Pavement Project, $22 million: On State Route 127 in Inyo County, this project will rehabilitate the pavement by grinding down the roadway and overlaying asphalt. It also will replace signs along the highway. This project is split into two locations on SR 127: from 4.6 mi. north of State Route 178 to 7.6 mi. south of State Route 190 and from 0.3 mi. south of State Route 190 to the Nevada State Line;

• Freeman Gulch 3 CAPM Project, $8.1 million: On State Route 14 in eastern Kern County, from 1.1 mi. north of Red Rock Canyon Road to 4.9 mi. south of State Route 178 West, this project will rehabilitate the pavement by grinding the current highway and placing a new Hot Mix Asphalt

•$55,999,000 to construct an auxiliary lane, rehabilitate the roadway to mitigate highway settlement, install transportation management systems (TMS) that include lighting and roadside safety improvements. This project also will preserve and extend the life of the facility as well as improve ride quality on State Route 52 (SR 52) between Convoy Street and Santo Road. This project allocation includes $49,576,000 in federal IIJA funds;

•$42,800,000 to rehabilitate roadway and culverts, install new and upgrade TMS elements and upgrade facilities to ADA standards. This project will improve safety and ride quality on SR 125 from Elkelton Place and State Route (SR 94). This project allocation includes $37,891,000 in federal IIJA funds;

•$17,882,000 to rehabilitate pavement by replacing concrete slabs and asphalt pavement, rehabilitate culverts, apply methacrylate to bridge decks, upgrade

guardrail and upgrade curb ramps to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards. This project will extend and preserve pavement service life and improve ride on State Route 54 from Interstate 5 (I-5) to State Route 125 (SR 125). This project allocation includes $15,831,000 in federal IIJA funds;

•$9,286,000 to rehabilitate six bridges, including painting, deck and column work that will project, preserve and extend the service life of these bridges at various locations on I-8 and State Route 78 (SR-78) in El Centro. This project allocation includes $8,221,000 in federal IIJA funds.

•$3.152 million for a project on State Route 22 (SR 22) in the cities of Garden Grove, Westminster and Orange to install safety lighting and upgrade median barrier, drainage systems, and signs;

•$1.252 million, including $1.127 million from IIJA, for a project on SR 22 in the city of Garden Grove to upgrade the pavement, add pavement delineation and install concrete barrier to improve safety.

Skanska Appoints SoCal Native as New National Director

Skanska USA, a global construction and development firm, has appointed Joycelyn Yue as national director of supplier diversity for its building oper ations, revitalizing and sharpening focus on the company’s leadership in this space. In this role, Yue will lead the U.S. building operation’s national Supplier Diversity team of profession als located in 23 offices and will partner with regional and national leadership to further develop and elevate the compa ny’s Supplier Diversity Compliance program. Yue is based Los Angeles.

“Skanska’s mission to build for a better society includes maximizing opportunities for small and diverse sup pliers and connecting with the commu nities where we build,” said Jeff Cruz, Skanska ethics & compliance officer. “Joy brings to Skanska a wealth of experience in Supplier Diversity and community engagement, along with a passion for diversity and inclusion. We are thrilled to have Joy join and lead our Supplier Diversity team.”

In addition to the hiring of Yue, Dr. Rita Ohaya, Johnny Ortiz and Marcus Thompson have been promoted to the

role of regional director of supplier diversity, joining current regional director, Donna Licciardi. Each will have overall responsibility for a region within its supplier diversity program while focusing greater emphasis on subcontractor development, commu nity engagement and outreach. Emily Madero and Enzo Mungu also have joined the supplier diversity team in the newly created role of supplier diversity compliance manager.

About Yue

Yue joined Skanska from Southern California Edison where she served

as supplier diversity senior program manager responsible for developing, managing and executing supplier diversity programs in compliance with California Public Utilities Commissions’ General Order 156, designed to facilitate the inclusion, development and outreach of small and diverse businesses. Previously, she was director of programs of the Southern California Supplier Development Council. A native of California, Yue has a B.S. in business management from California State Polytechnic Pomona and currently resides in Orange County. 

Build California Video Series Highlights Women in Industry

Build California, a workforce develop ment initiative created by the Associated General Contractors of California’s Construction Education Foundation (CEF), has released a new “Women Build California” video series featuring women with different skillsets and career pathways in the construction industry. The series, which aims to increase the representation of and outreach to young women and girls, will be available and shareable on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.

The videos feature inspiring women sheet metal workers, project engineers, laborers, project managers and a chief executive offi cer thanks to the participation of ACCO Engineered Systems, Otto Construction, Royal Electric Co., Teichert Construction and Teichert Energy & Utilities Group, Inc.

“We hope the videos inspire young people to envision themselves in the construction industry,” said Erin Volk, senior vice presi dent of workforce & community develop ment, AGC; and executive director of the CEF. “Girls should have the chance see themselves in all facets of construction, from managing a job site, cutting metal or running an entire company.”

The video series was funded by the CEF, which was the recipient of the 2020 – 2021

SMUD Shine Award. Thanks to the support from SMUD, Build California has enhanced outreach and education to low-income and underrepresented youth in the greater Sacramento region with opportunities to explore in-demand, well-paying and fulfill ing careers today’s construction industry offers. The grant provided funding assis tance for:

• Educator toolkits for partner schools, including Build California resources, materi als and products to be used in classrooms;

• Classroom presentations conducted by Build California staff and guest Ambassadors for partner schools;

• New curriculum for a “Girls Build California” training and delivery to partner schools; and

• A “Women Build California” video to

reach and encourage girls/young women to consider construction careers.

To view these videos, please visit youtube.com/c/BuildCalifornia/videos.

About Build California

Build California is a comprehensive workforce development initiative created to inspire, engage and activate the next genera tion of California’s construction workforce. By shaping positive perceptions of the con struction industry, informing young people and their influencers about the real career opportunities in construction and connecting them to local training programs, Build California is helping create a steady and skilled workforce pipeline. For more infor mation visit buildcalifornia.com.

About AGC of California Construction Education Foundation

The Associated General Contractors (AGC) of California Construction Education Foundation (CEF) is a 501(c)3 non-profit benefit corporation dedicated to inspiring, developing and equipping California’s cur rent and future construction workforce. Through innovative workforce development programs funded by donations, the founda tion provides AGC of California members access to resources, support and training needed to attract, develop and retain California’s construction workforce.

About Associated General Contractors of California

Founded in 1920, the Associated General Contractors (AGC) of California has been the premier organization of choice by expe rienced and next generation construction and contracting professionals. Through dedicat ed advocacy, education, career development and networking opportunities, AGC mem bers receive top-tier access with state and local governments, while connecting with industry leaders through innovative pro grams and events. For more information, visit agc-ca.org.

Skanska photo

Joycelyn

Yue

“Joy brings to Skanska a wealth of experience in supplier diversity and community engagement, along with a passion for diversity and inclusion. We are thrilled to have Joy join and lead our supplier diversity team.”

Jeff Cruz Skanska

“Girls should have the chance see themselves in all facets of construction, from managing a job site, cutting metal or running an entire company.”

Erin Volk AGC

Crews Building Span for 22-Mi. HSR Construction Package

County. Structures include the San Joaquin River Viaduct and Pergola and Cedar Viaduct — both of which can be seen driving down State Route 99. Construction Package 2-3 is a 65-mi. stretch of high-speed rail between East American Avenue in Fresno County to onemile north of the Tulare and Kern County lines. Notable construction projects include the Hanford Viaduct, the largest construction project underway in the Central Valley.

CRB signed the notice to proceed on April 15, 2016.

The JV has completed sections of the project, including structures at Garces Highway, Pond Road, Peterson Avenue and Poso Creek. Over the next several months, work will focus on completing the rest of the structures like the Wasco Viaduct and Merced and McCombs Road grade separations.

Using prefabricated elements, such as the panels for the mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) wall, has allowed CRB to optimize the schedule by having them on time for installation and to get a higher final product quality.

“We are also doing a lot of cast-in-place concrete work,” added Blancas.

The installation of the precast concrete girders required a fair amount of preparation.

“Planning starts months in advance, beginning with the design, getting the fabricator and lots of coordination with third parties for road closure permits and allowing time in the schedule for the unforeseen circumstances like weather delays, breakdown in equipment,” added Blancas. “Some of the girders were so long that CHP had to guide the girders, which required five to sixweeks notice and a planned route agreed with the trucking companies. The girders of Wasco need 50 minutes. Around 15 minutes to rig, around five minutes to fly the girder and set, 20 minutes for bracing and 10 minutes to disconnect the rigging. For McCombs and Merced, the average was around 75 minutes.”

Key pieces of equipment being used include cranes, excavators, dozers, loaders, dump trucks, forklifts and other pieces of iron, large and small. Cranes, including those lifting girders at the SR 46 site, include: an HTC 8675 and Link-Belt LS338 from MCM Equipment Sales; and an HTC8690, a Grove GMK 5275 and a Grove GMK 5210 from T&T Equipment Co. Other equipment used include a LinkBelt TCC750 from Keller Equipment Supply and a Manitowoc MLC300 from ConFab.

The recycling of materials excavated and demolished, as well as other measures to minimize GHG emissions and be as sustainable as possible, are a priority for the HSR and the companies it has hired to do the work.

Last spring, the last four of 120 precast concrete girders were placed on the pergola section of the Wasco Viaduct, a nearly

Green Project

“The Authority’s goal

deliver the greenest infra-

construction

site,” said Blancas. “The Authority has required contractors, including CRB, to recycle 100 percent of the steel and concrete from construction and demolition and divert at least 75 percent of all construction and demolition waste from landfills. In regard to air quality, contractors must use trucks and equipment that comply with California requirements. This includes usage of Tier 4 equipment, the highest EPA equipment rating, that reduces the amount of criteria air pollutants.”

Peak days have approximately 300 workers on-site. The JV has brought in many local and regional subcontractors.

With so many types of construction equipment on-site, it is essential to have machinery working efficiently to maximize production and repairs are done rapidly, either by on-site mechanics or those brought in as required. Routine maintenance schedules are adhered to and operators check their vehicles daily and report any possible problems to management.

The JV purchases and rents equipment from dealerships such as MCM Equipment Sales, T&T Equipment Co. Keller Equipment Supply and ConFab. 

CEG

(All photos courtesy of California High-Speed Rail Authority.)

2,000 ft.-long structure taking trains above grade and over existing rail lines.

is to

structure project in the nation, even on the

Each girder weighs more than 220,000 lbs. Confab has provided precast concrete girders for other high-speed rail structures, including the San Joaquin River Viaduct and Pergola in Fresno and Madera counties.

Over the next several months, work will focus on completing the rest of the structures like the Wasco Viaduct and Merced and McCombs Road grade separations.