Midwest #1, 2012

Page 1

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Midwest Edition

“The Nation’s Best Read Construction Newspaper… Founded 1957.” 4

January 7, 2012 • Vol. IXX • No. 1 • 470 Maryland Drive • Ft. Washington, PA 19034 • 215-885-2900 • Toll Free 800-523-2200 • Fax 215-885-2910 • www.constructionequipmentguide.com

Inside

AGC Reports Metro Areas Fighting to Keep Construction Jobs

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) Construction on two new bridges spanning the Ohio River between Kentucky and Indiana could begin in late 2012, with the spans open before the end of the decade, Kentucky and Indiana officials said Dec. 29. Contracts for the $2.6 billion projects would be bid out within the next year under the deal reached by Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear and Indiana Gov.

Construction employment declined in 146 out of 337 metropolitan areas between November 2010 and November 2011, increased in 131 and stayed level in 60, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released Dec. 28 by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted that construction employment is likely to continue declining in many areas because of a planned 6.2 percent cut in federal investments in construction and infrastructure for the 2012 fiscal year. “There is no avoiding the pain that comes any time the single largest purchaser of construction services cuts investments by nearly 20 percent in two years,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist, noting that the fiscal year 2012 federal construction budget will be 18 percent smaller than the same budget for 2010. “It will take a lot more private sector growth to offset declining federal demand.” The largest job losses were in New York City, N.Y. (minus 4,900 jobs, minus 4 percent), followed by Atlanta-Sandy SpringsMarietta, Ga. (minus 4,600 jobs, minus 5 percent); Philadelphia, Pa. (minus 4,500 jobs, minus 7 percent); St. Louis, Mo.-Ill. (minus 4,100 jobs, minus 7 percent) and the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, Fla. area (minus 3,600 jobs, minus 3 percent). The Logan, Utah-Idaho area (minus 25 percent, minus 800 jobs) lost the highest percentage. Other areas experiencing large percentage declines in construction employment included Montgomery, Ala. (minus 21 percent, minus 1,400); Wilmington, N.C. (minus 21 percent, minus 1,900 jobs) and Bridgeport-

see BRIDGES page 34

see REPORT page 18

Murphy Tractors Hosts Holiday Events...27

Rebuilding the Kennedy Interchange and refurbishing the Kennedy Bridge will be part of the proposed projects.

West Si de Trac tor Sal es Adds Sa les Rep ... 65

Kentucky, Indiana Set for $2.6B Bridge Projects By Brett Barrouquere ASSOCIATED PRESS

IRAY Au ctio ns Holds Decembe r Sale ... 68

Table of Contents ........4 Attachment Section ...... ............................21-23 Truck & Trailer ....39-41 Recycling Section 51-59 Auction Section ....64-72 Business Calendar…..64 Advertisers Index ......70

Funds Dedicated for Peoria-Area Highway Project MORTON, Ill. (AP) One of the biggest highway makeover projects in central Illinois’ recent history is a step closer to fruition. After two decades of planning, state funds have been dedicated for a project at the interchange at Interstates 74 and 155 in the Peoria area, according to a story published Dec. 18 in the Peoria Journal Star. The project calls for additional lanes, wider lanes, better lighting and new ramps, along with repaving and widening of roads between Morton and East Peoria. The project is estimated to cost around $85

million. Bids will go out in a year, construction is set to begin in 2013 and the project is estimated to wrap up the following year, the newspaper reported. “This is a major reconstruction,” said Maureen Addis, a program development engineer of the Illinois Department of Transportation in Peoria. She said some 35,000 motorists travel Interstate 74 between Morton and Peoria each day. The delay in construction was tied to state funds, said Joe Crowe, a regional engineer of

IDOT. The project also calls for replacing tunnels in Morton with overpass structures, removing an abandoned rail line and installing storm water drainage and cameras along the corridor. IDOT officials said the agency will post regular updates about the project online, including on its Facebook page. “This project will bring the bridge up to current regulations, provide for a safer thoroughfare for motorists and move traffic along better — it’s work that needs to be done,” IDOT spokesman Brian Williamsen said.


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Midwest #1, 2012 by Construction Equipment Guide - Issuu