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April 27, 2013 • Vol. IXX • No. 9 • 470 Maryland Drive • Ft. Washington, PA 19034 • 215-885-2900 • Toll Free 800-523-2200 • Fax 215-885-2910
Inside
RDO Roadshow Attracts Gues ts...10
Ill. Gov. Unveils $12.62B Construction Program Gov. Pat Quinn was joined by Illinois Transportation Secretary Ann L. Schneider on April 17 to unveil a six-year, $12.62 billion construction program that will improve roads and bridges throughout Illinois while making major investments in public transportation.
The projects are part of Gov. Quinn’s agenda to create jobs and drive Illinois’ economy forward, while updating the state’s transportation system. The upcoming highway, public transit, rail and airport projects will address critical infrastructure needs while making major transportation improvements
throughout the state. “Illinois is the transportation hub of the nation, and this program will ensure we have the modern infrastructure needed to compete with the world,” Gov. Quinn said. “This major investment in roads, bridges and public transportation will drive economic growth in every part of
Illinois, and create tens of thousands of jobs.” The fiscal years 2014 to 2019 highway improvement program will improve 2,142 mi. of highway, and replace or rehabilitate 517 bridges across Illinois. The plan includes $475 million see QUINN page 46
WisDOT Widens U.S. 41 Stretch Dorinda Anderson CEG CORRESPONDENT Nor trax Celebrates Land at Open House...18
Van Kepp el Host s Fish Fry , Open Hous e.. .26
Table of Contents ..................4 Recycling Section ..........29-41 Attachment Section ......57-59 Truck & Trailer Section ..61-71 Auction Section ..............78-85 Business Calendar................78 Advertisers Index ................86
Widening a 31-mi. (50km) stretch of U.S. Highway 41 between two counties in northeast Wisconsin will help address safety issues, ease congestion and provide a solution to solve the failing infrastructure issue. Despite many updates and improvements over the years since constructed in 1926, U.S. 41 was no longer able to handle the traffic of this rapidly growing area. U.S. 41 is a 200-
mi. (322-km) long highway connecting Chicago, Ill., southeastern Wisconsin, the Fox Valley and upper Michigan. The areas connected by U.S. 41 represent 56 percent of the state’s population, 57 percent of the state’s manufacturing facilities, and 52 percent of Wisconsin’s retail and wholesale businesses. Counties that U.S. 41 runs through also account for $3.3 billion in tourism income each year, according to information from WisDOT.
Work includes roadway expansion from four to six or more traffic lanes; improvements to 16 interchanges, including 40 roundabouts; installation of 17 traffic cameras; widening the Lake Butte des Morts Causeway to eight lanes; and a bike/pedestrian trail across the lake with access for fishing.
Above average crash rates in Winnebago and Brown counties, 3,889 from 2003 through 2007
have occurred. The construction of 40 roundabouts, 24 in Brown County and 16 in
Winnebago County, on this 31 mi. stretch are expected to help make U.S. 41 safer. see WISCONSIN page 50
Metro Areas See Employment Numbers Rise Construction employment increased in 158 out of 339 metropolitan areas between February 2012 and February 2013, declined in 132 and was stagnant in 49, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released April 9 by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted that the industry’s long-awaited recovery could prove fleeting if public construction spending continues to decline and a reported
immigration reform deal could undermine efforts to recruit skilled workers. “While construction employment continues to decline in many parts of the country, the number of communities experiencing gains continues to expand,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “But the twin threats of additional public sector construction cuts and a looming shortage of certain types of construction workers could hurt the industry
just as it is beginning to recover.” Pascagoula, Miss. added the highest percentage of new construction jobs (51 percent, 1,800 jobs) followed by El Centro, Calif. (23 percent, 300 jobs); Anchorage, Alaska (22 percent, 1,800 jobs), Fargo, N.D. (20 percent, 1,200 jobs) and Merced, Calif. (20 percent, 300 jobs). Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown, Texas (13,200 jobs, 8 percent) added the most see INCREASE page 73