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June 6, 2015 • Vol. IXX • No. 12 • 470 Maryland Drive • Ft. Washington, PA 19034 • 215-885-2900 • Toll Free 800-523-2200 • Fax 215-885-2910
4
Inside
U.S. 31/Meridian Street looking south from 131st/Main Street.
traffic,” said Nathan Riggs, public information director of INDOT’s East Central District. “It also carries a lot of freight and is very important for the trucking industry. In addition, it’s an area that has seen a lot of residential and commercial growth in recent years and all of that has led to congestion of the existing U.S. 31 corridor. This is a highway that goes from Alabama to Michigan, so there is also a bigger picture to consider. “The existing infrastructure is just beyond its capacity and that inhibits
Construction firms added jobs in 40 states and the District of Columbia between April 2014 and April 2015 and in 30 states and D.C. between March and April, according to an analysis of Labor Department data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said that even as construction employment continues to expand, workforce shortages and infrastructure funding challenges threaten future growth. “The latest data show that construction is growing across most of the country but the gains remain uneven by month and state,” said Ken Simonson, the association's chief economist. “Construction employment grew faster than overall employment in most states in the latest 12 months, but the industry faces two challenges: a lack of experienced workers in many locations and a risk that funding for highway and transit projects will lapse in the next few months.” California added more new construction jobs (42,600 jobs, 6.4 percent) between April 2014 and April 2015 than any other state. Other states adding a high number of new construction jobs for the past 12 months included Florida (32,200 jobs, 8.2 percent), Texas (25,300 jobs, 3.9 percent), Washington (18,700 jobs, 12.0 percent) and Michigan (14,800 jobs, 10.6 percent). Idaho (12.4 percent, 4,400 jobs) added the highest percentage of new construction jobs during the past year, followed by Washington, Michigan and New Jersey (9.9 percent, 13,900 jobs).
see INDOT page 52
see EMPLOYMENT page 97
Fast Friday Wows Howell Tractor Customers...12
Patten CAT Welcomes Customers t o Races...14
INDOT Brings U.S. 31 to Freeway Status With $350M By Irwin Rapoport CEG CORRESPONDENT
Wounde d Wa rri or Proj ect Rebui lds L ives. .. 22
Table of Contents ............4 Air Compressors, Generators & Light Towers Section ........53-59 Paving Section ..........75-85 Auction Section ........90-97 Business Calendar ........92 Advertisers Index ..........98
The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) has provided serious funding to rebuild and widen 13 mi. (21 km) of U.S. 31 in Hamilton County between Interstate 465 and state Route 38 to rebuild the aging highway and upgrade it to freeway status . The work, which began in 2012, will be completed in 2016. “U.S. 31 is a very heavily traveled highway for both commuter and regional
Industry Firms Increase Jobs in 40 States, D.C.
“Equipment leasing and financing help all types and sizes of commercial businesses to acquire the equipment…” William G. Sutton ELFA
ELFA Advises Small Businesses During National Small Business Week, May 4 to 8, the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association (ELFA) reminded small businesses of five key factors to consider when acquiring equipment. Most small businesses need equipment in order to operate
and grow, and each business must decide on an acquisition strategy that is right for them. A majority of businesses turn to equipment leasing and financing so they can take advantage of a range of benefits. “Equipment leasing and
financing help all types and sizes of commercial businesses to acquire the equipment they need to conduct their business operations,” said William G. Sutton, ELFA president and CEO. “For small businesses in particular, see ELFA page 92