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August 2, 2014 • Vol. IXX • No. 16 • 470 Maryland Drive • Ft. Washington, PA 19034 • 215-885-2900 • Toll Free 800-523-2200 • Fax 215-885-2910
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Inside
Towmaster Plays Hos t to Hundreds at Expo...12
Topcon Makes Chicago Stop...16
Sioux Falls Mayor Proposes $492M Over Five Years SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) Sioux Falls Mayor Mike Huether wants to spend nearly half a billion dollars over the next five years on construction projects in South Dakota’s largest city. The mayor’s $492 million wish list includes expanded streets and bike trails, an upgraded storm drainage system and street light technology. He also wants to build a 12th fire station and more parks for people and dogs. “There are cities, there are counties, there are states across America that fail to heed the warnings of their failing infrastructure. Not in Sioux Falls,’’ Huether said. Work is progressing on the multi-year and multi-million dollar project to build The city can afford the projects because of a strong econthe Willow Island hydro-electric power plant located on the south end of the omy bolstered by burgeoning sales tax revenue, according to Willow Island Locks and Dam on the West Virginia side of the Ohio River. the mayor. “Things are booming right now in Sioux Falls,’’ he said. The City Council is expected to start discussing the proposal later this month. A final vote isn’t expected until September. Councilman Greg Jamison said the group will be busy “making sure the money is in the right place.’’ Councilman Rick Kiley said the proposed price tag is not really a shock to city leaders. “It is a big city and it does take a lot of money to run this Willow Island Locks and Dam on the By Irwin Rapoport city, and we want to be sure we are meeting the needs of the West Virginia side of the Ohio River. CEG CORRESPONDENT This structure is located approximately citizens,’’ he said. “I think [the proposal] reflects what the citWork is progressing on the multi-year 161.7 river mi. (260 km) below Point izens of Sioux Falls want. It addresses our infrastructure and and multi-million dollar project to build Bridge, Pittsburgh, Pa., and approximate- our city streets.’’ the Willow Island hydro-electric power ly 10 mi. (16 km) upstream of Marietta, (This story also can be found on Construction Equipment plant located on the south end of the see PLANT page 50 Guide’s Web site at www.constructionequipmentguide.com.)
Willow Island Power Plant Flows Toward 2015 Finish
Bobca t Celeb rate s Mil eston e... 42
Table of Contents ............4 Backhoes & Attachments Section ......................55-67 Paving Section ..........79-89 Auction Section ......94-101 Business Calendar ........97 Advertisers Index ........102
Employment Increases, Declines in Select States Construction firms added jobs in 38 states and the District of Columbia over the past 12 months, but they reduced headcount in 27 states between May and June, according to an analysis July 18 of Labor Department data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said the employment gains help, but that construction employment remains below peak levels
“The overall trend in construction employment remains favorable, with three-fourths of states adding jobs on a year-over-year basis.” Ken Simonson Associated General Contractors of America
in every location except North Dakota. “The overall trend in construction employment remains favorable, with threefourths of states adding jobs on a year-overyear basis,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “But the recovery remains choppy, not steady. In June, monthly gains occurred in fewer than half the see EMPLOYMENT page 96