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September 3 2011 Vol. XVIII • No. 18
“The Nation’s Best Read Construction Newspaper… Founded 1957.” 470 Maryland Drive • Ft. Washington, PA 19034 • 215/885-2900 • Toll Free 800-523-2200 • Fax 215/885-2910 • www.constructionequipmentguide.com
Inside
AGC: Construction Employment Rises in 26 States in July
Tollway and throughout the region, in addition to creating jobs and stimulating the economy. The capital plan provides funding to complete the rebuilding of the 52-year-old Tollway system, including the reconstruction and widening of the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) with accommodations for transit, as well as funds to construct
Construction employment increased in 26 states between July 2010 and July 2011 and during the past month, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of state employment data released by the Labor Department. The relatively even split between states adding and losing construction jobs was to be expected given the fact that overall employment in construction was relatively stagnant in July, association officials noted. “When it comes to construction employment, for every state adding jobs there is another one shedding just as many or more,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, the association’s chief executive officer. “The fact that this industry is breaking even when it comes to construction employment is little comfort for many unemployed construction workers.” The largest percentage increase in construction employment during the past year took place in North Dakota (19.0 percent, 4,000 jobs). Other states experiencing large percentage increases included Illinois (8.2 percent, 15,400 jobs); Michigan (8.0 percent, 9,600 jobs) and Oklahoma (6.0 percent, 4,000 jobs). Texas added the most jobs during the past year (23,800 jobs, 4.2 percent); followed by Illinois; California (13,100 jobs, 2.4 percent) and Michigan. Among the 23 states that lost construction jobs during the past 12 months, Georgia (negative 9.9
see TOLLWAY page 68
see JOBS page 30
Luby Equipm ent Holds Triple Threat Rodeo...12
The capital plan provides funding to complete the rebuilding of the 52-year-old Tollway system.
West Side Tr actor Hosts Golf Outing...20
IRAY Sa le a Succ ess in St. Lennox. .. 92
Table of Contents ........4
Tollway Board Approves 15-Year, $12B Capital Plan The Illinois Tollway board of directors Aug. 25 approved the $12 billion capital plan, Move Illinois: The Illinois Tollway Driving the Future, establishing a guide for infrastructure investments for 2012-2026 and setting a new toll rate for passenger vehicles effective Jan. 1, 2012. Board members voted 7-1 to adopt the 15-year plan that will provide safer travel conditions and relieve congestion on the
Off-Road Trucks Section ..............................39-46
Feds Weigh Infrastructure Financial Solutions
Paving Section ......69-81
By Giles Lambertson CEG CORRESPONDENT
Parts Section ..............83 Auction Section ....88-99 Business Calendar ......93 Advertisers Index ......98
Some leaders in the construction industry and in Washington believe a “national infrastructure bank” (NIB) is the way to fund major building projects across the country. They view the bank as a way to reform infrastructure funding and leverage other public and private sector money. Skeptics are not persuaded that the “bank” really is a bank, nor that it will do much in the
way of reducing the pork barrel that taints so much of today’s infrastructure funding. Both sides of the NIB question are amply expressed on the public record and in this article. Interviews by CEG amplify the positions. In summary: While a consensus to proceed with an NIB seems possible, there are plenty of objections to be overcome. Three Bank Ideas Three variations on the theme have been
introduced into the public discussion, one by President Obama and two in Congress. They vary slightly in the amount of start-up funds authorized and in the money’s distribution. The proposals are: • American Infrastructure Financing Authority introduced by Sen. John Kerry (D–MA). It would be funded by a one-time appropriation of $10 billion for loans and loan guarantees to eligible infrastructure projects. It see INFRASTRUCTURE page 82