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Midwest Edition
January 9 2021 Vol. XXVI • No. 1
4
“The Nation’s Best Read Construction Newspaper… Founded 1957.” 470 Maryland Drive • Ft. Washington, PA 19034 • 215-885-2900 • Toll Free 800-523-2200 • www.constructionequipmentguide.com
Inside
Crews Race to Repair Edenville Dam Before Thaw By Lori Tobias CEG CORRESPONDENT
Chisago County Puts Mecalac to Work on Drainage Project...8
Leguan Appoints Avant New Distributor for N. A. Market...12
Astec KPI-JCI Plant Offers Solution for Quarry...27
Table of Contents ................4 Aggregate & Recycling Section ..........................27-41 Attachment & Parts Section ......................................45-49 Truck & Trailer Section ........ ......................................50-56 Business Calendar ............70 Auction Section ............72-81 Advertisers Index ..............82
Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy photo
The Edenville Dam failed last spring after heavy rains led to a large May flood event. The flooding caused the displacement of 10,000 people.
Emergency work on a failed dam in Midland County, Mich., has Fisher Contracting Co. crews working six days a week on a tight timeline under risky conditions. The Edenville Dam failed last spring after heavy rains led to a large May flood event. The flooding caused the displacement of 10,000 people. “The Edenville Dam is about 100 years old and covers two river systems — the Tobacco River on one side and Tittabawassee River on the other,” said Nick Assendelft, public information officer of the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE). The earth gave way on the Tittabawassee side. The dam was originally purposed for hydro power, but due to noncompliance by the owners for more than a decade, the Federal Regulatory Energy Commission (FERC) revoked their license in 2018. It came under the state’s jurisdiction at that time. Prior to the flood, the state had been working with counties and local stakeholders to bring the dams into compliance. An independent forensic team is looking into causes of the failure. The Sanford Dam also failed, but is under the jurisdiction of the federal government and not part of the emergency repairs. see DAM page 78
What to Expect From New Administration By Lucy Perry CEG CORRESPONDENT
The construction industry could be in for a bumpy ride as the U.S. economy recovers from the coronavirus and the recession tied to it. Dodge Data & Analytics calls for a 4 percent regain in 2021, after a 14 percent loss this year. Will a new administration, new leaders and renewed regulation create more potholes? “The COVID-19 pandemic and
recession has had a profound impact on the U.S. economy, leading to a deep drop off in construction starts in the first half of 2020,” said Richard Branch, Dodge chief economist. “While the recovery is under way, the road to full recovery will be long and fraught with potential potholes.” Branch cited the uncertainty surrounding the wave of infections in the fall and winter, along with delayed fiscal stimulus as reason for “a slow and jagged recovery” next year. see ADMINISTRATION page 66