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Midwest Edition
November 16 2019 Vol. XXV • No. 23
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“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
$150M Putting Indiana Bridge Back in Business By Cindy Riley CEG CORRESPONDENT
Kelpe Contracting — In Ser vice to Ot her s...8
Mor tenson Construction’s M.A. Mor tenson Passes Away...22
Salt or Sand? Which Is Better for Treating Wintr y Roads...61
Table of Contents............ 4 Truck & Trailer Section.... .................................. 35-42 Recycling Section.... 43-60 Snow & Ice Section..61-66 Attachment Section 67-71 Business Calendar........ 86 Auction Section.... 92-103 Advertisers Index........ 102
The 6,200-ft. bridge will stand at the same height above Indiana Harbor and Ship Canal as the original bridge, with 9-ft. shoulders on each side, and a 12-ft. lane of traffic in every direction.
Designed to serve as an elegant landmark, the new Cline Avenue Bridge in East Chicago, Ind., will alleviate traffic congestion and enhance transport connectivity in northwestern Indiana when it opens in 2020. The 6,200-ft. bridge will stand at the same height above Indiana Harbor and Ship Canal as the original bridge, with 9-ft. shoulders on each side, and a 12-ft. lane of traffic in every direction. “This project has been an integral part of East Chicago’s and Lake County’s economic and commercial growth,” said Terry Velligan, general manager of operations at Cline Avenue Bridge. “The new bridge has been long anticipated to be reconstructed as The Gateway of Lake County. Many people in Lake County rely on the Cline Avenue Bridge for fast, safe and efficient travel for their daily lives.” Work on the privately funded $150 million project began in 2017. The bridge will serve daily commuters traveling to and from work, vacationers coming from Chicago, interstate freight traffic and individuals visiting attractions
around the southern tip of Lake Michigan. “The Cline Avenue Bridge is perfectly situated in the northernmost part of Lake County that connects Indiana to Illinois,” said Velligan. “Cline Avenue serves East Chicago, Hammond, Whiting and Gary, home to some of the largest industries in the state, such as BP, Arcelor Mittal Steel and US Steel.”
Cline Avenue Bridge photo
The bridge is part of SR 912 and connects to one of the most traveled highways in the nation, the stretch of Interstate 80/94 known as the Borman Expressway. With 50 percent of all truck traffic in the nation passing through Chicago along the Borman, Cline Avenue offers a more direct route to Chicago than the Borman. see PRECAST page 78
Improving Minnesota Roads, BNSF Rail Operations grubbing operations and geotechnical borings to better understand the soil conditions that may impact the construction. Construction began in mid-July for The highway and rail project, the $34 million, design-build Willmar which should be completed in Wye project, an initiative led by the November 2022, is being financed Minnesota Department of with funds from BNSF Railway, Transportation (MnDOT) and its MnDOT, Kandiyohi County and a partners — Burlington Northern TIGER Grant through the Federal Santa Fe Railway (BNSF), city of Rail Administration. The city is conWillmar, Kandiyohi County and the tributing land from the former Kandiyohi County and city of Willmar Economic Development The project will add a 2.5-mi. rail connection between the Willmar Municipal Airport to the Commission. Morris and Marshall subdivisions of the BNSF rail lines at the project. The project will add a 2.5-mi. rail The contract was awarded to west edge of Willmar and to facilitate the new rail line and betHoffman Construction and the initial ter move freight through the city, trunk highways U.S. 12 and connection between the Morris and work has consisted of clearing and MN 40 will be reconstructed to go over the new railway. see EARTHWORK page 80
By Irwin Rapoport
CEG CORRESPONDENT
Minnesota Department of Transportation photo