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“The Nation’s Best Read Construction Newspaper… Founded 1957.” 470 Maryland • Ft.• No. Washington, PA 19034 • 215/885-2900 • Toll •Free 800-523-2200 Fax 215/885-2910 • www.ConstructionEquipmentGuide.com March 28, 2012 •Drive Vol. XLIX 7 • 470 Maryland Drive • Ft. Washington, PA 19034 215-885-2900 • Toll Free•800-523-2200 • Fax 215-885-2910 • www.constructionequipmentguide.com
Inside
Landmark W.Va. Bridge Restored to Glory Photo Courtesy of West Virginia Department of Transportation
The blue and gold colors of the Market Street Bridge in West Virginia symbolize the culmination of a major renovation, which enhanced the safety and improved the aesthetic appeal of the structure.
Cat Takes Trade Writers on N.C. Facility Tour…8
New AED Chairman Brings Enthusi asm to Role…14
By Tracy Carbasho CEG CORRESPONDENT
What began as the restoration of the Market Street Bridge in West Virginia has become another chapter in the structure’s significance as a landmark. “It’s an old, but structurally sophisticated bridge,” said Gus Suwaid, construction engineer of District 6 of the West Virginia Department of Worl d of Asph alt, AGG1 Set Re cords…18
Transportation. “This project included an aesthetic element that made it beautiful and I’ve been getting comments from people three and four counties away. It just added another landmark feature to the region.” What makes the steel suspension bridge so striking at night is the array of white and blue lights that adorn it from end to end and top to bottom. The lights beckon motorists who have
Recycling Section ....69-89 Business Calendar ......102 Attachment Section .......... ..............................106-109 Parts Section ..............110 Auction Section ..116-132 Advertisers Index ........130
see BRIDGE page 94
Highway Bill Passes Rooftop Highway Remains Senate; On to House
Table of Contents ............4 Truck & Trailer Section .... ..................................57-65
been forced to use the nearby Veterans Memorial Bridge while the Market Street structure has been closed for various periods of time since January 2010. The bridge was closed during most of 2010
Route 11 for most of its length, and in the process crossing Jefferson, Franklin, St. Lawrence, Lewis and Clinton counties. The proposed highway has become known by more than one name. The federal government recognizes it as forming part of Congressional High Priority Corridor 50 under the 2005 Safe, Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act, while the latest NYSDOT study terms the broader area the Northern Tier Expressway: Route 11
WASHINGTON (AP) The Senate voted March 14 to overhaul transportation programs and keep aid flowing to thousands of construction projects while strengthening highway and auto safety. The 74-22 vote stepped up pressure for quick action by House because the government’s power to collect about $110 million a day in federal gasoline and diesel taxes, the main source of revenue for highway and transit programs, is set to expire March 31. If a final bill isn’t on the president’s desk by then, Congress would have to approve a temporary extension to avoid a shutdown of the programs, including the furlough of Federal Highway Administration employees and the layoff of construction workers. The White House praised senators for trying to address these critical national needs and expressed hope the
see ROOFTOP page 42
see BILL page 46
Controversial Over 30 Years By Mary Reed CEG CORRESPONDENT
First broached for New York State more than 30 years ago, a proposed limited-access four-lane expressway running between Watertown, at the eastern end of Lake Ontario, to Plattsburgh in Clinton County, remains highly controversial. Crossing that area of upstate New York State, nicknamed the North Country, it would be approximately 172 mi. (277 km) long, running parallel to existing U.S.