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® July 20 2011 Vol. XLIX • No. 15
“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
Students Play ‘Apprentice’ for Eco-Crusher…8
NYS AGC Raises Money for Scholar ships…28
N.J . Contr actor Wi ns Kobelco Swee psta kes… 32
Table of Contents ................4 Truck & Trailer Section ........ ......................................63-69 Crushing, Screening & Recycling Section ........73-96 Business Calendar ..........112 Attachment Section .............. ..................................113-118 Parts Section ..................119 Auction Section ......125-140 Advertisers Index............138
Safety Takes Priority on I-64 Improvement Project Calif. Outsources Bay Bridge Work to Chinese Firm By Elaine Kurtenbach AP BUSINESS WRITER
Workers cement pipe into a concrete manhole on frontage road.
SHANGHAI (AP) China’s biggest heavy machinery maker wrapped up work on the new, tougher east span of the San Francisco Bay Bridge on July 11, hoping success with the $6.3 billion project will help it clinch more overseas contracts. California’s Department of Transportation chose Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Co. to fabricate the steel girders and tower meant to improve the earthquake resistance of the bridge linking San Francisco and Oakland after the 1989 Loma Prieta quake collapsed part of the bridge. Zhenhua, which until recently focused mainly on
By Peter Hildebrandt
see BRIDGE page 106
CEG CORRESPONDENT
A construction project is under way in Virginia’s Allegheny County on a section of highway about five miles in length, stretching from mileposts 19 to 24 on Interstate 64 that will improve safety conditions by protecting motorists from cross-over collisions between eastbound and westbound traffic. Some years ago, the material of choice for a barrier system may have been concrete barriers, but many states are now looking to
cable systems that provide a sort of safety net that helps keep vehicles on the right side of the median without the high crash impact of a cement barrier. They also are a less expensive option. The safety improvements on I-64 have been taking place for nearly a year. Before the cable system could be installed, the inside shoulders needed to be reconstructed and the drainage system needed to be improved. Branch Highways Inc., Roanoke, Va., is see SAFETY page 102
Construction Spending Declines in May By Derek Kravitz AP REAL ESTATE WRITER
WASHINGTON (AP) Builders began work on fewer projects in May, led by steep declines in apartment construction and less spending by state and local governments. Construction spending declined 0.6 percent in May to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $757.9 billion, the Commerce Department said July 1. That put overall spending barely above
an 11-year low hit in February. And it is roughly half the $1.5 trillion pace considered healthy by most economists. Analysts say it could be another four years before construction returns to healthier levels. The weak construction spending data showed Americans are reluctant to both build and buy. Home construction fell 2.1 percent. But much of the decline was because an equal decline in apartment building, which can be volatile from month to month. Construction of
single-family homes dropped 0.3 percent. Spending on government projects fell for the eighth consecutive month. The 0.8 percent in May dropped government construction spending to a seasonally adjusted $276 billion annual rate, the weakest pace since February 2007. State and local governments accounted for all of the declines in government spending. They have been cutting back on building projects as they deal with large budget deficits. see SPENDING page 120