Published Nationally ® January 3 2018
Southeast Edition
Vol. XXXI • No. 1
“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
Louisiana DOTD Breaks Ground on Hwy 42 Widening
U.S. Officials Pledge More Help for Puerto Rico…8
Agriculture Proves Key to Equipment Sales…12
ARDOT photo
Work on a more than $29 million bridge has inched beyond the halfway point in Arkansas, on U.S. 167 near Calion.
Four-Lane Bridge Key Link for Rural Arkansas Lakeland Drive Expansion Officially Open…26
Table of Contents ..............4 Truck & Trailer Section ...... ....................................29-32 Attachment & Parts Section ....................................33-37 Recycling Section ......47-59 Business Calendar ..........64 Auction Section ..........78-84 Advertisers Index ..............86
$3.00
By Cindy Riley
Work on a more than $29 million bridge has inched beyond the halfway point in Arkansas, on U.S. 167 near Calion. The new structure is considered a key link in completing a four-lane roadway from El Dorado to the Ouachita River. “For most of our team, this is a once in a lifetime type project,” said David Archer, Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) district engineer. “We don’t build very many bridges this size in this part of the state.” The current bridge, located over the Ouachita River on the Calhoun and Union County line, will remain in place. Both bridges will handle two lanes of traffic. Because the new 3,206-ft. bridge over the Ouachita River is an addition and not a replacement, no detours are required, and traffic control is not as much of an issue. Archer said the work comes not a moment too soon for motorists. “Prior to building the existing bridge back in the early 1990s, the river crossing had a short narrow steel truss structure,” said Archer. “Most folks avoided it and tried to find another way across the river. The travelers really welcomed the bridge, and they will be even happier to have the four-lane access the new bridge will provide.” The two southbound lanes will use the current bridge, while the two northbound lanes will utilize the new bridge. Current average daily traffic is 4,500. Archer noted that the new structure will complement the replacement bridge, changing the appearance of the mostly rural area. CEG CORRESPONDENT
see ARDOT page 42
Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development Secretary Shawn Wilson joined Gov. John Bel Edwards and other state and local officials Nov. 30 to officially launch a project to widen state highway 42 in Ascension Parish southeast of Baton Rouge. “Ascension Parish is experiencing an enormous amount of economic and population growth, making it one of the fastest growing parishes in the state, which is why it is very important to make certain that our roads can keep up with the increased demands,” said Edwards. “This has been one of the most talked-about roads in Ascension and in the state,” he added, “and thanks to the great partnerships between the state and local governments we were finally able to break ground on this project.” The project stretches 3.7 miles between U.S. 61 (Airline Highway) and LA 44 (N. Burnside Ave.), and will boost traffic capacity by widening the highway from two to four lanes. It will include an 18-ft.-wide raised grass median between the eastbound and westbound roadways, the announcement said, as well as multiple J-turns to assist larger vehicles with making Uturns throughout the project limits. “This widening was necessary in order to meet the needs of residents and motorists,” the announcement said. “Currently more than 24,000 motorists travel this highly populated section of La. 42 daily. The number of motorists is expected to increase to 37,500 by 2034.” The project also will build a sidewalk on the north side of the roadway and a shared-use path on the south side. “We are excited about this,” said Wilson, “because several years ago the state converted to a complete streets policy for all of our passenger programs, where we evaluate projects to incorporate something that will work in the active transportation world and be a lot more accommodating for pedestrians as well as vehicles.” The two-phase $27.48 million project is a joint effort between Ascension Parish and the DOTD. Road construction began Nov. 27 and the department expects to complete it by spring 2020. (This story also can be found on Construction Equipment Guide’s website at www.constructionequipmentguide.com.)