Published Nationally
Southeast Edition
® June 14 2023 Vol. XXXV • No. 12
“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
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ARDOT photo
Approximately 400,000 cu. yds. of excavation and 450,000 cu. yds. of embankment will be moved during construction.
Covenant Constructors’ Integrity, Hot Market Fuel Success...8
Dream On 3, Industry Team Up to Fulfill Kids’ Sports Dreams...12
Designed to manage congestion and enhance access to the downtown areas of Little Rock and North Little Rock, the 30 Crossing project will make improvements to one of the most heavily trafficked corridors in the state. The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) is overseeing phase one construction, a $633 million undertaking.
By Cindy Riley
CEG CORRESPONDENT
Customers Like Changes at James River’s Charlotte Branch...28
Table of Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Paving Section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47-63 Auction Section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .86-93 Business Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91 Advertisers Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .94
“Originally opened to traffic in 1957, the existing I-30 bridge spanning the Arkansas River was at the end of its useful service life,” said Keli Wylie, ARDOT’s alternative project delivery administrator. “The purpose of this project is to increase the safety of vehicular traffic on I-30 and I-40 by correcting geometric deficiencies, improving the condition of the roadway by see CROSSING page 64
Construction Jobs Picture Looks Bright, But Where Are the Workers? Industry Skilled Craft Worker Need Turns Into Critical Situation By Lucy Perry CEG CORRESPONDENT
Construction employment is on an upward path and that’s both good and bad. By extension, if jobs increase, so does the need for workers. And that’s the continued challenge for the industry: contractors are beating the bushes for skilled labor to meet their labor needs. The AGC reports that as the construction sector was adding 15,000 jobs in April, the industry jobless rate was falling to a record low. see JOBS page 40
Next year, the industry will need more than 342,000 new workers, on top of normal hiring, to meet industry demand.