Published Nationally
Southeast Edition
® September 26 2018 Vol. XXXI • No. 20
“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
CEO’s Time at West Point Shapes Co.’s Philosophy…8
$3.00
Fla.’s Palmetto Express Work Speeds Toward Finish the Line By Irwin Rapoport CEG CORRESPONDENT
Energy Markets Fuel Doggett’s Success…18
Off-Road Trucks Keep Projects Moving…52
Table of Contents ........4 Paving Section ......36-49 Off-Road Trucks Section ..............................51-65 Parts Section ........84-85 Auction Section ....88-93 Business Calendar......92 Advertisers Index ......94
The Florida Department of Transportation’s (FDOT) $262 million (estimated) design-build SR 826/Palmetto Expressway project will be completed in late fall as crews from the joint venture of Community Asphalt Corporation, Condotte America, De Moya Group Inc. are taking care of the remaining benchmarks of the initiative that began on March 31, 2014. The express lanes are expected to be opened to traffic in early 2019. The work is a joint-venture of FDOT’s District Six (Miami-Dade County) and District Four (Broward County) to implement express lanes along 28 mi. of highway. The Palmetto Express project is adding variable tolled express lanes along the SR
An aerial view of SR 826/Palmetto Expressway.
826/Palmetto Expressway from West Flagler Street to NW 154 Street and along I-75 from the Palmetto Expressway to NW 170 Street in Miami-Dade County. The project is approximately 13 mi. in length and provides continuity to the recently opened I-75 Express Lanes (75 Express) by FDOT District Four, from NW 170 Street in Miami-Dade County to I-595 in Broward County. The purpose of the project as envisioned in the emerging South Florida Express Lanes Network, according to FDOT on the project’s see EXPRESS page 76
Crews build roadway shoulders along SR 826/Palmetto Expressway.
Labor Shortage: It’s Not Necessarily About Pay By Jennifer McKevitt CEG CORRESPONDENT
A recent report from the Associated General Contractors of America notes that more than 80 percent of contractors are struggling to fill hourly craft positions or those that require specialized training to perform. In an attempt to lure in talented workers, per diems and other pay structures are growing increasingly competitive. CEG spoke with Ken Simonson, AGC’s chief economist, who believes the situation will take more than adjusted per diems to resolve. “Construction firms are definitely sensitive to wage and benefits packages,” Simonson said. “However, the problem of attracting qualified workers goes deeper than adjusted costs for
meals, travel and lodging.” The true source of worker shortages isn’t payrelated, he believes. The real issue is training. “About a decade or more ago, schools began de-emphasizing the value of trades,” he said. “Career counselors told everyone that college was the best way to land a high-paying job.” What the counselors didn’t foresee was the accumulated effect of generalized advice. As a result, many degree holders are now struggling with massive debt in minimum wage jobs as a result of a glut in qualified staff for a variety of white-collar positions. Employers are thus able to demand more specialized skills due to competition, further limiting opportunities. However, had those same individuals obtained technical training in construction or manufactur-
ing, they’d likely be gainfully employed with minimal loans to repay. “Students were told that craft jobs in construction were dead ends. Academics were the best path to professional stability. The fact is that’s simply not true,” Simonson said. “It’s actually an exciting time to be in the business of building. We’re introducing drones, laser guided equipment, robotics and 3D printing, among other technical tools.” Recession Hit Construction Hard In truth, however, construction did face a severe downturn during the recession. “Jobs in construction declined around 2006,” Simonson said. “Nationally, there were roughly see LABOR page 84