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“The Nation’s Best Read Construction Newspaper… Founded 1957.” April 18, 2012 • Vol. XXV • No. 8 • 470 Maryland Drive • Ft. Washington, PA 19034 • 215-885-2900 • Toll Free 800-523-2200 • Fax 215-885-2910 • www.constructionequipmentguide.com
Inside
New N.C. Mobility Fund Kickstarts I-85 Project By Eric Olson CEG CORRESPONDENT
World of Asphalt Draws Record Crowds...8
Martin & Martin Holds Spring Auction...78
Tarheel State transportation officials have had their eye on widening the busy I85 corridor through southern Davidson County in the central part of the state for decades. The hang-up, as always, was money, as well as completing other high-priority projects. But with the creation of the North Carolina Mobility Fund in 2010, the state’s DOT finally found a way to pay for the needed renovation of I-85 and get the project moving forward. Now, as part of a larger I85 improvement plan, work is progressing on expanding the roadway from four to eight lanes just north of the
The approach of traffic heading north on I-85 toward the reconfigure of the Belmont Road interchange.
Yadkin River in a project costing $65.5 million. This second phase of the I85 Corridor Improvement Project, which the state has described as its “number one mobility project,” also includes the reconstruction of the interchange at I-85 and
Belmont Road. Thanks to Gov. Bev Perdue and the state’s General Assembly, this very phase of the improvement project was chosen as the first venture to be funded by the Mobility Fund. The governor see MOBILITY page 38
Florida Bridge Honored on New Stamp
Quick Bridge Repair Readied Lloyd Meekins & Sons Sale a Success...78
Table of Contents ........4 Paving, Compaction & Milling Section ......47-70 Auction Section ....76-85 Business Calendar ......82 Advertisers Index ......86
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) The Tennessee Department of Transportation will use a new construction method to repair two Interstate 24 bridges in downtown Nashville, the agency announced April 9. The process, called accelerated bridge construction technique, will use 277 prefabricated concrete panels to replace the bridge surface decks. The method should reduce repair time because it doesn’t require concrete to be poured and set. Even with the speedier repair method, TDOT estimated that the section of I-24 along the east side of downtown Nashville will be closed completely for 13 weekends during the spring and summer. The conventional repair method could have closed the lanes for months, TDOT said. “Trying to do major repairs to the busiest stretch of interstate in Nashville is a huge challenge,” Commissioner John Schroer said in a news release. “Long-term lane closures in the area would have major impacts, not just
on I-24, but also on the surrounding areas. Closing the interstate on weekends will save time and avoid delays for thousands of motorists.” The bridges haven’t had major repairs since they were built in 1961, according to TDOT. Repairs will begin April 20 and are expected to be finished by Aug. 31. The weekend closures are scheduled to last from 9 p.m. Friday until 5 a.m. Monday. I-24 traffic will be detoured to Interstates 40 and 65 during the closures. TDOT will suspend construction and leave I-24 open for several weekends where traffic is expected to be heavy. Those weekends are April 27-29 for the Country Music Marathon, May 25 to 28 for Memorial Day Weekend, June 7 to 10 for CMA Music Festival and Bonnaroo, and June 22 to 24 for a concert at LP Field. TDOT has used this accelerated bridge construction process once before in 2010 for a bridge on a state Route 24 in Smith County.
The U.S. Postal Service recognized the 25th anniversary of Florida’s Sunshine Skyway Bridge by issuing the $5.15 Sunshine Skyway Bridge Priority Mail stamp.
The U.S. Postal Service recognized the 25th anniversary of Florida’s Sunshine Skyway Bridge by issuing the $5.15 Sunshine Skyway Bridge Priority Mail stamp. In the stamp artwork, the bridge rises from Tampa Bay’s vivid see BRIDGE page 34