Published Nationally ®
Southeast Edition $3.00
“The Nation’s Best Read Construction Newspaper… Founded 1957.”
www.constructionequipmentguide.com
April 15, 2015 • Vol. XXVII • No. 8 • 470 Maryland Drive • Ft. Washington, PA 19034 • 215-885-2900 • Toll Free 800-523-2200 • Fax 215-885-2910
Inside
IBM Services Center to Spur State DOTs Construction in Baton Rouge Cancel, Delay
Improvements Four states have canceled or delayed $780 million in transportation improvement projects and another nine say over $1.8 billion are at risk because of continued uncertainty over whether Congress will take action soon to fix the ailing Highway Trust Fund (HTF). The Washington, D.C.-based American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) reviewed news reports, public statements and testimony from state officials to compile the list featured in a March 24 report. On average, the HTF is the source of 52 percent of all highway and bridge capital investments made annually by state governments. Funding for the federal highway and transit program expires on May 31 unless Congress acts. The HTF has suffered five revenue shortfalls
Wildwood Contractors Specializes in Tight Spaces…8
Power Equipment Hosts Open House…12
see DOT page 78
Thompson Machinery Opens New Facility…20
Table of Contents ........4 Skid Steer Section ..............................49-63 Paving Section ......64-67 Parts Section ........78-79 Business Calendar ......84 Auction Section ....88-97 Advertisers Index ......98
The Lemoine Company photo
As the first high-rise riverfront residential and office project in downtown Baton Rouge in more than half a century, the new IBM Services Center complex is expected to spur additional construction in the area.
By Cindy Riley
As the first high-rise riverfront residential and office project in downtown CEG CORRESPONDENT Baton Rouge in more than half a century, the new IBM Services Center complex is expected to spur additional construction in the area. The $55 million, mixed-use development will feature two towers connected by a 24,000 sq. ft. (2,229.6 sq m) private terrace overlooking the Mississippi River. “It will change the Baton Rouge skyline and help to bring a critical mass of residents to the downtown area,” said Tina Rance of Commercial Properties Realty Trust, which manages and develops property holdings of the Baton Rouge Area Foundation (BRAF). “The transformation has been amazing to watch. Baton Rouge was really missing the opportunity for riverfront development, and now the IBM/525 Lafayette residential tower serves as a catalyst for many other new projects.” The software development center will employ college graduates and professionals with backgrounds in computer science, engineering, mathematics and science. With operations in more than 170 countries, the New York-based globally integrated technology giant had been considering bringing a major facility to Baton Rouge for quite some time. “IBM Services Center Baton Rouge is the result of an innovative, public-private partnership see IBM page 40
OSHA Grossly Underestimates Silica Standards A new report released by the Construction Industry Safety Coalition (CISC) found that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) proposed silica standards for U.S. construction industry will cost the industry $5 billion per year — roughly $4.5 billion per year more than OSHA’s estimates. The coalition cautioned that the flawed cost estimates reflect deeper flaws in the rule and urged the federal agency to reconsider its approach. OSHA’s proposed rule, intended to drastically reduce the permissible exposure limit (PEL) of crystalline silica for the construction industry, has been underestimated by the agency to cost the construction industry see OSHA page 76