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“The Nation’s Best Read Construction Newspaper… Founded 1957.” May 30, 2012 • Vol. XXV • No. 11 • 470 Maryland Drive • Ft. Washington, PA 19034 • 215-885-2900 • Toll Free 800-523-2200 • Fax 215-885-2910 • www.constructionequipmentguide.com
Inside
La. 1 Connector Routes Reaches Important Step
the surface stemming from years of use. These conditions and grade differentials made the terminal challenging for stevedores handling the cargo, and also was very inefficient as sections of the full 244,840 square feet could not be used for storage.”
PORT ALLEN, La. (AP) West Baton Rouge Parish officials have taken what they say is an important next step in building a toll road linking La. Highway 415 to La. 1. Parish President Riley Berthelot told The Advocate a consulting engineering firm has been hired to produce a highly accurate picture of the project’s revenue potential. Berthelot said the parish’s transportation authority was entering into an agreement with the CDM Smith firm to conduct a $460,000, eight-month study aimed at obtaining the needed information. CDM Smith’s study is being financed through a state grant, Berthelot said. The La. 1 connector route is a project Berthelot has been pushing for more than a decade. The parish president said he believes the proposed roadway, estimated to cost $30 million, would help reduce traffic congestion caused by vehicles using the existing Port Allen bridge across the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. Berthelot said about 44,000 vehicles cross the bridge daily in a parish that has a population of 24,000 people.
see ASPA page 24
see STUDY page 53
Nortrax Holds Demo Days in Tenn. … 8
Alabama State Port Authority photo
Aerial image of Pier C North, where the foundations in that area of the backside of the yard, close to the warehouse, were not suitable for use. This is where the old railroad structures were, as well as the varying elevations. Yoder & Frey Holds Auction in Kissimmee…60
Iron, Steel Trade Growth Spurs Alabama Port Refurbishment By Cindy Riley CEG CORRESPONDENT
More Than 1,700 Bidders Vie for Iron in Orlando…62
Table of Contents ................4 Truck & Trailer Section ........ ......................................28-30 Attachment Section ....31-33
Construction crews in Mobile, Ala., are busy refurbishing the Alabama State Port Authority (ASPA) as the docks experience dramatic growth in iron and steel trade. “The old yard was very
dated, with approximately 70,000 square feet of unused road and rail area positioned on the back side of the pier area,” said ASPA spokesperson Judith Adams. “The Pier C North terminal is the ASPA’s largest open yard on the main docks. Large sections of the yard had depressions or patched holes in
Ramp-Lengthening to Improve I-81 Safety
Recycling Section ........35-45 By Peter Hildebrandt
Parts Section ................46-48
CEG CORRESPONDENT
Auction Section ..........55-67
Interstate 81 as it swings around in a long gentle arc to the north through Tennessee is a hectic, well-travelled thoroughfare. This is an area well known for its sudden fogs and regular rock- and
Business Calendar ............58 Advertisers Index ..............66
Crews have moved 600,000 cu. yds. (458,733 cu m) of dirt on this job so far, most of which was waste.
landslides in mountainous stretches. The Great Smoky Mountain National Park can be seen on the horizon just to the east and south. With all this going on for this busy roadway it’s inevitable that area accidents lead to massive traffic tieups. One way to reduce the number of accidents and to
relieve the congestion is to lengthen the exit and entrance ramps in the area. Longer ramps increase visibility while driving, give plenty of room to vehicles and let drivers prepare and act when incidents occur just ahead on the interstate. In White Pine, Tenn., lengthen see RAMP page 20