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August 31, 2016 • Vol. XXIX • No. 18 • 470 Maryland Drive • Ft. Washington, PA 19034 • 215-885-2900 • Toll Free 800-523-2200 • Fax 215-885-2910
Inside
Denise Aicher, Hannah Solar photo
In Gulfport, Miss., construction is under way on a 23-acre, 3 to 4 mW solar facility at The Naval Construction Battalion Center.
Army Corps Reviews Proposed Interstate By Seanna Adcox AssoCIAtEd prEss
CoLUMBIA, s.C. (Ap) A decades-long proposal to build an interstate to Myrtle Beach is back before the Army Corps of Engineers, which is weighing whether to permit construction of the four-lane, nonstop path to the heart of the state’s tourism industry. Advocates contend Interstate 73 is needed to keep people coming and grow the Grand strand’s economy, while opponents argue the $2.4 billion project is too costly, unnecessary and environmentally destructive. Both sides are invited to send their comments to the Corps and state department of Health and Environmental Control through Aug. 8. As of July 26, the Corps had already received more than 400 statements, said project manager steve Brumagin. there is no timeline on either agency’s decision. Even if both say yes, construction depends on funding. But Brad dean, president of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of
Sunshine State Sees Exciting Project…8
RANC Hosts Annual Meeting…30
The H istory of Trenchers, Trench Shoring…45
Table of Contents ............4 Underground Utility, Trenchers, Trench Boxes & Utilities Section ....41-49 Paving Section ..........51-66 Auction Section ........83-93 Business Calendar ........89 Advertisers Index ..........94
see INTERSTATE page 76
U.S. Navy Invests in Solar Energy In Gulfport, Miss., construction is underway on a 23-acre, 3 to 4 mW solar facility at the naval Construction Battalion Center. the seabee Base project is a partnership between the U.s. navy , Mississippi power and Hannah solar. the facility will feature 12,980 panels, and power up to 450 homes. “renewable energy is important to a well-balanced energy portfolio,” said Anthony Wilson, Mississippi power president and CEo. “this is one of three utility-scale solar projects that have been approved by the Mississippi public service Commission, making our company the state’s largest partner in renewable energy. We are proud to team up with the navy, along with the Commission and its staff, on this very important project.” In early March 2016, a groundbreaking ceremony was held to mark the start of construction. In addition to Wilson, attendees included the
By Cindy Riley
CEG CorrEspondEnt
see SOLAR page 78
Infrastructure Issues Bridge Partisan Divide With 90 days left before Election day, a national poll released Aug. 9 by the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) found that half of registered voters say the nation’s infrastructure has gotten worse over the last five years, and a majority of voters said roads and bridges are in “extreme” need of repair. the findings were part of a new national poll commissioned by AEM to gauge voter perceptions and attitudes about the current and future state of U.s. infrastructure amid a high-profile election. the poll found that registered voters, regardless of political affiliation, recognize the declining state of the nation’s infrastructure as an issue
that should be addressed and believe that the federal government should do more to improve infrastructure across the board. “Americans across the political spectrum understand the dire state of U.s. infrastructure and believe that the federal government should do more to improve our infrastructure,” said dennis slater, president of AEM. “Voters recognized that increased federal funding for assets such as roads, bridges and inland waterways will have a positive impact on the economy, and they are looking to the federal government to repair and modernize.” the national poll identified a number of key findings, including: see INFRASTRUCTURE page 76