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December 26, 2012 • Vol. XXV • No. 26 • 470 Maryland Drive • Ft. Washington, PA 19034 • 215-885-2900 • Toll Free 800-523-2200 • Fax 215-885-2910
Inside
ARTBA Unveils Funding Forecast for 2013 By Pete Sigmund CEG EDITORIAL CONSULTANT
Warrior Tractor Holds Christmas Luncheon…8
(A growing, vibrant highway and bridge program is one of the keys to economic recovery. The American Road and Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) addressed important topics and questions pertaining to the infra-
structure construction market in a recent “Webinar” forecast for Wall Street analysts and construction industry executives. Following are highlights of this presentation by David Bauer, ARTBA’s senior vice president, government affairs, and Dr. Alison Premo Black, ARTBA’s chief economist.) A recent “Webinar” by the
American Road and Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) in Washington, D.C., addressed a “status quo” stalemate in highway and bridge funding and highlighted the urgent need for shoring up Highway Trust Fund (HTF) revenues to stimulate activity, and spotlighted a broad range of infrastructure activity and needs.
The ARTBA officials pointed out that MAP-21 (Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century), the 27-month, $101.3-billion transportation bill that President Obama signed into law on July 6, 2012, is a two-year reauthorization of federal surface transportation programs. In this environment, they predicted see FUNDING page 24
Pressure Rises Over Decision for Oil Pipeline
May Heavy-Equip Takes On Kawasaki Loaders…22
By Josh Lederman ASSOCIATED PRESS
Photo courtesy of Trahan Architects JM Wood Fi nishe s Str ong in 2 012…74
Table of Contents ....................4 Underground Utility, Trenchers & Trench Boxes Section ..37-39 Paving Section..................41-53
The museum’s boxy exterior walls are clad in louvers of local wood planks, a reference to the rich timber legacy of the region.
Natchitoches, La.’s Museum to Showcase History, Sports By Lori Lovely CEG CORRESPONDENT
Parts Section..........................54 Business Calendar ................70 Auction Section................72-82 Advertisers Index ..................82
Natchitoches, La., the oldest settlement from the Louisiana Purchase, will soon celebrate divergent aspects of its history when the Louisiana State Museum and Sports Hall of Fame opens next year. The $12.6 million facility under construction on Front Street in the Historic District will showcase two seemingly disconnected subjects within one contempo-
rary venue: sports and history. “The project brings two programs formerly housed separately into a common venue tailored to exhibits and filled with state-of-the-art displays,” said John Davis, director of the state’s Office of Facility Planning and Control. The Sports Hall of Fame will occupy the first floor of the 28,000-sq.-ft. museum building. The second floor will showcase sports memorabilia and house the Northwest see MUSEUM page 28
WASHINGTON (AP) President Barack Obama faces mounting pressure as he embarks on a second term over a decision he had put off during his re-election campaign: whether to approve the $7 billion proposed Keystone XL oil pipeline between the United States and Canada. On its surface, it’s a choice between the promise of jobs and economic growth and environmental concerns. But it’s also become a proxy for a much broader fight over American energy consumption and climate change, amplified by Superstorm Sandy and the conclusion of an election that was all about the economy. Environmental activists and oil producers alike are looking to Obama’s decision as a harbinger of what he’ll do on climate and energy in the next four years. Both sides are holding out hope that, freed from the political constraints of re-election, the president will side with them on this and countless related issues down the road. “The broader climate movement is absolutely looking at this administration’s see PIPELINE page 80