Texas 1 January 7, 2018

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$99.3M ‘Aggie Expressway’ Expansion Phase II Under Way

By Chuck Harvey CEG CORRESPONDENT

Work is proceeding on a $99.3 million Phase II Texas State Highway 249 extension project headed by Harris County Toll Road Authority. Crews will ultimately extend the highway from northern Harris County north through a portion of Montgomery County to Navasota in Grimes County south of College Station. SH 249 is better known as the “Aggie Expressway.”

The Phase II amount is on top of $94.4 million spent on Phase I, a 6-mi. stretch of Texas 249 known as the

Tomball Tollway. It featured extension of toll and frontage lanes from Spring Cypress Road north to FM 1774 in Pinehurst.

Phase II is funded through Harris County Toll Road Authority revenue bonds and extends 1.7 mi. from FM 2920 to the Harris-Montgomery County line. Crews will construct paved northbound and southbound frontage roads, each three lanes wide, and a six-lane tollway.

The extended SH 249 will connect to frontage roads and a tollway in Montgomery County. Currently it ends just north of Spring Cypress Road in

Harris County.

Phase II work began March 1, 2017 and is expected to be completed in December 2019.

Phase II Began in Frontage Lanes The Phase II project began on the north and southbound frontage lanes.

“Once these are completed, the existing traffic will be moved to these lanes and construction can begin on the tollway,” said John Tyler, deputy director of engineering at Harris County Toll Road Authority. see AGGIE page 10

Cloverfield Machinery Arrives in Tyler Buying and selling equipment in East Texas may have just gotten a little easier.

Charles Countryman recently launched Cloverfield Machinery LLC in Tyler, offering traditional sales, as well as consignment services and online auctions. Located between Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston and Shreveport, La., Cloverfield ships equipment to buyers throughout the country and exports out of the Port of Houston.

Countryman brings considerable used equipment experience to Cloverfield, having been operations manager at a major Northern California construction company before joining a national equipment brokerage firm where he held the position of chief operations officer.

After serving as a staff sergeant in the U.S. Army from 1994 to 1998, Countryman owned a small logging company see CLOVERFIELD page 8

Charles Countryman recently launched Cloverfield Machinery LLC in Tyler, offering traditional sales, as well as consignment services and online auctions. The company is located between Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston and Shreveport, La.

Harris County Toll Road Authority photo

The extended SH 249 will connect to frontage roads and a tollway in Montgomery County. Currently it ends just north of Spring Cypress Road in Harris County.

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Page 4 • January 7, 2018 • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • Texas State Supplement • Construction Equipment Guide

Bullet Train Chooses Route From North Texas to Houston The Texas Bullet Train made a big push forward as federal regulators for the first time outlined a preferred route between North Texas and Houston, identified passenger station locations.

The Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) analysis, completed after nearly four years of work, provides a path for the highspeed train’s planning, design and pre-construction phases, and it ensures the safety and environmental wellbeing of counties and communities along the 240-mi. route.

The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS), the result of an extensive, public process required for major infrastructure projects, starts the consultation process that will allow the Bullet Train to link the state’s two largest urban and economic centers in a travel time of less than 90 minutes, with a midway stop in the Brazos Valley.

The independent, environmental analysis stems from work over the last four years by hundreds of experts, including biologists and natural resource technicians; civil, audio, mechanical and electrical engineers; architects and geologists; and historians and sociologists, among many others.

They reviewed the system’s potential impact on the environment and how to manage it to best protect private property and farmland; natural resources, water and wetlands; threatened and endangered species; energy demands; and other conditions along the 240-mi. route.

The U.S. Department of Transportation called the report’s release “an important milestone” in the permitting process of the train.

“Safe, accessible and efficient regional rail systems are an important component in the transportation networks of many areas,” Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao said, referring to the Texas Bullet Train and others being developed. “As proposed, these rail projects would increase travel options and promote economic growth in their regions of the country.”

The assessment is the latest major advancement by the train, including the recent selection of Irving, Texas-based Fluor Enterprises Inc. and The Lane Construction Corp. as the preferred design/build team, with WSP USA conducting engineering work on their behalf.

The report also reflects input from thousands of comments by the public, including landowners, community groups, elected officials and others. An independent consultant managed by the FRA solicited, compiled and reviewed the public responses and technical reviews.

The FRA said the train would “alleviate the strain” on the state’s existing infrastructure and “is needed to accommodate growing demand.”

Texas Central photo

There will be no “at grade crossings,” removing the risk of intersecting with vehicles and allowing for free movement of wildlife, pedestrians and cars.

Texas Central CEO Carlos Aguilar said the design/build teams, which have domestic and international rail experience, will use the DEIS findings to incorporate more details into planning, cost and scheduling. Their work will address remaining environmental issues in the best way possible and avoid conflicts with existing infrastructure, such as roads, transmission lines and subsurface utilities.

“Thousands of hours have been spent to ensure the Texas Bullet Train will be constructed and operated in a way that gives Texans a choice for the safest mode of transportation in the world. This process ensures issues identified are addressed in the best way possible for communities and the environment. We will respectfully follow this public consultation process to ensure legitimate concerns from all stakeholders are addressed” Aguilar said.

Among the DEIS highlights: Preferred Route It outlines a preferred route for the allelectric train that mostly follows transmission lines in a utility corridor between North Texas and Houston. This is the result of a study by the FRA and other government agencies, that started with more than a halfdozen options.

The preferred alignment would minimize impacts on the environment and existing development and would allow the system to optimize operational efficiency. It also outlines a more precise route, that would accelerate planning, design and coordination with landowners and communities.

In comparing the final options, the FRA identified a preferred route that “would have fewer permanent impacts to the socioeco-

nomic, natural, physical and cultural resources environment.”

Passenger Stations It gives potential passenger terminal sites in Dallas, Houston and the only midway stop, in Grimes County, serving Bryan/College Station in the Brazos Valley.

The report notes transit services in Dallas and Harris counties, operated by DART and METRO respectively, could see increased ridership because of the project.

Also, stations would be built to minimize energy and water usage and promote indoor air quality.

The Dallas station will be in the Cedars area south of the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center.

The Brazos Valley Station in Grimes County will be near Texas 90 and state Highway 30. It would serve Bryan-College Station and include direct shuttle service to Texas A&M University, according to the report.

It lists three options for the Houston passenger terminal, with a final to be determined later. It would be in the general area south of U.S. 290, west of Loop 610 and north of Interstate 10 — near major employment centers, including the Galleria, Medical Center, Energy Corridor and downtown.

Environmental Impact The proposed high-speed train technology — which is the safest, most efficient way to travel in the world — will be built incorporating viaduct structures on a significant part of the alignment to maintain existing road crossings and allow for economic activity to continue.

There will be no “at grade crossings,”

removing the risk of intersecting with vehicles and allowing for free movement of wildlife, pedestrians and cars.

Also, the clean nature of the rail system will benefit high-growth areas where some counties already have reached air quality non-attainment status.

The analysis “considered permanent impacts to air quality, water quality, noise and vibration, hazardous materials, aesthetics and visual, transportation, land use, socioeconomic, safety and security, and recreation facility. Overall, construction and operation impacts would not affect [these] in a disproportionately high and adverse manner.”

The project is expected to generate $36 billion in direct economic activity over the next 25 years, create more than 10,000 direct jobs per year during construction and up to 1,000 jobs permanently when operational.

As the DEIS confirms, at least 25 percent of these permanent jobs will be in rural counties along the route.

In addition, the report said, “Every permanent job from the [high-speed rail] HSR system would indirectly spur two to four jobs in supporting industries.”

The railroad also expects to pay more than $2.5 billion in taxes over the next 25 years, going to counties, cities, schools and other taxing entities along the route. And “this positive impact on tax revenues would occur annually, as it would create permanent changes to employment and earnings within the regional economy,’’ the report said.

For more information, visit www.texascentral.com.

(This story also can be found on Construction Equipment Guide’s website at www.constructionequipmentguide.com.)

Construction Equipment Guide • Texas State Supplement • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • January 7, 2018 • Page 5

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Page 6 • January 7, 2018 • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • Texas State Supplement • Construction Equipment Guide

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A native of West Texas, Rivas had previously worked for Buckhorn Energy in the oilfield waste solution field, and for a company providing rental equipment to the oilfields.

“I’m excited to be back in West Texas and to be associated with Cisco Equipment,” Rivas said. “Scott Sibert, Kirk and their team have helped make it a comfortable transition into the heavy equipment industry.”

In his new role, Kent will be involved in the sales and rental of both new and used machines.

“We’re excited about the enthusiasm, professionalism and high level of customer service that Kent brings to Cisco,” Daniel said.

Cisco sells Link-Belt, Hyundai, New Holland and JCB construction equipment from its branches in Odessa, San Angelo and Lubbock, Texas and Artesia, N.M.

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(This story also can be found on Construction Equipment Guide’s website at www.constructionequipmentguide.com.)

Construction Equipment Guide • Texas State Supplement • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • January 7, 2018 • Page 7

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Page 8 • January 7, 2018 • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • Texas State Supplement • Construction Equipment Guide

‘A Handshake Still Means Something at Cloverfield’ CLOVERFIELD from page 1

in Idaho, which gave him firsthand knowledge of the challenges of equipment ownership, as well as the challenges involved in selling that equipment when it was no longer needed.

“I think that gives me a unique perspective that many in the business do not have,” he said.

A serious logging accident in 1999 forced Countryman to find a career that was less strenuous physically, leading him to construction management and ultimately to the equipment brokerage firm. He left there late in 2016 and started Cloverfield in January 2017.

honestly couldn’t imagine having a company in which she wasn’t 100 percent active on a daily basis,” Countryman said. “When it comes to the books and doing whatever, we can ensure that our clients are happy … who else in the company would care as much about that than us?

“Having raised six children together, we’ve definitely got each other figured out and being empty nesters gives us more time to focus on our business,” he added. “She’s technically the vice president of our company, but her role and responsibilities go beyond any title. If something needs to be done, she ensures it is accomplished and she is exceptional about establishing processes behind the scenes so as much as possible, things run smoothly on a day to day basis.”

Laura Countryman’s grandparents owned a dairy in the Henderson, Texas, area, so when it came time to decide on a home base for Cloverfield Machinery, picking East Texas was a pretty easy choice, according to Charles.

“Texas is such a super state and extremely appreciative of its veterans. As a combat vet and having three sons currently serving in

The Importance of a Handshake Cloverfield’s mission statement is, “A Handshake Still Means Something at Cloverfield Machinery LLC.” and the company’s philosophy is quite simple, according to Countryman: “We sell equipment … we don’t collect it to gather dust.”

“Our aspiration is that we are always relatable and always approachable to both our buyers and sellers, because we consider them both our client,” he added. “Deep down, we’re just like them, and that’s how we got started in the equipment business two decades ago.”

The used equipment industry has definitely seen many changes over the past 18 months with mergers and acquisitions among advertisers, resellers, auction companies and even manufacturers In this photo is Charles Countryman when he first totaling over $6.8 billion in started his logging company in Sandpoint, Idaho, in using a John Deere 540A. On his lap is one of his acquisitions, Countryman 1995 sons who is now a Blackhawk Helicopter Pilot in the said.

U.S. Army.

“It’s exciting to see an industry that has somewhat been ‘stuck in its the Army, that makes a big difference to us, ways’ to go through so many market shifts which also was a factor when deciding over the past year and a half. Texas has where we would settle long-term to build our always been a stable used equipment market, company.”

One of Countryman’s sons is a helicopter traditionally ranking in the top three states year after year for buying and selling equip- pilot.

“He has the same combat patch as I have, ment, we see that trend continuing for quite which is pretty unusual,” Charles said. “I some time.” earned my combat patch in Somalia and he earned his in Afghanistan.”

A Family Affair For more information, visit http://cloverCloverfield’s partner, in both life and his company, is his wife, Laura. The two have fieldmachinery.com/.

(This story also can be found on worked together since they started their logConstruction Equipment Guide’s website at ging company 22 years ago.

“I’ve had lots of people comment that www.constructionequipmentguide.com.) they couldn’t work with their spouse, but I CEG

A typical Sennebogen application.

Komatsu Southwest Adds Sennebogen to Its Line Up The new Komatsu dealership serving New Mexico and west Texas is continuing its growth by adding Sennebogen purposebuilt material handlers to its flagship line.

Grant Adams, president of Komatsu Southwest, has been leading an ambitious program to grow the company’s scope of equipment and services.

Constantino Lannes, president of Sennebogen LLC, indicated that, “We’ve always enjoyed success working with industry leaders and we’re very pleased to have Grant and the Komatsu Southwest team representing us in the region.”

Sennebogen: Part of the Plan Adams noted that he had designs on adding Sennebogen into his product mix from the outset. Prior to taking his appointment to open Komatsu Southwest, Adams held senior positions with other Sennebogen dealers on the east coast.

“When I came out west, I knew that Komatsu and Sennebogen were a great fit, “Adams said. “I started a dialog with Constantino right away. Komatsu is on the job anywhere there’s a material handler.

They work well together.”

Adams continued, “Representing Komatsu and Sennebogen together along with our roadbuilding and all our attachment lines, we’re able to offer a complete equipment and service package to key customers in any sector.”

As well as supporting current Sennebogen customers in the territory, the Komatsu Southwest sales and service team plans to build its business in scrap, recycling and waste facilities, quarries, log yards and sawmills, demolition, as well as in pipe-handling applications for the oil and gas indus-

try.

“For many of these customers, a material handler is the keystone piece of equipment in their production process. By offering them a premiere product, with Sennebogen, we are well-positioned to surround their key machine with a complete range of related rolling stock, plus the right attachments to deliver a complete solution.”

Investment in Inventories, Service Komatsu has committed to building inventories in the four branches under Adams’ watch. Through this past year, they have more than doubled the investment in equipment, parts inventories, tooling and training at these locations.

“Sennebogen parts are already in stock and machines for sale and rent are on their way,” according to Adams.

The service departments in each branch have also seen rapid growth. Komatsu Southwest operates locations in Albuquerque, Farmington, and Carlsbad, N.M., as well as El Paso, Texas.

“For example, in the last year we’ve gone from 12 technicians to a total of 36 today.

With Sennebogen’s support and training programs, we are investing very heavily in factory training for all of our staff. We’ll also have a Sennebogen product specialist on our sales team to assist our representatives in advising their customers on their material handling applications. It’s a great fit all the way round.”

For more information, visit komatsusw.com/ and Sennebogen-na.com.

(This story also can be found on Construction Equipment Guide’s website at www.constructionequipmentguide.com.)

Construction Equipment Guide • Texas State Supplement • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • January 7, 2018 • Page 9

Page 10 • January 7, 2018 • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • Texas State Supplement • Construction Equipment Guide

Aggie Expressway Project Eases Congestion Along SH 249 AGGIE from page 1

Along with extending the highway, the project includes construction of pavement, bridges, mechanically-stabilized earth walls, drainage, signs, traffic signals, utility relocations, striping and barriers.

Bridge construction includes Harris County Toll Road Authority bridges over cross streets and Spring Creek. The tollway is designed to run electronically just as it was in Phase I. Webber LLC of The Woodlands, Texas, is primary contractor. Webber was selected through a bid process. A subsidiary of Ferrovial S.A., Webber employs approximately 2,000 crewmembers and specializes in developing intelligent solutions that improve the communities. Between 80 and 85 workers are on the job each day.

Binkley & Barfield Inc., a civil engineering firm based in Houston, designed the project.

Major contractors for Phase II include Austin Filter of Austin, retaining walls; Mikels Construction Co. Inc. of Houston, gas lines; Aaron Concrete Contractors of Austin, concrete-storm sewer installations; Magnum of Magnolia, Texas, foundation improvement and site work; and RDI of Houston, drill shafts.

Variety of Projects Currently, workers are installing storm sewers, relocating utilities,

be non-tolled in Grimes County.

When completed, the highway will connect Houston to College Station, home of the Texas A & M University Aggies.

Harris County Toll Road Authority photo

Crews will ultimately extend the highway from northern Harris County north through a portion of Montgomery County to Navasota in Grimes County south of College Station. SH 249 is better known as the “Aggie Expressway.”

installing drill shafts, building embankments and retaining walls, improving foundations, demolishing existing pavement and installing traffic signals.

Heavy equipment on site includes track-hoes, vacuum trucks, MUD tanks (an open-top container, typically made of square steel tube and steel plate, to store drilling fluid on a drilling rig), cranes, cherry pickers (a hydraulic crane with a platform at the end for raising and lowering people) and

front loaders.

About 88,000 cu. yds. of concrete will be used over the course of the project. Dirt is being brought in to provide 750,000 cu. yds. of embankment.

Highway Extension Will Help Traffic Flow Officials said the 249 Extension project will serve growing communities northwest of Houston. It will be an entirely new road that starts north of Magnolia, in Todd

Mission.

It extends a Montgomery County segment that’s now under development.

Total length of the four phases is about 14.6 mi. The project ends just east of Navasota, Texas in Grimes County.

The Texas Department of Transportation is overseeing construction of the toll road from FM 1774 in Pinehurst to Todd Mission, then will build the rest of the “Aggie Expressway,” expected to

Phases III, IV Are Planned The Montgomery County Toll Road Authority will take over for Phase III, which will replace the current stretch of Hwy. 249 from Spring Creek to FM 149 with tolled lanes and frontage roads.

Phase III will span 3.5 mi. from Spring Creek to FM 149 in Pinehurst. The fourth and final phase will stretch 25 mi. from Montgomery County to Grimes County, crossing FMs 149, 1774, 1488 and 1486 in Magnolia in the process.

The new highway will be nontolled in Grimes County.

Phase IV will be a design-build project in which TxDOT will accept proposals for the project, rather than sending it out for construction bids. Phase IV crews will build a new four-lane road with two-lane, one-way frontage roads to the right of FM 1774.

When completed, the four sections, referred to as “Aggie Expressway” will connect Houston to College Station.

(This story also can be found on Construction Equipment Guide’s website at www.constructionequipmentguide.com.)

CEG

Harris County Toll Road Authority photo

Harris County Toll Road Authority photo

Work is proceeding on a $99.3 million Phase II Texas State Highway 249 extension project headed by Harris County Toll Road Authority.

Phase II is funded through Harris County Toll Road Authority revenue bonds and extends 1.7 mi. from FM 2920 to the Harris-Montgomery County line.

Construction Equipment Guide • Texas State Supplement • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • January 7, 2018 • Page 11

Aransas County...

County Plans New Courthouse After Harvey Damage

ROCKPORT, TEXAS (AP) Leaders of a South Texas county battered by Hurricane Harvey plan to build a new courthouse to replace the more than 60-year-old structure destroyed by the storm.

The Aransas County Commissioners Court on Dec. 15 approved seeking a request for qualifications for architectural services. It’s part of the process to design and build a new courthouse in Rockport, a city of about 10,000 located 30 mi. northeast of Corpus Christi.

Harvey made landfall in the area Aug. 25. Aransas County Judge Burt Mills Jr. within days toured the courthouse and found the structure flooded and severely damaged, the Corpus Christi Caller-Times reported.

Federal authorities determined the courthouse, built in 1956 and recognized by the Texas Historical Commission, was damaged beyond repair. The commission has approved allowing demolition of the building, according to Mills.

“The damage in the courthouse is extensive,” Mills said.

“Every room except the district attorney’s office section is ruined completely. Some offices have sky light now that they didn’t have before.”

County operations have relocated, for now, to various sites across Rockport.

Commissioner Brian Olsen also toured the hurricanedamaged courthouse and had to wear a hard hat, amid safety concerns.

“I can tell you that in the district court itself, the roof caved in there, and then in the court-at-law courtroom as well, and that’s where we hold our commissioners court,” Olsen said.

“So, it was pretty devastated.”

The cost of the rebuild is unclear, but Olsen said he’s hoping Federal Emergency Management Agency dollars and private donations will help.

“We’ve needed a new courthouse for a long time because this one is a little outdated, and we’re running out of room and wiring is old, so we were planning on a new courthouse,” Mills said. “But we didn’t quite want it this way.

Now we have to have one.”

(This story also can be found on Construction Equipment Guide’s website at www.constructionequipmentguide.com.)

NEXT ISSUE CLOSES JANUARY 25, 2018

Page 12 • January 7, 2018 • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • Texas State Supplement • Construction Equipment Guide

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