Texas 1, January 1, 2023

By Irwin Rapoport CEG CORRESPONDENT

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), which is overseeing a major multi-billion dollar expansion of the state’s highway network via road and bridge construction, officially launched a new highway project in the Fort Worth/Dallas area (Tarrant County) and marked the completion of another.

In a morning ceremony, local and state officials broke ground on the Southeast Connector project in southeast Tarrant County. A few hours later in southern Dallas, Texas Transportation Commission Chairman J. Bruce Bugg Jr. and others cut the ribbon for the completion of the Southern

In a morning ceremony, local and state officials broke ground on the Southeast Connector project in southeast Tarrant County. A few hours later in southern Dallas, Texas Transportation Commission Chairman J. Bruce Bugg Jr. and others cut the ribbon for the completion of the Southern Gateway, a five-year, $666 million project that rebuilt and widened I-35E.

House Authorizes Defense Bill, Includes Ike Dike Protection

HOUSTON (AP) Fourteen years after Hurricane Ike ripped through thousands of homes and businesses near Galveston, Texas, but mostly spared the region’s oil refineries and chemical plants, the U.S. House of Representatives voted recently to authorize the most expensive project ever recommended by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to protect against the next raging storm.

Ike erased beachfront neighborhoods, causing $30 billion in damage. But with so much of the nation’s petrochemical industry in the Houston-Galveston corridor, it could have been even worse. That close call inspired marine science professor Bill Merrell to first propose a massive coastal barrier to protect against a direct hit.

Now, the National Defense Authorization Act includes authorizations for a $34 billion plan that borrows from Merrell’s idea.

“It was quite different than anything we had done in the United States and it took us a little while to come around to it,” said Merrell of Texas A&M University at Galveston.

The House passed the $858 billion defense bill by a vote of 350-80. It includes major projects to improve the nation’s waterways and protect communities against floods made more severe by climate change.

Specifically, the vote advances the Water Resources Development Act of 2022. That lays out a sprawling set of policies for the Army Corps and authorizes projects that touch on navigation, improving the environment and protecting against storms. It typically passes every two years. It received strong, bipartisan support and now advances to the Senate.

The Texas coastal protection project far outstrips any of the 24 other projects greenlit

by the bill. There is a $6.3 billion plan to deepen vital shipping channels near New York City and a $1.2 billion effort to raise homes and businesses on the central Louisiana coast.

“No matter what side of politics you are on, everyone is interested in having good water resources,” said Sandra Knight, president of WaterWonks LLC.

Ike Dike

Researchers at Rice University in Houston have estimated that a Category 4 storm with a 24-ft. storm surge could damage storage tanks and release more than 90 million gal. of oil and hazardous substances.

The most prominent feature of the coastal barrier would be floodgates, including some 650 ft. wide —roughly the equivalent of a

60-story building on its side — to prevent storm surge from entering Galveston Bay and plowing up the Houston Ship Channel. An 18-mi. ring barrier system also would be built along the backside of Galveston Island to protect homes and businesses from storm surge. The plan took six years of study involving roughly 200 people.

There also will be beach and dune ecosystem restoration projects along the Texas coast. The Houston Audubon Society raised concerns the project would destroy some bird habitat and harm fish, shrimp and crabs populations in the Bay.

Next Steps

The legislation authorizes the construction of the project, but funding will remain a challenge — money must still be allocated.

The huge cost burden falls heaviest on the federal government, but local and state entities also will have to pitch in billions. Construction could take two decades.

“It significantly reduces the risk of that catastrophic storm surge event that is not recoverable,” said Mike Braden, chief of the Army Corps Galveston District’s mega projects division.

The bill also includes a range of policy measures. When future hurricanes hit, for example, coastal protections can be rebuilt with climate change in mind. Designers will be able to think about how much seas will rise when they draw up plans.

“The future for a lot of these communities is not going to look like the past,” said Jimmy Hague, senior water policy advisor at the Nature Conservancy.

The water resources bill continues a push towards wetlands and other flood solutions that use nature to absorb water instead of concrete walls to keep it at bay. On the Mississippi River below St. Louis, for example, a new program will help restore ecosystems and create a mix of flood control projects. There are also provisions for studying long-term drought.

There are measures to improve outreach with tribes and make it easier to complete work in poorer, historically disadvantaged communities.

It can take a long time to study projects, move them through Congress and find funding. Merrell, who will turn 80 in February, said he hopes to see some of the Texas project be constructed but he doesn’t think he’ll be around to see it finished.

“I just hope the end product comes and it protects my children and grandchildren and all the other citizens of this area,” Merrell said.

The U.S. House of Representatives voted recently to authorize the most expensive project ever recommended by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to protect against the next raging storm.

The Texas coastal protection project far outstrips any of the 24 other projects greenlit by the bill.

Ike erased beachfront neighborhoods, causing $30 billion in damage. But with so much of the nation’s petrochemical industry in the Houston-Galveston corridor, it could have been even worse.

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Texas Native Wins National Trucking Excellence Award

A distinguished veteran with nearly 16 years in the U.S. Army received the annual “Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence” award during a special ceremony held recently at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C.

For the seventh consecutive year, Kenworth teamed with FASTPORT and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes to find America’s top rookie military veteran who made the successful transition from active duty to driving for a commercial fleet.

Professional truck driver Ashley Leiva of Noemi Trucking in Corpus Christi, Texas, received the keys to a Kenworth T680 Next Generation, the top award in the recognition program. The T680 Next Gen is equipped with a comfortable, spacious 76-inch sleeper and PACCAR Powertrain featuring a PACCAR MX-13 engine, PACCAR TX-12 automated transmission, and PACCAR DX40 tandem rear axles.

In 2021, Leiva retired from the U.S. Army and returned to her hometown in Corpus Christi, Texas. After graduating from the transportation training program at Del Mar College, she and brother Johnny Leiva began running the trucking business of their late mother Noemi — and renamed it Noemi Trucking in her honor. Their company hauls crude oil for Draco Energy in South Texas.

Leiva is the first winner to be nominated by a National Association of Publicly Funded Truck Driving School.

“This is certainly a very special moment for me,” said Leiva. “My mother inspired me to go into truck driving. She said driving a truck made her feel like she was on top of the world. It is an honor to receive the Transition Trucking award of the T680 Next Generation from among all the outstanding nominated veterans and fellow truck drivers.

Thank you to FASTPORT, Hiring Our Heroes and Kenworth for what you do to help veterans transition into the trucking industry.”

“It was an honor to present the Kenworth T680 Next Generation keys to Ashley Leiva,” said Genevieve Bekkerus, Kenworth director of marketing. “On behalf of Kenworth and all our employees, thank you for your long military service to our country, and we wish you a successful and long trucking career.”

Other featured speakers were Eric Eversole, Hiring Our Heroes president and U.S. Chamber of Commerce vice president; Brad Bentley, FASTPORT president; and Jesus Di Vila, American Trucking Associations, Road Team Captain and Workforce Heroes Program.

“We are honored to recognize Ashley Leiva for her service to our nation and com-

mitment to excellence in the transportation industry,” said Eversole. “Kenworth’s tremendous contribution of a T680 Next Generation will ensure her continued success as an owner operator.”

“Ashley has a great support network in her civilian career, and I know she will be a great ambassador for our industry moving forward. All 11 of these military service members who transitioned into careers as professional drivers are hard-working, dependable, motivated, ethical and disciplined team players — an asset to the trucking industry and their companies,” said Bentley.

Under the Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence program, the two runners-up — Sean Adams/U.S. Navy/McElroy Truck Lines and Dave Marihugh/U.S. Navy/Roehl Transport — were each awarded with a check for $10,000.

Other professional truck drivers who achieved the prestigious semifinalist status, listed with their military branch of service and current truck fleet, are Cale Jensen/U.S. Air Force and U.S. Army/G. Dubbels Farms Trucking; Paul Gouker/U.S. Army and National Guard/Stevens Transport; Chris McDowell/U.S. Army and National Guard/EPES Transport; Joe Nyenatee/U.S. Army/Melton Truck Lines; Talon Rogers/U.S. Army/CRST; Justin Silk/U.S. Army/Paschall Truck Lines; Michael D. Thomas/U.S. Marines/PRIME Inc., and Jason Van Boxtel/U.S. Marines/Veriha Trucking.

For the first time, all 11 semifinalists received a trip to Washington, D.C., to be honored for their military service and participate in the awards ceremony. Under the program, driver nominations can made by any for-hire carrier or private fleet employers, training organizations, general public and other interested parties only by completing a nomination form on the “Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence” website (www.transitiontrucking.org).

To qualify for “Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence,” drivers had to meet three eligibility requirements:

• Must have been active military or member of the National Guard or Reserve;

• Graduated from PTDI-certified, NAPFTDS or CVTA member driver training school, with a valid CDL;

• First hired in a trucking position between Jan. 1, 2021 and July 31, 2022.

The general public participated by casting their online vote on the Transition Trucking website. That vote was an important determiner for the Selection Committee members as they made the ultimate choice for this year’s Transition Trucking award winner.

Ashley Leiva (second from L) and family.

(L-R): Eric Eversole, Hiring Our Heroes president and U.S. Chamber of Commerce vice president; Brad Bentley, FASTPORT president; Sean Adams, McElroy Truck Lines; “Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence” award winner Ashley Leiva, Noemi Trucking; Dave Marihugh, Roehl Transport; and Genevieve Bekkerus, Kenworth director of marketing. Runners-up Adams and Marihugh each received $10,000.

Transition Trucking Runnerups David Marihugh (L) and Sean Adams.

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South-Point to Tackle Largest Infrastructure Investment

Gateway, a five-year, $666 million project that rebuilt and widened I-35E from Colorado Boulevard to U.S. 67 and widened U.S. 67 from I-35E to I-20.

Southeast Connector Project

The $1.6 billion Southeast Connector project was awarded to South-Point Constructors, a joint-venture consisting of Kiewit Infrastructure South Co. and Austin Bridge & Road, last spring. The project consists of rebuilding and widening 11.1 mi. of I-20 and I-820. Interstate 20 is being widened to 10 mainlanes from I-820 to U.S. 287; and I-820 to eight mainlanes from I-20 to Ramey Avenue. The I-20, I-820 and U.S. 287 interchanges are being completely reconstructed. It also includes improvements to exit and entrance ramps to meet current design standards, frontage roads, as well as additional sidewalks and shared use paths for pedestrians and bicycles.

“This project will represent the largest investment in transportation infrastructure in the history of TxDOT’s Fort Worth district,” said TxDOT spokesperson Val Lopez. “This highly anticipated project will tie in the east and southeast part of Tarrant County to the central part of the county while relieving congestion. It’s not only important for Tarrant County and Fort Worth, but also facilitates trade, increases safety, and improves efficiency for the entire Metroplex.”

According to South-Point Constructors Project Director Jay Knez, the team is well equipped to take on this historic project.

“Our team’s extensive infrastructure experience in designbuild highway work — and long-time partnership with TxDOT — create a strong foundation to manage the design and construction of the job,” he said.

South-Point Constructors is also taking on the role as the design-build integrator and lead maintenance firm. AECOM Technical Services Inc. will lead the engineering aspect and Lamb-Star Engineering LLC will provide independent quality services.

“We look forward to supporting the team with our extensive local expertise and global reach in producing high-quality solutions for transportation clients,” Jennifer Aument, chief executive of AECOM’s global Transportation business, told the media.

The location of the three highways partially explains the

Southeast Connector project consists of rebuilding and widening 11.1 mi. of I-20 and I-820. Interstate 20 is being widened to 10 mainlanes from I-820 to U.S. 287; and I-820 to eight mainlanes from I-20 to Ramey Avenue.

need for the upgrade, with Lake Arlington being a critical factor. The lake was established in the1950s as a source of drinking water for the large area. Over time, the population in the area increased and the development of the road and highway system was based on the topography, and thus lacked a certain logical order.

On a daily basis more than 250,000 cars and trucks traverse the corridor.

Challenges Ahead

Careful planning has allowed the South-Point Constructors to anticipate some of the challenges and plan accordingly.

“Working near and among high volume traffic areas presents major challenges, as does working at night inside traffic closures,” said Jay Proskovec, South-Point Constructors

public information coordinator. “Working alongside TxDOT our goal is to keep the community well informed and to ensure that everyone on and around construction operations is safe.”

Close to 50 percent of the design has been completed to date.

“Good coordination and communication between the different disciplines and design firms has been key to our progress thus far. It has allowed us to make sure all design elements are properly integrated due to the pace of design,” said Proskovec.

Major construction is expected to start in March 2023 at the I-20 corridor from the I-820 interchange through Forest Hill Drive, along with the I-20/I-820 interchange.

“Initial construction will focus on getting traffic into temporary configurations that allow construction of mainlanes to begin,” said Proskovec. “Utility relocations also will begin throughout the corridor in January 2023 and will continue through 2025.”

Water and sewer lines will be relocated for the four municipalities within the project limits, which include Arlington, Forest Hill, Fort Worth and Kennedale. The relocations will be performed by both South-Point Constructors crews and the utility owners.

The project will employ 1,000 people at peak construction, which will include craft, field supervision, staff and subcontractors.

Southern Gateway Project

The project was delivered by Pegasus Link Constructors, which brought together Balfour Beatty U.S. and Fluor, an engineering and general contracting firm, in a joint venture.

State Sen. Royce West is very pleased that Southern Gateway is now a reality.

“The Southern Gateway illustrates how a highway project can help reconnect and enhance communities,” he said.

PROJETS from

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John Deere Presents Doggett With Onyx Circle Award

John Deere Construction and Forestry has presented Doggett Heavy Machinery and Doggett Machinery with the coveted Onyx Circle Award, as one of the four topperforming dealerships in the United States and Canada.

Since 2011, John Deere has presented the award after performing a dealership performance review for the top market share and customer support. The Onyx Circle Award was developed by John Deere as a way to recognize and reward outstanding achievement by its dealers.

Mike Ortiz, vice president, said, “This award is truly recognition for all the work that each of our employees do every day to make our organization great. Our phenomenal team is what makes us one of John Deere’s best dealers and without all of them none of this would be possible.”

Doggett Heavy Machinery and Doggett Machinery operate 16 John Deere Construction and Forestry locations throughout Texas and Louisiana. . 

(All photos courtesy of Doggett.)

Texas Company to Repair Pipe From Massive Oil Spill

LOS ANGELES (AP) A Texas oil company was granted permission to repair an underwater pipeline that ruptured off the coast of Southern California a year ago, spilled tens of thousands of gallons of crude and forced beaches and fisheries to close.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers granted the approval to Amplify Energy Corp., clearing the way to rebuild the aging pipeline that burst months after it was apparently weakened when it was snagged by the anchors of ships adrift in a storm.

The Oct. 1, 2021, rupture spilled approximately 25,000 gal. of oil into the Pacific Ocean, closed miles of beaches for a week, shuttered fisheries for months and coated birds and wetlands in oil.

Crews from the Houston-based company will rebuild the pipe running from an oil rig off Huntington Beach to tanks in Long Beach.

Amplify said the approval will allow it to remove and replace the damaged segments of pipe from the ocean floor.

It estimated the work would take up to a month after a barge is in place. If it passes a series of safety tests after being fixed, the company said it expected to begin operating in the first quarter of 2023.

Environmentalists who want the pipeline

shut down criticized the permit approval and renewed calls to put an end to offshore oil operations.

“The Biden administration just ramped up the risk of yet another ugly oil spill on California’s beautiful coast,” said Brady Bradshaw of the Center for Biological Diversity.

“Unfortunately, people living near offshore drilling infrastructure are all too famil-

iar with this abusive cycle of drill, spill, repeat.”

The environmental group sued the federal government for allowing the platform where the pipeline originated to operate under outdated plans that indicated the platform should have been decommissioned more than a decade ago. The lawsuit also said the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

failed to review and require plan revisions, despite the spill.

Amplify contended that the spill wouldn’t have occurred if two ships hadn’t dragged their anchors across the pipeline and damaged it during a January 2021 storm. It said it wasn’t notified about the anchor snagging until after the spill.

While the size of the spill was not as bad as initially feared, U.S. prosecutors said the company should have been able to turn off the damaged line much sooner had it recognized the gravity of a series of leak-detection alarms over a 13-hour period.

The first alarm sounded late on the afternoon of Oct. 1, 2021, but workers misinterpreted the cause, according to the federal plea agreement.

Center for Biological Diversity photo

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers granted the approval to Amplify Energy Corp., clearing the way to rebuild the aging pipeline that burst months after it was apparently weakened when it was snagged by the anchors of

When the alarm sounded throughout the night, workers shut down the pipeline to investigate and then restarted it after deciding they were false alarms. That spewed more oil.

It wasn’t until after daybreak that a boat identified the spill and the line was shut down. 

ships adrift in a storm.

(L-R): Tim Merritt, director of sales, John Deere; Tim Holmes, district general manager, Doggett Heavy Machinery; Derek Paternostro, vice president of operations, Doggett Machinery; Brad Penick,district general manager, Doggett Heavy Machinery; Domenic Ruccolo, senior vice president of global sales and marketing, John Deere; Mike Ortiz, executive vice president, Doggett Heavy Machinery, Doggett Machinery; Ryan Campbell, construction division president, John Deere; and Jason Daly senior vice president of global sales and marketing, John Deere.

DICA FiberMax Crane Pads Arrive at IUOE’s Training Center

DICA has announced that the International Union of Operating Engineers’ (IUOE) Training Center in Crosby, Texas, has received a set of FiberMax Crane Pads to use with its two new allterrain cranes. As one of the IUOE’s equipment partners, these FiberMax 6x4x6 crane pads join other DICA products already in use at the training center.

DICA products on site include SafetyTech and FiberTech Outrigger Pads, ProStack engineered cribbing blocks and TrainSmart Pole Barrier Systems, which were provided to the center when it first opened in 2018.

The IUOE Training Center features the latest equipment and products. To support its new allterrain crane operator training course, the IUOE has added a 100ton Grove GMK4100 and a 175ton Link-Belt 175-AT.

Jim Flannery, equipment superintendent of the IUOE’s Training Center, said he first considered welding steel plate for the crane mats.

“But the cost of that was signif-

icant, plus that’s heavier than the FiberMax crane pads,” he said. The 6-in. thick pads providing 24 sq. ft. of area weigh just 570 lbs. each.

“FiberMax Crane Pads are engineered to optimize rigidity and minimize weight,” said Kris Koberg, CEO of DICA. “They do not absorb water or chemicals, are easy to clean and simple to use. All pads are available in multiple lifting and stacking options to make handling and storage easier.”

Dave Beck, DICA sales fitting consultant, assisted Flannery in selecting the specific FiberMax Crane Pads that would work for both new cranes.

“We provided them with the crane models, load charts and desired ground bearing pressures,” said Flannery. “They plugged that into their formula and came back with this option.”

“Crane pad selection is specific to the equipment loads and the customers allowable ground bearing pressure,” explained Beck. “We provided a FIT Assessment for each make and model of crane to

DICA photo FiberMax Crane Pads are engineered to optimize rigidity and minimize weight. They do not absorb water or chemicals, are easy to clean and simple to use.

assist in the product selection process. This information resulted in IUOE selecting our 6-inch thick FiberMax Crane Pads to meet the facility’s everyday lifting requirements.”

“It’s really easy to get the crane

set up on these pads, which is part of the training exercise,” said Flannery. “The crane is moved into position and sets up on halfextended outriggers. The crane pads arrive on a truck and the crane picks up all four at once and places

each one, then we fully extend the outriggers onto the pads. They are also easy to clean. They should look nice for a long time to come,” he said.

Following the initial AT crane operator class held in October, apprentices were impressed with the FiberMax Crane Pads.

“Yeah, they all wish they had them on their jobs,” said Flannery.

About DICA

DICA, Urbandale, Iowa, has been specializing in building a better outrigger pad since 1988. By creating engineered solutions for improving equipment stability and ergonomic safety, DICA is leading the way in product innovation for outrigger pads, crane pads and cribbing.

DICA outrigger pads and crane pads are used in more than 50 countries and on all seven continents around the world in construction, maintenance, electrical utility, oil and gas and tree care as well as local, state and federal government agencies. For more information, visit www.dicausa.com. 

Three Contractors Will Make Convention Center Upgrades

Three North Texas construction firms have been chosen to lead the long-awaited expansion of the Fort Worth Convention Center. The firms were chosen based on their extensive past experience and deep ties to the region, according to Fort Worth city officials.

The selected firms are AECOM Hunt, Byrne and EJ Smith. Under the contract with the city, the firms will manage the full scope of the first phase of the project’s construction for up to $30 million.

“The AECOM Hunt/Byrne/EJ Smith team combines a national builder with 35 years of extensive convention center expansion expertise with reputable local builders who have past experience with our center and deep roots in Fort Worth,” said Mike Crum, the city’s director of public events.

Collectively, officials said, the firms have successfully completed hundreds of major projects throughout the region and state. The companies have received numerous regional and national awards for quality and safety in construction, as well as numerous other industry awards, the city said.

“Our company is proud to call North Texas home and even more proud to contribute to Fort Worth’s thriving community and economic development,” said Monte Thurmond, AECOM Hunt’s executive vice president and south region manager. “This project brings excitement throughout the entire city and we’re honored to work with the city and help bring it to life.”

“Convention centers are a force for regional economic growth and opportunity, fueling jobs, drawing visitors and

building opportunity,” added Cori Smith, AECOM Hunt vice president. “Having proudly worked on numerous projects across the country, our team brings innovation and expertise — and we look forward to showcasing the best of what’s possible in Fort Worth.”

“This project will bring incredible visibility to our city, and as a local Fort Worth company, being on this team is a point of great pride,” said Ben Robertson, vice president of Byrne Construction Services. “We look forward to every step ahead in bringing new life to our convention center, and paving the way for all the leading events to come.”

Eugene Walker, president and CEO of EJ Smith Construction, stated, “Our team couldn’t be prouder to have the opportunity to support the city of Fort Worth and to be a part of building a part of its future.”

The expansion project will take place in two phases and the facility will remain operational during both, according to city officials. The first phase includes the construction of new food and beverage facilities, demolition of the annex, realignment of Commerce Street to create a site pad for a future convention hotel and increasing the center’s loading docks. Phase 1 is expected to begin construction in mid-2023 and be completed in 2026.

Expansion of the city-owned convention center to accommodate larger conventions and group meetings had been planned for several years and was about to begin with funding from hotel occupancy taxes when the COVID-19 shutdown began in 2020. In December 2021,

the Fort Worth City Council approved spending $52 million in federal money made available through the American Rescue Plan Act to support the first phase of the project.

The second phase of the project will include demolition of the convention center’s arena (part of the original complex that opened in 1968) and creation of approximately 97,000 sq. ft. of new exhibit hall space, 48,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting rooms and a new 50,000-sq.-ft. ballroom (twice the size of the current ballroom). Renovations also will be made to existing facilities.

The estimated cost of phase two is $500 million and will be funded when hospitality taxes recover sufficiently to support the issuance of debt to finance the construction, the city said.

Originally constructed and owned by Tarrant County, the Fort Worth Convention Center & Arena has hosted thousands of major national and international events since 1968, including sports, concerts, political rallies, conventions and trade shows. The city acquired the convention center in 1997 and the facility was significantly expanded in 2003. With total meeting space of approximately 400,000 sq. ft., the complex is the premier event space in downtown Fort Worth.

In September, the city of Fort Worth announced selection of Atlanta-based architectural firm Thompson, Ventulett, Stainback & Associates (TVS) and local firm Bennett Partners to deliver design and construction administration services for the first phase of the expansion.

Construction Equipment Guide • Texas State Supplement • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • January 1, 2023 • Page 15

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Largest Green Hydrogen Facility Coming to Lone Star State

Gov. Greg Abbott recently celebrated the announcement of Air Products and The AES Corporation’s (AES) new mega-scale green hydrogen facility in Wilbarger County. The project is anticipated to create more than 1,300 construction jobs, 115 permanent operations jobs and 200 transportation and distribution jobs. It also is expected to generate approximately $500 million in revenue to Texas over the course of the project’s lifetime and be the largest green hydrogen facility in the United States.

“With the announcement of this groundbreaking facility by Air Products and AES, the state of Texas will extend its leadership in U.S. energy production and help meet our country’s energy needs for decades to come,” said Gov. Abbott.

“This project will not only bring hundreds of jobs and millions in revenue to the Lone Star State, but will also expand

our state’s robust energy sector and further solidify Texas as a global powerhouse in this critical industry. I thank Air Products and AES for choosing Texas, and I look forward to working alongside the two companies and local leaders as we keep Texas a global energy leader.”

“We are very pleased to extend our hydrogen leadership and our extensive operations in Texas and announce this exciting joint venture with AES for a new green hydrogen production facility, which will be competitive on a global scale while bringing significant tax, job and energy security benefits to Texas,” said Air Products Chairman, President, CEO Seifi Ghasemi.

“This new facility will be, by far, the largest, fully integrated green hydrogen production facility in the country, using wind and sun energy to produce clean hydrogen for U.S. customers. We are very appreciative of the support of Governor

Abbott and state and local officials in the development of this project.”

“This project will capitalize on AES’ strength in energy innovation and Texas’ abundant renewables resources to extend Texas’ leadership position in the energy sector,” said AES President and CEO Andrés Gluski.

“We are very pleased to be partnering with Governor Abbott, the State of Texas and the communities, officials and citizens of Wilbarger County to bring this important project to fruition. We are also pleased to be working alongside Air Products, the world leader in hydrogen production, for this first of its kind mega-scale green hydrogen facility in the U.S.”

“The Air Products/AES hydrogen project is a game changer for Wilbarger County,” said Business Development Corporation of Vernon Member Rick Hardcastle. “We welcome this project and the significant new jobs to be created during construction and beyond. With this project, we’re entering an exciting next chapter.”

“We are honored that these two industry-leading global corporations are looking to our county as the site of this major energy project,” said Wilbarger County Judge Greg Tyra. “Texas is known as the home for so many world-class companies and facilities working to provide real energy solutions. We look forward to Wilbarger County becoming the site of the largest green hydrogen project in the U.S.”

Air Products and AES plan to invest approximately $4 billion to build, own and operate this green hydrogen production facility in Wilbarger County. The power to operate this hydrogen project will entail more than 1 gigawatt of renewable energy and electrolyzer capacity capable of producing more than 200 metric tons per day (MT/D) of green hydrogen.

The facility is targeted to begin commercial operations in 2027 and will primarily serve mobility and other industrial markets. The project will broaden Texas’ energy portfolio and will position our state as the country’s leader in green hydrogen while helping to reduce emissions. 

Corpus Christi Employee Receives Top Award of Program

About FASTPORT

FASTPORT is a veteran employment software company with the sole mission to help all members of our nation’s military community find meaningful civilian employment. FASTPORT is also the U.S. Department of Labor’s industry intermediary for the Transportation sector. In that role, they also help connect transitioning service members, military spouses and veterans to Registered Apprenticeship opportunities.

For more information, visit www.fastport.com or www.nationalapprenticeship.org.

About U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation (USCCF)

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation (USCCF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce dedicated to strengthening

America’s long-term competitiveness by addressing developments that affect our nation, our economy, and the global business environment.

About Hiring Our Heroes

Hiring Our Heroes (HOH) is a 501(c)3 organization under the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. The nonprofit launched in March 2011 as a nationwide initiative to help veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses find meaningful employment. Working with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s vast network of state and local chambers and other strategic partners from the public, private and nonprofit sectors, HOH has helped hundreds of thousands of veterans and military spouses find meaningful employment through its comprehensive training and hiring events, fellowship programs, and online tools.

HOH programs and services are available in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, and on military installations around the world.

For more information on programming and initiatives, visit HiringOurHeroes.org; @HiringOurHeroes on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

About Kenworth

Kenworth Truck Company is the manufacturer of The World’s Best heavy and medium duty trucks. Kenworth’s Internet home page is at www.kenworth.com. Kenworth is a PACCAR company. 

(All photos courtesy of Kenworth.)

TRUCKING from page 8

Transition Trucking Award T680 Next Generation.

TxDOT Invests $250M for New Transportation Alternatives

As Texas strives to reduce the rising number of pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities, TxDOT is making available approximately $250 million for its 2023 Transportation Alternatives Call for Projects.

The federal funding will go towards sidewalks, bike lanes, shared-use paths and other projects to enhance walking and biking transportation across the state.

“Making it safer and easier to walk and bike is an important part of our mission of ‘Connecting You with Texas,’” TxDOT Transportation Commissioner Robert “Robie” Vaughn said. “I’m thrilled to see this increase in funding that’ll help communities build impactful improvements for its citizens. As a jogger and cyclist myself, I know the value these enhancements can bring to help Texans get to work, run errands, and enjoy the beautiful Texas outdoors.”

TxDOT will hold virtual workshops to help municipalities and organizations as they apply for this funding.

The number of pedestrians and cyclists killed on Texas roads has been rising over the past several years with pedestrian fatalities increasing by 15 percent and cyclist fatalities by 14 percent in 2021. This funding will help communities plan and build walk-

ing and biking infrastructure that could help reduce these incidents.

Some examples of projects that have been funded through TxDOT’s Transportation Alternatives program in the past include:

• Shared use paths for walking and bicycling in Belton, Tornillo and Van Alstyne;

• Safe and accessible pedestrian access to transit in Abilene and Amarillo;

• Multi-use rail-to-trail along the Northeast Texas Trail in Bowie, Lamar and

TxDOT is making available approximately $250 million for its 2023 Transportation Alternatives Call for Projects.

Red River counties;

• Sidewalks to schools and downtowns in Benjamin, Hallettsville, Presidio and Taft;

• Bicycle lanes in Bryan, Kingsville, Mathis and Tyler.

For more information about the program and to learn how to apply for the funding, visit https://www.txdot.gov/business/grantsand-funding/bicycle-pedestrian-local-federal-funding-programs.html 

(All photos courtesy of TxDOT.)

Texas Clear Lanes Initiative Reaches Pre-Pandemic Level

COVID-19’s effects on Texas traffic levels lingered throughout 2021, with delays on the state’s most congested roadways growing but still below pre-pandemic gridlock conditions, according to a new study performed by the Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI).

The review of the state’s most crowded street and highway segments — 1,860 roadways in all — has been conducted by TTI each year since 2009. The study measures traffic congestion by determining delay per mile of travel — how much longer it takes for motorists to travel on a gridlocked road than to make the same trip in uncongested conditions.

Houston’s West Loop was the state’s most gridlocked stretch in 2021, as it was the previous year. The Woodall Rodgers Freeway in Dallas, Interstate Highway 35 in Austin and Houston’s Eastex and Southwest Freeways rounded out the top five. Austin’s IH-35 had the most severe truck freight congestion in 2021 — also a repeat from

the previous year.

The analysis, funded by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), noted little change in rankings from 2020 to 2021. Eight of the 10 most overcrowded road sections have stayed in the top 10 for the last three years. And researchers emphasize that traffic will eventually return to familiar intensity as the state’s population grows and its economy remains strong.

“Traffic congestion isn’t just a big-city problem and that problem is almost sure to get worse as our population surges by almost 20 million in the next 25 years,” said David Schrank, TTI’s lead researcher on the annual study. “With that kind of growth, Texas needs to use every possible means to keep people and goods moving. We need to add capacity, operate the system efficiently and give people options for how to travel.”

Those strategies, researchers said, will require road building at a brisk pace — an approach the Texas Department of

Transportation is taking through its Texas Clear Lanes initiative, launched in 2015. Funding for that effort is supplemented by a pair of voter-approved actions designed to funnel more cash to the State Highway Fund. As of 2022, $29 billion has been assigned to Texas

Clear Lanes non-tolled projects in the four largest metro regions.

Since 2015, 13 projects have been completed, 27 are under construction and another 58 projects are planned.

“Texas Clear Lanes is paying off in a big way, as we estimate $4 in

benefits for every $1 spent on road expansion projects,” said TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams. “That helps us achieve our mission — connecting Texans with their state. TxDOT is all about making personal travel safer and smoother, along with efficiently moving freight to support greater supply chain efficiency and economic growth.”

Researchers note that traffic delays impose an immense financial burden. Those costs — a result of lost time and wasted fuel — totaled more than $3.8 billion on the state’s 100 most traffic-choked road sections during 2021, approximately 10 percent lower than prepandemic levels. Truck congestion costs were $620 million in the same year, essentially unchanged since 2019.

As of 2022, $29 billion has been assigned to Texas Clear Lanes non-tolled projects in the four largest metro regions. Since 2015, 13 projects have been completed, 27 are under construction and another 58 projects are planned.

Though the worst stretches are concentrated in Texas’ biggest population centers, gridlock affects areas of all sizes, as illustrated by TTI’s complete list of 1,860 road segments in 23 urban regions across the state.

(Photo courtesy of TxDOT.)

The number of pedestrians and cyclists killed on Texas roads has been rising over the past several years with pedestrian fatalities increasing by 15 percent and cyclist fatalities by 14 percent in 2021. This funding will help communities plan and build walking and biking infrastructure that could help reduce these incidents.

Located on U.S. Hwy 82/277 at 7304 Seymour Highway, the new facility is located on approximately 2 acres.

Compact Celebrates Grand Opening of Its Newest Facility

Compact Construction Equipment LLC, the authorized Bobcat equipment dealer in south, central and west Texas, celebrated the grand opening of its new Bobcat of Wichita Falls branch on Nov. 17. The new facility opened for business Aug. 1st.

Attendees at the grand opening were invited to tour the facility, check out the newest Bobcat equipment and enjoy a catered lunch. Factory representatives from Bobcat Company and team members from Bobcat of Wichita Falls were on hand to answer customer questions and demonstrate their products.

Located on U.S. Hwy 82/277 at 7304 Seymour Highway, the new facility is located on approximately 2 acres. The building itself occupies nearly 11,000 sq. ft. and brings new opportunities to Wichita Falls for service, rental and parts buying in addition to having Bobcat equipment available for purchase.

“Compact Construction Equipment is excited to be a part of the Wichita Falls community,” said Whit Perryman, CEO of Compact Construction Equipment. “This new location will allow us to better serve customers in this region with reliable equipment, parts, and service for many years to come.”

(All photos courtesy of Compact Construction.)

The building itself occupies nearly 11,000 sq. ft. and brings new opportunities to Wichita Falls for service, rental and parts buying in addition to having Bobcat equipment available for purchase.

Officials Support $9 Billion Houston Highway Project

HOUSTON (AP) A more than $9 billion highway widening project that is being proposed in the Houston area has the support of local officials after many of their concerns were addressed.

The proposed construction project would take 10 years to complete and remake 24 mi. along Interstate 45 and several other roadways. Supporters said it would enhance driver safety, help to reduce traffic congestion and address flood mitigation and disaster evacuation needs. But the project’s critics — including community groups and some residents — said it won’t improve the area’s traffic woes and would subject mostly Black and Latino residents to increased pollution, displacement and flooding, while not improving public transportation options.

The project, which has been in the works for nearly two decades, has remained on hold since March 2021, when the Federal Highway Administration began reviewing civil rights and environmental justice concerns raised about the proposal. The dispute over the project comes as Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has pledged to make racial equity a priority in his department. The project is considered an important test of the Biden administration’s commitment to addressing a history of racial inequity in U.S. infrastructure projects.

During a news conference, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said that after much discussion over nearly the past two years with the Texas Department of Transportation, which is in charge of the expansion project, local officials plan to back the proposal.

Turner said state officials have given commitments that the project will provide funding, including an additional $30 million, for affordable housing for those displaced by the project. The I-45 project is expected to displace more than 1,000 homes and apartments along with 344 businesses, two schools and five places of worship in mostly Black and Latino neighborhoods.

The transportation department, commonly known as TxDOT, has also agreed to provide more resources to address flooding, provide more green spaces and trail connections and limit the project's footprint by only taking what land and structures are needed for it, Turner said.

“There is no perfect design and it doesn't say that everyone will be pleased. But on balance, with the improvements ... I think you have an excellent project ... that will benefit the greater good of the Houston community, Harris County and the region,” Turner said.

Turner recently signed an agreement with TxDOT on the project and officials with Harris County, where Houston is located, were expected to approve a similar agreement during a meeting Thursday.

Officials announced that Harris County also planned to drop a federal lawsuit over the project that the county had filed in March 2021 against the state.

Harris County Commissioner Adrian Garcia said he believes the changes to the project have focused on factors important to the community, including air quality, flood mitigation and inclusivity.

“And not all the things that we wanted materialized but that's compromise,” Garcia said.

In a statement, the Federal Highway Administration said its civil rights and environmental reviews “are ongoing, as are discussions for a potential voluntary resolution agreement. We are working to resolve the matter soon.”

Some environmental and transportation groups said they were disappointed that Houston area officials have given their blessing to the project and questioned whether local communities were fully consulted on the agreements with the state.

“LINK Houston firmly believes that increased highway capacity only leads to increased traffic and negates the ability of Houston residents and leaders to create a safe, multi-modal transportation system that mitigates climate change impacts and improves equitable outcomes for our communities,'' said Gabe Cazares, executive director of LINK Houston, a nonprofit focused on transportation issues.

The proposed construction project would take 10 years to complete and remake 24 mi. along Interstate 45 and several other roadways.

Pegasus Link Constructors Wraps I-35E Widening Project

Southern Gateway covered an 11-mi. strech of I-35E south of downtown Dallas, U.S. 67 between I-35E and I-20 and the I-35E/U.S. 67 split. The improvements included the reconstruction of reversible non-tolled express lanes and general purpose lanes to improve capacity in the corridor.

PROJECTS from page 10

“Planning for this project began more than a decade ago and I appreciate the opportunity to have guided TxDOT’s effort to give the community and stakeholders a voice on the final vision that we see today. This project, which finished on time and on budget, will serve southern Dallas well for decades to come.”

The design-build project dealt with 11 mi., covering I-35E south of downtown Dallas, U.S. 67 between I-35E and I-20 and the I-35E/U.S. 67 split. The improvements included the reconstruction of reversible non-tolled express lanes that are open to all users, including SOVs (single occupancy vehicles), HOVs (high occupancy vehicles) and/or general purpose lanes to improve capacity in the corridor. Crews also built structural elements and accommodations for the city of Dallas’ planned deck plaza between Ewing and Marsalis avenues.

Construction began in early 2018 and was completed on Sept. 1.

“As roadway builders, Pegasus Link Constructors’ presence in downtown Dallas and southern Dallas County in the past decade testifies to our project team’s commitment to working with our client, TxDOT, and project partners to get the job done, on time and within budget,” said Daniel Young, Pegasus’s director of construction. “PLC was able to push through during challenging times and consistently maintain a locally sourced labor force of more than 600 staff and craft employees during the peak of construction, and eventually cross the much-anticipated finish line, leading us to today’s ribbon cutting celebration.”

Leon Blondin, Balfour Beatty U.S.'’s CEO is proud of his company’s contribution.

“Congratulations to the Balfour Beatty project team and joint venture partners in providing a long-term, transformative highway solution for one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the nation,” he said. “The completion of the Southern Gateway is just another example of our team’s expertise in delivering complex construction projects across the country and our ongoing commitment to achieving our client’s, stakeholders and local communities’ transportation.”

The $1.6 billion Southeast Connector project was awarded to South-Point Constructors, a joint-venture consisting of Kiewit Infrastructure South Co. and Austin Bridge & Road, last spring.

Thomas Nilsson, president of Infrastructure Business of Fluor, was in agreement.

“This is one of the many vital infrastructure projects to improve the I-35 corridor in Dallas in response to business and population expansion in one of the country’s most dynamic regions,” he said. “The reconstruction provides traffic congestion relief, improved safety and increased mobility. This project builds on Fluor’s history of successfully delivering vital infrastructure in Texas and reinforces the strength of our commitment to our state and local partners.”

Project Necessity

Prior to the construction, TxDOT estimated that about 192,000 vehicles traveled through southern Dallas County daily.

“I-35E in the Southern Gateway corridor is consistently ranked as one of the most congested roadways in Texas according to the Texas A&M Transportation Institute,” states the project web page.

The construction impacted traffic as I-35E and U.S. 67 are both major corridors to and from southern Dallas County and surrounding cities, but through careful planning, TxDOT kept disruptions to a minimum.

Pegasus Link Constructors was awarded the project in fall 2017 and construction began in early 2018, with operations proceeding on a 24/7 basis.

“Crews had no major challenges that were unforeseen,” said Tony Hartzel, TxDOT’s director of northeast Texas communications. “The job was very challenging to maintain traffic during construction while building the new roadway lanes in a tight right of way footprint. The TxDOT project team worked very closely with the Pegasus Link Constructors team, which also was the design-build contractor on the Horseshoe project in downtown Dallas that finished about five years ago. Any issues were always resolved in a timely manner. The project was completed on time, thanks to the collaboration among all parties.”

The project expanded the roadway in essentially the same footprint.

“The work space was tight, but manageable,” said Hartzel. “Initially, TxDOT anticipated having to acquire over

12 acres of ROW along the project corridor. In 2015, however, the proposed ROW footprint was modified in order to limit negative construction impacts to the surrounding community. The design change reduced the additional ROW acquisition to just 3.6 acres — roughly a fourth of what was proposed in the original 2003 schematic. This meant that the contractor team had to develop a traffic control plan that would shift lanes safely and allow for all construction to be completed within this limited ROW width.”

“All bridges were reconstructed along the I-35E portion of the project, and widening of existing bridges along the U.S. 67 portion to accommodate the new lanes,” said Hartzel. “All the cross street bridges on I-35E include widened sidewalks and pedestrian accommodations following the city of Dallas’ complete streets plan.”

The initiative was successful due to serious cooperation.

“The project resulted from extensive collaboration in the community before construction, and the success is due to the close collaboration TxDOT has with Pegasus Link Constructors," said Hartzel. "At its peak, the contractor was maintaining a locally sourced labor force of more than 600 staff and craft employees during the peak of construction and performing $10-to-15 million worth of work in a month.”

Clear Lanes Program

The Texas Clear Lanes program was initiated to reduce congestion throughout the state by focusing planning and construction efforts on the Top 100 Most Congested Roads in major metropolitan areas of Dallas, Ft. Worth, Austin, San Antonio and Houston. Funding for it was approved in 2014 and 2015 by Texas voters.

Thus far $61.3 billion in projects have been completed, are under construction, and in the planning stage.

“More than a dozen projects have been completed statewide and The Southern Gateway is the fifth North Texas project to be completed,” states the press release. “The region has completed $1.2 billion in projects to date, with another $5.1 billion under construction and $3.3 billion in planning.”

(All photos courtesy of TxDOT.)

Multiple Construction Jobs Under Way in Odessa District

A $36.6 million project to add passing lanes and to rehabilitate approximately 10 mi. of Highway 302 in Loving County is under way. The project stretches from the just west of FM 1933 in Mentone to just east of Purple Cattle Guard Road.

The project also includes overhead lighting in the Mentone area.

The first phase of the project spans from Mentone to approximately 4 mi. east. Traffic has been shifted to the north side of the road as the road is widened.

Two 12-ft. lanes (one in each direction) were completed in December. A width restriction of 11 ft. was put in place in the work zone.

The project is scheduled to be complete in early 2025.

Motorists are reminded that state law requires them to obey warning signs and flaggers in the work zone. Safety is a top priority for TxDOT.

This is the fifth of six projects worth approximately $238.3 million on Highway 302 in the Odessa District. Other projects include:

• An ongoing $43.5 million project to add passing lanes and to rehabilitate approximately 12.6 miles of Highway 302 in western Winkler County from the Loving County line to just west of Highway 115 west of Kermit;

• An ongoing $54.4 million overpass project to take Highway 302 over Highway 115 and the nearby railroad just west of Kermit in Winkler County. The project is nearly complete and is a few months ahead of schedule;

• An ongoing $63.3 million project to widen and rehabilitate Highway 302 from County Road 313 in Winkler County to near Highway 181 in Ector County. The project is nearly complete;

• A completed $12.5 million project to widen and rehabilitate Highway 302 from Highway 285 to Mentone; and

• A project that opened bids in December 2022 to widen and rehabilitate approximately 8 mi. of Highway 302 in Loving County from just east of Purple Cattle Guard Road to the Winkler County line. The estimated construction cost is $28 million. 

DALLAS