TEXAS STATE EDITION
A Supplement to:
®
February 5 2017 Vol. II • No. 3
“The Nation’s Best Read Construction Newspaper… Founded in 1957.” Your Texas Connection • Dennis Hogeboom • 1-877-7CEGLTD • dennishogeboom@cegltd.com
TxDOT’s I-35 Austin Project a Small Piece of Big Puzzle By Jennifer Rupp CEG CORRESPONDENT
Capital Excavation is placing a concrete cap for the I-35 bridge expansion over Lake Creek.
Interstate 35 is a hot topic from north Texas to the Mexican Border. As the state continues to grow and traffic congestion increases, so do the number of accidents. The 50-year old highway currently carries 200,000 vehicles per day and saw 4,950 accidents in 2015. By the year 2040, congestion will grow from six hours per day to nine hours per day. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is working on projects from north to south in the Mobility 35 initiative that will improve both traffic flow and safety. In June of 2016, construction began in the Austin District on a $28.1 million project to improve safety and mobility along I-35 in Williamson County between U.S. 79 and SH 45 North. The project will address the existing traffic bottleneck north of SH 45N. The Texas Department of Transportation joined Valerie Covey, Williamson County precinct three commissioner, city of
HKS to Design Arlington Ballpark The Texas Rangers announced that HKS Inc. has been selected to design the new ballpark to be built in Arlington. The new ballpark, which is being built as a public-private partnership between the city of Arlington and the Rangers, will not only be the team’s new home but also a multipurpose sports and entertainment venue that will include capabilities for hosting high school, college and international sports as well as entertainment tours. A nationally renowned sports and entertainment design firm, with
its main headquarters in Dallas, HKS served as architect of record on the The Ballpark in Arlington (now Globe Life Park in Arlington), which opened in 1994. “For us, the new Texas Rangers Ballpark development is very special. It carries its own rich identity based on a combination of tradition, heritage, character and ambition that will ultimately represent itself as the premier destination in North Texas,” explained HKS’ Bryan Trubey, executive vice president and principal designer on the
project. “We are delighted to be part of this exciting new development that will impact not only the Texas Rangers and their fans, but the city of Arlington and the entire region for many years to come.” “HKS has an outstanding track record of designing iconic sports facilities, both in North Texas and around the country,” said Rob Matwick, Rangers executive vice president of business operations. “HKS’ vision for this new facility will incorporate all of the features see BALLPARK page 12
Round Rock Mayor Alan McGraw and members of the community at the project’s groundbreaking ceremony. Work includes constructing braided ramps (where one ramp crosses over the other) along the northbound I-35 main lanes between Hester’s Crossing and RM 620 to eliminate traffic merging/weaving conflicts. In addition, the north and southbound frontage road intersections at I-35 and U.S. 79 will be reconstructed and a third left-turn lane for westbound U.S. 79 will be added. The three key benefits of the project include increased mobility and travel speeds; increased merging distance for the existing SH 45N northbound flyover to I-35; and increased safety by eliminating the merge/weave conflict between the Hester’s Crossing entrance ramp and RM 620 exit ramp Work on the 2.3-mi. (3.7 km) project is being led by prime contractor Capital Excavation Company of Austin, who is performing the bridge construction on the three bridges, excavation, embanksee AUSTIN page 14
HKS photo
The design for the new ballpark will include a retractable roof for climate control and shelter for fans during the hot summer months.
Page 2 • February 5, 2017 • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • Texas State Supplement • Construction Equipment Guide
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Page 4 • February 5, 2017 • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • Texas State Supplement • Construction Equipment Guide
Big & Small — Taylor’s Rental Equipment Has Them All Ed Wadley, owner of Taylor’s Rental Equipment Co. thinks big. “When Hurricane Sandy hit the East Coast I had stump grinders up in New Jersey for about three months each,” he said matterof-factly, as if it’s normal for a modest rental company to send equipment 1, 200 mi. (1,931.2 km) away. Truth is, for storms like Sandy, it’s not uncommon for rental companies to have such long-distance deals. But again, Ed thinks big and that’s certainly helped Taylor’s Rental stand out among its competition. Whereas most rental shops carry smaller brush chippers and stump grinders, Ed’s fleet runs the table for Bandit hand-fed chippers. He has the smaller rental favorites like the 65XP, 75XP, 90XP and a few 250XPs, but he also rents 1390s, 1590s, 1890s, and the largest hand-fed Bandit chipper you can get — a 21-in. (53.34 cm) capacity 1990XP. “I have one unique customer that works on cooling towers at a power plant, and when they service those, there are wood parts that need replaced,” said Wadley. “If you haul them in a truck, you have truckload after truckload. They found they can run them through a big chipper and cut those loads down 20 to 1, which obviously saves a lot in transportation costs. They prompted me to get the 1990XP; I bought it and Bandit actually delivered it to them in South Carolina on a power plant job. It was there for the first two months of its life.” Okay, so if you’re keeping track, this Texas-based rental company sends stump grinders to New Jersey and chippers to South Carolina. That’s not a bad spread by any stretch — with that kind of customer support and willingness to go big, it’s no wonder the company has been in business since 1953. And, according to the company, business is booming; Taylor’s Rental employs 80 and uses 50,000 sq. ft. (15,240 sq m) of space to serve its customers. And while there are some truly long-distance rentals as previously mentioned, Ed said the vast majority of their clientele are in the north Texas region, Louisiana, Arkansas and southern Oklahoma. Still, that’s four states. Serving such a large territory can be daunting for any rental organization. Helping Ed and his team at Taylor’s Rental is Bandit’s nearby dealer, Bandit of Texas. The relationship between Taylor’s Rental and Bandit of Texas spans years, going back to when the dealership was known as Poston Equipment. With more than two decades of service to Bandit customers in the region, Bandit of Texas provides an excellent support base for Ed and his large Bandit fleet, according to the company. “It all started years ago, carrying higher horsepower stump grinders and chippers,”
This model 65XP Bandit chipper is a popular choice for customers of Taylor’s Rental in Fort Worth, Texas.
said Wadley. “I’m a tool guy from way back and a little more horsepower is always nice. And we have a really good group of clients in the tree business. I rent higher-horsepower stump grinders than anyone else; I carry model 2550s with 44 horsepower and model 2650s with 61 horsepower. Nobody else in my market will do that. It’s a certain mentality that you have to get used to and develop a clientele for the bigger equipment. It’s a market that’s worked well for us.” Ed said the larger chippers and stump grinders are rented mostly to tree companies, and to a smaller extent, landscaping companies. He estimates around a dozen regular customers for the bigger equipment, including the aforementioned client who uses the model 1990XP. As expected, the smaller Bandits typically see homeowner use. “I’ve been renting Bandits for about 10 years now,” said Wadley. “You could walk in here any day of the week and I’d have two or three of the chippers out, and the stump grinders go out more often than the chippers. Regardless of the size, they’ve been good investments for Taylor’s Rental. I’ll keep the small chippers for about three years,” he said. “The larger machines it really depends on the number of hours; I usually keep them longer. My initial cost recovery is 24 months, but that’s more towards the bigger chippers. On a 6-in. chipper like the model 65XP I can do it in 18 months at the most.” Equipment maintenance is something that
Ed stresses as vital to being successful in the rental business, but it’s especially true with chippers. That can be frustrating to some who prefer ‘hands-off’ operations, but Ed also points out that return on investment can be much more lucrative with chippers. “Compared to a backhoe or something like that, there’s a lot more maintenance with a chipper,” said Wadley. “But if you want to take a comparison, I get $400 per day on an 18-in. chipper that cost $60,000. To get the same kind of return I’d need a piece of equipment costing twice as much, so my initial investment is about half for the same return. That also means I can spend more time on it and more maintenance because I’m getting a better return for it.” As successful as Taylor’s Rental is with their fleet of Bandits, diversification is the major factor in the company’s success. In addition to a very wide range of tool and construction equipment, Taylor’s Rental also maintains a special events portion that can turn any backyard into a five-star entertainment venue, complete with tents, dance floors, stages, audio equipment and even a dunk tank for splashing the boss during the company picnic. “Basically we have two companies here,” explained Wadley. “We have our special events side and we have our tool business, and both pretty extensive. On the tool side we have everything from homeowner’s equipment to big boom trucks, crawlers, backhoes, generators — really a full gamut
of construction equipment. And we’re pretty well divided out between them; total revenue is half from construction, half from special events. It’s a good mix.” At this point it would be very easy to bring up the classic cliché of not putting all your eggs in one basket. That certainly holds true, but talking with Ed it becomes clear that the success of Taylor’s Rental isn’t about diversification, or customer service, or thinking big. It’s a combination of all three, infused with a certain level of modesty that keeps companies in-check. Each day starts with customers walking through the door — get them what they need. If you don’t have it, consider getting it. When customers started asking for bigger chippers, Ed took an extra step to make that happen. And the payoff has been worth it. For rental companies considering taking on a line of rental machines, Ed offers this simple advice: “Get used to the fact that you’ll need to maintain them properly, and train your customers to use them,” he said. “If you’re willing to do that, you can do very well with them. And I like Bandit chippers, so I’d be sure to give them Bandit’s number.” For more information, call 1-800-9520178 or visit taylors.rentals.com and banditchippers.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 • February 5, 2017 • Page 5
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Page 6 • February 5, 2017 • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • Texas State Supplement • Construction Equipment Guide
RDO Equipment Co. Store Achieves LEED Certification The RDO Equipment Co. store in McKinney, Texas, has been awarded LEED Certification. Completed in 2015, the McKinney store is the first RDO Equipment Co. building to achieve this prestigious designation, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). Several unique design elements and features were incorporated into the McKinney store, specifically to meet LEED credit requirements. Interior materials including carpet, wall coverings and floor tile are made from recycled content. To improve indoor air quality, lowemitting paints, coatings and adhesives were used throughout the building. Outside, the facility features water-efficient landscaping designed to reduce water use by 50
The RDO Equipment Co. store in McKinney, Texas, has been awarded LEED Certification.
Several unique design elements and features were incorporated into the McKinney store, specifically to meet LEED credit requirements.
percent. RDO Equipment Co. also implemented a green cleaning policy, which specifies only environmentally-friendly cleaning products are to be used at the store. Tim Curran, LEED AP BD+C,
architect and construction manager of RDO Equipment Co. spoke of the project, which he said sets the bar high for future company endeavors. “The McKinney project was a
challenging one, but at the same time very rewarding for us to know we were creating a sustainable structure for employees and customers to enjoy for many years to come,” he said. “It was an exciting
experience to be a part of the company’s first LEED-certified project.” Jim Carell, general manager of RDO Equipment Co. — McKinney, echoed Curran’s sentiment. “I am proud to manage a facility that not only provides state-of-theart service capabilities for our customers and a comfortable, safe environment for our employees, but one that reflects the values of RDO Equipment Co.,” he said. “The greater time and dollar investment it takes to achieve LEED certification shows our organization’s commitment to and respect for our customers, employees, and community.” Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO, and founding chair, USGBC, commented on the significance of the achievement. “RDO Equipment Co. —
McKinney’s LEED certification demonstrates tremendous green building leadership,” he said. “The urgency of USGBC’s mission has challenged the industry to move faster and reach further than ever before, and RDO Equipment Co. serves as a prime example with just how much we can accomplish.” LEED is the foremost program for the design, construction and operation of green buildings. More than 58,000 commercial and institutional projects are currently participating in LEED, comprising more than 10.7 billion sq. ft. of construction space in all 50 states and more than 140 countries. For more information, visit rdoequipment.com and USGBC.org. (This story also can be found on Construction Equipment Guide’s website at www.constructionequipmentguide.com.)
Crews Begin Tree Removal Along Canadian Highways In an effort to eliminate potential hazards and improve safety, tree removal work began Jan. 2 along U.S. 60, U.S. 83 and FM 2266, north and south of Canadian. “These trees have reached the end of their natural life spans and pose a critical safety issue for the traveling public,” said Wes
Kimmell, Pampa area engineer for the TxDOT Amarillo District. “Our contractor will be removing mostly dead trees and trees that are splitting or leaning toward the highway and that could block one or both lanes of traffic if they were to fall.” A total of 65 trees will be removed,
including one that has already fallen over on U.S. 83 north. J. Lee Milligan Inc. is the contractor performing the tree removal operation, which is expected to continue through Feb. 17. During this process, traffic control operations, including flaggers, will be in place.
Motorists are reminded to always drive with caution, slow down in work zones, and obey warning signs. For more information, visit TxDOT.gov. (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 • February 5, 2017 • Page 7
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Page 8 • February 5, 2017 • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • Texas State Supplement • Construction Equipment Guide
Volvo Machines Help Get Milk From Moo to You in Texas Best known for its oil barons and cowboy culture, Texas is experiencing a new kind of gold rush, with the Lone Star state now one of the leading dairy producers in the United States. With an annual rainfall of 36 in. (91.44 cm) and a particularly long summer, Texas is at the heart of cattle culture – and ripe with opportunity. Farmers far and wide have flocked to the oak-dappled ranges of the giant southwestern state to raise their livestock. But this wasn’t always the case. Until the 1970s, Texas was next to nowhere in milk production — a stark difference to today’s ranking as six in the nation, after California, Wisconsin, Idaho, New York and Pennsylvania. In order to climb the rungs of the production ladder, many farmers are forced to modernize their farms. Cream of the Crop Established more than half a century ago by Jack Kempenaar, Still Meadow Dairy quickly built a reputation in the United States as a farm produce specialist. An experienced agriculturalist in his native Holland, in 1986 Kempenaar transplanted his dairy operation — one of the leading dairies in the Netherlands — and three children to a 460acre farm in Como, Texas, a tiny farm in Texas terms. The transatlantic move was, in part, due to the crowded green pastures of the Netherlands. “Holland is a small country with a large population relative to the available land,” Kempenaar explained. “Governmental regulations on farming also limited growth. I was milking 200 cows, but I wanted to go somewhere with more opportunity and less regulation.” Three decades later, business is far from sour. The family-business now spans 2,000
Volvo CE photo
Still Meadow’s cows live in open-air barns with water-cooled fans — necessary comforts that contribute to a better-quality product.
acres and employs 38 people. “The dairy went through many growth stages, changing the type of dairy parlor and adding acreage to get to where we are now,” Kempenaar said. “We milk 3,000 cows a day, and maintain a replacement herd of
3,000 calves and ‘dry’ cows.” The large-scale operation churns out more than 9 million gal. (39 million L) of milk each year and sells its product to Dean Foods, one of the largest milk processors in the country.
Churning a Profit To maintain an economic operation, the large-scale farm is conducted on a smallscale balance sheet. Because dairy farmers are at the mercy of fluctuating milk prices, see MOO page 12
Volvo CE photo
Volvo CE photo
Still Meadow’s Volvo L150E wheel loader maintains solid stability due to its 100 percent front axle differential locks, providing added traction.
The intelligent load-sensing hydraulic system helps the operator better control both the Volvo L90F wheel loader and the load.
Construction Equipment Guide • Texas State Supplement • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • February 5, 2017 • Page 9
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Page 10 • February 5, 2017 • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • Texas State Supplement • Construction Equipment Guide
Texas Motor Speedway Begins Track Repave, Re-Profiling Texas Motor Speedway began a major capital improvement project on Jan. 9 consisting of a complete repave, construction of an extensive drainage system and a re-profiling of the 1.5-mi. (2.4 km) oval configuration at the worldrenowned motorsports facility that annually plays host to NASCAR and INDYCAR events. The renovation will add a new layer of asphalt over the existing pavement, an expansive French drainage system on the frontstretch and backstretch, and reduce the banking in turns 1 and 2 by 4 degrees. Barring extensive weather delays, the project is expected to be completed by early to mid-March in anticipation of the O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 NASCAR doubleheader scheduled for April 7 to 9. The repaving and drainage system come as a result of issues the facility was incurring in attempting to dry the racing surface, in partic-
Texas Motor Speedway began a major capital improvement project on Jan. 9.
The reduced banking, which will decrease lap speeds and potentially open up additional passing opportunities in turns 1 and 2.
ular this past year when both NASCAR race weekends and the INDYCAR race were affected by weather-related delays. While the aged track surface at Texas Motor Speedway is lauded by drivers,
speedway officials made the decision to repave in the best interests of their fans that had to deal with the inconveniences of the delays. “The fans are why we are doing this,” Eddie Gossage, Texas Motor Speedway president said. “The old
pavement no longer dried as quickly because through the years of use and weather, the asphalt became porous, kind of like a sponge. Even if we only had a brief shower it was taking us far too long to get the track dried in order to get on to the
racing. We owe it to the fans to present the best possible race track so they will be assured of seeing NASCAR and INDYCAR races even if we face some brief inclement weather. This will accomplish that goal.”
Lane Construction Corp., with offices in neighboring Justin, Texas, will handle the repaving project and is known as the preeminent paving company for NASCAR speedways. The company has paved several prominent speedways since 2003 including such marquee facilities as Charlotte Motor Speedway, Daytona International Speedway, Darlington Raceway and Talladega Superspeedway. The repave will feature an asphalt mix similar to the surfaces at SMI sister tracks, Kentucky Speedway and Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The mix used in conjunction with the construction method will aid in the track’s properties of an “aged” track. For the installation of the French drainage system, trenches will be cut in numerous locations on the frontstretch and backstretch to provide multiple points for water to drain away from the facility more quickly and efficiently than the current system. The drainable mat installation that will tie into a continuous toe drain will aid in the drainage of the track as well. see SPEEDWAY page 14
Construction Equipment Guide • Texas State Supplement • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • February 5, 2017 • Page 11
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Page 12 • February 5, 2017 • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • Texas State Supplement • Construction Equipment Guide
ROMCO Supplies, Services Dairy Farmers’ Volvo Fleet MOO from page 8
containing costs is a lifeboat to stay afloat during economic downturns. “In order to be profitable, you have to become more efficient,” Kempenaar said. Such is the reason Still Meadow decided that it needed suitably efficient machines to support its daily feed and waste loading tasks across the farm. The company has built up its equipment fleet so that it now includes seven machines from Volvo, each averaging around 1,000 hours each year. The equipment has been supplied by respected local dealer ROMCO Equipment and includes L70D, L70E, L90C, L90D, L90F, L110F and L150E wheel loaders. While some are older model machines, their mint condition defies the hours accumulated on all original engines and transmissions. Their largest Volvo wheel loader — the L150E — is used to load, pack and level the silage (fermented grass feed) into bunkers. Given the variations in ground conditions of the work site, the 100 percent front axle differential locks provide added traction. “The fuel economy is very good and the loaders offer stability, which is a real benefit when working in the silage pit,” said Kempenaar. Joining the Volvo L150E is an L90C
Volvo CE photo
Volvo’s TP-linkage, attachment bracket and genuine Volvo attachments make the flexible L90F wheel loader the perfect machine for all of Still Meadow’s applications.
wheel loader — the farm’s first Volvo wheel loader, which was purchased in 1997. With more than 43,000 hours, the L90C is the dairy’s most utilized loader, moving feed from the commodity bunkers. It is fitted with a high-tip rollout bucket with torque parallel linkage, providing high breakout force. Ensuring the machines are working at their optimum levels is Kyle Watson, territory sales representative of ROMCO. When Kempenaar needed a swift and safe way to clear excess feed from barn alleys, Watson worked with Volvo-approved attachment vendor Dymax to design a custom bucket. The 2.5 cu. yd. (1.9 cu m) bucket features sloping sides — providing the operator good visibility to spot any curious cows that may poke their heads through the gate rails. The top treatment Kempenaar accords to his cattle is equally applied to his equipment. “The key to having long-lasting machinery is maintenance,” he reveals. “In almost 20 years, I have only traded one Volvo — an L110 wheel loader — and that was for another Volvo loader.” For more information, visit volvoce.com. (This story also can be found on Construction Equipment Guide’s website at www.constructionequipmentguide.com.) CEG
Texas Rangers Choose HKS to Design New Ballpark BALLPARK from page 1
that will make this venue the best in Major League Baseball. We look forward to working with them to achieve that result.” The design for the new ballpark, which will be built on what is now a team parking lot south of Randol Mill Road, will include a retractable roof for climate control and shelter for fans during the hot summer months. The new venue — designed with a street-side that is different than anything in baseball — will complement and enhance the fabric of the surrounding Texas Live! development — a mixed-used entertainment district featuring dining, entertainment, a hotel and a convention center. The design phase of the ballpark is currently under way with construction expected to be begin later in the year. The facility is expected to open in time for the start of the 2020 Major League Baseball season. While designs and costs have not been finalized, a new ballpark and related infrastructure is estimated at $1 billion. The master
HKS photo
The Texas Rangers announced that HKS Inc. has been selected to design the new ballpark to be built in Arlington.
agreement for this public-private partnership calls for a 50-50 split between the Texas Rangers and the city of Arlington, with the city’s financial contribution capped at $500 million. Arlington’s ballpark bonds to finance the project were
approved by voters in a city referendum on Nov. 8. The Texas Rangers’ 30-year lease on the cityowned Globe Life Park in Arlington was set to end in 2024. With the new master agreement, the Rangers’ partnership with Arlington
extends until January 1, 2054. HKS, ranked as one of the top sports and entertainment design firms by BD World Architecture, has ushered in a new generation of multi-revenue-generating, world class sports facilities. The group’s
ballpark portfolio includes Miller Park in Milwaukee, Wis.; U.S. Cellular Field renovations in Chicago, Ill.; and Dodger Stadium renovations in Los Angeles, Calif. The firm is also well-known for its designs of the new NFL U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn.; the top-grossing AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas; and the Indianapolis Colts’ Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind. These venues are known for enhancing and leveraging team brand, delivering an enhanced fan experience and serving as destination environments. Fans can follow the updated developments on the new ballpark at RangersNewBallpark.com or through the new ballpark’s social media platforms: • Facebook.com/ RangersNewBallpark • Twitter: @RangersNewPark • Instagram:RangersNewBallpark (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 • February 5, 2017 • Page 13
Page 14 • February 5, 2017 • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • Texas State Supplement • Construction Equipment Guide
Improvements to I-35 Increase Safety, Speedway to Have Traffic Flow for Motorists in Austin Unique Layout as Turns 1, 2 Decrease The beginning of excavation and soil nail placement along the northbound frontage road to I-35.
SPEEDWAY from page 10
AUSTIN from page 1
ment, retaining walls and drainage work. With 49,934 sq. ft. (4,639 sq m) of retaining walls, 97,928 sq. ft. (9,097.8 sq m) of concrete slab and concrete bridge beams, the project calls for 5,050 cu. yds. (3,861 cu m) of concrete. Roadways will use 41,530 tons (937,675.4 t) of asphalt. Roadway Specialties, based in Austin, will handle mulch sodding, gabions, temporary sediment containment fence and crash cushions. N-Line Traffic Maintenance, also of Austin, is in charge of all signage and ACU Construction LLC headquartered in Carrollton, was contracted to remove stabilized base, and perform asphalt paving and construction detours. Shafts are being drilled for abutment 5 at Lake Creek Bridge.
Crews set TX28 concrete girders at Lake Creek.
“We have had a few lanes closures at night. Most of the construction to date has not affected traffic as it is behind barrier,” noted Christopher Bishop, TxDOT public information officer. In the face of limited funding TxDOT is working hard to leverage local and private partnerships to meet the vision outlined by Texans as part of the “My35 Study.” TxDOT also is exploring strategies to efficiently utilize the existing highway by working with local transit agencies, implementing improved traveler information systems and providing travel options for commuters and other peak-period travelers. (This story also can be found on Construction Equipment Guide’s website at www.constructionequipmentguide.com.) CEG
In addition to the repaving and drainage system, Texas Motor Speedway will undergo a re-profiling in Turns 1 and 2 to give the venue a more unique layout from its currently symmetrical 24-degree banking in all four turns. While turns 3 and 4 will remain unchanged, the banking of turns 1 and 2 will be decreased to 20 degrees with the racing surface width expanding from 60 to 80 ft. (18.3 to 24.4 m) in that section of the track. “Due to the issues we had in 2016 with moisture and track drying, we had to take steps to correct the problems to give the fans the experience they deserve,” said Steve Swift, vice president of operations and development of Speedway Motorsports Inc., who is coordinating the project. “With that task at hand, we looked at what would be the best way to create more exciting racing and to correct the water issues. We are excited to put these practices in place and create another great SMI race.” The reduced banking, which will decrease lap speeds and potentially open up additional passing opportunities in turns 1 and 2, will provide Texas Motor Speedway with a new, distinctive layout for a 1.5-mi. oval that will be more challenging to the drivers and add more action for the fans. “For years, I’ve heard the absurd comments about 1.5mile tracks being tagged as ‘cookie-cutter’ tracks,” Gossage said. “While nothing could be further from the truth — all 1.5-mi. tracks are different — this assures once and for all that Texas Motor Speedway is unique, unlike any other track in the sport. That’s the way we like it here in No Limits, Texas.” There will be four stages to the project beginning with the installation of the drainage system on the backstretch. The same construction will follow on the frontstretch, with the third stage being the grade changes in turns 1 and 2. The final stage would be the repaving. This will be the second full repave since Texas Motor Speedway opened in 1997. That project occurred in the summer of 2001 as the speedway had the racing surface repaved with a granite-based asphalt compound from the original limestone-based asphalt. The O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 NASCAR doubleheader will open the 2017 Texas Motor Speedway season April 7 to 9 and will be followed by the Rainguard Water Sealers 600 INDYCAR/NASCAR doubleheader June 8 to 10. The speedway’s season concludes with the AAA Texas 500 NASCAR Chase tripleheader Nov. 2 to 5. For more information, visit www.texasmotorspeedway.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 • February 5, 2017 • Page 15
Page 16 • February 5, 2017 • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • Texas State Supplement • Construction Equipment Guide
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