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$1B Hidden Ridge Development Being Built in Irving
By Cindy Riley
CEG CORRESPONDENT
As the first phase of a $1 billion mixed-use project being constructed by telecom heavyweight Verizon and Dallas developer KDC, Pioneer Natural Resources is making plans to relocate to its new headquarters in Irving, Texas. Approximately 1,100 employees of the independent energy company will move to the more than $100 million 10-story office building in 2019. “The single biggest challenge is that we are building an extremely fast-track project in a completely saturated market,” said Elliott Goodman, regional manager for general contractor Austin Commercial. “Manpower and materials are at a premium, so it’s critical for us to get commitments from reliable subcontractors and project materials ordered in a timely manner so they can be delivered to the job site as required to meet the schedule.” With its lease set to expire in 2020, Pioneer was in need of new office space. The city of Irving has reportedly agreed to provide almost $6 million in economic incentives for the company’s move to the more than 500,000 sq.-ft. building in the Hidden Ridge development in Las Colinas. The relocation follows a year of plan-
Clare Drilling, Austin Commercial photo
The Hidden Ridge project will include retail and restaurants, apartments, hotel and additional office space, as well as a new DART light rail station that will connect the mixed-use project with Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and downtown Dallas.
ning and negotiations. Pioneer’s current headquarters are in the Williams Square office complex in Las Colinas’ Urban Center. In addition to providing sufficient work space, the firm’s new campus will include a large cafeteria for company employees, along with a fitness center and day care center. Work officially started on the project in summer, 2017, and continues at a steady pace.
“Currently, we are completing the mass excavation and backfill of the site, installing underground utilities, plumbing and electrical and pouring foundations,” said Goodman. “The building pads have been constructed, and we are close to complete with the drilled piers at the buildings. “We are erecting tower cranes on site now, so the major task in front of us is taking the structure
vertical. After that, it will be a race to get the buildings enclosed, so we can start finishes. At the same time, we will be erecting the precast garage and installing mechanical and electrical equipment. Add in the site work, and we’ll be done.” Goodman said constructing a multi-level office building that includes a glass curtainwall and stone façade is no small task. “We spend a great deal of time
working with the owner, design team and the subcontractors, to make sure the desired materials are being used, as well as coordinating all the details so that everything fits together the way it should. After that, it’s just a matter of following our plan. Our superintendent team, led by Gene Gunstanson, does a great job of planning every detail of the project in advance, so there are few surprises once the work starts.” Because the seven-story parking garage will be built using precast concrete, actual construction is limited for that portion of the project. “We just build the foundation and get out of the way. The precast concrete is shipped to the site on flatbed trucks and then assembled like puzzle pieces. After the precast is erected, we will pour some concrete, install the elevators, hang the lights and paint the parking stripes. Of course, there is more to it than that, but the precast concrete structure eliminates many of the steps,” said Goodman. The job location, however, is another story. “This is one of the highest points in Las Colinas. Since we are on top of the hill, we do have some fairly steep slopes of the property. They are incorporated into the design, but they do make the planning of the logistics during construction a see IRVING page 10
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HOLT Cat Celebrates Groundbreaking MBI Wins $6.1M for Its New Facility in Georgetown Contract on Major Dallas Freeway HOLT Cat, the Caterpillar equipment and engine dealer of south, central, north and northeast Texas, recently celebrated the groundbreaking of an 85,000-sq.-ft., full-service sales, rental and parts facility in Georgetown, Texas. Located off Airport Road, this new facility is a strategic move to better support its customers in the fast-developing central Texas region. HOLT Cat has been in the Greater Austin area since 1954, opening its first location on the iconic South Congress Avenue. It currently operates facilities in Austin and Pflugerville, off the I-35 corridor. HOLT Cat leaders Peter J. Holt and Corinna Holt Richter were joined by customers, partners and local representatives at the event, including Georgetown Mayor Dale Ross and City Manager David Morgan. “Georgetown is one of the fastestgrowing cities, not just in Texas, but in the U.S. Investments in construction and infrastructure are driving demand for heavy equipment and services, and with this new location, we can better serve our customers in this region,” said Peter J. Holt, CEO and general manager. “[This] groundbreaking is especially exciting as we begin 2018, which marks HOLT Cat’s 85th anniversary. As we reach this important milestone, we will continue to look for strategic
(L-R): Peter J. Holt, HOLT Cat CEO; David Morgan, Georgetown City manager; Dale Ross, mayor of Georgetown; and Corinna Holt Richter, HOLT Cat president and CAO, celebrate the groundbreaking.
opportunities to expand our offerings and services to our customers,” said Corinna Holt Richter, president and chief administrative officer. “We’re excited that HOLT Cat has chosen Georgetown to locate its newest regional sales hub. This facility will bring investment and jobs to a previously undeveloped area and initiate additional growth around it,” said Mayor Dale Ross. “This economic development agreement is another excellent example of what can get done when city departments work together. This is the direct result of various departments, such as economic
development, utility services, planning and others, coming together to help bring another outstanding employer to Georgetown.” The Georgetown location will offer a comprehensive range of offerings for customers across the construction, industrial, oil and gas, and paving industries: everything from Cat machine sales, rentals, parts and service. For more information, visit www.holtcat.com. (This story also can be found on Construction Equipment Guide’s website at www.constructionequipmentguide.com.)
USACE OKs New $1.2B Reservoir to Supply Water for Growing North Texas
PARIS, TEXAS (AP) The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has approved Texas’ first new reservoir in 30 years with hopes of providing water to North Texas’ rapidly growing population. Construction of the Lower Bois d’Arc Creek Reservoir will begin in spring, northeast of Bonham. The $1.2 billion project is expected to be a key water source for the 1.7 million people living in 80 north Texas communities, a population projected to double over the next half-century, the Dallas Morning News reported. “This is a major milestone for a critical project,” said Robert Thurmond, president of the North Texas Municipal Water District’s board of directors. Thurmond represents Wylie, one of 13 cities on the board. The new lake has been in the works for more than a dozen years and will measure more than 16,600 surface acres. In Texas, reservoirs are “an absolute necessity,” said Terry
Sam Anderson, who represents Mesquite on the board. The permit required under the federal Clean Water Act was issued by the Army Corps of Engineers’ Tulsa District. Officials assessed the project’s current and potential environmental impacts and identified measures to offset them. The project will include a reservoir dam and intake, a raw water pipeline, a water treatment plant, an environmental mitigation area, roadway improvements and a bridge. Construction is expected to complete in 2022. Officials said the project will spur economic growth and water-related recreational opportunities. “This has been a tremendous team effort,” said Tom Kula, the board’s executive director. “We appreciate the support of all involved in the process.” (This story also can be found on Construction Equipment Guide’s website at www.constructionequipmentguide.com.)
Michael Baker International, an engineering, planning and consulting services firm, announced that it was recently awarded a $6.1 million contract by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to provide Construction Engineering and Inspection (CEI) services for the Lowest Stemmons Freeway project. The Lowest Stemmons project, a 2.3-mi. stretch of Interstate-35E (I-35E) that runs from Interstate-30 to north of Oak Lawn Avenue in Dallas, is designed to reduce congestion, improve mobility and deliver more reliable travel times. The project also is the first for the TxDOT Dallas District under the Texas Clear Lanes congestion relief initiative. Unprecedented population growth in Texas has resulted in significantly increased traffic congestion, no more obvious than the Lowest Stemmons Freeway/I-35E, which is listed as the eighth most congested roadway segment in Texas and one of TxDOT’s top priorities in the Dallas metro area. The project will provide operational improvement along I-35E with the construction of collector-distributor roads and reconstruction of frontage roads from I-30 to North of Oak Lawn Avenue, six new bridges, two bridge widenings and 17 retaining walls. Within this 2.3-mi. section of I-35E, the project will improve connectivity by reducing multiple weaves and relieving congestion. TxDOT estimates the improvements could help increase peak travel time speeds from the current 13 mi. per hour (mph) to as much as 50 mph. “Lowest Stemmons/I-35E is a main artery for many commuters traveling to and from downtown Dallas as well as the area’s key business and entertainment districts. As drivers can attest, travelling the roadway has proven challenging with the increased traffic congestion in recent years,” said Ben Torres, P.E., senior associate and project manager of Michael Baker International. “The operational improvements that Michael Baker and team are implementing will create an easier commute and safer roadway as well as improve connectivity between four major systems — I-35, I30, Dallas North Tollway and Woodall Rodgers [Spur 366].” During the construction phase of the project, Michael Baker will ensure the public’s safety as they travel through this high-profile highway system. The inspection team will oversee implementation of traffic control systems to facilitate safe driving by maintaining clear and properly staged signage and traffic control devices. The project kicked off in August 2017 with estimated completion in early 2020. To help provide TxDOT and other transportation partners in Dallas with additional support, Michael Baker recently announced the hiring of Laura Weis, P.E., as vice president and office executive in the firm’s Dallas office. Weis will lead the Dallas office’s balanced portfolio of clients and bring the full range of the firm’s expertise to the region in support of various transportation infrastructure projects. For more information, visit www.mbakerintl.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 • March 4, 2018 • Page 5
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Hyliion Moves Headquarters to Greater Austin Texas Area Hyliion, the company who is bringing intelligent electric hybrid technology to the trucking industry, recently announced the company is moving its corporate headquarters to the greater Austin, Texas, area. Its new, over 80,000sq.-ft., custom designed office is being built in Cedar Park to support Hyliion’s rapid growth. The facility will house all departments from research & development, to sales, marketing, IT and administration. The move helps facilitate the development of the Hyliion 6x4HE intelligent electric hybrid solution and allows Hyliion to expand and build upon its unique company culture. Hyliion’s operations are expected to create more than 200 new jobs in the area. “Moving our corporate headquarters to Austin was an important strategic decision. It supports our growth plans in new technologies and products and we believe the greater Austin market has the talented workforce that will contribute to our company and culture. Our products significantly decrease the environmental impact of long haul, over-theroad trucks which matches nicely with Austin’s environmental consciousness,” said Thomas Healy, Hyliion founder and CEO. “Our new building is being built to handle the requirements of semi-tractor trailers and establish excellent workspaces for our diverse workforce. We have planned library
emissions reduction equivalent to about 13 cars being taken off the road, according to the company. “We are extremely excited to be joining the greater Austin community. The Cedar Park Economic Development Department personnel, the Cedar Park Economic Development Corporation and the Cedar Park City Council put together an employment-based incentive program and have been fantastic to work with,” said Healy. The company has already enjoyed success in hiring in the Austin market and is actively recruiting for positions in software and algorithm development, electrical and mechanical engineers and technicians as well as many other support positions.
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space for quiet work, bright open spaces for group collaboration, and in line with our active employees we have bike storage space, showers and even an indoor/outdoor space for dogs.” The Hyliion 6x4HE Truck Solution reduces fuel consumption and emissions by up to 30 percent, saving more than 6,000 gal. of diesel fuel annually. One semi-tractor trailer equipped with a Hyliion 6x4HE solution delivers a CO2
About Hyliion Hyliion offers fleets an easy, efficient way to decrease fuel expenses and lower emissions by instantly turning semi-tractor trailers into intelligent electric hybrid vehicles. Hyliion’s technology can be used on new or existing vehicles. Requiring no driver training, Hyliion products reduce fuel consumption and emissions by up to 30 percent and provide a positive return to fleets and the environment immediately. For more information, visit http://www.hyliion.com. (This story also can be found on Construction Equipment Guide’s website at www.constructionequipmentguide.com.)
Del Mar Grows Workforce BNSF Plans $375M Program
CM Labs Simulations, developer of Vortex training simulators, is helping Del Mar College’s Division of Workforce and Economic Development to narrow the skilled labor gap by implementing a Vortex Advantage simulator in its heavy equipment operator training. Del Mar College’s Workforce Programs — Corporate Services develops customized training programs for energy companies near Corpus Christi, Texas. Although it had been training heavy equipment operation using textbooks and PowerPoint presentations, the department decided that a simulator would have a greater impact on students by taking the hardest tasks and having them practice in an environment without dangerous implications. A simulator would also reduce the risk and liability of using a live machine for training and eliminate maintenance, upkeep, fuel and inspection costs. The five-screen Vortex Advantage simulator was purchased using a Texas Workforce Commission Skill Development Fund to train carry-deck crane operators, with the idea that the college would expand its program to other heavy equipment training modules. When the college purchased the simulator, Dara Betz, program manager of Workforce Programs — Corporate Services, said no other providers had earthmoving software except for CM Labs. The school was able to buy the excavator and wheel loader software shortly after purchasing the
simulator. It also is planning to add the backhoe, forklift, and tower crane training packs. Del Mar College’s Vortex Advantage simulator is a mobile unit, and it can easily be transported to the jobsite on a gooseneck trailer. “What we liked about the Vortex Advantage simulator is the learning and training can be at any time or location, and it can be repeated as often as necessary,” Betz said. “Our customers are in the industry, and we want to meet their needs, which means going out to their jobsites and doing the training there.” The college measures the success rate of its students using the simulator by their progression. “Students are learning more quickly because we are able to integrate environmental issues into their training,” she said. “We can make it look like a real jobsite with personnel, weather issues, and all the different aspects of operating a crane in different situations.” Not only is Del Mar College training the region’s workforce, but it is working the simulator into its own credited degree programs, which includes heavy equipment operations, maintenance technicians, and more. “The simulator is what we needed to kick start the program,” Betz said. For more information, visit www.cmlabs.com. (This story also can be found on Construction Equipment Guide’s website at www.constructionequipmentguide.com.)
BNSF Railway Company announced that its 2018 capital expenditure program in Texas will be approximately $375 million. To ensure BNSF continues to operate a safe and reliable rail network, nearly half of this year’s spending in Texas will be for the maintenance of its rail, ties and ballast — the main components of the track on which trains operate. The remainder will go toward expansion projects designed to enhance capacity and fluidity along the network. “Texas has more miles of rail than any other state, with roughly 440 million tons of agricultural, energy, industrial and consumer products moving via the state’s rail lines each year. By performing regular maintenance and capacity projects in the state, BNSF is fulfilling its commitment to operate as safely, reliably and efficiently as possible,” said Janssen Thompson, general manager of operations, Red River Division. Over the past five years, BNSF has invested nearly $1.8 billion to expand and maintain its network in Texas. This year, the maintenance program in Texas includes approximately 1,400 mi. of track surfacing and/or undercutting work as well as the replacement of nearly 40 mi. of rail and more than 450,000 ties. BNSF also is investing in several capacity expansion projects in Texas. On the Hereford Subdivision, crews will complete work this year on expansion to quadruple main line track of more than 4 mi. through Amarillo. On the Wichita Falls
Subdivision, which runs between Wichita Falls and Fort Worth, crews will complete installation of Centralized Traffic Control on the entire subdivision, install one new siding and extend another to increase capacity as well as address increased train flows. In the Houston area on the Conroe Subdivision, construction is scheduled to begin on a new connection and siding in Dobbin to help facilitate train flows between Dallas/Fort Worth and Houston. BNSF also anticipates the completion of expansion projects started in 2016 at its Alliance Intermodal Facility. Those projects include adding parking capacity as well as acquiring lift equipment. Additionally, BNSF will begin construction to replace its existing bridge over the Trinity River near downtown Fort Worth. The 2018 planned capital investments in the state are part of BNSF’s $3.3 billion network-wide capital expenditure program. These investments include $2.4 billion to replace and maintain core network and related assets, approximately $500 million on expansion and efficiency projects and $100 million for continued implementation of Positive Train Control (PTC). Another element of its capital plan will be $300 million for freight cars and other equipment acquisitions. (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 • March 4, 2018 • Page 7
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Page 8 • March 4, 2018 • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • Texas State Supplement • Construction Equipment Guide
TTI HQ Building at RELLIS Campus Reaches Milestone Chancellor of The Texas A&M University System John Sharp signs the highest beam on the TTI Headquarters Building.
Chancellor of The Texas A&M University System John Sharp addresses those attending the TTI Headquarters building topping out ceremony. The highest beam is placed on the TTI headquarters building.
The topping out ceremony for the Texas A&M Transportation Institute’s (TTI’s) new headquarters building Jan. 18 turned into an appreciation ceremony for the building’s construction workers, of TTI itself, and for the vison that made TTI’s location at the Texas A&M University System’s RELLIS Campus possible. Hundreds of construction workers, System dignitaries, TTI leadership and members of the media attended the event. “Topping out” is a centuries-old tradition in the construction business. The ceremony occurs when the beam of the building’s highest point is put in place. “This building is going to help save thousands and thousands of lives,” Chancellor John Sharp said as he addressed the crowd, thank-
ing the workers in both English and Spanish. Sharp, who often publicly applauds the life-saving and other wide-ranging transportation research conducted by the Institute, was the impetus behind the System’s RELLIS Campus concept, transforming the 2000-acre undeveloped campus into a modern, educational and engineering complex. The RELLIS Campus development is in its early stages. The Center for Infrastructure Renewal (CIR) building is nearly complete, and the TTI Headquarters Building is scheduled to be completed by the end of the year, with occupancy planned for spring 2019. CIR, a shared facility of TTI and the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station, will house researchers dedicated to “develop-
ing advanced and sustainable materials and structural systems that will reduce cost and extend infrastructure life, safety, resiliency and durability.” “We are pleased to be the first of the Texas A&M System to be headquartered here on the RELLIS Campus,” said Greg Winfree, TTI agency director. “This is a monumental time for us. It’s a testament to the leadership and vision of Chancellor John Sharp, who had the vision to commit this 2,000 acres into a world-class education and research campus.” The $70 million, 179,000-sq.-ft. TTI headquarters will house all of the agency’s local employees and TTI’s Driving Simulation and Visibility Research laboratories. “When you combine the best agency in the world in transporta-
tion research [TTI] with that building over there, the Center for Infrastructure Renewal, you’ll have everything you need to design buildings and infrastructure to make sure they are safe,” Sharp said. “This building is going to save thousands and thousands of lives. This is going to be the most remarkable transportation research complex that exists anywhere on planet Earth.” Sharp announced the RELLIS Campus concept in May of 2016, to address critical engineering problems while enhancing education and training opportunities. RELLIS researchers are actively seeking partnerships with private sector industries involved in connected and automated technologies, infrastructure, and energy, just to name a few.
Educationally, Blinn College has partnered with the A&M System and is building its second local campus on site. And, in the fall of 2018, students from the System universities will be able to pursue various associate and bachelor’s degree programs through the RELLIS Academic Alliance. “The [TTI] building has reached the top of its height. There have been no deaths or incidents occurring during this construction, and it’s a gesture of good luck and prosperity to all those who will occupy this building in the future,” Marty Garza of Bartlett Cocke General Contractor’s told the crowd. (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 • March 4, 2018 • Page 9
Page 10 • March 4, 2018 • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • Texas State Supplement • Construction Equipment Guide
Pioneer Natural Resources Moving New HQ to Irving
Clare Drilling, Austin Commercial photo
The city of Irving has reportedly agreed to provide almost $6 million in economic incentives for Pioneer Natural Resources to move to the more than 500,000 sq.-ft. building in the Hidden Ridge development in Las Colinas. IRVING from page 1
little bit more challenging. We are also protecting multiple existing trees on the site, and that also has to be taken into account when planning the logistics of construction. Lastly, we have an existing pond that will be incorporated into the completed project.” Goodman said outdoor conditions have not been an issue, so far, but crews are prepared to adapt, if necessary. “Dry weather certainly helps, especially when we are still working in the ground. Hot weather is a safety concern, so we have maintained our hot weather safety focus to watch for signs of heat-related illness.” Other than the foundation and basement from an old ranch house, the site was fairly natural. “Mesquite trees, prairie grass and the existing pond were the primary features. Gene Gunstanson and his team spent significant time on the site logistics plan in order to maintain sufficient work areas while still preserving the pond, protecting the trees and working around the slope of the hill. The Las Colinas Association and the city of Irving also have requirements that affect the perimeter of the site, so those have to be incorporated in the plan, as well.” As for excavation work, said Goodman, “The soil in Las Colinas is well known for its movement, so the project is designed to accommodate it. The buildings are being built with crawl spaces to get the slabs up and away from the soil, so not much
prep work is required for the existing soil in a crawl space. For slabs on grade and the primary drive lanes, the team selected moisture conditioning of the existing soil as the solution to reduce the movement. “In those areas, the existing soil is brought to grade, and then the remaining soil is dug out and moisture conditioned. Once the conditioned soil achieves the required moisture levels, it’s put back in place and compacted in lifts. A cap is placed on top to keep the moisture in the conditioned soil.” Crews are hauling off approximately 60,000 cu. yds. of material as part of their efforts. Equipment being used to carry out the various project tasks include bulldozers, loaders, track hoes, haul and dump trucks, backhoes, skid steers, telescoping forklifts, rubber tire cranes, tower cranes, conventional cranes, concrete pumps, compressors, light plants, boom lifts and scissor lifts. Water trucks also will be utilized, along with generators, pumps, welding machines and swing stages. Materials required to complete the work include concrete, reinforcing steel, post tension, masonry, stone, structural and miscellaneous steel, roofing, waterproofing and sealants, metal panels and curtainwall. Other supplies include wood doors, drywall and acoustical, paint, tile, trees and plants, pavers and railings. Goodman noted that the most time-consuming part of the work also is the most important. “As the general contractor, it is
Clare Drilling, Austin Commercial photo
Approximately 1,100 employees of the independent energy company will move to the more than $100 million 10-story office building in 2019.
our job to get more than 30 separate companies and the hundreds of people who work for them to all work to the same goal. We spend countless hours meeting with subcontractors, coordinating drawings, answering questions and inspecting work in the field to make sure that everything is done right. Austin Commercial is privileged to work with our partners at KDC on another major corporate headquarters project in North Texas.” Members of the design team are equally proud of their contributions to the new headquarters. “Our vision stems from our working philosophy that the best designs are inspired by the cultures and communities that use them, so we’ve worked to uncover and integrate the shared values, behaviors and beliefs of the Pioneer organization and its people,” said Turan Duda, founding principal, Duda|Paine Architects. “The vision includes providing a unified complex founded in both the community of Pioneer and Pioneer’s appreciation for the larger community of Irving, Texas.” The creative team found inspiration in a crucial aspect of the work and mission of employees, which is the exploration of the earth’s layers. Said Duda, “We believe corporate architecture today must invite occupancy with lounge, greenspaces and the integration of artwork. The ground level is designed to be open, inviting and merge with its surroundings, providing employees access to nature.” According to Duda|Paine found-
ing principal Jeff Paine, “The challenge of bringing all the organization’s employees onto one site is one we’ve tackled successfully before. It’s a tremendous opportunity for a client to use architecture to solidify and clarify their organization’s identity and culture. “The project is ambitious — at 1.125 million square feet and 35 acres, it is one of the largest we’ve designed at once. Our experience comprises a diverse array of architecture for regional, national and international headquarters buildings, and typically these types of projects are done in phases and span many years. There’s a flip side to the challenge in that it’s exciting to see this scale come together in a holistic design.” The floor of each of the building’s two wings is approximately 43,000 sq. ft., with the central hub at 17,000 sq. ft. The style is contemporary, with extensive glass and aluminum curtainwall that infuses light into interior spaces with aluminum shading devises on all facades. “The building has a center core, which serves to bring the staff through a common entrance to facilitate interaction,” said the firm’s project manager, Brendan Beachler. “The role of the central hub is to provide a truly collaborative center for the employees in the two wings to converge.” The Hidden Ridge Development is 150 acres, and will include a two-acre greenspace with amenities on the area’s historic Carpenter Ranch. The Pioneer site includes a tree-lined lake. The
design calls for the addition of another lake, which will connect the existing body of water through a spillover rock bed. “A bridge across the lake will allow employees and visitors alike to experience the water as they drive into the Pioneer site,” said Beachler. “The design preserves an existing mesquite grove. The building’s placement at a high point in the topography will allow sweeping views. Jogging trails for the employees will be carefully inserted throughout the site so they can experience the natural beauty and gain a sense of ownership of the environment. Sustainability also played a key role in the design process, with the project pursing LEED Silver certification. Paine added that working on the new headquarters is extremely gratifying, and a welcome opportunity for his firm. The Pioneer building will be one of the largest parts of the development west of State Highway 114. It’s being built on Verizon-owned land that’s across the street from the telecom firm’s regional office campus. The Hidden Ridge project will include retail and restaurants, apartments, hotel and additional office space, as well as a new DART light rail station that will connect the mixed-use project with Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and downtown Dallas. (This story also can be found on Construction Equipment Guide’s website at www.constructionequipmentguide.com.) CEG
Construction Equipment Guide • Texas State Supplement • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • March 4, 2018 • Page 11
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Page 12 • March 4, 2018 • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • Texas State Supplement • Construction Equipment Guide
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ROMCO Equipment Co. Buffalo, TX 903-322-5602
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Closner Equipment Company Inc. San Antonio Main Branch 21910 FM 2252 Schertz, TX 78154 210-732-2131
Austin Branch 13800 FM 973 N Manor, TX 78653 512-272-8200
Construction Equipment Guide • Texas State Supplement • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • March 4, 2018 • Page 13
Page 14 • March 4, 2018 • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • Texas State Supplement • Construction Equipment Guide
Mortenson Uses TCC-2500 for Rocksprings Wind Farm
M.A. Mortenson Company was selected by French-owned renewable energy company Akuo Energy to construct Rocksprings Wind Farm, a 149-megawatt wind farm. The project, covering 15,620 acres of private land approximately 30 mi. north of the United States-Mexico border in Val Verde County, Texas, consists of erecting 69 wind turbines, an electrical substation and an underground transmission line. Upon completion, the wind farm will generate enough energy to power 69,000 households. A 250-ton (230 t) TCC-2500 telescopic crawler crane was brought on site as an assist crane for building and constructing 262 ft. (80 m) wind turbines with rotors (hub plus blades) weighing up to 146,000 lbs. (66,224 kg) in difficult ground conditions. The TCC2500 proved to be a valuable asset on the project lifting top can sections weighing up to 47,000 lbs. (21,318 kg), tailing rotors, building hubs or assisting with lifting the boom of the larger lattice crawler cranes. “Up front Mortenson reached out saying that they had a site in Texas that was more challenging than normal,” said Scott Jerome, senior branch manager at Dawes Rigging and Crane Rental. The network of roads connecting each of the 69 wind turbines was one major challenge. According to Rick Paullus, Mortenson TCC-2500 operator, “Usually these wind jobs are on a grid, this one we started on one end and basically had to go all the way around on string roads. So the TCC-2500 travelled close to 70 miles on this job, over the most uneven terrain possible. We’ve gone close to three miles in a single day.” The boom on the 661-ton (600 t) cranes weighed 65,000 lb. (29,483.5 kg) and was too tall to transport aboard a trailer. Instead the TCC-2500 rigged to the boom while cradled on the machine, moved in tandem, allowing the boom to travel underneath the powerline. “Mortenson explained that they were going to need a telescopic rig of some sort, with larger capacities than even a 130 to 150-ton class rough terrain crane. The crane
A TCC-2500 telescopic crawler crane was brought on site as an assist crane for building and constructing 262 ft. (80 m) wind turbines with rotors (hub plus blades) weighing up to 146,000 lbs. (66,224 kg) in difficult ground conditions.
would assist in picking and carrying the boom assembly on the big 600 metric ton top out cranes for numerous wire ducks in some difficult terrain. The first thing that came to mind was our new TCC-2500,” said Jerome. “It [TCC-2500] handled the wire duck really well, then as we went along, sometimes the large lattice crane couldn’t get to the blades to build the rotors, and so we had a few rotors that had to be built with the TCC-2500,” said Paullus. Paullus has been a crane operator for six years, but this was his first telescopic crawler
The TCC-2500 proved to be a valuable asset on the project lifting top can sections weighing up to 47,000 lbs. (21,318 kg), tailing rotors, building hubs or assisting with lifting the boom of the larger lattice crawler cranes.
crane to operate. “When I heard that we were getting the 2500 I was really excited, mainly because it was a new crane. My only concern was because of the terrain, not because of the load chart, I was just anxious to see how it worked out and it has exceeded all of my expectations,” said Paullus. From the project in Del Rio, the TCC2500 was delivered to a Kansas railyard to lift and stage very large wind turbine components (i.e. nacelles, hubs, tower canes, etc.) for RJ Corman Railroad Group. “The site in Kansas is supporting a couple
Upon completion, the wind farm will generate enough energy to power 69,000 households.
other wind farm projects that are going up in the plains states. RJ Corman’s project team loves the crane. In short, we are quite pleased with our entrance into the large tele-crawler market with the TCC-2500s,” said Jerome. Link-Belt Cranes, with headquarters in Lexington, Ky., designs and manufactures telescopic boom and lattice boom cranes for the construction industry worldwide. For more information, visit www.linkbelt.com. (This story also can be found on Construction Equipment Guide’s website at www.constructionequipmentguide.com.)
The network of roads connecting each of the 69 wind turbines was one major challenge.
Construction Equipment Guide • Texas State Supplement • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • March 4, 2018 • Page 15
Texas Announces $1B for Mitigation Efforts After Harvey
By Juan A. Lozano ASSOCIATED PRESS
HOUSTON (AP) Texas communities that were hit hard by Hurricane Harvey will be able to apply for more than $1 billion in federal funds that can be used on projects to help prevent or lessen damage from future storms, Gov. Greg Abbott announced. The funding can be used by cities and counties to pay for a variety of projects, including buyouts and elevations of homes, seawalls and large-scale channeling of waterways. “I want to reassure every single Texan that’s impacted by Harvey, that we will never let up until your homes and businesses are restored, until your communities are fully protected from future potential storm damage,” Abbott said during a luncheon in Rockport, one of the many Texas cities that suffered devastating damage during Harvey. The hurricane made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane on Aug. 25 and dumped more than 60 in. of rain in some areas of Southeast Texas after weakening to a tropical storm. The storm flooded thousands of homes, was responsible for 68 deaths and caused an estimated $125 billion in damage. Abbott encouraged communities to begin applying for the funding from the Federal Management Emergency Agency as $500 million is available and ready to be disbursed once communities submit and get approval for their applications. “This isn’t one of those things where, ‘Gosh, we’re finally going to rebuild once we get the money,’” Abbott said. “The money is here. Checks can be cut immediately as soon as you get your applications in and get them approved.” The rest of the funds will be disbursed by the anniversary of the storm’s landfall. While the federal government would typically provide for 75 percent of the funding for such mitigation projects, Abbott said the federal government has agreed to pay for 100 percent of the costs. In the wake of Harvey, officials in Harris County, where Houston is located, have been working on a proposal for a bond election that would ask voters to approve at least $1 billion to help pay for flood control projects. Possible projects that have been discussed include building a third reservoir for the Houston area, widening some of the area’s bayous and building detention basins. Funding that goes toward efforts to protect communities against the next storm has been a key part of “our plea to the federal government,” said Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner. “Mitigation projects are so very, very important for our future,” Turner said. “Merely funding a recovery would be funding for failure.” Nim Kidd, chief of the Texas Division of Emergency Management, said the mitigation projects funding will be directed at strengthening infrastructure that wasn’t impacted by Harvey in order “to prevent it from being damaged by the next storm.” (This story also can be found on Construction Equipment Guide’s website at www.constructionequipmentguide.com.)
NEXT ISSUE CLOSES MARCH 22, 2018
Page 16 • March 4, 2018 • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • Texas State Supplement • Construction Equipment Guide
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