UTAH STATE EDITION
A Supplement to:
®
January 31 2021 Vol. VI • No. 3
“The Nation’s Best Read Construction Newspaper… Founded in 1957.” Your Utah Connection – Sharon Swanson – 1-760-518-4336 – sswanson@cegltd.com
UDOT considered several options for upgrading the Jason R. Workman Memorial Bridge, including two new bridges, one that would have maintained the current alignment and another that would have been farther up the road and eliminated a hairpin turn necessary to access the current bridge.
By Lori Tobias CEG CORRESPONDENT
Vehicles have been traversing the bridge over the San Juan River on the edge of the tiny desert town of Mexican Hat, Utah, since 1953. Six years ago, the metal arch bridge was renamed the Jason R.
Service
Workman Memorial Bridge, honoring Utah native and fallen local war hero Special Ops Jason Workman. Workman was a 1997 graduate of the San Juan High School who died Aug. 6, 2011, when the Chinook helicopter he was riding in was shot down in Afghanistan.
This year, the bridge got an update of a different sort with a $3.47 million rehabilitation project meant to extend the bridge’s life another 25 years — albeit with some less-than-contemporary features. Granite Construction was awarded the contract to deliver the upgrades, which included a design
structure to ensure structural integrity by working on bridge plates, columns and rivets; as well as improving drainage. Other activities include repairing potholes on the deck, work on expansion joints and painting the bridge to prevent corrosion. “It is an arched span bridge,”
said Brett Anderson, project manager of the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT). “It has two small lanes from edge of curb to edge of curb — about 20 feet is all. It doesn’t even have a painted centerline because it is so small. It doesn’t meet the clear zone stansee WORKMAN page 6
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Page 2 • January 31, 2021 • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • Utah State Supplement • Construction Equipment Guide
For Rogers Construction, Digging Is More Like ‘Carving’ Rogers’ entire fleet of excavators is exclusively Hitachi orange.
Through the desert air and rolling loyalty is especially noticeable when rocky terrain lies the town of St. they describe their lineup. George, Utah. The area, nicknamed “Oh gosh, we’ve got a lot of Utah’s Dixie, offers a stunning view Hitachis. We’ve still got ‘Old Bertha,’ of Zion National Park and the Pine a big EX400 with 15,000 hours on it. Valley Mountains in the distance. Then we’ve got minis all the way up Located between Las Vegas and to our new 350. So, it’s pretty exciting Salt Lake City, locals joke that St. when a new machine joins our fleet George is a few hours from everybecause we know it’s going to be thing. But for the Rogers family, ownaround for a long time. If Hitachi ers of Rogers Construction Inc., St. made pickup trucks, we’d have to buy George is the center of their family those, too,” Landon said. and business. Operating a construction and excaTotal Ownership vating business and working the land Not only has the Rogers family in a place like St. George is certainly grown its fleet over the years, but it a challenge. also has grown its footprint. While the “In southern Utah, we have a company works on many construcwhole variety of different kinds of tion projects in the area, it also is rock,” said Landon Rogers, Rogers known for purchasing and developing Construction supervisor and thirdlarge plots of land itselves. generation family member. “We have Recently, the Rogers family sold basalt or lava rocks, sandstone and land it purchased decades ago to build mudstone that are almost hard as a housing development as well as a steel. We need durability in our new medical facility. machines to handle it.” “The way we buy and develop our They call it “digging,” but when For the Rogers family, owners of Rogers Construction Inc., St. George, Utah, is the center of own land is a bit unique,” Landon you see the machines tear into the red their family and business. (L-R) are founder Richard Rogers; Curtis Rogers, Rogers said. “It’s definitely a long-term president and second-generation owner; and Landon Rogers, supervisor and Utah rock, you’ll see it’s actually Construction investment. My family bought some third-generation family member. more of a “carving” process. For of the land we’re developing today much of their work, they use ripper over 30 years ago. You have to have growing its fleet since it began in 1965. attachments to assist in breaking through the solid rock that we work in.” the patience for it to pay off.” The machines have held up so much so, “Hitachi had stuck out to us from the tough ground. A lot of the land it purchased years ago “In the sandstone areas, we’ve found that that Rogers’ entire fleet of excavators is beginning,” Curtis said. “My operators was on the outskirts of town. Now, as St. a 30-ton class Hitachi can routinely rip and exclusively Hitachi orange. Curtis Rogers, always enjoy running the Hitachi equip- George grows, the land’s value does, too. tear at the sandstone and develop a fillable Rogers Construction president and second- ment. When you find something good, you The subdivision it currently is developing material out of it,” Landon said. “That’s generation owner, noted that Hitachi has stick with it.” will feature some of the most high-end realty And stuck with it they have. Their Hitachi huge for us. Hitachi really holds up in the always been their choice. The firm has been see ROGERS page 4
Construction Equipment Guide • Utah State Supplement • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • January 31, 2021 • Page 3
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Salt Lake City 801-972-3660
Myton 435-216-7777
St. George 435-986-1000
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Las Vegas 702-399-1004
Elko 775-753-7557
Reno 775-356-1334
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Casper 307-223-4660
Gillette 307-682-1445
Rock Springs 307-686-1300
Winnemucca 775-753-7557
Page 4 • January 31, 2021 • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • Utah State Supplement • Construction Equipment Guide
Iron Offers ‘Game Changing Efficiency’ for Utah Contractor
“The technology of GPS grade guidance that Hitachi offers makes my good operators even better,” Curtis Rogers said. ROGERS from page 2
in the area. “We’re developing 52 lots in the red sandstone cliffs. With the rocky terrain, we’re essentially carving out spots for these houses,” Landon said. “With the topography and They call it “digging,” but when you see the machines tear into the red Utah rock, you’ll see it’s actually more of a “carving” materials, each lot is its own unique chal- process. For much of Rogers Construction's work, they use ripper attachments to assist in breaking through the tough ground. lenge. But at the end, these houses will be “Our dealer has been excellent in finding Landon’s grandpa and Curtis’ dad, loves tractors, so I’m hoping there’d be a worth roughly three to five million dollars.” Developing the tough land day in and day us the right Hitachi equipment,” Landon Richard Rogers, is a somewhat gregarious time he’d be in the business,” Curtis said. out requires durability from their excavators. said. “We have a really strong business rela- and strong-willed man and is known by “We’ll keep on digging dirt for a lifetime.” “We’ve found that the Hitachis can dig tionship, and I feel like they’re always everyone in town as “Rocket.” “My dad used to drive freight for a comMaking the Grade Every Time: through about any rock here that we have,” watching out for us.” Honnen’s support and parts availability pany that was called Ringsby Rocket,” The Difference of GPS Landon said. “And that’s saying something. Grade Guidance Overall, we’ve found that as far as pins, has been a large part of increasing Rogers’ Curtis said. “Some people don’t even know his real name.” The Rogers family has found success by bushings and boom structures go, Hitachi uptime. “The biggest thing they do is truly care, Landon being able to see his dad and being open to and embracing machine techjust holds up over the long run digging in and always touch base and get us what we grandfather work together for all these years nology. One of the latest features it has seen this tough material.” need,” Landon said. “If we need a filter, or is something he cherishes. have a positive impact on their bottom line? anything, they’re there. That saves us time “I have had so much pride working with Grade guidance. Game Changing Efficiency them,” Landon said. “But I think overall, “The technology of GPS grade guidance When it comes to increasing efficiency, and money, which we really appreciate.” working with my dad has created a stronger that Hitachi offers makes my good operators every little bit makes a difference for the botDirt Runs in Their Veins father-son relationship.” even better,” Curtis said. “It makes them tom-line. Landon thinks fuel consumption is On site at any Rogers Construction job, Landon’s dad, Curtis, echoed how impor- move material once instead of twice, and all a large part of what makes Hitachi stand out. efficiency is money. The technology and “Our fuel consumption savings with one thing is clear: family is important. As a tant family is to him. “Family is everything to me,” Curtis said. ability to see what they need to do is very Hitachi is huge,” Landon said. “I feel like I family-owned company, they’ve created a get so much more work done with Hitachi culture where even the employees that aren’t “It means more than all of this machinery, or crucial in this business. I’m a firm believer all of the money in the world.” that you need to keep up with technology.” and the Isuzu engine than other machines. family are treated like they are. “Dirt runs through our blood,” Landon Curtis hopes Landon’s three-year-old son, For more information, visit That’s another huge factor for us as owners said. “My grandpa got involved in the con- Lincoln, will be the next generation of the HitachiConstruction.com/serviceand operators.” support/grade-guidance/. A large part of staying up to date with its struction industry and started the business, company. “I’d love to see the company go on for (This article first appeared in Hitachi’s machinery is the support it receives from its and he’s worked to grow it ever since with my dad.” another 50 years. Landon’s got a son and he BREAKOUT magazine, Winter 2020 issue.) dealer, Honnen Equipment.
Construction Equipment Guide • Utah State Supplement • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • January 31, 2021 • Page 5
1380 S. Distribution Drive Salt Lake City, UT 84104 801-262-7441 3400 South Midland Drive West Haven, UT 84401 801-627-0049 831 E. Factory Drive St. George, UT 84790 435-652-8003
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Page 6 • January 31, 2021 • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • Utah State Supplement • Construction Equipment Guide
Honoring Special Ops Native
The Next Closing Date is February 17, 2021
FULL PAGE 10.125”x10.625”
Open 13 Time $635 $590
1/2 PAGE 10.125”x5.25” or 5”x10.625”
Open 13 Time $525 $445
1/4 PAGE
WORKMAN from page 1 tom across the bridge and brought in condards we normally have. The railings aren’t crete trucks, air compressors to remove the built to standard. They were when it was built. original asphalt, equipment to spray the new The parapet is metal instead of the concrete paint, and, because all of the paint was leadwe’d normally do. That stayed intact. We had based, flat-bed trucks to contain the lead to repair that, but we kept the historic char- paint removed from the bridge. “There was not a ton of big equipment,” acter.” The river separates the Navajo Nation Anderson said. “They just had a set up of a from the private side of the river, so while flatbed truck and they would use some sort the Navajo Nations use the highway, it is of shot — sort of like sandblasting but with largely traveled in the summer months by little tiny BBs — to take old paint off, then gather that up and recirculate it visitors who come to take in the after they cleaned the BBs. nearby tourist draws of Bears’ When it was all said and done, I Ears National Monument, Four guess this company has done it Corners and the Moki Dugway before as they only had two or highway, a dirt road marked by three truckloads they had to heart-stopping switchbacks and take out.” breathtaking views of The bridge work was done in Monument Valley. three phases. The first phase UDOT considered several involved 8 ft. on the west side of options for upgrading the the bridge, followed by the cloMemorial Bridge, including sure of the center portion for two new bridges, one that deck joint work. would have maintained the cur“It was just closed for a rent alignment and another that Jason Workman weekend because we didn’t would have been farther up the road and eliminated a hairpin turn necessary want to have problems with people not being to access the current bridge. Another called able to use the bridge for months. So we opened it up and allowed people to go on the only for deck replacement. “The option we ended up doing was we west side while they worked on the east side. did a bridge rehabilitation that included There is a way around, but the way around is structural steel repair,” Anderson said. “We a two-hour stretch. So allowing them to rehabilitated the existing girders, did pothole close that down was a big feat.” There was one issue UDOT had to patching with a waterproofing membrane and also a HMA [hot mixed asphalt] overlay, address before shutting down the bridge and as well as expansion joint modification. We that was ensuring that water was available also did substructure repairs. We extended for nearby livestock. “We had to provide water on the south the deck drains down below the arch. They were short and some of the water was hitting side because some people come to the north the existing arches. We cleaned and repaired side and then back, but over that weekend the structural steel, column strengthening they were not allowed to do that,” Anderson said. “The Nation uses Right Water Hauling included.” One of the biggest challenges was the to take water to the tanks on the reservation. rural location of the project, and the lack of a We used that same trucking company from certified concrete batch plant. Instead, con- Flagstaff and they got water and they just sat tractor Granite Construction brought in there with their potable water and gave it out mobile batch trucks. Crews built a false bot- to the people who needed it.” CEG
5”x5.25”
Open 13 Time $355 $330
UTAH PUBLISHING 2020/2021 Issue# 5 7 9
Closing February 17 March 17 April 14
Publishing February 28 March 28 April 25
Six years ago, the metal arch bridge was renamed the Jason R. Workman Memorial Bridge, honoring Utah native and fallen local war hero Special Ops Jason Workman.
Construction Equipment Guide • Utah State Supplement • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • January 31, 2021 • Page 7
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New Highway to Be Built Through Red Cliffs Area ST. GEORGE, Utah (AP) The Utah Division of Transportation and Washington County received approval to build a four-lane highway that would pass through the Red Cliffs National Conservation Area, a protected Mojave desert tortoise habitat in southern Utah. Former President Donald Trump’s administration granted the approval, marking the end of a nearly two-year review of the highway’s environmental impact, The Spectrum reported. The highway will help ease traffic congestion in the region, but has drawn criticism from conservationists because it would run through land set aside to protect the tortoise and other animals. “We’ve been expecting this for a year-anda-half,” said Tom Butine, president of Conserve Southwest Utah. “We knew that no matter what we did through this NEPA process that the fix was in.” Conserve Southwest Utah and a dozen other environmental groups argued the decision ignores federal laws and sets a dangerous precedent for other environmental efforts. The
groups had expected the Trump administration to approve the project before the president left office. The incoming administration of Presidentelect Joe Biden will not have the power to overturn the decision outright, but could undo it if there are errors in the environmental review. Butine said that would be “pretty easy to do.” It is unclear if Biden will attempt to undo the decision. Washington County Attorney Eric Clarke and other county officials praised the decision. He said, “I'm confident that the process will hold up against the scrutiny that it gets. Our goal at the outset was to strike a balance between protecting the tortoise and meeting our community’s transportation needs, and I feel like we're doing that.” The Utah Division of Transportation must next submit a final plan of development before moving forward. The department also does not have all the funding needed to begin construction. “We’ve got a ways to go before we get there,” department spokesperson Kevin Kitchen said.
CED DAR CITY 4822 North N Main Street Ceddar City, UT 84720 Phoone: 435-586-4406 Faxx: 435-586-2362 Email: del.maxedon@centuryeq.com
Page 8 • January 31, 2021 • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • Utah State Supplement • Construction Equipment Guide