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® June 4 2023 Vol. XXIV • No. 12
“The Nation’s Best Read Construction Newspaper… Founded 1957.” 470 Maryland Drive • Ft. Washington, PA 19034 • 215-885-2900 • Toll Free 800-523-2200 • www.constructionequipmentguide.com
Inside
Austin’s $4B CAP Project Reshapes Highway By Irwin Rapoport CEG CORRESPONDENT
Berlon Industries Offers Wide Variety of Unique Attachments...8
Wacker Neuson Marks 175th Anniversary With Global Celebration...14
Volvo Opens Pre-Order Tool for Electric Asphalt Excavator...35
Texas is investing more than $4 billion for its I-35 Capital Express Program (CAP) in Austin, an initiative that has been divided into three segments: North, Central and South.
Table of Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Paving Section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35-47 Auction Section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64-71 Business Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66 Advertisers Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70
Fluor Corporation began work on the Texas Department of Transportation’s (TxDOT) $548 million I-35 Capital Express South project, which is part of the multi-billion dollar I-35 Capital Express program taking place in Austin. The work began last November and is expected to be completed in late 2028. Construction is funded by the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) and TxDOT. TxDOT is investing more than $4 billion for its I-35 Capital Express Program (CAP) in Austin, an initiative that has been divided into three segments: North, Central and South. “It is always gratifying to [work] on a new project that will provide relief from traffic congestion and improve mobility and safety,” said Thomas Nilsson, president of Fluor’s infrastructure business. “This project reinforces Fluor’s commitment to deliver quality infrastructure and supports economic development and commerce in Texas. This is the first in a series of vital infrastructure projects to rebuild the I-35 corridor in response to business and population expansion in Austin, one of the country’s fastest growing regions.” see CAP page 62
Putting Spotlight On Apprenticeships Programs Changing Career Direction for Many Who Once Considered College A convergence of factors may mean a boost for construction employers trying desperately to fill jobs. The cost of a college education and a rewrite of the National Apprenticeship Act are giving a boost to the industry’s labor pool. As many people choose to forego four years of college to start work, apprenticeship programs are becoming a more enticing route to construction careers. Demand for workers, rising cost of college tuition and burdensome student loans, have apprenticeship programs “quietly gaining steam,” according to a CNBC report.
By Lucy Perry
CEG CORRESPONDENT
see APPRENTICESHIPS page 24
The apprenticeship model of programmatic training combines the job learning and classroom learning to take a person from novice to skilled.