$3.00
Published Nationally ®
Western Edition
September 29 2019 Vol. IX • No. 20
“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
Smart City Unveiled for ConExpo-Con/AGG...11
Bobcat Cuts Ribbon on New Training Center...26
Texas OKs $77B Transportation Plan, Strategy The five-member Texas Transportation Commission approved the $77 billion 2020 Unified Transportation Program (UTP ) submitted by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) on Aug. 29; a 326-page plan that will guide the agency’s transportation strategy over the next decade. The plan also contains more than $4 billion specifically targeted toward safety improvements, including an extra $600 million for the next two years to help accelerate even more safety measures in an effort to reduce crashes and eliminate fatalities from Texas roadways by 2050. TxDOT noted that a wide variety of infrastructure projects are incorporated within the UTP, including: widening roads; improving median barriers and bridges; upgrading guardrails; providing intersection improvements, such as upgrading traffic signals and signage; and making safety improvements for bicyclists and pedestrians. Many of the roadway segments targeted for work are on the state’s 100 Most Congested Roadways list, the agency added. see TXDOT page 62
J. Stout Hosts Events at New Location...68
Table of Contents ................4 California Section.........13-17 Paving Section ............29-40 Off-Road Trucks Section ........ ......................................45-61 Auction Section ............65-71 Business Calendar..............66
Bill Hale, TxDOT's chief engineer, addresses the Texas Asphalt Pavement Association during its annual meeting in San Antonio on Sept. 18. Hale outlined TxDOT’s 10-year, $77-billion spending plan.
Expanding California’s Wheeler North Reef By Cindy Riley CEG CORRESPONDENT
In an effort to create one of the world’s largest artificial reefs, crews in San Clemente, Calif., are strategically dumping tons of rock onto the ocean floor. The $20-million dollar expansion project will stretch Wheeler North Reef — a 174-acre, man-made kelp forest — more than 200 acres to Dana Point Waters. “When expanding a reef, the
placement requires precision, and also continued focus to make sure the implementation meets design specifications,” said project Manager Jenny McGee, an ecologist who specializes in the coastal habitats of Southern California. “Recreating a massive natural ecosystem is a daunting task; however, because the reef is so heavily studied, we have a high confidence that the expansion will meet the compliance demands of the permits.” see REEF page 14
Southern California Edison photo
Advertisers Index ..............70
The boulders are pushed off the deck of the rock barge using a bulldozer. The placement of rock is between 38 and 48 ft. of water.