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January 24, 2016 • Vol. IX • No. 2 • 470 Maryland Drive • Ft. Washington, PA 19034 • 215/885-2900 • Toll Free 800-523-2200 • Fax 215/885-2910
Inside New Fil m Features Sitka’s Blue Lake Dam Project ...6
Phoenix Modernizes Sky Har bor Terminal...12
Sinkhole Develops as Bertha Resumes Drilling By Lori Tobias CEG CORRESPONDENT
A problem-plagued tunnel project in Seattle is once again facing troubles, this time prompting the Washington governor to call a halt to the work. The design-build project is in line to replace the elevated double-deck Alaska Viaduct on SR 99 with a bored tunnel. The need for the replacement roadway became obvious after a 2001 earthquake damaged the viaduct, built in the 1950s and at the end of its lifespan. The legislature approved the project in 2009, budgeting $3.1 billion in state and federal and local
funds. In 2010, Seattle Tunnel Partners was named the apparent best-value bidder for the project. Work on the new roadway began in 2011, with the boring machine, dubbed “Bertha,” beginning to mine in 2013. In late 2013, the boring work was stopped after Bertha overheated. The mining work did not begin again until December 2015. Now the tunneling work is again at a standstill. The trouble started the KOMO photo week of Jan. 11, when a barge used to remove dirt STP project manager Scott Dixon told KOMO News in Seattle that the hole is listed to one side spilling about 35 ft. (10.6 m) long, 20 ft. (6 m) wide and 15 ft. (4.6 m) deep. clean soil into Elliott Bay.
Crews Clean Up Rain, Snow, AGC Report Shows Flood Damage in California
‘The Stick’ is Demolished in San Fr ancisco...13
Table of Contents ................4 California Section ........13-21 Business Calendar ............24 Parts Section ....................30 Paving Section ............ 43-50 Auction Section ..........54-71 Advertisers Index ..............70
see SINKHOLE page 40
Industry Spending Continues to Grow
Construction spending slipped in November from a month earlier but maintained a strong rate of year-overyear growth in all major categories, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted that the new spending data demonstrate a lot of uncertainty within the private sector about the need for new projects while state and local government officials are worried about budget constraints. “The November data show divergent trends for residential, private nonresidential and public construction,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Compared to October levels, spending dipped overall but climbed for homebuilding, school and office construction. Previously fast-growing categories such as multifamily, manufacturing and lodging consee SPENDING page 51
By Chuck Harvey CEG CORRESPONDENT
Winter came on strong in California during the first full week of January, bringing rain, snow, flooding and rockslides, and keeping repair crews busy. Some streets and highways had to be closed for repairs following a bout with El Nino, which tends to bring wet winters to the Golden State, known for its abundance of sunshine. In addition, mud had to be cleared from streets in hillside areas like the Colby Fire burn area near Azusa and Glendora. The area has been hit by four mudslides in two years in
Los Angeles County Public Works photo
Los Angeles Public Works has been successful in blocking slides by installing interlocking walls of cement, wood and steel that allows water to pass through, but not mud and debris.
an area left barren from a 2014 fire. More than 20,000 tons (18,144 t) of mud has flowed out of the hills in Los Angeles County. Highway crews closed
Glendora Ridge Road between Glendora Mountain and Mt. Baldy roads as a precautionary measure. The road was expected to reopen on Jan. see WINTER page 16