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August 9, 2014 • Vol. IX • No. 16 • 470 Maryland Drive • Ft. Washington, PA 19034 • 215/885-2900 • Toll Free 800-523-2200 • Fax 215/885-2910
Inside
Employment Increases in Metro Areas Over Year Construction employment expanded in 215 metro areas, declined in 80 and was stagnant in 44 between June 2013 and June 2014, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released July 30 by the Associated General
Bobca t Celeb rate s Mil eston e... 8
Contractors of America. Association officials noted that uncertainty about a range of federal infrastructure and construction programs could weigh on future growth for the sector. “Contractors have been expanding their work
force in about two-thirds of the country for several months in a row,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Some metro areas are adding workers at a strong clip, but the see EMPLOYMENT page 68
Wildlife Underpasses Save More Than Animals By Lori Tobias CEG CORRESPONDENT
Ritchie Bros. Sale Attr act s 3,500...58
When officials with the Oregon Department of Transportation talk about the two wildlife migration underpasses they recently built and a third proposed migration overpass, it tends to sound a little touchy-feely, inspiring comments along the lines of “Aw, isn’t that sweet.” And it’s true, it does save wildlife. But that’s not the only thing it saves. “The concept is protection of wildlife,” said Jay Davenport, construction project manager of the Oregon Department of Transportation. “But it is also for motorists. If you look at the cost per incident in a motor vehicle/animal accident, it’s estimated to cost $750,000 in the long term effects of people who get killed in collisions. Is it saving wildlife or people? It is both.” The underpasses are located on Highway 97 near Lava Butte, south of Bend. One is a wildlife only underpass, the other, designed for wildlife, with an additional lane open seasonally to The underpasses are located on Highway 97 near Lava Butte, south of vehicles. Bend.
see WILDLIFE page 22
Alex Lyon & Son Hosts Texas Sale...62
ODOT Reaches Solution for Historic U.S. 101
Table of Contents ............4
By Lori Tobias CEG CORRESPONDENT
Paving Section ..........27-35 Backhoes & Attachments Section ......................39-48 Auction Section ........56-69 Business Calendar ........57 Advertisers Index ..........70
For more than 10 years, engineers at the Oregon Department of Transportation have tried to come up with a solution to a congested stretch of U.S. 101 in a historic tourist area on the central Oregon Coast. Shop owners feared widening the two lane stretch would increase traffic and further jeopardize pedestrians crossing the highway to reach shops on both sides. There also was concern that widening the road would harm the historic charm of the Nelscott
The project involves about a 1 mi. (1.6 km) stretch of highway, bounded on both sides by about 20 businesses. When finished, the highway — a designated scenic byway — will feature two 12-ft. (3.6 m) lanes, a 14-ft. (4.6 m) median, 6 ft. (1.8 m) shoulders and 6 ft. sidewalks on each side.
neighborhood, which features the Nelscott Mercantile Center built in 1927. Environmental issues presented some challenges as well. A creek and wetlands parallel the east
side of the highway while to the west there is a tall, steep slope, home to several houses. But finally, the state and federal governments and neighboring shop
owners were able to reach an agreement that ODOT believes that should make everyone happy. “So far, everyone has been very see HIGHWAY page 60