ACP Pubs

While traveling on Interstate 70 in eastern Indiana the other day -- and stuck behind a line of trucks moving at 50 mph in a 70 mph zone, I had plenty of time to think about the "Critical Commerce Corridors" (3C) program. The American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) is calling for the creation of the 3C program to provide new surface transportation system capacity and operational improvements exclusively focused on securing the safe and efficient movement of freight.

According to ARTBA, the 3C network would include a variety of components, including new capacity "truck only" lanes allowing increased productivity and improved safety through commercial/personal vehicle separation. I totally support this idea -- even if I don't s...Read More

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The gap between Fort Wayne, Ind., and the Port of Toledo, Ohio, will soon get smaller thanks to Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels' ambitious Major Moves construction program. Major Moves, which has funded many critical highway projects in the Hoosier state, is funding a section of the Fort to Port project -- a project designed to improve access between Indiana and Ohio on U.S. 24.

A groundbreaking ceremony on April 30 marked the start of the first of four phases on the Indiana project. According to the Indiana Department of Transportation, the U.S. 24 project in Indiana will stretch 13.1 miles from Interstate 469 just east of Fort Wayne to the Ohio border. This section, scheduled for completion in late 2012, represents a major step forward in the Fort to Port corridor. Ohio already has proceeded ...Read More

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It is very easy to complain about the economy -- just look at the jump in gasoline and diesel fuel prices and the increased price of food at your local supermarket. We've been down this road before.

The producer price indexes for March, reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, show inputs to construction industries -- materials used in all types of construction plus items consumed by contractors, such as diesel fuel -- soared 2.1 percent in March alone. Ken Simonson, chief economist for The Associated General Contractors of America, says, "That jump was propelled by a staggering 24-percent increase in diesel fuel costs and a 5.5-percent rise in prices for steel mill products."

The stats are bad and might get worse. But I prefer to put a positive s...Read More

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During a visit to Chicago last week, I had an opportunity to visit the sales center for The Chicago Spire, a 2,000-foot-tall twisting residential tower. I knew about The Spire's unique design, but the visit gave me a first-hand look at the special interior features of this building being developed by Shelbourne Development Group.

Foundation work is now proceeding for the 150-story structure at the intersection of the Chicago River and Lake Michigan. Designed by Spanish architect and engineer Santiago Calatrava, The Chicago Spire will be the world's tallest residential building and the tallest building in the western world upon completion in late 2011/early 2012.

The sales center, which overlooks the project site, is like no other. It is very impressive, encompassing the en...Read More

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Construction on the $535-million Interstate 64 design-build project is steadily moving forward in the St. Louis area. The reconstruction project, which began in early 2007, is designed to rebuild and upgrade all pavement, bridges and interchanges between Spoede Road in St. Louis County and Kingshighway Boulevard in St. Louis City; provide a new high quality interstate-to-interstate connection between I-64 and I-170; add one lane in each direction between Spoede Road and I-170; increase traffic flow through better design; and enhance safety with wider shoulders.

To accommodate the massive project, the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) says all lanes of I-64/U.S. 40 between Ballas Road and I-170 were closed in both directions on January 2 and will remained closed the entire year. Thi...Read More

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Ohioans can anticipate another busy construction season on their highways, with approximately 1,000 roadwork projects planned across the state. The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) has officially kicked off its 2008-2009 season, and the list of projects is quite impressive. Over the next year and a half, says ODOT Director James Beasley, the department will oversee $2.5 billion in construction contract awards -- the largest amount ever awarded in that time frame.

ODOT says 80 interstate construction projects are planned, totaling approximately $605 million. In addition, there will be 823 paving and rehabilitation projects on state and U.S. routes totaling more than $1.1 billion. So, there will be plenty of work for contractors and suppliers.

A $154.5-...Read More

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Good news for motorists in Missouri. The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT), building on the success of its Smooth Roads Initiative, continues to make its roads smoother and safer. MoDOT reports that 78 percent of the state's major roads are in good condition, a dramatic jump from three years ago when only 46 percent were judged to be in good condition.

Substantial improvements are noted in each region of the state. For instance, 83.5 percent of major roads in the St. Louis area (Interstates 70, 64/40, 44, 270, 55, 170 and Routes 30, 21 and Page Avenue) are in good condition, compared to 53.6 percent in 2004.

Major roads in the Northeast region (Routes 36, 24, 54, and 61) have been improved -- rising from 56.9 percent in good condition in 2004 to 80 percent in ...Read More

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The Mid-America Trucking Show (MATS) continues to be one of the biggest and best events in the Midwest. The 37th annual show, held March 27-29 at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, encompassed more than 1 million feet of indoor exhibit space and more than 250,000 square feet of outdoor exhibits. The event, attended by thousands of trucking and construction professionals, featured state-of-the-art vehicles, advanced components, and technologically improved parts.

Caterpillar Inc., Cummins Inc., Detroit Diesel, Ford Commercial Truck, Freightliner Trucks, Grote Industries, International Truck & Engine Corp., Kenworth Truck Co., Mack Trucks Inc., Peterbilt Motors Co., Phillips Industries, Thermo King Corp., Volvo Trucks North America, Utility Trailer Manufacturing Co., Vanguard National Trailer Corp., and Western Star Trucks were among more than 1,000 com...Read More

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Lucas Oil Stadium Nearing End Zone

WOW! Driving along Interstate 70 through downtown Indianapolis, it's almost impossible to miss the sight of Lucas Oil Stadium, the city's new sports and entertainment facility. This massive, seven-level structure -- featuring a peaked roof and striking brick exterior -- is now making a big impact on the Indy skyline after more than two years of construction.

As a regular participant in monthly press tours of the stadium, I've watched the structure quickly emerge from a site just south of the RCA Dome. Crews have tackled numerous construction operations following the start of the project in September 2005, using a large fleet of cranes and an assortment of other heavy equipment. Construction has been impressive, especial...Read More

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