May 12, 2008 | Link This | Email this | Comments (0)

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

May 5, 2008 | Link This | Email this | Comments (0)

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
Industries: Building Construction

April 28, 2008 | Link This | Email this | Comments (0)

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

Industries: Products

April 22, 2008 | Link This | Email this | Comments (0)

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

April 16, 2008 | Link This | Email this | Comments (0)

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