Infrastructure | For Construction Pros

A photo taken from a helicopter by Editor Brandon Noel, riding courtesy of All-Out Parking Lots.

What The Rapid Repair of I-95 in Philadelphia Says About America's Infrastructure

When the section of highway collapsed on June 12, the news didn't look good, but in just two weeks time the repairs have been made and it's reopening. One perspective is that the much maligned state of U.S. infrastructure is a policy choice.

Road base is typically introduced after the subgrade has been prepared and compacted to a stable and level surface.

What Is Road Base?

Going back to basics, this article details the importance of the correct road base in the durability and life of roads.

Combined with existing funding, the IIJA will distribute $1.2 trillion during the next 10 years on projects such as roads, bridges, public transit, broadband and clean energy.

When Will the IIJA Infrastructure Act Really Start to Impact the Market?

It's a good time to talk about the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), its available funds for projects and how contractors can position themselves to take advantage of these new jobs by leveraging technology.

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Are States Misusing Sustainability Infrastructure Funds?

A recent shakeup at the California Department of Transportation could indicate a wider trend of states misusing funds meant for multimodal and sustainable projects for further highway expansions, under the guise of pavement maintenance.

Total construction starts rose 6% in August to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1.3 trillion, according to Dodge Construction Network.

Dodge: 2023 Construction Starts Down YoY

Richard Branch, chief economist, Dodge Construction Network, delivered the construction starts data for August 2023, saying interest rates will likely impact starts through the middle of 2024.

Concrete Pipe School 2024 Announced

Ahead of Concrete Pipe Week, Pipe School 2024 Announced

The American Concrete Pipe Association announces continued education for contractors, experts and more for Frisco, Texas, January 29 to February 1, 2024.

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Three Reasons To Abandon Asphalt Sampling Behind the Paver

The arguments for implementing serious changes are piling up faster than a pile of RAP.

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Road Construction Company Named in Sexual Harassment Lawsuit

In a press release by the EEOC, Balfour Beatty was named the defendant in a lawsuit after a female employee was allegedly subjected to an environment of long-term, repeated sexual harassment, and was ignored despite reporting the incidents.

Highlights from the Public Works Expo 2023

PWX 2023 took place on the sunny west coast city of San Diego, CA, and drew crowds of city public works officials from every corner of the country.

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USDOT Releases $3 Million For Roads Damaged in Hawaii Fire Disaster

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) today announced the immediate availability of the emergency relief funds, to help offset the costs related to infrastructure repairs and management services on the island.

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Final Ruling by Department of Labor Means Big Changes for Road Builders

Aided by labor groups, advocates, and other industry stakeholders’ comments, the Davis-Bacon Act sees the most comprehensive updates in 40 years. What immediate impacts will be felt by road builders?

The R.W. Neilson Water Treatment Plant, Clemmons, NC

Fight Shrinkage Cracking With Magnesium Oxide Admixture In Concrete Water & Wastewater Structures

Shrinkage cracking threatens concrete water containment structures. One of the ways to prevent or minimize shrinkage cracking is using a magnesium oxide additive in the concrete mix.

Aided by labor groups, advocates, and other industry stakeholders’ comments, the Davis-Bacon Act sees the most comprehensive updates in 40 years. What immediate impacts will be felt by the road building and asphalt industry?

Road Construction Wages To Change Under New Labor Rules

Aided by labor groups, advocates, and other industry stakeholders’ comments, the Davis-Bacon Act sees the most comprehensive updates in 40 years. What immediate impacts will be felt by the road building and asphalt industry?

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WJ Group Expands Into The U.S. Market with Roadway Surface Treatments

The highway safety specialists at WJ Group announced a new expansion of its services in the United States, with the launch of WJ Surface Treatments LLC.

Foam Repairs Concrete Foundation Of The Limekiln Creek Bridge

Contractors Repair Bridge With Structural Polymer

After a series of threatening weather conditions, how EagleLIFT was able take advantage of their experience in using the right solution to preserve the integrity of the Limekiln Creek Bridge, saving the millions to replace it.

Concrete Pavement Factor in Urban Heat Island UHI Effect

Top Post of 2022: Streets of Fire? How Concrete Proves To Be A 'Cool Pavement'

Researchers in warm climates are leading the way when it comes to investigating how pavement materials affect air temperature and the Urban Heat Island effect.

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The Asphalt Industry Isn't A Solution To Our Waste Plastic Problem

A new study released by the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine examines potential uses for the growing waste plastic problem and casts some doubt on any potential role it can play in asphalt pavement mix designs.

(Left) VP of Government Affairs Niles Elam, (Right) Congressman Sam Graves.

House Transportation Committee Chair Criticizes “Buy American" Policy at NAPA Midyear

On the second day of the 2023 NAPA Midyear conference in Kansas City, MO, Congressman (R) Sam Graves came to the stage and had a live conversation with NAPA’s VP of Government Affairs Nile Elam. Graves is the chair of the House Transportation Committee.

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Construction Technology Becomes a Focus of Federal Infrastructure Funding

Biden-Harris administration to fund digital tech that saves time and money.

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3 Biggest Takeaways from the 2023 NAPA Midyear Meeting

In review of the biggest topics, trends, and agendas coming out of the midyear meeting. What is on the horizon for the association? What are its priorities? How is the industry evolving into the future?

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NAPA and XBE Launch AI Powered Tool For Asphalt Professionals

At the NAPA mid-year event in Kandas City, MO, the brand new resource for asphalt contractors was revealed to organization members, with the explicit goal of changing the way asphalt pros access and apply data.

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Construction Summer Camp Introduces Girls To The Trades

For the past two summers in northeastern Ohio, this weeklong camp has partnered with unions and trade associations to teach young girls about the various career pathways available to them in the construction industry.

Crafco Purchases PoreShield

Crafco Purchases PoreShield

Representing a new generation in concrete protection, soybean-based PoreShield has been acquired by Crafco Inc.

This image provided by the Office of Emergency Management shows firefighters standing near the collapsed part of I-95 in Philadelphia, Sunday, June 11, 2023.

Collapse of I-95 Highlights Need for Alternative Transportation

A trucking tanker containing 8,500 gallons of gas caught fire and collapsed a portion of I-95 in northern Philadelphia, PA, one of the busiest urban corridors of the Northeast, revealing how fragile our system can really be.

Highlights from the Celebration of Construction 2023

Clips and high points from around the National Mall as editor Brandon Noel stops and talks to some of the top brands and manufacturers in the industry about the first ever gathering of the construction industry in the nation's capitol.

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What the Government Doesn't Know Can Hurt You, and Other Reasons to File EPDs Now

For asphalt producers and road building contractors, now is a critical time to gather data and file Environmental Product Declarations as U.S. federal agencies will use them to set rules and guidance nationwide.

What To Know About Sensors for Long-Term Monitoring of Buildings and Infrastructure

What to Know About IoT Sensors for Long-Term Monitoring of Buildings and Infrastructure

Construction contractors and owners are committed to ensuring their structures meet rigorous safety standards and all zoning requirements, but few consider implementing long-term technology to extend the lifetime of their assets.

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Florida Legislators Pass Law to Allow Radioactive Waste in Road Pavement

The Republican controlled legislature in the state of Florida challenged a 30 year rule kept by the EPA that disallows phosphogypsum, a radioactive byproduct of the fertilizer industry, as a material for road pavement mixes.

An Argument for Increased RAP Percentages Nationwide

While the demand for stricter environmental standards grows, piles of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) do too. Policy changes are needed before state and federal projects can accept the higher mix percentages.

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The Controversy Over Building Bike Lanes Isn't What You Think

In a conversation about a recent infrastructure clash in Washington, D.C., Bill Klehm, CEO of e-mobility company "ebliss", talks about the realities driving changes in the market, this history of consumer demand and why it's better to be forward thinking.

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Key Partnerships Improve Worksite Safety for the Roadbuilding Industry

Between 2021-2023 driving related fatalities increased. Traffic collisions are happening more frequently, and with more severe results. How can contractors, roadway workers stay safe and protect themselves better?

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The Invisible Work: How Pavement Striping Impacts the Community

A group of everyday citizens in Los Angeles saw how local politics and bureaucratic red-tape made pedestrian safety a secondary priority. In response, the Crosswalk Collective fought to keep their community safe where city officials failed to take action.

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How Topcon Helps Enhance Efficiencies During the Paving Process

Topcon is working hard to simplify the paving process for contractors. Their technology is helping from start to finish to provide the data needed to improve results and efficiencies.