Houston’s METRO will receive $2.9 million as part of the Federal Transit Administration’s State of Good Repair Program, a new initiative to help address repair and maintenance backlogs in the nation’s transit systems. div id="articleExtrasA" div id="articleExtrasB" div id="articleExtras" METRO will use the funds to make repairs to its Kashmere and Hiram Clarke bus-operating facilities and will provide $728,000 in local match money for the project. The FTA estimates it will cost $77.7 billion to bring the nation’s rail and bus transit systems into a state of good repair. In addition, a yearly average of $14.4 billion would be required
As construction company owners shift their thoughts to a new year, it should not be forgotten that the recently enacted Small Business Jobs Act of 2010 (SBJA) may offer impressive cost savings to qualified firms. div id="articleExtrasA" div id="articleExtrasB" div id="articleExtras" Enacted in September, SBJA essentially provides various tax changes – most of them beneficial to company owners – and $30 billion for community banks to lend to small businesses. Because most Texas construction companies qualify as a small business, the law has a lot of appeal. Companies that aren’t certain about their status can go to the Small Business
You’ve just submitted your bid to the owner and discovered your estimator’s mistake that caused you to bid 10% lower than you otherwise would have. Can you obtain relief or withdraw your bid?
The Cibolo Green Elementary School is one of the first “green” schools in the North East Independent School District and the greater San Antonio area. Photo: Satterfield & Pontikes Related Links: Best of 2010 Awards The energy-efficient school was built to meet LEED-silver standards, which include improved air-quality systems, the use of recycled and nontoxic building materials and energy-saving systems. The upbeat environment boasts nine different wall colors, flooring with multicolored patterns, and natural light. The general contractor, Satterfield & Pontikes, built many unusual features, including learning centers with windows into mechanical rooms. In-wall windows allow students to see elements
General contractor McCarthy implemented fast-track construction methods in an effort to complete the job in only 23 months. The 2.1-million-sq-ft project includes two towers, one 15 stories, the other seven, and a 3,500-car parking structure. Photo: John Davis, DVDesign Group Inc. Related Links: Best of 2010 Awards In order to beat the proposed schedule, it achieving phased building dry-in was critical so interior finishes could start. McCarthy planned for staged temporary dry-in as the work progressed, installing temporary protective measures for a horizontal water barrier at the third, seventh and 12th floors, as well as vertical temporary measures around the
Construction of the new 1,200-seat sanctuary and administrative offices at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Nassau Bay, Texas, required careful planning because the new construction was added onto the existing facility, which had to remain in full use during construction. Photo: John C. Lindy Related Links: Best of 2010 Awards Work was carefully sequenced throughout the fast-track project so that the worship space was never out of commission. Hurricane Ike hit in September 2008 when the structural frame of the building was being completed. The project is located 12 mi from the point where the hurricane made landfall,
Architectural firm HKS Inc., Dallas, will join Germany-based Tilke Engineers and Architects in the design and construction of a $250-million Formula One racing complex in Austin, Texas. Tilke is leading the project; HKS will serve as architect of record. Austin Commercial, Dallas, a subsidiary of Austin Industries, will serve as the general contractor for the racetrack venue. Photo courtesy Formula 1 United States/Austin American-Statesman. Nick Craw, senate president FIA; Tavo Hellmund, chairman, Formula 1 United States; Peter Wahl, managing partner, Tilke GmbH. The 3.4-mile track, with its 133 ft of elevation change and 20 turns, is slated to host the
In a boom defying the national bust, Oklahoma City is witnessing approximately $2 billion worth of public and private development. The state capital�s major weapon against the Great Recession is its 17-year-old Metropolitan Area Projects program, designed to put the city back on the map through civic renewal that attracts private investment. Designed to be 850 ft tall, the Devon World Headquarters Tower is on course to become the tallest building in Oklahoma. Last December, voters approved the $777-million third phase of the capital improvement program, called MAPS 3. In three votes since 1993, voters have committed $1.8 billion to
With the Florida Dept. of Transportation poised to start an estimated $170 million in civil construction work with the first of more than $2 billion in federal dollars for America�s first high-speed rail system, the agency�s High-Speed Rail Industry Forum Nov. 8-9 in Orlando drew more than 1,500 attendees, many of whom were interested in winning future contracts. The purpose of the two-day forum was to inform interested parties about the contracts to be let, the bidding schedule and requirements. Photo by Debra Wood Attendees to the forum could board a Siemens high-speed rail train. Image courtesy FDOT On the
The Texas Capitol lost one of its most beloved figures on November 4, when State Representative Edmund Kuempel [R, Sequin] passed away at age 67 from a heart attack. Kuempel served his constituents since 1983, when he was elected to the Texas House of Representatives from Seguin, Texas. Photo: Eileen Schwartz Flintco oversaw the restoration of the Texas House chamber, which was opened to the public on November 5. Bottom, left: A vase of flowers sits atop Rep. Kuempel�s seat. KUEMPEL He was third in seniority in the 150-member House. At various times through redistricting, he represented Comal, Guadalupe, Gonzales,
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