While Pacific Gas and Electric prepares to explain to the California Public Utilities Commission at a March 24 hearing why it didn�t supply all its records for pressure tests of natural gas pipelines in high-consequence areas (HCA) as requested, other federal entities and elected representatives are getting more involved in the gas pressure spike controversy. Photo courtesy of NTSB PG&E failed to satisfy CPUC�s terms under a March 15 deadline to provide data on its pipeline system. The utility says it supplied records for pressure tests or historical operating pressure for more than 90% of its 1,805 miles of natural
Caltrans last week broke ground on a project to construct new bus/carpool lanes on the Golden State Freeway (I-5) between the Hollywood Freeway (SR-170) and the Buena Vista Street interchange in Burbank. The $69.2-million project is financed in part ($39.3 million) by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Security Paving, Sun Valley, is the general contractor on the project. The project includes the construction of nearly 9 mi (4.4 mi in each direction) of new bus/carpool lanes (HOV) and repair damaged pavement on one of the most heavily traveled freeways in the state, Caltrans says in a press
Despite a delayed $2.3-billion bond sale and possible budget cutbacks, California�s Dept. of Transportation is moving ahead with a number of highway projects that have already broken ground as the governor and legislature continue to try to resolve a $26-billion deficit. A spring infrastructure bond sale was delayed until the fall in order to save $250 million in state debt service, says Tom Dresslar, spokesman at the state treasurer�s office. Dresslar adds that Treasurer Bill Lockyer and the governor�s office consulted about the bond sale and decided to postpone rather than cancel. �It was a good thing to do,� he
As it did with last year�s devastating earthquake in Haiti, Miyamoto International, West Sacramento, sent an investigative team of structural engineers to the Central Business District in Christchurch, New Zealand to assess structure damage for a week. Miyamoto Sends Engineering Team to Downtown Christchurch Just back, the team�s findings to date, documented in journal reports and press releases, indicate that 30% to 50% of buildings constructed of unreinforced masonry (URM) have sustained severe damage or collapsed, due to the 6.3 magnitude earthquake that hit on Feb. 22, killing at least 75 people. The team observed that while many of the
Civil/trackwork/structural engineering firm J.L. Patterson & Associates, Inc., Orange, has acquired Idaho-based Intermountain Resources (IMR), which provides comprehensive environmental services throughout the Pacific Northwest. IMR specializes in all earth and natural science disciplines with special emphasis on soil and water interactions. �Combining forces with IMR will strengthen our presence in the West Coast and across the Mountain States, while allowing us to serve our rail clientele with pivotal environmental services,� says Jacqueline Patterson, JLP president, in a press release. IMR President and CEO Pierre Bordenave adds, �Our merger with J.L. Patterson will allow us to offer clients an expanded range
The AGC of California recently presented its annual President�s Scholarship Award for 2010 to Jose Buenrostro, a junior at Sacramento State University. Pictured during scholarship luncheon in Sacramento are, from left, Mike Mencarini, Unger Construction Co.; AGC of California Immediate Past President Bob Christenson; AGC scholarship recipient Jose Buenrostro; and Cathy Skeen, Excel Bonds & Insurance Services and Immediate Past Chair of the AGC Associates Council. 2010 AGCC President Bob Christenson and several AGC Construction Education Foundation board members honored Buenrostro at a luncheon last month at Riverside Clubhouse in Sacramento. He was presented with a $5,000 check in recognition
SWA Group reports that it has begun schematic design for the landscape and community plan for San Francisco�s Sunnydale public housing site near Bayview-Excelsior. SWA Group to Redesign Public Housing Community in SF Sunnydale is a recipient of one of the largest HOPE SF funding efforts to transform San Francisco public housing, SWA Group says. SWA is designing the first phase of the 50-acre community, which is undergoing a complete redesign and replacement of existing, dilapidated circa-1941 housing. The Sunnydale revitalization is a joint effort of the city of San Francisco, San Francisco Housing Authority, developers Mercy Housing and The
Two abandoned mines and their environs in California are being considered to be added to the Superfund National Priorities List, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The New Idria Mercury Mine site The Blue Ledge Mine The EPA says the New Idria Mercury Mine site located in San Benito County, affects waterways leading to the San Joaquin River and San Francisco Bay, and the Blue Ledge Mine in Siskiyou County discharges into streams in the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest and ultimately the Applegate Reservoir, a popular recreation area. Nahal Mogharabi, press officer at the EPA San Francisco office, says
Condon-Johnson & Associates (CJA), Oakland, was recently named the recipient of the ADSC: The International Association of Foundation Drilling�s 2011 Quality in Drilled Shaft Construction Award. Jack Hayes (left), president of Loadtest Inc., congratulates Alan Macnab, business development officer for Condon-Johnson. This honor is presented annually to an ADSC contractor that has demonstrated the highest level of quality control and quality assurance in all of its drilled shaft construction projects, according to the association. The award, presented at the ADSC�s 2011 annual meeting, was created by Loadtest Inc., Gainesville, Fla. and carries with it a $10,000 cash prize that is
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority reports that late last month it negotiated the purchase of Los Angeles Union Station from Catellus Operating Limited Partnership for $75 million. Though agreements still need to be signed and insurance issues resolved, a Metro spokesman says future planning for the station, including expansion and redevelopment, will begin in earnest around mid-April when the sale closes. The direct purchase includes 38 acres of land and 5.9 million sq ft of entitlements that provide Metro the right to build on the property and draw lease revenues from both transit operators and businesses. Currently, the
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