JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. ­ Every winter, the Missouri Dept. of Transportation (MoDOT) uses considerable labor, salt and other chemicals to remove snow and ice from the state's roads and bridges. Within the next year, MoDOT will become one of the nation's first agencies to turn to solar energy to prevent ice and snow from building up on bridge decks. MoDOT will install a 'solar warming system' on two bridges near Excelsior Springs, Mo. next spring when the bridges' decks are replaced as part of the state's Safe & Sound Bridge Improvement Program. Both bridges are on Route 10. The one

The Third Edition of Detailing for Steel Construction is now available in print from the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC). This updated version of the 2002 Second Edition is consistent with the 2005 AISC Specification for Structural Steel Buildings. Related Links: International Code Council Unveils New Web Site Alfred Benesch Chairman Kasi Writes Guide to Value Engineering "Unseen Architecture" Exhibit at Milwaukee's Eisner-American Museum The new edition covers general fabrication requirements, contract documents, common connection details, basic detailing conventions, project set-up and control, erection drawings, shop drawings, bills of material, and detailing quality control and assurance. The publication can

The Sustainable Sites Initiative that it is seeking pilot projects to test the first national rating system for sustainable landscapes. The Initiative is a partnership between the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center at The University of Texas at Austin and the United States Botanic Garden to create guidelines and performance benchmarks for sustainable landscapes, with or without buildings. The Initiative is accepting applications until February 15, 2010, in conjunction with the release of the next report and new rating system. Any designed landscape over 2,000 sq ft is eligible, ranging from academic and

Chairman of the board of Chicago engineering company Alfred Benesch & Co., Muthiah Kasi, has written a book titled �Function Approach to Transportation Projects � A Guide to Value Engineering� to help design professionals, owners, contractors and end users learn the techniques for maximizing cost savings on transportation projects of any size. Related Links: International Code Council Unveils New Web Site New Edition of Detailing for Steel Construction Now Available "Unseen Architecture" Exhibit at Milwaukee's Eisner-American Museum The book takes readers step-by-step from information gathering to project solution. Visit www.benesch.com for more information.

More Than $14.5 Million in Energy Awards Recovery Funding Will Help 9 Wisconsin Companies Finish Energy-Efficiency Projects, Create and Retain More than 400 Jobs. Governor Jim Doyle recently announced more than $14.5 million in funding to help nine industrial companies in Wisconsin complete energy efficiency projects and create and retain more than 400 jobs in the state. �Wisconsin has a tremendous opportunity to be one of the greenest manufacturing states in the country,� Governor Doyle said.� �With this funding, we will be able to help these companies become more energy efficient, so they can retain their competitive edge, reduce energy

Acting on behalf of the Midwest Regional Rail Initiative, Indiana has requested $2.8 billion in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds to plan, build and launch high-speed rail service from Chicago to Cleveland. A copy of the application is available on the Indiana Dept. of Transportation (INDOT) Web site at http://indot.IN.gov/3064.htm. “With the support of our counterparts in Chicago and Ohio, INDOT submitted one application that Indiana believes stands the greatest chance of being approved by the Federal Rail Administration,” said INDOT Commissioner Michael W. Reed. If the application is approved, initial environmental and feasibility studies would fully consider

The Eisner-American Museum of Advertising & Design is showing “Unseen Architecture: MKE,” an exhibit showcasing creative and inspirational architectural thinking. Related Links: International Code Council Unveils New Web Site New Edition of Detailing for Steel Construction Now Available Alfred Benesch Chairman Kasi Writes Guide to Value Engineering Running through March of 2010, the exhibit highlights unbuilt projects from 18 Milwaukee-area architectural firms. In architecture, the public sees only a small portion of what was conceived, so the Eisner and AIA Milwaukee have joined to explore the concept drawings and models, and to applaud the efforts of what could be. The

The International Code Council has passed the midpoint in developing a draft of a new international green construction code. A report from the work group’s October meeting indicates that the group wants to produce a code that is widely adoptable, enforceable, usable, and effective. Related Links: New Edition of Detailing for Steel Construction Now Available Alfred Benesch Chairman Kasi Writes Guide to Value Engineering "Unseen Architecture" Exhibit at Milwaukee's Eisner-American Museum Topics at the forefront of recent discussions about balancing effectiveness versus adoptability include: Heat Island Mitigation – Decisions regarding to what extent solutions such as trees and landscaping should

The new $8.5-million bridge being built over the Osage River near Tuscumbia, Mo. was the country�s first stimulus-financed project to get under way after President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) on Feb. 17. Photo: put photo credit here photo caption here The new 970-ft-long bridge will take the place of a rickety steel-truss bridge that has stood since 1933 and badly needs replacing. As the stimulus bill was developing, the Missouri Dept. of Transportation (MoDOT) laid the groundwork for several projects, including the bridge near Tuscumbia, Mo., which links two sides of the town of about

Cemstone, Mendota Heights, Minn., an Upper Midwest provider of aggregates, decorative concrete and masonry products, has been selected by the Minnesota Environmental Initiative (MEI) and its Project Green Fleet program to upgrade 21 vehicles in its ready-mix concrete truck fleet. Photo: put photo credit here photo caption here When retrofitting is completed in January 2010, the vehicles will have diesel oxidation catalysts (DOC) or diesel multi-stage filters that are expected to reduce engine emissions by up to 50%. “We’re excited to have the opportunity to participate in this expansion of Project Green Fleet, as the program provides vital assistance to