Construction Bulletin articles from July 2005

Construction Bulletin archives from July 2005

ASA Addresses Wisconsin Supreme Court.(cases of ASA of Greater Milwaukee )
July 1, 2005... Staff Imagine that you are the employee of a construction subcontractor and your hand is injured by the closing doors of a freight elevator owned and maintained by the owner of the facility where you are performing work. You receive...

Allmand Night-Lite(TM) PRO Series.
July 1, 2005... Staff The Allmand Night-Lite(TM) PRO series of portable light towers offers quality lighting at a reasonable price for a wide variety of markets, including rental yards, contractors, municipalities, and special events. The Night-Lite PRO...

AGC OF ND Scholarships.
July 1, 2005... Staff The AGC of ND has scholarships available for high school seniors who plan to enroll in construction management or construction engineering at NDSU in Fargo, or any construction trade program offered at a post-secondary institute in...

National Demolition Association Elects Officers.(officials of National Demolition Association )(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Staff The National Demolition Association has elected new executive officers. Each will serve for the 2005-2006 term. R. David Loewendick Jr. has been elected president of the association. Loewendick is president of S.G. Loewendick &...

Study Shows Widening Gap.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Staff A U.S. Chamber of Commerce study cosponsored by National Sand, Stone & Gravel Association shows a troubling increase in the gap between maintaining and improving the nation's transportation infrastructure and the funds available to...

Bureau Of Labor Statistics Presents Data.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Staff The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has released April data on seasonally adjusted nonfarm employment by state (www.bls.gov/sae ). BLS reported that from March to April, total nonfarm employment rose in 46 states and the District of...

Education Permits Construction Of Better Buildings.
July 1, 2005... Staff In a presentation entitled "Understanding Municipal Codes," Mr. Richard Piccolo, president, B&F Technical Code Services, Inc., spoke to attendees of the Inland Marine Underwriters Association 75th Annual Meeting that was held...

Minnesota Legislature Adopts Highway Bill.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Staff The Minnesota Legislature passed a historic $7.8-billion transportation-funding bill that was summarily vetoed by Governor Pawlenty. The Minnesota Senate passed the identical House language by a party line vote of 36 to 31 on...

Slag Cement Use Up 15 Percent.(services of Slag Cement Association)
July 1, 2005... Staff The Slag Cement Association (SCA) presented five awards recognizing outstanding promotion efforts at its recent annual meeting in Kansas City. Work by individuals and regional task groups helped increase the use of slag cement by...

Steel Recycling Hits 25-Year High.
July 1, 2005... Staff The Steel Recycling Institute (SRI) announced that the recycling rate for the world's and America's most recycled material -- steel -- remained at 70.7 percent in 2004. However, total tons of steel recycled increased by over 7.2...

New Approach To Hearing Protection.
July 1, 2005... Staff Industry leader advises safety professionals to look beyond noise reduction ratings "In spite of growing awareness of hearing loss and increased efforts to combat it, the incidence of noise-induced hearing loss among industrial...

Think Twice Before Modifying Equipment.(customization)
July 1, 2005... By Jamie Wright What these equipment modifiers don't consider is that in their pursuit of customization, they are actually endangering their lives and the safety of the crew they work around. As consumers, we've grown accustomed to...

Make A Wish Needs Help.
July 8, 2005... Staff ABC of Minnesota has been contacted for helping to make a little girl's wish come true in Woodbury. The 8-year-old girl has been diagnosed with Burkitt's Lymphoma and wishes for a jacuzzi bath tub, because her favorite thing to do is...

Use Detour To Avoid Delays.(Brief Article)
July 8, 2005... Staff According to District 1 of the Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT), a major reconstruction project is in progress on Highway 38 in the Itasca County community of Marcell. Kevin Rohling, project engineer for Mn/DOT,...

Daewoo Becomes Doosan Infracore America.(Doosan Heavy Industries; Daewoo Heavy Industries & Machinery )(Brief Article)
July 8, 2005... Staff Doosan Heavy Industries recently completed its purchase of the controlling interest of Daewoo Heavy Industries & Machinery in Seoul, Korea. As a result of the purchase, Daewoo Heavy Industries America has formally changed its name to...

CURT And ABC Launch Initiative.(Construction Users Roundtable)(Associated Builders and Contractors)
July 8, 2005... Staff The Construction Users Roundtable (CURT) and Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) announced the launch of a workplace improvement initiative, calling on the U.S. construction industry to continue its progress in promoting...

AEM Supports Funding Water Infrastructure Improvements.(Association of Equipment Manufacturers)
July 8, 2005... Staff The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) joins private and public organizations in calling on Congress to address growing water infrastructure funding needs. AEM is encouraged by the House Water Resources and Environment...

Taggart Voted CFMA Secretary.(Construction Financial Management Association )(national secretary )(Brief Article)
July 8, 2005... Staff Todd F. Taggart, CPA, CCFP, partner at Grant Thornton LLP in Minneapolis, is the newly elected national secretary of the Construction Financial Management Association (CFMA) for the 2005-2006 term. Taggart served the Twin Cities...

Construction Employment Statistics.(Brief Article)
July 8, 2005... Staff The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has released April data on seasonally adjusted nonfarm employment by state (www.bls.gov/sae ). BLS reported that from March to April, total nonfarm employment rose in 46 states and the District of...

Seasonally Adjusted Construction Employment: March–April 04–05.(Brief Article)(Illustration)
July 8, 2005... Staff State Apr. 05 Mar. 05 percent chg. Apr. 04 percent chg. MN 126,900 125,300 +1 131,100 -3 MT 26,400 26,100 +1 25,000 +6 ND 18,400 17,000 +7 18,100 +2 SD 21,600...

NCSFA Announces Graduates.(Brief Article)
July 8, 2005... Staff It is with great honor and privilege that the National Conference of State Fleet Administrators (NCSFA), a trade association of public-sector state-level fleet administrators, is pleased to announce the following Professional,...

Tandem Developers Announce Groundbreaking.(Skyscape)(contracts of Tandem Developers, LLC)(Brief Article)
July 8, 2005... Staff Tandem Developers, LLC, Chicago, will break ground this summer on construction of Skyscape, a 27-story, 250-unit mixed use condominium development at 10th Street and Portland Avenue South in the Elliot Park neighborhood of downtown...

Construction Maintains Momentum In April.
July 8, 2005... Staff The Associated General Contractors of America's (AGC's) Chief Economist Ken Simonson said construction spending set a record for the 15th straight month in April, led by factories, communications, stores, multi-family housing,...

AISC Names New President.(American Institute of Steel Construction appoints Roger E. Ferch)(Brief Article)
July 8, 2005... Staff Roger E. Ferch, P.E., has been named the new president of the American Institute of Steel Construction, Inc., effective January 1, 2006. Ferch is currently vice president of Herrick Corporation, the largest structural steel...

Occupational Safety Needs More Visible Action.(Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways )
July 8, 2005... Staff Last year's revised Section 6 of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways (MUTCD) is raising awareness of occupational safety issues and prompting changes designed to help protect those in high-risk...

Restoring A City's Treasure.
July 8, 2005... Written By: Ryan Johnson, Writer, Two Rivers Marketing, Des Moines, Iowa Small community produces big results Provided By: Bobcat Company, West Fargo, North Dakota One small community in western Minnesota faced a decision many...

From Tall To Taller.(General Construction Services, Inc.)
July 8, 2005... By Stew Thornley, Minnesota Department of Health Minnetonka Raises A Tower The city of Minnetonka is a western Twin Cities suburb that has grown over the past few decades to the point that it now has a population of greater than...

New Brighton Cleans Up.(contaminated aquifer)
July 15, 2005... By Stew Thornley, Minnesota Department of Health New Brighton responded to the crisis with a partnership and plan that allows for remediation of a highly contaminated aquifer. "I still remember Gary Englund coming to give the bad news...

Need A New Skid Steer?
July 15, 2005... Staff Look into renting before you make the investment in a new skid steer. Without a doubt, one of the most versatile pieces of equipment available to a contractor or landscaper is the good old skid steer. We've all relied on it for...

Stockpiling Tips.(The Cement Association of Canada)(Brief Article)
July 15, 2005... Staff The Cement Association of Canada offers the following advice about stockpiling aggregates. Stockpiles should be built up in thin layers of uniform thickness to minimize segregation. Avoid high, cone-shaped piles since these...

Construction Codes and Licensing Services.(Brief Article)
July 15, 2005... Staff The State Construction Code and Licensing units became part of the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry by Governor's Order on May 16, 2005. This move consolidates all of the construction codes and licensing agencies into one...

Baldwin Filters Hosts Open House.(Brief Article)
July 15, 2005... Staff State, community and company officials today gathered at Baldwin Filters to showcase a new production line at the Yankton company. The addition of a second line will create 26 jobs. Gov. Mike Rounds commended Baldwin Filters for...

Minnesota's New Minimum Wage Rates.(Brief Article)
July 15, 2005... Staff As of August 1, 2005, the state of Minnesota will have new minimum wage rates. The "small-employers" rate will be $5.25 an hour. The "large-employers" rate will be $6.15 an hour. The large-employer definition will change...

Strong Demand Tightens Cement Supplies.(Brief Article)
July 15, 2005... Staff Strong demand for cement again this construction season is resulting in tight supplies in some areas of the country, according to a report released by the Portland Cement Association. Because mortgage rates have remained near...

Steel Prices Drop.(Brief Article)
July 15, 2005... Staff Structural steel prices have dropped more than $100 per ton since the beginning of 2005, reflecting a 20-percent decrease in the cost of material, according to the American Institute of Steel Construction. The current decrease in...

Minimizing Workers' Compensation Claims.(construction industry)
July 22, 2005... By Michelle Daum Haskins General contractors and subcontractors need to know their state workers' compensation laws and scope of insurance coverage to manage injury claims costs. My daily commute takes me by a vast downtown...

Construction Resources.
July 22, 2005... Staff Here are some of the newest resources for construction industry information. Websites: National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse The National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse, managed by the American...

Minnesota Workers' Comp Information Online.
July 22, 2005... Staff Workers' comp insurance information is available online. Provided by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry Online information about whether a Minnesota employer has the required workers' compensation coverage is now...

Stillwater Library Under Renovation.(Brief Article)
July 22, 2005... Staff Stillwater, Minn.-- Stillwater Public Library has moved to a temporary location at Valley Ridge Shopping Mall while their permanent location downtown undergoes a $9-million renovation and expansion. A 22,000-square-foot addition will...

Plans For Children's Home Expansion.(Brief Article)
July 22, 2005... Staff The St. Cloud, Minnesota, City Council voted 5-to-4 in favor of increasing the number of secure, locked beds at the St. Cloud Children's Home from nine to 15. Also approved in the Children's Home proposal was the construction of a...

New Hotel In St. Cloud.(Brief Article)
July 22, 2005... Staff The St. Cloud City Council voted 9-to-0 last month to release the right of way to a parcel of land at the corner of Interstate Highway 94 and County Road 75. The land is the future building site of a four-story, 108-room Country Inn...

Possible Housing Renovation.(Brief Article)
July 22, 2005... Staff The Oakdale City Council initiated public hearings to consider redeveloping Whispering Oaks Mobile Home Park into a site offering some 150 affordable residences including 52 senior condominiums, 48 twin homes and 16 single-family...

Retail Construction In Hibbling.(Brief Article)
July 22, 2005... Staff Hibbling, Minn.-- Lowe's has outlined plans for a new home-improvement store to be built at the northwest corner of U.S. Highway 169 and Ninth Avenue. According to Duane Northagen, Hibbling's economic development coordinator, efforts...

Commuter Train May Return To Duluth.(Brief Article)
July 22, 2005... Staff The Regional Railroad Authority asked the County Board last month to sponsor a 2006 state bonding bill in preparation for a possible $2.5-million building improvement project that would once again allow a commuter rail to run between...

Potential Blending Of Developments.(Brief Article)
July 22, 2005... Staff White Bear Lake, Minn.-- Developers presented proposals last month for a mixed-use project on 1.3 acres of the 17-acre marina triangle on the western shore of White Bear Lake. Proposed are new shops and 50-plus condos, though...

Fargo Coliseum Project.(renovation )(Brief Article)
July 22, 2005... Staff Fargo, N.D.-- The Fargo Park District hopes to determine whether to renovate the John E. Carlson Coliseum, a project estimated at $2.5 million, or whether to build a new coliseum in its place, estimated at $5 million to $10 million....

Metro Transit Postpones Development.(Minnesota Housing and Redevelopment authority)(Rk Midway)(Brief Article)
July 22, 2005... Staff The St. Paul, Minn., Housing and Redevelopment Authority Board approved a preliminary deal with developer RK Midway to build a $12-million retail complex on 15 acres north of the freeway at Interstate 94 and Snelling Avenue. However,...

Minneapolis Debates Ballpark Roof.(Brief Article)
July 22, 2005... Staff The proposed new ballpark of the Minnesota Twins in Minneapolis has sparked debate among politicians and citizens alike. The pressing matter? A roof. Current plans for the ballpark do not include a roof, though many consider it...

St. Paul Calls For Audit.(Brief Article)
July 22, 2005... Staff St. Paul, Minn.-- The St. Paul City Council voted 4-to-3 in favor of an audit to find out why the city and builders of publicly funded projects do not do more business with firms owned by minorities and women; however, the one-vote...

Potential Land For Development.(Brief Article)
July 22, 2005... Staff Little Canada, Minn.-- The Little Canada City Council recently identified nine areas worth monitoring for future development. Land areas include parcels northeast and southeast of Owasso Boulevard and Rice Street; west of the merge...

Land Swap Benefits Developer.(Brief Article)
July 22, 2005... Staff Rochester, Minn.-- The Rochester Park Board voted 4-to-0 to approve plans for a land swap between the city and Eastwood Golf Course in which the city would trade the "front nine" of the golf course to Twin Cities-based Platinum...

New Library Plans.(Brief Article)
July 22, 2005... Staff St. Paul, Minn.-- The Ramsey County Library Board appointed an exploratory committee last month to determine whether the Arden Hills and Mounds View branch libraries should be closed and a larger, more modern facility built, possibly...

Plant To Be Built.(Excelsior)(Brief Article)
July 22, 2005... Staff The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission gave final approval last month for a $10-million grant to Excelsior Energy of Minnetonka. The company hopes to build a coal-gasification electricity plant in northern Minnesota, with the...

HDR Selected For The 212 Project.(HDR Engineering Inc., Zumbro River Constructors L.L.C.)(Brief Article)
July 29, 2005... Staff HDR has been awarded the design services contract for the Mn/DOT Trunk Highway (TH) 212 design and construction project. HDR is providing these services under a design-build contract to Zumbro River Constructors, LLC, composed of...

New Sales Manager For RMS Rentals.(Mark Rossi)(Brief Article)
July 29, 2005... Staff Mark Rossi has been appointed the new sales manager at RMS Rentals in Savage, Minnesota. In this role, he will manage all aspects of inside and outside sales for RMS Rentals. Mark received his bachelor's degree in business...

Wickard Named VP At Cemstone.(Todd Wickard, Cemstone Products Company Inc.)(Brief Article)
July 29, 2005... Staff Cemstone, the largest ready-mixed concrete and aggregate company in the upper Midwest, has named Todd Wickard vice president of Information Technology. Wickard will oversee all aspects of the company's information technology,...

Richards Named Truck Driver Of The Year.(William Eugene Richards of Anderson Trucking Service)(Brief Article)
July 29, 2005... Staff William Eugene Richards has been named Truck Driver of the Year by the Specialized Carriers & Rigging Association (SC&RA). Richards has been a driver with ATS, Specialized, a division of Anderson Trucking Service, St. Cloud, Minn.,...

Electrical License Exam Opportunity.(power limited technician exam)
July 29, 2005... Staff A May 2005 legislative change to Minnesota's electrical law has opened a window of opportunity for applicants who want to take the state's "power limited technician" (PLT) exam without meeting the normal experience requirements. ...

Beige Book Finds Mix.(Construction employment)(Consumer price indexes)
July 29, 2005... Staff Construction employment by state slowed in May, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data. Only 19 states posted seasonally adjusted increases from April, while 20 had declines, and 11 plus the District of Columbia were...

Grade Control.
July 29, 2005... By Tom Bucklar, Caterpillar Inc. Meet business objectives with automated grade control systems Your business is unique. Nobody else has a company quite like it. But even though you run a one-of-a-kind operation, you probably face many...

Biggest Mistakes With Workers' Compensation.
July 29, 2005... By Keith Pearsall It's necessary to demystify the commonly held misconceptions about this type of insurance. Most business owners and managers purchase workers' compensation insurance in the wrong way. About 90 to 120 days before...

Iveco Motors Announces Distributor.(Iveco Motors of North America)(Brief Article)
July 29, 2005... Staff Iveco Motors of North America, a subsidiary of Iveco Motors, a leading world-class diesel engine manufacturer, is proud to announce an exclusive agreement with Anderson Industrial Engines for the distribution and service of Iveco...

"Bid Shopping" Ban Gains Congressional Support.
July 29, 2005... Staff A large majority of people working in the construction industry believes that the practice of "bid shopping" is unethical, and there is growing support in Congress to put a stop to the practice on federal contracts. The American...