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Dodge Momentum Index decreases in November
The Dodge Momentum Index fell to 119.9 in November, a 3.7 percent decrease from its October reading of 124.5. The Dodge Momentum Index is a monthly measure of the first report for nonresidential building projects in planning. According to Dodge Data & Analytics, the loss of momentum in October and November is returning the index to a level that’s more consistent with the commercial planning activity. Additionally, Dodge Data & Analytics reports a 5.3 percent increase in projects entering planning in the institutional sector. In November, there were a total of seven projects that entered planning. Each project had a value that exceeded $100 million. For the commercial building sector, the leading projects included a $160 million office building in Boston and a $130 million retail project in Somerville, Mass. For the institutional building sector, the leading projects were a $325 million alteration of the American Museum of Natural History in New York and a $238 million hospital in Chula Vista, Calif. Dodge Data is a provider of data, analytics,… Keep Reading
Report: 2019 asphalt demand to exceed 122 million metric tons
Through 2019, global demand for asphalt is projected to expand 2.8 percent per year to 122.5 million metric tons, reports “World Asphalt,” a study from The Freedonia Group. According to the study, gains will be driven by growth in China and other developing countries as they work to improve their transportation infrastructures. The study also reports that the Asia/Pacific region has overtaken North America as the largest regional market for asphalt. Additionally, the study projects that the region will continue to record the fastest advances through 2019. However, growth in China will decelerate from the rapid gains of the 2009-14 period as the country focuses on repairing current roadways. According to the study, North America is a major asphalt consumer because of the need for maintenance on its regional network of roads and highways. Nearly 90 percent of this maintenance is done in the U.S. In addition, demand in 2019 is expected to surpass the 2009 level. Finally, recovery in asphalt demand in Western Europe will be driven by increased… Keep Reading
Hillhead showground expanded to accommodate more exhibitor space
Hillhead organizers are nearing completion on building an extended showground for the 2016 event, which takes place June 28-30 in Buxton, Derbyshire, England. According to organizers, about 16,000 tons of material have been excavated from an old tip area to create additional exhibitor space. “With a waiting list starting to build for outdoor space, we are delighted to be able to accommodate some of this demand in the new area,” says Richard Bradbury, show director. “Two access points have been created to maximize visitor flow – one opposite the far end of the JCB stand and the other coming off the aisle populated by the Invest Northern Ireland stands.” Keep Reading
MSHA offers safety tips during holiday season
The Mine Safety & Health Administration (MSHA) issued an alert to workers to remain focused and practice safety while working on jobs during this holiday season. “Take a minute to think about each task you are about to perform as you go about your daily work,” says the administration. “Take all of the necessary safety precautions so that you, your co-workers and families can continue to enjoy the holidays for many years to come.” MSHA reminds workers to keep these best practices in mind: Task train all people to recognize all potential hazardous conditions that can decrease bank or slope stability and ensure they understand safe job procedures for elimination of hazards. Train people to recognize the hazards of working near belt conveyors. De-energize and block belt conveyors against motion before working near a chute, drive, head, tail and take-up pulleys. Lock-out/tag-out all energy sources to belt conveyors before working on them. Always use fall protection when working where a fall-to-below hazard exists. Establish policies and procedures for safely clearing… Keep Reading
House, Senate reach multi-year highway bill agreement
House and Senate lawmakers reached an agreement on a highway bill that would extend federal transportation funding for five years, according to The Hill. The legislation, called the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, calls for spending about $205 billion on highways and $48 billion on transit projects over the next five years. This development comes ahead of a Dec. 4 deadline Congress faces to avoid a lapse in highway funding. According to The Hill, the bill was agreed upon hastily. The Department of Transportation has warned it will stop making payments to state and local governments by the deadline if Congress does not agree on at least another temporary funding extension. If passed, the bill would be the first transportation funding legislation spanning more than two years since 2005. Keep Reading
Lafarge helps reconstruct turtle nesting beach
Lafarge Canada, along with Coastal Painted Turtle Project (CPTP) team members, reconstructed the turtle nesting beach at Burnaby Lake Park in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada. Together, the groups hope to sustain the population of western painted turtles, which are listed as endangered federally and red-listed provincially. They are also the only remaining native freshwater turtles in British Columbia. “Lafarge has been supporting the CPTP for a number of years, helping with projects on the Sunshine Coast and South Coast of [British Columbia],” says Deanna MacTavish, CPTP leader. “We are very grateful that Lafarge donates nesting beach sand, transports it and provides volunteers to help place it at breeding sites.” Keep Reading
Allu Group names president, CEO
Allu Group named Edgar Chavez as its president and CEO. Chavez will replace Mardi Ohanessian, who will retire at the end of the year. Prior to this position, Chavez served as executive vice president and general manager for Allu for two months in order to familiarize himself with the company’s customers, product and operations in North America. He also has experience with Gradall Industries, CNH Industrial, Astec Industries, Mitsubishi International and Volvo Construction Equipment. Allu Group offers customers a line of screening, crushing, windrow turning, soil stabilizing and compacting equipment and attachments for the asphalt, compost, environmental, recycling, green waste, demolition, mining and pipeline industries. Keep Reading
Clinton proposes infrastructure investment if elected
At an event marking the launch of her “Hard Hats for Hillary” campaign, Hillary Clinton revealed a plan to boost the federal investment in infrastructure by $275 billion if she is elected president, reports CBS. Clinton says this proposal is just the beginning of her larger plan to put Americans back to work. "To build a strong economy for our future, we must start by building strong infrastructure today,” Clinton says. "I don't have to tell you what a sorry state we're in. Our roads and bridges are potholed and crumbling. Families endure blackouts because our electric grid fails in extreme weather." Clinton’s proposal would dedicate $250 billion to direct federal investment in roads, airports and public transit across the country, says a campaign aide. The remaining $25 billion would go into a national infrastructure bank, or “Strategic Infrastructure Bank.” According to CBS, Clinton will present additional proposals that focus on job creation, including investments in research and manufacturing, over the next several weeks. Keep Reading
Study forecasts mining equipment demand through 2019
Global demand for mining equipment is forecast to expand 7 percent annually to nearly $105 billion in 2019, according to "World Mining Equipment," a study presented by The Freedonia Group. The demand for mining equipment will be supported by increases in manufacturing output, especially in the developing world, as well as renewed strength in construction activity in the developed world. The study also says the developing world will continue to post robust gains in mining equipment demand, which is a result of overall lack of mechanization rates driving purchases. Additionally, results from the study show that China is the largest national market for mining equipment, with sales more than doubling between 2009 and 2014. According to the study, advances will remain above average through 2019. Despite the size of China’s market, India will have the most gains. “Although it will remain a much smaller market than China, India will record the fastest gains of any country, as there is still a significant need for mine mechanization,” says analyst Kyle… Keep Reading
