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Continuous opportunities for a Colorado quarry
An economically healthy Colorado keeps things moving at Pete Lien & Sons’ Owl Canyon Complex. The off-colored rock visibly streaks along the quarry face, calling special attention to itself because of the sharp-contrasting red rock above and below it. The streaking rock stretches on for a distance, but it’s clear at a glance that this is no ordinary rock. The nature of the rock’s surroundings says so. Brian Tideman, a division manager at Pete Lien & Sons, confirms the suspicions. The rock is unusual, at least in this part of Colorado. It’s the company’s butter rock, which is mined from the company’s Owl Canyon Complex in Livermore, Colo. “Our butter rock is pretty unique to us,” Tideman says. “It sells quickly because you don’t see that color around the state. It’s a dolomitic limestone.” The butter rock is primarily used as a decorative material for landscapers. Occasionally, some of the butter rock’s finer materials are used as a base for roads and sidewalks. But customers flock to the butter rock,… Keep Reading
Multi-year transportation bill re-sent to Congress
The Obama administration sent an update of the Grow America Act, a six-year, $478 billion highway bill, to Congress. “All over the country, I hear the same account: the need to repair and expand our surface transportation system has never been greater, and yet federal transportation funding has never been in such short supply,” says Anthony Foxx, transportation secretary, in a statement. “Our proposal provides a level of funding and also funding certainty that our partners need and deserve. This is an opportunity to break away from 10 years of flat funding, not to mention these past six years in which Congress has funded transportation by passing 32 short-term measures.” According to Foxx, the Grow America Act will put in place a transparent and clear permitting process to speed up project delivery; increase innovative financing by strengthening the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act and Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing loan programs; and empower local government by providing more funding to high-performing Metropolitan Planning Organizations. “It is clear to me… Keep Reading
Lafarge steps up to protect endangered species
Lafarge Canada Inc. is working to protect coastal populations of western painted turtles, which are listed as federally endangered and red-listed provincially in Canada. According to Lafarge, western painted turtles are the only remaining native freshwater turtle in British Columbia, Canada. Lafarge volunteers worked alongside Coastal Painted Turtle Project (CPTP) team members and the Lequamel Fist nations to construct turtle nesting beaches in Agassiz, British Columbia, in hopes of sustaining their population indefinitely. “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 project leader. "We are very grateful that Lafarge donates nesting beach sand, transports it and provides volunteers to help place it at breeding sites." Lafarge says its next beach work to support the turtles will be at Burnaby Lake, British Columbia. Keep Reading
Industry calls on Congress for long-term highway bill at rally
Industry association leaders gathered Wednesday at the AGG1 Expo in Baltimore for a rally, urging those in attendance to reach out to Congress to develop a permanent solution for the Highway Trust Fund. The National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association's Mike Johnson joined three others in promoting the message. "We have record turnout here at this show and a record number of exhibitors and exhibit space," said Dennis Slater, president of the Association of Equipment Manufacturers. "The problem is with market uncertainty out there, these manufacturers are not going to be selling the products they should be in the coming year. With that, they're not going to be hiring people." Pete Ruane, president of the American Road and Transportation Builders Association, delivered a similar message, pointing out that the current surface transportation reauthorization expires May 31 and that Congress will soon be on recess. "Our industry is already at a stalemate," Ruane said. "Four states have announced cessation of all their federal aid work. Remember two years ago when we… Keep Reading
‘Gold Rush’ star visits with NSSGA’s Young Leaders
Dave Turin, a star on the Discovery Channel's TV "Gold Rush," addressed the National Stone Sand and Gravel Association's (NSSGA) Young Leaders at a luncheon Tuesday during the NSSGA Annual Convention in Baltimore. Turin, whose family operates Mt. Hood Rock, a company with a basalt quarry in Brightwood, Ore., focused on happiness being the driver of success. He shared his own story and some of the challenges he's faced in his career, leaving the Young Leaders in attendance with a task to perform in their daily lives. "Keep dreaming," Turin said. "Keep looking for that challenge. But look for it in our industry." AGG1 visitors were able to meet Turin and take photos with him at Volvo's booth during the show. Pictured here are Dave and his wife Shelly at AGG1. Keep Reading
BedRock Software launches cloud-based AggFlow system
BedRock Software, the creator of AggFlow, unveiled a new AggFlow product at AGG1: AggFlow Design and Manage. According to BedRock Software, AggFlow Design and Manage is the latest version of AggFlow that employs cloud-based data storage, eliminating the need for a hardware USB key. AggFlow Design replaces the original AggFlow, and the company says it continues to provide plant design assistance for equipment suppliers, engineers and producers. Design users can hold a Design license and can create an unlimited number of design projects. AggFlow Manage replaces the former AggFlow SITE program, allowing customers to buy individual project licenses and invite unlimited number of users per project license to access that project. Both sides of AggFlow Design and Manage store work in the cloud, allowing easy access and sharing through a simple login process. In addition, BedRock Software launched Production Scheduler, a new module for AggFlow Manage. According to the company, Production Scheduler provides producers with a definitive and simple method to directly tie production into sales forecasts. Once an accurate… Keep Reading
Highway funding, economy take center stage at convention
Rep. Bill Shuster (R-Pa.) delivered a keynote address at the opening general session of the National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association's (NSSGA) Annual Convention on Monday in Baltimore. Shuster expressed confidence in the federal government's ability to pass a multi-year surface transportation bill before the May 31 expiration of the MAP-21 reauthorization. "We continue to work for a long-term bill, and I'm confident we're going to get a long-term bill because you have both sides of the aisle and [the White House] talking about the need for it," he said. "There's a desire to get there. How we get there is a matter of moving dollars." Shuster added that a bill must be a fiscally responsible one that does not add to the U.S. deficit. "As I've traveled the country and talked to leaders within state government, it's clear people want a long-term bill," he said. James Glassman, a columnist, diplomat and author, also delivered remarks at the convention's opening general session. Glassman discussed U.S. economic and employment trends, exploring… Keep Reading
Treasury secretary, Maryland senator visit Ellicott Dredges
Treasury Secretary Jack Lew and Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) visited Ellicott Dredges at its Baltimore plant for a discussion on U.S. export policies, infrastructure investment programs and more. Lew met with senior management from Ellicott, as well as with shop floor employees who assemble Ellicott dredges. Lew also interviewed engineers working on new products and got a demonstration of Ellicott's dredge training simulator, the company says. According to the company, its management team discussed the importance of infrastructure funding programs with Lew. Ellicott emphasized the importance of the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund to finance ports, harbors and dredging, as well as the need to re-authorize the U.S. Eximbank. In remarks with Baltimore business leaders after the tour, Ellicott says Lew praised the company for its use of apprenticeships and community college courses. Keep Reading
House committee to discuss highway bill reauthorization
House Republicans scheduled a hearing on infrastructure funding as the May 31 expiration date of the federal highway bill approaches. According to The Hill, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee is scheduled to meet March 17 to discuss the reauthorization of the surface transportation bill. The hearing will be the panel's second meeting about the transportation bill this year, The Hill reports, as lawmakers search for a way to pay for an extension of the infrastructure funding. Keep Reading
