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Exploring a federal gas tax increase
Infrastructure proponents have used the 20th anniversary of the last federal gas tax increase, which occurred Oct. 1, 1993, as a platform to generate discussion about the need for another gas tax increase. The last hike raised the federal gas tax to 18.4 cents, and with such a shortfall in federal transportation funding today, infrastructure proponents see a gas tax hike as reasonable and long overdue considering the last increase occurred nearly three administrations ago. Ray LaHood, the former transportation secretary, is one advocate of a tax increase. According to WAMU 88.5, a radio station in Washington, D.C., LaHood called for a 10-cent-per-gallon tax increase at a forum on next-generation transportation systems. Chamber of Commerce President Thomas Donohue, another national figure, also recently called for a gas tax increase. Some aggregate producers believe a gas tax increase is in order, too. Scott Alexander, president of Avenrock Materials in the Nashville, Tenn., area, recognizes a gas tax increase as a possible solution. But, Alexander, like many of his industry peers, realizes… Keep Reading
Liebherr adds web-based parts dealer to its network
Liebherr Construction Equipment Co. added OEConnection Parts Supply Technology to its dealer network. According to a press release, OEConnection is a web-based company that offers 24/7 access to parts inventories. “In an industry where equipment downtime can cost the machine owner $1,000 per hour or more, our goal is to fill critical parts orders immediately – thus allowing the servicing dealer to make repairs as quickly as possible," says Michael Balella, Liebherr's business development manager, product support. "The challenge lies in the fact that slow-moving parts may not be immediately available in the traditional vertical distribution chain and sourcing parts can take as much as two or three days. Having network-wide parts visibility creates the opportunity for dealers to easily source parts not only vertically as in the past but also horizontally." Keep Reading
MSHA issues metal/nonmetal safety alert
One fatal accident and four serious accidents in metal/nonmetal mining through three weeks of October prompted MSHA to issue a safety alert to the industry. According to MSHA, an electrician died after falling eight feet from a ladder when a cable tray detached from a wall. Four other October accidents labeled as "serious" caught MSHA's attention, as well: One miner fell several feet through a roof that was under construction. Another miner fell about 10 feet to the ground from a jaw crusher's catwalk. One electrician was burned while using a hot stick in the plant's substation. An arc flash burned the electrician. Another electrician was burned while using a hot stick in the plant's substation. An arc flash also burned this electrician. Keep Reading
Virginia commits $168 million to transportation projects
Virginia's Commonwealth Transportation Board awarded $168 million worth of transportation projects during a recent meeting. According to the Virginia Department of Transportation, construction will soon begin on projects to replace bridges and widen and improve roads in several areas of the state. Projects awarded range from I-66 improvements in Northern Virginia to a bridge replacement on Route 340/522 in Warren County. Keep Reading
New Cardinal Scale website outlines company’s products
Cardinal Scale Manufacturing Co. launched a website dedicated to its weigh-in-motion highway systems. The website, at www.wimscales.com, features Cardinal Scale's product line, including quartz sensor-based in-motion scales for full highway speed weighing, slow-speed in-motion load-cell based scales, virtual weigh station software, custom systems, optional peripheral equipment, and static scales for commercial weigh stations. Keep Reading
NSSGA encourages House to pass water resources reform bill
NSSGA urged members of the U.S. House of Representative in an Oct. 21 letter to support the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2013 (WRRDA) and to vote for passage. According to NSSGA, it reminds congressional leaders in the letter that its members supply materials that are essential ingredients in the construction and maintenance of dams, water and sewage treatment plants, tunnels and other public works projects. NSSGA also expressed hope in the letter that Congress will return to a biannual process for approving water resources development legislation and fully fund water infrastructure projects through the Energy & Water Appropriations bill – and not allow projects to be halted or slowed due to inadequate funding. A copy of NSSGA's letter is available at www.nssga.org. Keep Reading
Mack Trucks sponsoring highway safety program in 2014
Mack Trucks is sponsoring the Share the Road highway safety program for the 12th straight year next year. According to a press release, Share the Road utilizes professional truck drivers with exemplary safety records to educate people about safe following distances, truck stopping distances, blind spots and other vital driving issues. Using a Mack Pinnacle axle back model sleeper as a central communications tool, drivers spread messages to the public through demonstrations to the media, students, community leaders and motorists nationwide. Keep Reading
Smico, Symons brands have new name
Smico Manufacturing Co. and Symons Screens combined their names and are now called SmicoSymons Vibratory Screens. According to the company, the Smico product line will continue to focus on the industrial, food and minerals industries while the Symons product line focuses on the aggregate and mining industries. Keep Reading
Olney to step down as Volvo CE president
Pat Olney, president of Volvo Construction Equipment (CE), is leaving the company but will remain in his current position until the end of the year. According to Volvo CE, Olney is leaving to work with a non-competing U.S.-based engineering company. Olney, 44, joined Volvo CE in 1996. He held a number of top management positions in finance, operations and general management before becoming Volvo CE president in May 2011. The search for Olney's replacement has begun, the company adds. Keep Reading
