After Hurricane Ian wiped out portions of the original three-mile-long Sanibel Causeway, which connects the Sanibel and Captiva barrier islands to the mainland in southwest Florida, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) awarded a joint venture team a phased design-build contract to make initial repairs, open a new permanent causeway, …

Clean water is a crucial resource that has received a lot more attention in recent years. While some parts of the United States have been dealing with severe droughts, increasing populations are testing water treatment plants in other regions. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, Florida experienced a rise in population, …

In the booming metropolitan Atlanta region, the Northwest Corridor Express Lanes project is among the largest transportation projects ever implemented in the state of Georgia. This innovative express lanes system — a roughly $900 million Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) undertaking — added 29.7 miles of reversible, managed toll express …

Aiming to grow his Douglasville, Georgia-based business to the next level, Precision Blasting Founder and Divisional President Shane Martin is embarking on a new journey with MD&B Company, enabling the Atlanta-area firm to offer key value-add services, such as engineering, safety, technical blasting support, and employee development and advancement …

Working together in a collaborative manner, the team building the $127 million new dual high-level NASA Causeway Bridge, in Titusville, Florida, completed the first eastbound bridge more than four months early, earning the contractor an incentive bonus, and allowing for easier movement of spacecraft flight hardware to the Kennedy Space …

Unlike Florida’s inland regions, its coastal counties are highly susceptible to storm surge from the hurricanes and tropical storms that can batter the region each late summer/early fall. To ensure the safety of residents in these areas, evacuation zones – generally major highway arteries – have been designated, allowing fast, …

Aiming to reduce congestion on area roads as the population of Jacksonville, Florida, grows and support economic growth, Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has embarked on the construction of the First Coast Expressway connecting Duval, Clay, and St. Johns counties.

“The First Coast Expressway has already helped to boost economic …

The Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) announces the winners of the 2023 National Design-Build Project/Team Merit Awards. A total of 62 projects from across the United States were submitted for consideration in 10 different categories. The submissions underwent evaluation by a panel of industry experts.

“With the continued growth of …

Faced with tight spaces and complex construction, the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) divided roadway work for the Interstate 16/Interstate 75 Interchange Improvement project in Macon, Georgia, into six phases with multiple construction contracts.

But the complexities didn’t stop there. Because the highway improvements impacted the adjacent Pleasant Hill neighborhood, …

Aiming to decrease congestion along U.S. 82, the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) has embarked on a $33.9 million widening of the road in Tuscaloosa County.

“This is a capacity project,” says Terence Williamson, Project Manager for ALDOT. “This is to handle the load from growth.”

Tuscaloosa County has …

Four state department of transportation (DOT) projects in Florida and Georgia won regional awards in the 2023 America’s Transportation Awards competition, created by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), AAA, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The competition recognizes DOTs for making a difference in their …

Aiming to reduce congestion and improve safety at the Interstate 285/SR 400 interchange in Atlanta, the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) has made substantial progress on its approximately $800 million Transform 285/400 improvement project in a fast-growing area of the metro.

“The majority of work on I-285 and on SR …

Dwarfed by the adjacent Eglin Air Force Base (the world’s largest airbase) and nowhere near as famous as nearby Pensacola Naval Air Station (home to the world-famed Blue Angels), Hurlburt Field in Ft. Walton Beach, Florida, is nonetheless a key component in our national defense structure. Serving as the headquarters …

New life is blooming in Doraville, Georgia, with construction of Assembly Atlanta nearing completion, but first Orlando-based UES (formerly Universal Engineering Sciences) is performing some essential geotechnical, testing, and inspections to ensure successful delivery of the mixed-use development.

“This type of development puts a spotlight on Atlanta and Georgia,” says …

On heavily traveled SR 25, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has embarked on one of several projects to enhance travel a major arterial roadway in Miami.

“The purpose of this project is to improve the overall traffic operation and safety along these parts of a 10-mile corridor,” says George …

Determined to improve safety and operational efficiency, the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) is eliminating loop ramps on a 1.6-mile section of Interstate 24 and creating a frontage road in southern Chattanooga to reduce congestion and support new development.

“There are a number of conflict points caused by loop ramps …

The Association of General Contractors (AGC) and Construction Risk Partners recently honored this year’s best new and renovation construction projects with Build America Awards at the AGC Annual Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada. Build America Merit Awards were also presented to construction companies at the convention.

“These awards are designed …

Responding to an increased demand for orthopedic services, Orlando Health is nearing completion of a 375,000-square-foot orthopedic institute.

“In central Florida, we have seen a significant surge in the need for orthopedic services,” says April Ernst, Administrator for Allied Health & Support Services for the institute. “We also saw a …

Multiple projects are under way as part of ATLNext, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport’s capital improvement program, including parking deck renewals.

The development master plan is designed to boost capacity, renew and replace existing facilities, and enhance ATL’s aesthetic appeal, according to an airport spokesperson, adding, “ATLNext, through 2042, will help …

As Hurricane Ian barreled into Southwest Florida, the storm surge resulted in deaths and destruction, including washing away and breaching multiple portions of the three-mile long Sanibel Causeway, the only access to the islands of Sanibel and Captiva. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) prioritized temporary repairs to the causeway …

For NASCAR fans, the start of the 2022 season brought more than just the excitement and anticipation of a new Cup Series, it also meant the unveiling of the new Next Gen car – NASCAR’s first major technology and design change since 2013. For Bristol, Tennessee-based Baker’s Construction Services, …

Two months after Hurricane Ian made landfall on Florida’s Gulf Coast, cleanup and rebuilding efforts are still ongoing throughout the state. The Category 4 hurricane went down as the fifth largest hurricane in U.S. history, with a death toll of more than 100 Floridians and upwards of $40 billion in …

What was once a bustling and thriving area of Birmingham, Alabama, eventually became an economic blight, including the former Carraway Methodist Medical Center. That’s all changing now, thanks to a developer and a demolition contractor.

Established in 1908, the hospital was formerly a Level 1 Trauma Center. Financial setbacks eventually …

Work on the final three sections of the Florida Department of Transportation’s (FDOT) 95 Express project is under way and will help keep traffic moving on this 29-mile stretch of the congested South Florida interstate highway.

The local 95 Express projects are part of a regional network of Express …

A Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) project won a regional award in the 2022 America’s Transportation Awards competition, sponsored by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), AAA, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The competition recognizes state DOTs for making a difference in their community, with …

From dropping out of college to running one of the largest blasting companies in Tennessee, Johnny Coleman has always preferred to do things his own way.

“I was a sophomore in college majoring in business when my father called me about a job opportunity,” recalled Coleman, Owner of Mid-State Drilling …

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has selected Dewberry to lead an interchange improvement project that will increase capacity, enhance traffic operations, and improve safety in Polk County, Florida. Dewberry will provide concurrent project development and environment (PD&E) study and design services for the I-4 and U.S. 27 interchange project. …

Responding to residents’ requests for improvements to a main arterial road between Campbell and Claiborne counties, the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) is widening and reconfiguring State Route 63.

“It’s to make this roadway as safe and efficient as possible,” says Mark Nagi, Community Relations Officer for TDOT. “We …

Maintenance might not be your favorite thing to do, but this minor inconvenience can help you avoid major headaches in the future. Good maintenance practices not only keep the machine running at peak performance, but they also minimize downtime from repairs that come from ignoring key maintenance requirements. Here are …

WINNIPEG, MB — Evolution Wheel is a manufacturer of heavy-duty skid steer tires. The EWRS-HS series solid skid steer tire is the hard surface version of the EWRS-AT series all-terrain tire. The solid EWRS-HS skid steer tire is ideal for surfaces like concrete or asphalt.

Evolution Wheel spends a lot …

It doesn’t matter how much aggregate is produced in a day if it is contaminated or not sized correctly. Though screen media is a minor cost when compared to larger equipment in a quarry or mine, it is a crucial part of any operation’s profit machine. One unexpected break and …

The global upheaval of the last few years has undoubtedly rocked the construction industry – and stories of labor shortages driven by COVID-19 abound. Add to that an aging workforce further stressed by current conditions, combined with a lack of skilled replacements, and the current struggle makes sense.

But beneath …

Founded by brothers Timmy and Travis Marsh, Marsh Construction Services is successfully evolving to take advantage of a current surge in commercial construction opportunities in the Savannah, Georgia, area.

Approximately five years ago, the brothers rebranded their company as Marsh Construction Services. This rebrand followed several decades of doing …

The needs of the project owner have always defined the parameters of a construction job, but all signs are pointing to owners playing a bigger role in the use of technology on their projects in the future, especially as we begin to see federal funds put to work on transportation …

While America’s transportation infrastructure continues to be one of the country’s greatest historical accomplishments, as well as the lifeblood of the American economy, the system itself continues to have serious challenges during the last two decades.

This is mainly due to the rise in traffic congestion which has ensnarled hundreds …

Most people in the construction industry will say that on any given work site, there is always an amount of waste that could have been avoided. Whether it be poorly handled materials, re-work, weather damage, or working from out of date documents, there are plenty of ways that humans can …

The city of Huntsville has been growing. Under Mayor Tommy Battle, the city has pursued businesses to move into town – they have responded. When business picks up in a location, traffic does as well. This is why the city of Huntsville has been engaged in infrastructure projects, including Research …

The Florida Department of Transportation’s (FDOT) nearly $595 million Gateway Expressway project aims to reduce congestion and improve safety, in Pinellas County, with elevated toll lanes on State Road 690 and 686 and express lanes on Interstate 275.

“The Gateway area of Pinellas County is a highly developing area, …

As droughts and growing population affect water security around the globe, desalination becomes an increasingly important option. In communities searching for sustainable, long-term solutions, new technology can increase the efficiency of water treatment efforts.

Initially developed in the late 1950s, reverse osmosis (RO) desalination evolved into the leading desalination process. …

For 85 years, motorists have driven over the Ocoee River on the now aging U.S. 64 bridge, but later this year, a new $12.6 million signature bridge will replace the existing structure in Polk County, Tennessee.

The project “will improve the safety and operations of the facility, update the bridge …

Many of the most famous structures of ancient times were constructed from a material we often think of us as modern. The workers who built them needed a material that could be shaped into blocks and other forms more easily than carving from stone. Finally, someone concocted a mixture of …

As the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) constructs the $110 million State Road 158 extension to connect with the new U.S. 98 west of Mobile, Alabama, many factors make stormwater management critical, including the project’s history.

When ALDOT started work on the new alignment in 2007, stormwater runoff into wetlands …

A critical part of northeast Florida’s transportation network, the Interstate 10 and U.S. 301 interchange near Baldwin is receiving a $107 million major upgrade.

“The reconstruction project is designed to accommodate increased truck traffic making the northbound U.S. 301 to eastbound I-10 movement,” says Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Secretary …

The future is looking bright for the construction industry, with project pipelines full and the promise of infrastructure spending infusing the industry with confidence and optimism. But as we face another year of supply chain issues and crippling workforce shortages, it’s possible that our industry’s biggest challenge could be too …

You need to build a stable foundation for improvements to a pump station but you’re located in a 5-foot water table within proximity to a creek. How do you keep the foundation from rising? One Georgia county’s engineer chose to pin it down with rock anchors and UMA Geotechnical Construction …

To help meet their company’s goal of a zero carbon footprint by the year 2040, Hubbard Construction Company, headquartered in Winter Park, Florida, recently started using the first all-electric, process heating liquid asphalt distributor, manufactured by E.D. Etnyre & Co. in Oregon, Illinois.

“Etnyre’s Green Distributor can considerably reduce …

The $15.6 million reconstruction of the Interstate 26 interchange with Boone’s Creek Road (State Route 354) in Washington County, Tennessee, has improved vehicle flow, enhanced safety, and supported economic growth in the area.

“Traffic congestion in the area had been an issue, and bridge height has been a problem for …

Teamwork leads to success on a unique $60 million stadium upgrade in Orlando, Florida, aiming to enhance the fan experience at the city-owned Camping World Stadium while increasing revenue and economic benefit to the community.

“To stay competitive for bowl games and college football, there needs to be a certain …

Aiming to create a high-performing, energy-efficient global headquarters building, the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) renovated an Atlanta-metro, 1970s-era structure, which now serves as an exemplar and industry best practice.

“We hope others follow suit and renovate existing buildings,” says Ginger Scoggins, Chair of the …

Located one hour south of Montgomery, Luverne, Alabama, bills itself as the friendliest city in the south. The small town, which has a population of approximately 2,800 is located one hour north of the border between Alabama and Florida. At 103 miles in length, U.S. 331 runs the entire route …

Two more projects are under way on the First Coast Expressway – SR 23, a new 46-mile, multilane, limited-access toll road in northeast Florida. Three projects are complete and two more will be let in the coming years.

“The First Coast Expressway will support current and future economic growth in …

Located on the Georgia coast, Savannah draws millions of visitors each year. Besides, those who are drawn to the southern town for its hospitality, architecture, and history, the city is also home to a bustling port as it exported more loaded containers than any other port in the country from …

With the completion of the I-440 Reconstruction Project – the largest project in Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) history – additional vehicle capacity, less traffic congestion, and improved safety have been realized along one of middle Tennessee's busiest corridors. Interstate 440, which extends from Interstate 40 to Interstate 24 in …

“When you work on old buildings, every day there’s a surprise or something that doesn’t work like you thought it would,” said Glynn Dowdle, President and Principal of Dowdle Construction Group in Nashville, Tennessee.

However, when the building you work on sat abandoned for almost 15 years with gaping …

Benjamin Franklin advised Philadelphians, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Franklin was referring to fire prevention, yet this same wisdom can apply to many things in life, including construction. In fact, this reasoning is driving the I-20 capital maintenance project by the Georgia Department of Transportation …

Big changes are coming down the pike in Chattanooga, Tennessee, a splendidly scenic riverside community considered to be one of America’s most breathtaking cities. Flourishing growth over the years has resulted in congestion woes at the I-75/I-24 interchange. Currently, the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) is working to address operational …

I-95 around Jacksonville, Florida, experiences a lot of traffic. Consider that according to census data released earlier this year, Jacksonville is the 12th most populated city in the United States. Over the decade, the city had the 15th largest population growth in the country and is now home to over …

Brightline Trains, the first privately funded passenger rail system in the United States in more than a century, is building a $2.7 billion expansion from South to Central Florida, and in the Orlando area deployed an innovative box-jacking technique to reduce closure of a major road.

“We are looking …

Alabama’s Orange Beach is situated on the state’s Gulf Coast. With its miles of attractive beaches, quality restaurants, and opportunities for fishing, the town is a popular tourist destination. Getting to and from Orange Beach, however, can be a challenge. The Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) is engaged in the …

The Georgia interstates see a significant amount of traffic. That traffic comes in the form of tourists who are going to and from Florida as well as freight due to the port in Savannah. In addition, there’s the typical local traffic. In order to move these various types of traffic …

The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) is making headway on its Major Mobility Investment Program (MMIP), an ambitious initiative to reduce congestion and advance mobility in key regions of the state. This $11 billion bundle of megaprojects – made possible by the state’s Transportation Funding Act of 2015 – is …

To residents of Birmingham, Alabama, work on the downtown section of I-59/20 has been a major adjustment, to say the least. While it might not equal the shutdown of L.A.’s 405 in 2011, the gridlock after the 2007 collapse of the Mississippi River Bridge near downtown Minneapolis, or traffic headaches …

Aiming to improve traffic flow, alleviate congestion and enhance safety, the Alabama Department of Transportation is constructing the state’s first diverging diamond interchange at Interstate 10 and State Road 181 in Daphne.

“The interchange sits just south of a large shopping center and adjacent to many eateries, commercial developments, schools, …