Construction

Gas prices are rising at a record pace, and threatening record high. Imagine paying gas prices as high as $5 per gallon, and all your equipment traveling from one job site to another and paying those high gas prices. Iran and other Middle East conflicts are affecting adversely the operations of thousands of contractors throughout the nation.

However, new ideas are being discussed everywhere, starting with Hyundai Heavy Industries, a leading construction manufacturer, that might introduce soon 21- ton battery-operated excavators. Hyundai has heavy plans to complete and unveil these revolutionary excavators by 2016. By lowering gas consumption on your budget, you will not be so directly affected due to high gas prices, because there will be the alternative to buy battery operated equipment. The new excavators are also eco-friendly in that they use electric motors to achieve zero gas emissions. In 2010, the Company developed the world's first reel excavators, providing power using an attached electricity reel.

Meanwhile, researches in the University of California, are trying to find a smoother asphalt pavement that are quieted, providing a more fuel-efficient surface to drive on. Smoother pavements are more fuel-efficient, and asphalt pavements are far smoother than concrete pavements over their lifetimes. These new alternatives are targeted to reduce high gas prices impact to your company and will benefit all of us.

The Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956 funded construction of the Interstate Highway System. Federal and state governments set up gas taxes to pay for road maintenance. But that revenue has fallen as cars have become more fuel-efficient and some experts predict that the federal Highway Trust Fund will be bankrupt by 2014.

The U.S.Army Corps of Engineers has announced the new nationwide permits necessary for work in streams, wetlands, and water bodies under section 404 of the Clean Water Act and Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899. The permits replace existing ones, that are set to expire on March 18,2012. The new permits will be valid starting on March 19,2012. These new nationwide permits cover transportation projects, bank stabilization works, residential developments, commercial developments and other activities. Renewable energy facilities on both land and water may also continue to make full use of existing general permits to the full extent that they have previously done so. These new nationwide permits will be published in the Federal Register on or about February 21, 2012 and have been posted to the USACE Web site.

The George Washington Bridge will celebrate its 80 year with one of the most challenging improvement project ever. The George Washington project will cost between $460 and $480 million, that could create more than 2,000 jobs starting in 2013. The improvements will be aimed to improve bus ramps and repair bridge's lower level.

The George Washington project will focus on the 178^th and 179^th Street bus ramps, rehabilitation of the Center Avenue and Lemoine Avenue Bridge and repairs to George Washington lower level. These rehabilitation projects in addition to the replacement of George Washington cables will enhance bridge safety. The cable will be cleaned by scraping off their zinc-paste wrapping and adding a type of dehumidifier to the main cables. Then they will replace the suspender ropes, which are spaced every 60 feet.

Whitney Houston has been remembered in one of the hottest construction districts in the world: Dubai. The choreographed world-famous Dubai Fountain presented a special number remembering Whitney Houston hit, 'I Will Always Love You'. The water show took place outside Dubai Mall, on the 30-acre manmade Burj Khalifa Lake.

The Dubai Fountain is the world's largest fountain system, designed by WET Design, company also responsible for the Bellagio Hotel fountains. These fountains are illuminated by more than 6,000 lights shooting water 490 feet into the air. The Dubai Fountain can spray 22,000 gallons of water in the air at any moment. The Dubai Fountains project water in the air in many different combinations and patterns. The beam of light from the fountain can be seen from over 20 miles away. The Fountain system is composed of high-pressure water jets and shooters, water robots and super shooters. These super shooters are normally used at the end of the show because it takes a lot of time to build up required pressure to shoot the water 420 feet in the air.

A new bill might define the future of construction projects throughout our nation. The American Energy & Infrastructure Jobs Act (H.R. 7) plans to reauthorize and create new trends to reform transportation programs for five years. The bill is addressed to improve US infrastructure, facilitate new renewable projects and create thousands of jobs for all construction professionals. The American Energy & Infrastructure Jobs Act is the largest transportation reform bill since the creation of the Interstate Highway System in 1956,

The American Energy & Infrastructure Jobs Act plans to cut the bureaucracy in project approval process, increasing states flexibility on decisions and encourages private companies to participate in the rebuilding process.

In summary, the transportation reauthorization and reform provisions:

• Authorize approximately $260 billion over five years to fund federal highway, transit and safety programs, consistent with current funding levels
• Provide long-term stability for states to undertake major infrastructure projects
• Contain no earmarks, compared to the previous transportation law which contained over 6,300 earmarks
• Consolidate or eliminate nearly 70 federal programs
• Eliminate mandates that states spend highway funding on non-highway activities
• Allow states to set their own transportation priorities
• Delegate more project approval authority to states
• Condense deadlines for federal agency project approvals
• Accelerate the approval process for projects in an existing right-of-way
• Encourage states to partner with the private sector to finance and build projects
• Streamline the project delivery process and reduces regulatory burdens for rail projects
• Call for the funds collected for the improvement of the nation's harbors to be invested for that purpose
• Ensure the safe, efficient transportation of hazardous materials in a manner that does not impose unnecessary burdens on the flow of commerce

AEG has just released plans for a new convention center in downtown L.A. The international group, who owns, sports and entertainment venues around the world, plans to build a new NFL football stadium where the existing one stands. AEG owns the nearby Staples Center, Home to the Grammys, and Home to Los Angeles Lakers. The 2012 Grammys will be held this Sunday February 12, at 8 p.m. from the Staples Center, located next to the L.A. Convention Center.

L.A. Live is an entertainment complex in Downtown Los Angeles, adjacent to the Staples Center that features important buildings such as Nokia Plaza, Nokia Theatre and the Grammy Museum.

The Los Angeles Convention Center was remodeled in 1993, and some experts say that the structure is not sufficient enough to fulfill new architectural and spacing requirements. AEG plans to knock down part of the existing Convention Center and build a new one. The construction projects will be funded by issuing more than $250 million in bonds.

The design has been prepared by Populous and would stretch from the stadium to the existing hall. The design will incorporate reminiscence of L.A.'s film history and the Los Angeles Airport. The proposed 68,000-seat football stadium will then try to attract Super bowl, final Four, Soccer World Cup Events and Olympics Games.

The District of Columbia is adopting the newest version of the International Energy Conservation Code, aimed to reduce energy consumption costs for D.C. homeowners. The 2012 IECC improves energy efficiency by 30% in standard homes and commercial building. Nearly all states operate under a version of the IECC, which is the only model residential energy code referenced in federal statutes.

The 2012 IECC address the following items on residential markets:

• Heating and cooling losses are reduced because it improves methods being used to seal the structures.
• Improves efficiency on windows and skylights.
• Increase insulation in ceilings, walls and foundations;
• Reduce wasted energy from leaky heating and cooling ducts;
• Improve hot-water distribution systems to reduce wasted energy and water in piping; and
• Boost indoor and outdoor lighting efficiency.

The 2012 IECC for commercial buildings enforces:

• Improved insulation and windows
• Increased used of economizers
• Increase air barrier protection and daylight controls

The Super Bowl XLVI temporary structures are being strictly inspected by the Indianapolis Code Enforcement Department. Last summer Indiana suffered the loss of seven people when a state fair stage collapsed during high winds. Now, during the construction of the Super Bowl Village code enforcement officials are looking over beam supports, connectors and tethering.

In addition Super Bowl 2012 structures are also being examined by Inspectors with the Indiana Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Inspectors are keeping a close eye on construction crews and the machinery using to build the Super Bowl village.

The following is a list of several of the items that are being targeted by inspectors to ensure building and fire code compliance for Super Bowl 2012 temporary structures:

• Means of egress facilities
• Combustible materials
• Anchoring methods including materials and equipment and structural stability
• Temporary structure labels
• Access location and parking
• Seating capacity and arrangement
• Location of equipment for heating and electrical services
• Aisle width
• No smoking signs
• Storage, handling, and location of LP-Gas
• Generator information/separation
• Flame propagation performance certificate

The State of the Union should be focused on providing solutions and helping the construction industry with true and realistic ideas. President Obama might be focusing on:

1. Present fresh ideas that could really help the foreclosure market
2. Implement a payroll tax cut package
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3. Improve the country's energy independence providing tax credits on renewable energy projects.
4. The manufacturing area should receive a boost for the creation of new jobs.
5. Establish a true plan to integrate high-speed rail in metro areas.
6. Present a multi-billion plan to improve decaying US infrastructure like other fast-growing economies are establishing.
7. Reduce permitting bureaucracy and establish consistent regulations for all construction projects.
8. Sponsor Public Private Partnership to improve airports, power grids, transportation and water distribution systems all across America.
9. Welcome new financing and business alternatives to ensure sustainable, safe and effective infrastructure performance for future generations.