According to the latest data from the Federal Highway Administration’s National Bridge Inventory (December 2012), a total of 25 percent of the nation’s bridges (20 ft. or longer) are either structurally deficient or functionally obsolete. Eleven percent of America’s bridges are structurally deficient, meaning there is significant deterioration of the bridge deck, supports or other major components.
Read MoreMonth: June 2013
Nonfuel Minerals Mining Stays Level
June 25, 2013 – According to USGS, total domestic mining and waste removal for nonfuel mineral materials production amounted to 5.04 billion metric tons (gt) in 2011, about the same level as the revised figure for 2010. These materials included about 3.75 gt of crude ore mined or quarried and 1.29 gt of mine ore and waste from development operations.…
Read MoreCement Production up in First Quarter
June 18, 2013 – It’s a case of down, but up. Total shipments of portland and blended cement in the United States and Puerto Rico for March 2013 were about 5.8 million metric tons (Mt), according to USGS. This was nearly 3 percent less than shipments in March 2012.
Read MoreFHWA Provides Disaster Funds
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation is providing $11.5 million in emergency relief funds from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to help six states cover the costs of repairing roads and bridges damaged by a variety of natural disasters in the last year.
Read MoreAtlas Copco Opens Configuration Center in Ohio
Representatives from Atlas Copco Construction Equipment gathered for a ribbon cutting at its new configuration center in Independence, Ohio. The first of its kind, 150-ft.-long facility, was built across from the current Atlas Copco service center. Staff in the 9,000-sq.-ft. configuration center will assemble hydraulic attachments and WEDA submersible pumps. The existing service center will continue to refurbish and provide…
Read MoreAtlanta Environmental Law Firms Combine
Two of Atlanta’s leading environmental law firms are joining forces to form Kazmarek Mowrey Cloud Laseter LLP (KMCL). With operations beginning June 1, Atlanta-based KMCL combines the practices of Kazmarek Geiger & Laseter (KGL) and Mowrey Meezan Coddington Cloud (M2C2). KMCL also has a Washington, D.C. office.
Read MoreBuilder Confidence Hits Major Milestone
Builder confidence in the market for newly-built single-family homes hit a significant milestone in June, surging eight points to a reading of 52 on the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI). Any reading over 50 indicates that more builders view sales conditions as good than poor.
Read MoreAEM Warns About Static Electricity, Diesel
“ULSD…Not Your Same Old Diesel Fuel Anymore” is a new best practices guidance bulletin from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM); the bulletin warns of the greater static electricity ignition hazards associated with use of Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD).
Read MoreThis Week’s Market Buzz
According to the Houston County News, The Winona County, Minn., Board of Commissioners voted 3-2 to approve the first frac sand mine in the county. The 20-acre Nisbit mine site in Saratoga Township has been the subject of multiple public hearings dating back to October 2011.
Read MoreFrac Sand Show a Success
On June 5-7, Rock Products and the Frac Sand Insider hosted the inaugural Frac Sand Insider 2013 Conference and Exhibition at The Westin Convention Center in Pittsburgh. More than 200 manufacturers, producers, consultants and others with an interest in the fast-evolving frac sand market attended the event.
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