The Aggregates Industry is at a Transition Point as 2025 Begins. So Where Will We Go From Here? By Mark S. Kuhar and Josephine Patterson As we head into 2025, we do so with encouragement, but also uncertainty. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) – which made the single largest dedicated investment in American transportation infrastructure since the construction…
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Missouri Limestone Producers Association Rebrands to ‘Infra’
The Missouri Limestone Producers Association (MLPA), a cornerstone of the state’s infrastructure industry, has rebranded the association to “Infra.” This new identity reflects the association’s expanded vision, uniting its dedication to the state’s infrastructure with a focus on growth, sustainability and innovation. The new name and brand represent a strategic shift to include and celebrate all facets of infrastructure development.…
Read MoreGreat Lakes Limestone Trade Up 9.4% in September
Shipments of limestone on the Great Lakes totaled 3.8 million tons in September, an increase of 9.4% compared to a year ago. Limestone cargos were also above the month’s five-year average by 4.5%. Loadings from U.S. quarries totaled 3.1 million tons, an increase of 10.6% from 2023. Shipments from Canadian quarries totaled 678,580 tons, an increase of 4.2%. Year-to-date the…
Read MoreCalifornia Building
Oct. 23, 2024 – The California Construction and Industrial Materials Association reported that the California Transportation Commission (CTC) allocated nearly $4 billion to improve California’s transportation infrastructure. These projects include improving and enhancing safety in coastal rail lines, bridges, highways and more. Some of the projects include “improvements for locations along the coastal LOSSAN (Los Angeles-San Diego-San Luis Obispo) rail corridor, four…
Read MoreSingle-Family Starts Trend Higher in September
With the Federal Reserve beginning an easing of monetary policy and builder sentiment improving, single-family starts posted a modest gain in September while multifamily construction continued to weaken because of tight financing and an ongoing rise in completed apartments. Overall housing starts decreased 0.5% in September to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.35 million units, according to a report…
Read MoreThe Pulse – October 2024
TRIP: 13% of Pennsylvania Bridges are in Poor Condition
Thirteen percent of Pennsylvania bridges are rated in poor condition, the sixth highest share in the nation. According to a new report released by TRIP, a Washington, D.C.-based national transportation research nonprofit, each day more than 10 million vehicles drive over Pennsylvania bridges in poor condition. This includes bridges 20 ft. or longer. A bridge is rated in poor condition…
Read MoreVulcan Materials Dispels False Accusations by Mexican Government
In 2022, the Mexican government ordered a halt to limestone quarrying at Vulcan Materials’ mining unit in Quintana Roo, alleging environmental damages. Vulcan Materials said it rejects the “illegal expropriation” of its investments in Mexico but remains open to a negotiated solution with the Mexican government. Mexican President Lopez Obrador said last week that the site had not been expropriated,…
Read MoreNew Economic Impact Study Highlights Critical Role of Commercial Explosives
The Institute of Makers of Explosives (IME) released its first-ever economic impact study highlighting the importance of the commercial explosives industry at the national, state and congressional district levels. The study, based on 2023 data, revealed that the commercial explosives industry creates more than 60,000 jobs and contributes more than $19 billion each year to the U.S. economy. Considered the…
Read MoreInfrastructure Decade
May 15, 2024 – When President Biden signed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in November 2021, he committed to delivering once-in-a-generation investments to rebuild America’s infrastructure and competitiveness. Today, projects across the country are in progress to rebuild our roads and bridges, deliver clean and safe water, tackle legacy pollution, expand access to high-speed internet, and build a clean energy economy for all Americans. The Biden administration…
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