While the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) was tunneling at the confluence of the James River and the Chesapeake Bay for the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel (HRBT) Expansion Project, they came across something quite extraordinary.

“Somehow, somebody on our slurry treatment plant stopped and said, ‘Hang on a second. We need …

The largest infrastructure project in Virginia’s history is gearing up for its next milestone — boring its second tunnel underneath Chesapeake Bay, one of the nation’s most important maritime channels.

“The target is to get the tunnel boring machine (TBM) back underway this fall. We’ll bore another 7,900 feet back …

Wrapping around the eastern border of Washington, D.C., Prince George’s County, Maryland, has nearly 1 million residents and is a sprawling mix of urban, suburban, and rural locales. Minutes from the hustle of the U.S. capital, the county contains 26,000 acres of parkland with more than 165 miles of trails, …

On the campus of North Carolina’s High Point University (HPU), D.S. Duggins Welding, Inc., of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, faced the usual challenges of a tight job site and even tighter delivery schedule as they erected 1,150 tons of steel under a $1.3 million contract.

But the project’s real conundrum …

In the heart of the Pigeon River Gorge, nestled between the Great Smoky Mountains and the Cherokee National Forest, Kiewit and the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) are in the middle of a bridge replacement project. Drivers can traverse the Pigeon River Gorge on Interstate 40 (I-40), a major …

From South Carolina to Maryland, the construction sector continues to benefit from an unexpected surge in job creation, outpacing the general economic expansion. At the same time, the broader picture reveals a labor market stretched uncomfortably thin.

Over the past year, employment growth in the construction industry (up 2.1 percent) …

Despite the success some concrete contractors have had specializing in a particular practice or area of expertise, versatility across the concrete spectrum wins the day almost every time. Being able to provide a broad range of concrete services allows a contractor greater success, both in initially winning the bid and …

The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) will hit the road this summer and fall for a new initiative designed to tell the story of the U.S. equipment manufacturing industry and celebrate the men and women who help build, power, and feed the world.

Stops include a tour of production facilities, …

The most popular places in the United States to live and work typically share a common element: gridlock. As Raleigh, North Carolina, has surged in popularity as a place people call home, its interstates have increasingly become problematic with unavoidable traffic congestion.

Almost 15 years ago, the North Carolina Department …

The nationwide Engineering and Public Works Roadshow recently stopped at the DC Infrastructure Academy (DCIA). The event highlighted Washington’s efforts to grow the infrastructure workforce, led by Mayor Muriel Bowser.

The roadshow is a joint project from the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC), the American Public Works Association (APWA), …

In Salem, Virginia, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is in the middle of the first project to widen Interstate 81, an over 850-mile interstate running from the Canadian border in Jefferson County, New York, to Dandridge in Northern Tennessee. The north-south interstate runs the entire length of Virginia and …

Raleigh, North Carolina, and its surrounding suburbs have been experiencing significant population growth for years. Interstate 540 and Toll N.C. 540 encircle approximately two-thirds of the city. Demand to complete this circle has been persistent over the years, leading to the initiation of the Complete 540 Project.

The Complete 540 …

With Amtrak’s next generation of high-speed rail, train velocity in America is leaping forward. Skanska is in the middle of a project in Baltimore Penn Station to make the facility more able to accommodate this new era of high-speed rail travel.

Running between Boston and Washington D.C., Amtrak’s Acela high-speed …

The new Dynapac CC2200 VI Asphalt Roller with SEISMIC technology recently completed a rigorous set of tests throughout Europe and the United States, including a major highway project for Superior Paving Corp. of Gainesville, Virginia.

Michael Washington, a roller operator at Superior Paving, highlighted the roller’s impact on the …

The Virginia Department of Transportation’s (VDOT) Hampton Roads Express Lanes (HREL) network project aims to improve safety and provide more reliable travel in the region. Construction of Segment 4C, the $313.9 million design-build Hampton Segment, has begun and involves a significant amount of work.

“This project is addressing a …

In an effort to alleviate traffic congestion and improve connectivity, the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) is progressing on the back half of the I-85 Widening Project, which extends across 29 miles of Interstate 85 from the North Carolina border to Spartanburg County in northwest South Carolina.

Construction began …

A much-anticipated Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) road project is now complete and has been formally dedicated to two of its strongest champions. The $47 million MD 97 (Georgia Avenue) Relocation Construction Project is poised to reduce continually increasing traffic volumes and congestion along the old …

The Corridor Q highway, currently designated as U.S. Route 460, runs through Kentucky, Virginia, and West Virginia and is part of the National Highway System. It’s also part of the Appalachian Development Highway System (ADHS), which is the centerpiece of the Appalachian Regional Commission’s effort to foster economic and social …

Aiming to address needed maintenance on 10 bridges within the Interstate 95 and Interstate 695 interchange south of Baltimore, the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) State Highway Administration (SHA) embarked on a $39.8 million rehabilitation project.

“The main project goals are to improve the rideability of the bridge decks, update …

The United States interstate system is, among other things, an economic driver. To efficiently facilitate the movement of goods, the interstate system needs to keep up with changing needs. The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) Rockingham Bypass project focuses on two economically impactful corridors in the state and region. …

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 …

One of the key east-west roadways through bustling Northern Virginia is Route 7. The route passes through Fairfax County, which borders Maryland and is close to Washington, D.C. Much, but not all, of Route 7 in the area is six lanes. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is nearing completion …

Four state department of transportation (DOT) projects in North Carolina and Virginia 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 …

Major bridges in Maryland are inspected every two years by the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA). The focus on system preservation has enabled the state to have one of the lowest number of poorly related bridges in the nation. Recently, the northbound U.S. 301 bridge over …

Significant progress has taken place toward the completion of the $421 million Midlands Connection project on Interstate 26 in South Carolina, with multiple bridges and one new interchange open to traffic.

“Getting the bridges open was a big deal to the public,” says Ginny Jones, Spokesperson for the South …

The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) announces its 2023 Award of Excellence winners, honoring more than 100 projects in sustainable vertical urbanism from around the world. The awards recognize achievements in over 20 categories and subcategories, including Best Tall Building; Best Tall Non-Building; Innovation; Urban Habitat; Repositioning; …

Aiming to improve capacity on Interstate 64 between Nitro and St. Albans, the West Virginia Department of Transportation also expects the $240 million, multiyear project will enhance safety and support economic growth in the region.

“It’s a big project with a lot going on and a lot of coordination,” says …

The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) recently revealed plans to allocate nearly $300 million for nine small- and medium-sized bridge projects in both urban and rural areas. The grants, awarded in eight states and the District of Columbia, are part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law's Bridge …

The population of Raleigh, North Carolina has been growing steadily with the metro area at nearly 1.6 million. Interstate 440, known locally as the Beltline, nearly encircles the center of Raleigh. Just like when a person’s midsection grows, their belt needs to be taken to the next notch over, so …

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 …

The area in and around Washington, D.C., is famous for its congestion, including along I-95, the primary north-south economic corridor. There are no reasonable alternatives for users to avoid the severe traffic conditions. Contributing to a solution that provides travelers reliability and choice are the 95 Express Lanes, currently being …

The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) is currently at work on a project in Washington County, which borders Pennsylvania. The project is part of an initiative by former Governor Larry Hogan to address poorly rated structures across Maryland. Nearly 70 bridges across the state are getting upgraded due to the …

The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) is currently at work on a project in Washington County, which borders Pennsylvania. The project is part of an initiative by former Governor Larry Hogan to address poorly rated structures across Maryland. Nearly 70 bridges across the state are getting upgraded due to the …

The United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) has awarded nearly $1.2 billion to nine projects across the country through the National Infrastructure Project Assistance (Mega) discretionary grant program, made possible by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The Mega grant program funds projects that are too large or complex for …

The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) is in the middle of a massive project known as the Carolina Crossroads. Located northwest of the state capital, Columbia, the project focuses on an area that has been a sore spot for years. When complete it will make commuting around the capital …

Infrastructure needs to expand to keep up with a growing population. The need drives many infrastructure projects, including one in North Carolina. By undertaking the Nashville-Rocky Mount projects, the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) is readying the area for the expected population growth.

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and the I-66 Express Mobility Partners consortium is nearing the completion of a massive project in Northern Virginia. The years-long ‘Transform 66 Outside the Beltway Project’ is sure to have a significant impact on travelers in the area.

Through a partnership between the Branch Group and the Girl Scouts of Virginia Skyline, girls between the ages of 5 and 18 recently had the opportunity to learn and experience real-life construction concepts at the first inaugural G.I.R.L (Girls in Real Life) Construction Experience. The free event was hosted at …

Interstate 70, a major east-west highway, runs from Maryland to Utah. It goes through or near multiple major cities, including Wheeling, West Virginia. The city is in the northern part of the state that separates Ohio and Pennsylvania. The West Virginia Department of Transportation (WVDOT) is in the middle of …

Four state department of transportation projects in Virginia, West Virginia, and South Carolina won regional awards 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 …

Growing traffic along aging infrastructure is a common occurrence and the genesis of many construction projects. The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) is working on the I-40/77 Interchange due to increases in traffic.

Interstates I-40 and I-77 intersect in Statesville, which is west-central North Carolina. A critical component of …

Construction is set to begin in early October for Section B of the Interstate 95 widening, a project that was recently awarded to Webber LLC of The Woodlands, Texas. The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) awarded the contract, which will widen the interstate from its present four lanes to …

When thinking about infrastructure, most people envision roads, bridges, and tunnels that enable traffic to flow. Infrastructure, however, is also for the benefit of pedestrians. A Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) project – the MD 273 (Telegraph Road) Bridge over Big Elk Creek – will help …

After a three-year delay, construction for the final segment of the long-awaited Fayetteville Outer Loop will begin this month following the recent awarding of the $151.8-million contract. The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) awarded the contract to Branch Civil Inc. of Roanoke, Virginia.

The five-mile segment will be constructed …

The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) is in the middle of the I-77 Panther Interchange Design-Build Project. Located in York County, the Northeastern part of the state, near the border of North Carolina, the project offers both transportation and economic benefits.

I-77, a north-south highway, runs from the center …

When faced with completing a warehouse-to-laboratory project in six months, during a pandemic, Brasfield & Gorrie rose to the challenge and finished construction 13 days early for GRAIL Laboratory and Research Facility project in North Carolina’s Research Triangle Park in Durham.

“The schedule was the most challenging part of the …

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 …

One of West Virginia’s largest highway systems, Corridor H, will offer an easier way for people and goods to reach Washington, DC, and other destinations.

“The project will open up traffic from the central part of our state to the eastern part,” says Tommy Collins, Project Manager with the …

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 …

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 …

Conducted properly, any business can be a positive, evolving, continually learning experience. Resisting the call for improvement can often lead to failure; heeding it can help ensure success and growth. No one knows that better than Jerry Bowman who, after more than three decades in business – and sensing impending …

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. …

The state of Virginia is in the middle of multiple projects along I-95. The projects are part of the Improve 95 Program and in the vicinity of Fredericksburg, an hour south of Washington, D.C. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is currently focusing on several projects in the Fredericksburg area …

Frederick, Maryland is located north of Washington, DC, and is about a one-hour drive from the capital. The city is a bedroom community for DC and like others in that category, it has experienced strong growth. To keep traffic in the area flowing smoothly, the Maryland Department of Transportation’s …

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 …

The new $135 million Charlotte Gateway Station will bring intermodal transportation center to the North Carolina city’s Uptown area.

“The project is undertaken as transformational to move the inter-city passenger rail station to Uptown Charlotte,” says Matthew Simmons, Deputy Director of the Rail Division at the North Carolina Department …

Completing an infrastructure project involves coordinating multiple moving parts. For the Nitro-St. Albans I-64 Improvement project, which is taking place just outside of Charleston, West Virginia, the team has an excessive number of entities to coordinate. The West Virginia Department of Transportation (WVDOT) and the team assembled for the five-phase …

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 …

Located in Northern Virginia and part of the suburban ring of Washington DC, Fairfax County has experienced dynamic growth. The county, which is the economic powerhouse of the state, has seen an expansion of buildings and businesses. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is in the midst of a project …

The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration’s (MDOT SHA) Innovative Congestion Management (ICM) project to relieve bottlenecks on Interstate 270 from Frederick to Interstate 495, the Washington, D.C., Beltway, combines roadway improvements with real-time ramp metering to improve traffic flow along the corridor.

“We’re coming down to the …

Owned and operated by Mick El-Massri, Lakeside Builders, LLC has grown with the city since its inception more than 25 years ago. As Charlotte evolved, so did Lakeside Builders. While the company originally did everything from start to finish – from site development to construction and property sales – …

Aiming to increase capacity and improve safety on Interstate 26 between Little Mountain and Irmo, the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) has embarked on the $421 million Midlands Connection project.

“The interesting thing for the SCDOT is that this is the third largest contract that we have ever had,” …

Technical Foundations has been providing specialty foundation contracting services along the Eastern Seaboard for 27 years, with a heavy focus on Virginia and the Carolinas. The contractor’s reputation for taking on unique projects is evident in its selection of equipment, the most recent of which was the rental of a …

To ease a daily commuter backup averaging six miles – and even greater congestion during the peak summer season – the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) undertook the largest highway construction project in the history of the Commonwealth. The $3.3 billion Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel (HRBT) Expansion project between Norfolk and …

Three replacement bridges on the heavily traveled Capital Beltway in Prince George’s County in Maryland are under construction and expected to open by the end of the year.

“These bridge projects will help provide a safe, reliable and efficient transportation network for all who live in and travel through Prince …

The new $137 million Fitts-Woolard Hall at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, built by Skanska USA Building, brings the majority of engineering students and faculty to the college’s Centennial Campus.

“Future engineering students are going to have this amazing resource,” says V. Cameron Smith, Senior Director of Capital …

At just over 14 miles long, West Virginia's segment of Interstate 70 is the shortest among all the states the highway crosses on its route from Utah to Maryland. Even so, the portion of I-70, which crosses the northern panhandle of West Virginia through Ohio County and the city of …

When the economy is going through a downturn, politicians often look to infrastructure projects to stimulate it. The goal is to get people working and money flowing through the system – while striving to improve the country’s poorly rated infrastructure. Beyond the near immediate economic impact infrastructure has, there are …

A massive road widening project is taking place in South Carolina. The I-85 widening project stretches 29 miles from Spartanburg County in northwest South Carolina to the North Carolina border.

The heavily trafficked interstate, which runs from Virginia to Alabama, is particularly congested in the area where the widening is …

In August 2018, construction commenced on a $2.9 million project on MD 3 (Crain Highway), along a half-mile stretch between Forest Drive and Sylvan Drive in Bowie, Maryland’s fifth-largest city. Ardent Construction, LLC out of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, is the prime contractor on what is officially known as the MD 3 …

Keep the traffic moving. That’s the goal that the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has for the Macy Grove Road Improvements project. The project is taking place in and around the town of Kernersville (population of approximately 25,000), which is in the north central part of the state and …

Aiming to improve safety and enhance reliability, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has launched the 325-mile-long Interstate 81 Corridor Improvement Program.

“A sustainable investment of this magnitude along the Interstate 81 Corridor ensures that we can enhance the quality of life for Virginians, meet increasing freight demands, and increase …

The Blue Ridge Mountains, which are part of the Appalachian Trail, extend over 600 miles. They run north to Pennsylvania and south to Georgia. Near the mountains is Asheville, North Carolina, and I-26. The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) is widening the highly traveled interstate to free up congestion …

Some pieces of infrastructure have been around for so long that they are more than a way to enable traffic to flow: they are part of history. However, sometimes current needs take precedence over nostalgia and the modern infrastructure benefits all parties. The Harbor River Bridge project in South Carolina …

Any self-respecting Marylander will tell you that the Chesapeake Bay is far more than just a food source for the state’s world-famous crab cakes. It is something of a focal point for the area’s eco-structure. Ensure the viability of the Bay and its watershed, it is widely believed, and the …

There has been quick expansion in and around the city of Raleigh, North Carolina, and planners expect the pace to continue. Such growth leads to greater usage of roadways ultimately requiring an increase in capacity. This growth led to the beginning of the Complete 540 project.

Also known as the …

Replacing the SC 277 northbound bridge over Interstate 77 in Richland County has required teamwork and careful preparation.

“It’s a unique bridge,” says John Burns, at the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT). “This bridge has a technical aspect to it, because it is on a large radius and …