
Ryan Companies Nears Completion on New Federal Courthouse in Des Moines
A new $140 million federal courthouse nears completion in Des Moines, Iowa, replacing an aging building and a leased courthouse annex. The new building will address space constraints and security challenges.
“Many factors went into moving forward with building the new Des Moines U.S. Courthouse,” says Matthew Meeks, Lead …

Clark, Weitz, Clarkson Joint Venture Improves Traveler Experience with Kansas City International Airport Upgrades
Aiming to improve the air passenger experience at the Kansas City International Airport in Missouri, the Kansas City Aviation Department has embarked on a $1.5 billion terminal construction project to replace the existing facilities.
“It will give us more space in the right areas,” says Jade Liska, Deputy Director of …

Capital Paving & Construction Gives Deteriorating Road New Life
Missouri drivers in Boone and Callaway counties on U.S. Route 63 are experiencing a smoother ride as the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) project to resurface the route and make pavement repairs to bridges concludes.
“A substantial part of the project involved milling off 1.75 inches of the existing asphalt …

Reconfiguring Wichita’s North Junction Advances
Work progresses on the Kansas Department of Transportation’s $38 million second phase of the Wichita North Junction project to improve traffic flow at a bottleneck interchange of four highways that serves as a gateway to the north side of the city. Interstate 135, Interstate 235 and K-254 were constructed …

Council Bluffs Interstate System Improvement Program Moves Forward in Iowa
The $1.5 billion Council Bluffs Interstate System Improvement Program will modernize the transportation system while enhancing safety and mobility in the area.
“The Iowa Department of Transportation is more than two-thirds of the way through the process of reconstructing Interstate 80, Interstate 29, and Interstate 480 in the Council Bluffs/Omaha …

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CSTK JCB |

Customized Materials, Soft Soils, and Stringent Permitting Requirements Complicate Omaha Riverfront Revitalization
The $325 million Riverfront Revitalization project in Omaha, Nebraska, is transforming three under-utilized parks along the Missouri River into an active destination space that will improve connectivity and navigation of the city’s core.
Achieving that, however, requires coordination of a multitude of elements on a complicated site.
“Spanning 72 acres …

Missouri DOT FARM Program to Reconstruct 31 Rural Bridges
Faced with numerous bridges in need of replacement, the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) launched the Fixing Access to Rural Missouri (FARM) Bridge Program and nearly one-fifth of the small bridges have been completed.
“Geographically, this is a huge job,” says Jeff Gander, FARM Project Director for the MoDOT, …

Two Projects in Iowa Win Regional America’s Transportation Awards
Two Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT) projects 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 difference in their community, with …
Morrissey Engineering Earns Quadruple LEED Platinum Certification, Becomes One of Only Eight Across the Nation
The headquarters of Morrissey Engineering, the 4940 Building, has become one of only eight buildings across the nation to earn quadruple LEED Platinum certification. With its latest recertification, the 4940 Building became the first and only to certify at the Platinum level four times, not just in Nebraska, but …
McCarthy Building Companies Expands Tomahawk Creek Wastewater Treatment Facility
A $334 million expansion and reconstruction of the Tomahawk Creek Wastewater Treatment Facility in Johnson County, Kansas, by McCarthy Building Companies can treat up to 172 million gallons per day during wet weather flows. The project represents the largest infrastructure job the county has ever undertaken.
“It was neat to …

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Berry Tractor |
RoadBuilders Machinery Supply |
The Power of Partnerships
Infrastructure is more than just asphalt, concrete, or steel. It’s the backbone of American life and continuing prosperity.
Roads and bridges connect us, dams and wastewater treatment plants protect us, and underground utilities serve our daily needs — all with little to no fanfare. Yet, Doug King understands infrastructure’s importance. …
Bob Bergkamp Construction Co. Creates New Alignment for Highway K-14
More than six decades ago, U.S. Navy World War II veteran Bob Bergkamp purchased a used Caterpillar D7 Dozer from Foley Equipment of Wichita, Kansas, and formed Bob Bergkamp Construction Co., working primarily on soil conservation projects. He set off to become the best civil contractor in the area. …

Project Owners Drive Tech Adoption
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 …
Poor Project Data and Miscommunication Responsible for 52 Percent of All Rework
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 …

Changing the Game with the EWRS-HS Hard Surface Skid Steer Tire
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 …

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Kirby Smith Machinery |

Buck O’Neil Memorial Bridge Replacement Under Way in Kansas City
Construction is under way and proceeding smoothly on the replacements for the John Jordan “Buck” O’Neil Memorial Bridge in Kansas City, Missouri.
“While safe, the bridge is nearing the end of its projected lifespan,” says Melissa Black, Communications Manager with the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT).
The existing dual-span, …

Is Poor PR Driving Construction's Labor Shortage?
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 …

How the US Will Deploy Intelligent Transit Networks That Enable Connected Vehicles
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 …

Five Tips for Mini Excavator Maintenance
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 …

Managing Screen Media Selection, Installation and Maintenance
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 …

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Laser Specialist inc |

Synergy Contracting Helps City of Mitchellville Expand Its Infrastructure
Synergy Contracting recently completed a new collection system and lift station replacement for the City of Mitchellville, Iowa, as the rural community continues to expand.
Mitchellville is 20 miles northeast of Des Moines and home to approximately 2,500 residents. As the Greater Des Moines community continues to grow, smaller communities …

Pulse Flow Reverse Osmosis Offers Higher Water Recovery and Lower Brine Reject
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. …

Hawkins Construction Company Partners with Nebraska DOT to Convert US 75 Into Four-Lane Expressway
After three decades of planning, a project now underway in Nebraska will significantly upgrade an important traffic corridor between Omaha and Nebraska City. The Nebraska Department of Transportation's Murray-Plattsmouth Project will reconstruct approximately 6.83 miles of U.S.34/U.S. 75 located in Cass County, widening the existing U.S. 75 into a …

Route 60/Glenstone Avenue Interchange Reconstruction Will Create Better Access Through Springfield
Located in southwestern Missouri, Springfield has a population of nearly 170,000. The city, which is known for its big city attractions, draws people from the smaller towns in the area. The James River Freeway, or US Route 60, is located southwest of the city and is the main thoroughfare into …
Safer Practices for Working Around Concrete
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 …

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Kirby Smith Machinery |

InRoads Creates Better Connectivity in Des Moines with Fleur Drive Reconstruction
A major thoroughfare in Des Moines, Iowa, connecting downtown with the airport, received a rapid upgrade, with the reconstruction of southbound Fleur Drive in one construction season, with the successful project attributed to collaboration among InRoads, its subcontractors, and the city.
“InRoads put together a good team, and we …

Automated, Connected, and Intelligent
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 …

Heavy Cranes on Barges and Specially Fabricated Tools Construct 164-Foot-Tall Arches for I-74 Mississippi River Bridge Project in Iowa and Illinois
Building twin bridges across the Mississippi River with 164-foot-tall, iconic arches required plenty of heavy lifting, innovation, and adaptation to deal with record flooding and construction challenges.
The $1 billion Interstate 74 Mississippi River Bridge project in the Quad Cities of Iowa and Illinois also reconstructed approach roads and ramps …

Earth Services & Abatement and Iowa Demolition Decontaminates and Demos Superfund Site in Des Moines
An Iowa abatement and demolition firm is tackling the cleanup of a Superfund site south of Des Moines, making way for a new soccer stadium, hotels, and an entertainment district, which will revitalize a neglected area south of downtown.
“The Dico site is an area that was assumed to be …

Rognes Corp. Reconstructs a Section of Des Moines Sewer System for Increased Community and Water Safety
Faced with problems with its storm and sewer systems the city of Des Moines, Iowa, designed a project to reconstruct its sewer infrastructure in the River Bend and King Irving area. Rognes Corp. was the successful low bidder.
“It’s a project to revise the storm sewer outlet,” says Warren Rognes …

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Star Equipment LTD |

Missouri DOT Improves Safety on Route 171 in Jasper County
Route 171 is one of the main routes that runs through Jasper County, which is located in southwest Missouri. This is the site of a current project, known as the Route 171 intersection safety improvements, by the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT).
Dual needs – safety and traffic volumes – …

Kansas DOT Expands US 69 with Arma Connection
U.S. 69 is a major north-south highway that runs from Minnesota down to Texas. The route passes through eastern Kansas and skirts the border of Missouri. The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) is currently working on two projects along U.S. 69 including one known as the Arma Connection.
The Arma …

Iowa DOT Completes Region’s First Dual, Divided Freeway
With the completion of the final phase of the I-80/I-29 Dual, Divided Freeway (DDF) Project in southwestern Iowa, drivers are now experiencing the full safety and traffic capacity benefits of a major Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) undertaking. The multi-year project along the overlapping section of Interstate 80 and Interstate …

Nebraska DOT Makes Great Strides on Lincoln South Beltway
The largest construction project ever undertaken by the Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT), the $350 million Lincoln South Beltway, will offer motorists a route around town, skipping multiple traffic lights.
“This project will put a beltway south of the city and get truck traffic off of Highway 2 through town,” …

Westbound Lewis & Clark Viaduct Opens to Traffic in Kansas City
Traffic has started flowing on the $66.5 million rebuilt westbound lanes of the Lewis & Clark Viaduct on Interstate 70, after more than two years of construction activity.
“The bridge was an older truss bridge, and maintenance on it was a factor in taking on the project,” says Joel Smith …

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SITECH Central LLC |

Missouri DOT Nears Completion on the Final Miles of the I-49 Connector Near the Arkansas State Line
Regular back-ups and queues are a frustration for every commuter who experiences them. This was the experience for commuters traveling around southwest Missouri and the border of Arkansas. To alleviate the traffic, the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) is engaged in the I-49 Missouri/Arkansas Connector Project. The project does spill …

Iowa DOT Redesigns I-80/I-380 Interchange for Better Mobility
The Iowa Department of Transportation is in the midst of a comprehensive redesign known as the I-80/I-380 Systems Interchange Project. Located in Johnson County, which is in the eastern central part of the state, the project is at the junction of Interstate 80, Interstate 380 and United U.S. 218, one …

Fremont Southeast Beltway Decreases Congestion and Improves Regional Connectivity
The new four-lane Fremont Southeast Beltway aims to improve safety and traffic flow by diverting through vehicles around the southeast side of the city.
“The four-lane project will decrease traffic congestion in the residential and downtown areas of Fremont and improve local access and mobility along with regional connectivity between …

Kansas DOT Upgrades US 83 for Better Traffic Flow
U.S. 83 is one of the longest North-South routes in the country. One can drive it from North Dakota down to Texas. The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) is reconstructing one 11-mile stretch of U.S. 83 that runs through Haskell and Finney County in the southwestern part of the state. …

McCullough Excavation Prepares a Major New Subdivision in Wichita
Water and sewer contractor McCullough Excavation, in Wichita, Kansas, is working at Taliesin, a master-planned residential community in West Wichita.
Taliesin, about 15 miles from downtown Wichita, features nearly 200 home sites, a clubhouse, an indoor gym, soccer fields, a dog park, walking trails, a swimming pool, and other …

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Kirby Smith Machinery |
Star Equipment LTD |

McCarthy Builds New Johnson County Medical Examiner’s Office to Increase Local Capabilities and Services
With the completion of its new 32,000-square-foot facility, the Johnson County Medical Examiner’s Office (MEO) in Kansas is ready to provide an expanded range of services locally. Located in Olathe, in the heart of the Johnson County Government campus, the new facility will help increase autopsy rates to meet national …

I-435/I-70 Interchange Upgrades Create Safer Roadway in Kansas City
Most of the interstate highway system in the United States was built in the 1950s and 60s. Today, states are updating and replacing the aged infrastructure. As they do so, they have an opportunity to not only bring roadways up to date, but to also apply innovations. The I-435 and …

Fager Framing Gains Efficiency with Potain Cranes
Potain cranes from RMS Rentals in Savage, Minnesota, have made a difference in the success of completing two assisted living facilities in Iowa.
“These cranes are a lot faster than traditional cranes, because you do not need a signal person,” says Jeremy Fager, Owner of Fager Framing in Cedar …

I-235 Green Project Rebuilds North Junction in Wichita
Although it’s a significant project in its own right, the I-235 Green Project in Wichita, Kansas, is the first phase of a much larger rebuilding of an interchange known locally as the North Junction.
The North Junction is a four-direction gateway to and from Wichita and many smaller communities that …

Kansas DOT Extends I-35 Bridges in Olathe
The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) is extending the north end of the Interstate 35 bridges in Olathe, Kansas, to accommodate a city street being expanded below to better serve an international company’s expansion. The larger headquarters will result in increased traffic to an already heavily congested area.
“The main …

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Star Equipment LTD |

GPS Technology Speeds US 61 Paving for Streb Construction
Construction of 9.5 miles of two additional lanes to U.S. 61 near Mediapolis, Iowa, changing an existing two-lane highway into a four-lane interstate, has progressed faster and more accurately with Streb Construction in Iowa City, Iowa, using equipment with Topcon LPS robotic technology.
“The Topcon Millimeter GPS has helped us …

Work Progresses on the I-74 Bridge Project Near the Quad Cities
As part of an overreaching goal to improve a section of the Interstate 74 corridor in the Quad Cities of Iowa and Illinois, the states have launched a $1.2 billion reconstruction of the bridge over the Mississippi River and its approach roads.
“Those improvements are based on the lack of …