May
2013 8
2013 8
REPORT: 2,230 Structurally Deficient Bridges in Ohio Alone
Records obtained by the Dayton Daily News reveal that Ohio is home to 2,230 bridges that have been deemed structurally deficient. According to the Ohio Department of Transportation, government agencies are not properly funded to keep up with the repairs. Montgomery County Engineer Paul Gruner says continued repair and restoration delays only raise...
May
2013 7
2013 7
Does a PLA for Maine’s Big Natural Gas Project Mean Smoother Sailing for Labor Under LePage? Probably Not.
The political spirit of Maine is fiercely independent. In 2010, many voters felt they were getting a unique leader in former businessman and Tea Party favorite for Governor, Paul LePage. Sadly, like many of his victorious 2010 Republican Governor peers — Scott Walker (WI), John Kasich (OH), and Rick Snyder (MI), for example — his ...
May
2013 6
2013 6
Illinois’ $12B Infrastructure Plan, the Largest Ever in the State, Includes Minority and Female Hiring Incentives
Illinois Governor Pat Quinn has unveiled a $12.62 billion infrastructure plan which he hopes will move the state’s economy forward by improving roads and bridges and revamping public transportation. It is part of his $31 billion Illinois Jobs Now! program which was passed by legislature in 2009. The program will support 439,000 jobs over the...
Apr
2013 19
2013 19
CGI Joins With Conference of Mayors to Promote Infrastructure Investment
In their continued efforts to promote investment in infrastructure, the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) has announced their new Infrastructure Financing for Cities Taskforce (IFC Taskforce) which will help cities fund projects to create jobs across the nation. The IFC Taskforce is a joint effort of the Clinton Global Initiative and the United...
Apr
2013 17
2013 17
Washington State Coal Export Facility PLA Will Create 1,350 Jobs, $70M in Wages, $5M in Tax Revenue
Construction of a new coal export facility in Washington state will be done under a community-friendly Project Labor Agreement (PLA) entered into between the Australian-based Millennium Bulk Terminals and the Longview/Kelso Building and Construction Trades Council (BCTC). The new facility is expected to support 1,350 direct jobs, create $70...
Apr
2013 17
2013 17
Overlooked U.S.-to-Canada Bridge Approved by Obama, Expected to Create 20,000 Jobs
Another crucial step has been taken in the quest to build a bridge from Detroit to Windsor, Canada. The U.S. State Department has announced a presidential permit to the state of Michigan to accomplish this, signaling the final go-ahead before construction can begin. Construction of the long desired bridge has largely been held hostage by ...
Apr
2013 1
2013 1
Seven Contractors Smacked with $300,000 in Fines Stemming from Prevailing Wage Violations
In California, seven contractors have been fined a total of $313,705 for failing to pay the prevailing wage on work done to expand a highway near the new Wal-Mart in Kerman. Valley Vanguard Properties Inc. is the general contractor on the project where subcontractors include Barracuda Construction Inc., Fresno Prestige Electric Corp. and Safety...
Mar
2013 22
2013 22
First Offshore Wind Farm Makes Progress in MA; 200-MW Wind Farm Makes Progress in NV; Modular Reactors Make Progress in GA
Across the country, ambitious energy projects are being planned to help lessen our dependence on foreign oil. Spanning wind, natural gas, and nuclear energy, various regions of the country are looking to enhance their respective power supplies while simultaneously boosting new industries that will provide much needed jobs. Many of these projects...
Mar
2013 10
2013 10
A List of 17 Bridges You Should Never Drive On If You Value Your Life
During his state of the union address, President Barack Obama proposed building a public/private partnership to fix the nearly 70,000 structurally deficient bridges currently in use. Infrastructure spending leads to both better roads and jobs, Obama insisted. Now, a new report from Transportation for America puts into perspective the growing...
Mar
2013 7
2013 7
Package of Bills that Would Hamper Infrastructure Development Passes New Hampshire House Committee
There is little that big business and organized labor often agree on. However, in New Hampshire, representatives from both sides of the economic aisle are coming together to oppose legislation that would halt large-scale energy projects in the state. The projects include proposed hilltop wind farms and the Northern Pass high-voltage energy...
Mar
2013 1
2013 1
Building Trades, AFL-CIO Renew Support for Pipeline Expansion in Broadly Reported Statements
The AFL-CIO and its President Richard Trumka have enthusiastically endorsed the expansion of the nation’s pipeline system at winter meetings in Florida. And while no direct mention of the Keystone XL pipeline project was made in President Richard Trumka’s official statement, it goes without saying that the AFL-CIO is hoping to boost...
Feb
2013 26
2013 26
Investigation Reveals VA Gov. McDonnell Orchestrated Ouster of Pro-PLA MWAA Members
The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) was designed as a non-partisan committee that would be insulated from political pressures. The regional board has four jurisdictions — D.C., Maryland, Virginia, and the Federal government — all of whose delegates’ terms are staggered to prevent any Governor or Mayor from...
