Arizona Transportation Builders (ATB) and its many member companies have stepped up to organize a T-Shirt campaign honoring the thousands of essential workers within   infrastructure construction as we “stand #strong”. All proceeds from our “Essential T-Shirts” will be going to the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona.

Our “Essential T-Shirts”, designed and printed courtesy of Garment Graphics, are selling for $15 each with 100% of the proceeds raised going directly to the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona. 

Arizona Transportation Builders (ATB) has a long history of supporting the local community through volunteer projects, collection drives, and scholarships and has set a goal of $12,500 for the Community Food Bank.

To order one of our “Essential T-Shirts” visit our website at http://www.movingoureconomy.org/ or send an email to :  michele@movingoureconomy.org. 

Arizona Transportation Builders Association (ATB) is a nonprofit organization comprised of more than 90 businesses in Southern Arizona. ATB represents the construction industry, including residential and commercial general contractors, subcontractors, material suppliers, architects, engineers, service providers and public agencies. Established in 1984, ATB has been instrumental in bringing about economic and infrastructure development in Arizona through involvement in legislative affairs, specification review, highway budgeting and appropriations, and safety education and training. ATB member companies sustain the employment of thousands of Arizonans.

Interstate 11 Draft Environmental Impact Statement available for public review Formal comment period begins April 5; six public hearings set for April and May

PHOENIX – The Draft Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement for the 280-mile Interstate 11 corridor – stretching from Nogales to Wickenburg – is now available for review and comment. After three years of study, technical analysis, and input from communities and stakeholders, movement of the I-11 Draft Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement to the public comment phase is a milestone for the proposed corridor. Members of the public are encouraged to review the draft environmental document and provide input beginning April 5 through May 31. The Draft Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement, including a Preliminary Section 4(f) Evaluation, is available at i11study.com/Arizona. The website also lists locations throughout the study area where a copy of the Draft Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement is available for review. Prepared by the Arizona Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration, the Draft Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement describes the study process, completed in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act. It proposes a Recommended Corridor Alternative, including a parallel analysis of the No-Build Alternative. The Recommended Corridor Alternative is 2,000 feet wide and includes an area where construction of I-11 could be further analyzed. If a corridor is selected at the end of the Tier 1 study, further Tier 2 studies and evaluations must take place before construction could be considered. The corridor would be narrowed to a highway alignment, which is about 400 feet wide. An alignment determining where I-11 could be built would be decided during a future phase of design and environmental studies. Currently, however, there are no plans or funding available to initiate these Tier 2 studies. There are several ways to submit comments on the Draft Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement, including online, in person at a public hearing, and by email, U.S. postal mail and a bilingual telephone hotline. The same information, as well as opportunities for the public to comment, will be available at each hearing: Monday, April 29 5 to 8 p.m. Palo Verde Energy Education Center 600 N. Airport Road Buckeye Tuesday, April 30 4 to 7 p.m. Wickenburg Community Center 160 N. Valentine St. Wickenburg Wednesday, May 1 5 to 8 p.m. Holiday Inn 777 N. Pinal Ave. Casa Grande Tuesday, May 7 4 to 7 p.m. Quality Hotel Americana 639 N. Grand Ave. Nogales Wednesday, May 8 3 to 8 p.m. Tucson Convention Center Ballrooms/Lobby 260 S. Church Ave. Tucson Saturday, May 11 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Marana High School Cafeteria 12000 W. Emigh Road Marana In addition to providing verbal or written comments at a public hearing, comments can be submitted using the following methods: Online: i11study.com/Arizona Email: I-11ADOTStudy@hdrinc.com Bilingual Phone: 1.844.544.8049 Mail: I-11 Tier 1 EIS Study Team, c/o ADOT Communications, 1655 W. Jackson St., Mail Drop 126F, Phoenix, AZ 85007 Once the public comment period is complete for the Draft Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement, the I-11 study team will continue to evaluate the Recommended Corridor Alternative based on the comments received and the ongoing technical analysis. The Final Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement will present a Preferred Corridor Alternative and the No-Build Option. Finally, the Record of Decision from the Federal Highway Administration will present either a Selected Corridor Alternative or the No-Build Option. The proposed I-11 is envisioned as a multi-use corridor that would provide a connection from Mexico to the Hoover Dam, connecting with I-11 in Nevada. This proposed statewide highway would improve Arizona’s access to regional and international markets while opening up new opportunities for enhanced travel, mobility, trade, commerce, job growth and economic competitiveness. While the evaluation phase of this high-priority and high-capacity transportation corridor has begun, funding for further studies, design and construction has not been identified. In 2015, the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act, or FAST Act, formally designated I-11 in Arizona. The designation doesn’t include funding but identifies I-11 as a high-priority corridor eligible for federal funding. I-11 is envisioned to include a combination of new and existing roadways. For more information about I-11 and the Draft Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement, visit i11study.com/Arizona.

 

 

An ADOSH presentation regarding respirable crystalline silica is now available, to help educate construction industry members regarding this federal rule and its implications in Arizona.

China is downplaying the political implications of its global development campaign known as the Belt and Road initiative, saying that it aims to boost multilateralism amid protectionist trends.

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ARTBA revealed its 4^th Annual Bridget report late last week.  The information comes directly from each State Department of Transportation and then captured into a format created by ARTBA.  As part of the “Transportation Makes America Work” (TMAW) program and ARTBA’s ongoing effort to keep the spotlight on infrastructure investment issues and need to fix the Highway Trust Fund, ARTBA released its annual bridge conditions report. The analysis of the U.S. DOT’s National Bridge Inventory database—conducted by ARTBA Chief Economist Dr. Alison Premo Black—finds there are nearly 56,000 structurally deficient U.S. bridges.  If placed end-to-end, these compromised structures would stretch 1,276 miles, or half the distance from New York to Los Angeles.  Arizona ranks 43^rd in the U.S., which is the same rank as last year.  Of the 8,154 bridges in Arizona, 214, or 3%, are classified as structurally deficient.  This means one or more of the key bridge elements, such as the deck, superstructure or substructure, is considered to be in “poor” or worse condition.  649 bridges, or 8%, are classified as functionally obsolete.  This means the bridge does not meet design standards in line with current practice.  198 bridges are posted for load, which may restrict the size and weight of vehicles crossing the structure.  Federal investment in Arizona has supported $989.3 million for capital improvements on 433 bridges between 2005 and 2014.  Over the last 10 years, 535 new bridges have been constructed in the state; 245 have undergone major reconstruction.  The state has identified needed repairs on 2,336 bridges, which the state estimates will cost $1 billion

 

Rummel Construction has been providing general civil construction services to the Southwest since 1996.  They are dedicated to delivering safe, innovative solutions to their clients by means of their experienced and committed management team.  Rummel Construction goes above and beyond expectations to cultivate a loyal, reliable partnership with its clients.  Rummel Construction was founded on a strong set of core values and employs outstanding individuals who have the knowledge, integrity, and experience to not only deliver successful projects, but form long lasting partnerships with their clients.  You can visit their website by going here or contact Anthony Heim at 480.222.9922.

The Arizona Transportation Builders Association Scholarship Foundation is seeking applicants for its 2017 Maggie Mozingo 4-year scholarship for $8,000. Any high school senior, who is a son or daughter of an Arizona Transportation Builders Association member or an employee of a member and will be enrolling full-time in an academic institution for their first collegiate year are eligible to apply. You can find the application here. The Maggie Mozingo 4-year Scholarship selection of the recipient is based on the scholastic standing, ACT and/or SAT scores, extra-curricular activities, career goals, past employment, essay written by candidate, and community service.   ATB members provide educational funding to the scholarship by participating in the annual ATB Golf Tournament and ATB Fall Auction event. Last year’s generous supporters were Hunter Contracting, Sitech, and Western Refining for a total of $8,300.00 dollars. The Scholarship has existed nearly two decades and served over sixty-nine students with an estimate of $250,000.00 dollars donated.

The first ever Arizona Builders Alliance Southern Division craft training director, Dick Anklam, passed away quietly yesterday morning, surrounded by his large, loving family.  Dick was a founding member of the Tucson Utility Contractors Association, now known as Arizona Transportation Builders Association. There he founded a number of committees that played an important role in the industry, including scholarship and safety.  In 2007, his dedication to the construction industry was recognized with the Catalina Boy Scout “Construction Industry Good Scout of the Year” award.  There will be a celebration of his life this Saturday, 11am, at Catalina Foothills Church, 2150 E Orange Grove Rd. All are welcome.