Louisiana ash terminal joins Charah MultiSource Network

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Top independent coal ash processor and marketer Charah LLC has added a Sulphur, La., terminal to a distribution system of multiple sourcing locations across the country, aimed at ensuring concrete producers and other customers a steady and reliable supply of Class C and Class F fly ash. The new site offers Greater Lake Charles/Sulfur Area producers Class F fly ash, and is the second barge-supplied location in southern Louisiana—alongside a LaPlace terminal serving in state, Mississippi and Alabama accounts.

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Inaugural Commercial Construction Index highlights sector strength

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Commercial construction is in high demand across the country and contractors are confident in the industry trajectory, according to the USG + U.S. Chamber of Commerce Commercial Construction Index, which premiered last month and is based on research from Dodge Data & Analytics in New York. Nearly all contractors surveyed expect revenues from commercial and institutional work to grow or remain stable this year compared to 2016, with 40 percent expecting an increase and only 3 percent expecting a decrease in volume.

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Contractors, CIM formed-surface research: Mockups best ACI 347 criteria

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Researchers evaluating the American Concrete Institute’s Guide to Formed Concrete Surfaces (ACI 347.3R-13) contend that a) suggested measurements or other criteria used in assigning a given formed surface to one of the document’s four categories is neither objective nor practical; b) converting ACI 347.3R-13 recommendations to specification requirements could result in disputes and litigation; and, c) preparation of concrete mockups for architect or engineer approval is superior to guide methodologies.

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Deere deep in paving equipment with Wirtgen deal

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Deere & Co. will significantly expand its construction equipment market stake with a $5.2 billion acquisition of Germany’s Wirtgen Group, projected to close later this year. Wirtgen encompasses namesake concrete paving equipment plus five other brands of milling, processing, mixing, paving, compaction and rehabilitation machines and tools deployed throughout road work and aggregates production: Vögele, Hamm, Kleemann, Benninghoven and Ciber.

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Gate Precast uses hollow core to lower costs for hotel project

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Two Marriott hotels near Orlando’s Mall at Millenia are being built within a single structure as part of a dual-brand hotel concept made possible, in part, by the adaptability of precast. Gate Precast will produce and install 158,841 square feet of 8-in. hollow core precast and 6,156 square feet of 8-in. solid slab structural precast for the project.

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Forterra, Thompson Pipe trade gravity and pressure pipe production assets

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Under an agreement announced late last month, Rialto, Calif.-based Thompson Pipe Group will acquire the concrete and steel pressure pipe assets of U.S. Pipe, a division of concrete drainage products leader Forterra Inc., Irving, Texas. In exchange for five pressure pipe plants and a fittings facility, the latter will receive $23.2 million in cash plus Thompson’s Conroe, Texas, concrete drainage pipe and products operation.

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Equipment manufacturers quantify Infrastructure Advantage

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The Association of Equipment Manufactures outline investment and policy recommendations for federal lawmakers in “The U.S. Infrastructure Advantage.” The new report offers key steps for policymakers and infrastructure stakeholders: 1) Focus on networks and systems; 2) Maximize use of smart technology; 3) Ensure rural-urban connectivity; 4) Expedite project delivery; and, 5) Provide adequate and reliable resources.

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Report connects stormwater harvesting to ‘sustainability dividends’

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More than half of water utility leaders have yet to embrace innovation and risk missing out on important “sustainability dividends,” according to “Empowering Water Utility Innovation,” a new Arcadis U.S. Inc. report released ahead of last month’s American Water Works Association Annual Conference and Exposition in Philadelphia.

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