Zachry, Gilbert Awarded Loop 1 Extension Contract

A joint venture between San Antonio-based Zachry Construction Corp. and Dallas-based Gilbert Construction Co. was recently awarded a $107 million for the extension of the Loop 1 toll road in Austin.
The contract calls for a 3½ -mile extension of Loop 1 from Parmer Lane to the future State Highway 45 North/Loop 1 interchange. Construction is expected to get under way this fall and will include a six-lane roadway, intermittent frontage roads and a toll operations building.
The Loop 1 extension is part of the first phase of the Central Texas Turnpike Project, which also includes SH 45 North and the northern 49 miles of SH 130. The entire turnpike project is scheduled for completion by December 2007.
Construction of the CTTP already is under way at the SH 45/Loop 1 interchange, with additional construction contracts for the turnpike project scheduled to be awarded later this year.

Alabama Firm Awarded Houston Airport Contract

Caddell Construction Co. of Montgomery, Ala., was recently awarded a $58.2 million contract by the Houston Airport Authority for extensive renovations, upgrades and additions to Terminal C and associated concourses at George Bush Intercontinental Airport.
The project will include interior finishes, replacements and additions to the HVAC, lighting, power distribution, voice and data systems, public address, fire alarm, access control and building area additions at both the ground and concourse levels.
The 330,000-sq.-ft. Terminal C serves as the hub of operations for Continental Airlines at the Houston airport. Completion of the project is scheduled for April 2006.

Rural Texas Communities To Get Infrastructure Funds

The Office of Rural Community Affairs in Austin announced in early June that a 12-member state review committee had reviewed 178 applications for $49.2 million worth of grants to rural Texas communities.
The committee members reviewed applications for the agency's 2003-04 Texas Community Development Program, which provides for projects that address basic human needs such as sewer and water system improvements, street and drainage improvements, service projects and housing rehabilitation activities for persons of low to moderate income.
"I am particularly excited about helping in any way that I can," said Donna Arp, mayor of Colleyville in Tarrant County. "I am proud of the work and commitment that ORCA has devoted to rural Texas. We need to be cognizant that Texas is built on the roots of our rural communities."
The funds provide much-needed resources to 1,032 cities under 50,000 in population and to small rural communities located in the 246 counties that have a non-metropolitan population under 200,000.
"These grants are very important to rural communities,'" said Robert J. (Sam) Tessen, executive director of ORCA. "This committee has dedicated its time and expertise to maintain the integrity of the application process so rural communities are appropriately served. The partnership between local elected officials and a state agency is an example of how government can work well together."

State Continues To Eye Toll Roads As Option

As many as one-third of the planned roadway expansions in Texas could be viable toll road projects, state transportation officials learned recently.
The three-member Texas Transportation Commission received a staff briefing on the feasibility of developing some of the department's planned added capacity projects to toll roads.
Based on a preliminary review of the $11.5 billion in planned added capacity projects, staff members noted that approximately one-third of the projects identified has the potential to be developed as toll roads. That would allow the toll revenue to cover operations and some maintenance costs and reduces the money needed from Fund 6, also known as the Texas Highway Fund.
"This initial review is merely a starting point, and additional studies would be needed, as well as discussions with local officials to determine the toll feasibility of projects," said Phillip Russell, TxDOT's turnpike authority director.

World Of Asphalt Tweaks Dates For 2004 Show

World of Asphalt show management recently announced a change in dates for the 2004 event. The event will be held March 15-18 rather than the previously announced dates of March 17-19.
The date change will allow expanded onsite and offsite show activities and better accommodate schedules of exhibitors and attendees. The show will again be held at the convention center in Nashville, Tenn.
"A date change was the only way to balance our desire to deliver more attendee activities and vendor value," said Peter T. Vlahos, World of Asphalt show managing director.