October TxDOT Highway Letting Dates

The Texas Department of Transportation has scheduled its next highway letting for Oct. 8 and 9. Seventy-seven projects are approved to be let with an estimated total of $249,619,709.

A TxDOT report said projects may be added, advanced or delayed as deemed necessary.

McCarthy Begins $36.5 Million Project

McCarthy Building Cos., headquartered in St. Louis, recently began work on a $36.5 million reconstruction project on Interstate 410 in San Antonio. The project, expected to be completed February 2007, includes the reconstruction of the cloverleaf interchange at IH-410 and San Pedro Avenue and the IH-410 flyover and frontage road adjoining the area.

"We are looking forward to partnering with McCarthy once more," said David B. Casteel, district engineer with TxDOT. "The 410/San Pedro project, while challenging because of the high traffic volumes, will be a tremendous improvement in mobility and safety in the area, once completed."

The engineer for the project is Turner Collie & Braden Inc. of Houston.

TxDOT Releases Report on Texas Bridges

Texas is making progress in improving its more than 48,000 public bridges, but more work is needed, according to a recently released report.

TxDOTs 2003 Report on Texas Bridges found that 75 percent of all Texas bridges have a good condition rating, up 5 percent from 2000.

The report found that 15 percent of the bridges are functionally obsolete, meaning they do not meet current geometrical design standards and are not well suited to efficiently handle today's traffic volumes and types. Another 6 percent of the state's bridges are structurally deficient, meaning they will eventually be unable to handle the weight of today's heaviest vehicles or are frequently flooded or closed.

Four percent are classified as substandard for load-only bridges, meaning they are not structurally deficient or functionally obsolete but have a capacity less than the

maximum load permitted by state law. "Higher traffic volumes, heavier vehicles and an aging infrastructure mean we must continue to maintain, rehabilitate and in some cases replace Texas bridges," said

Mary Lou Ralls, TxDOT's bridge division director. Inspectors evaluate and rate all the bridges in Texas on all public roads at least every two years, with the most critical structures receiving an evaluation more frequently. At least once every five years, divers inspect the underwater foundation and columns.

DART Using CM/GC at Risk on Light-Rail Extension

Dallas Area Rapid Transit has issued a Request for Proposal for a construction manager/general contractor-at-risk contract for the first elements of the Northwest and Southeast Corridor light-rail extensions.

When complete, the 35-mile extensions will link popular destinations including DFW International Airport, Dallas Love Field, six medical centers and four regional entertainment destinations.

The CM/GC will be expected to surpass DART's safety record, minimize disruption to communities, continue to meet or exceed minority-contracting goals and encourage teaming and mentoring with small businesses.

The $79 million contract for construction management/general contractor-at-risk will cover the first element of the Northwest Corridor and Southeast Corridor project. The contract includes the entire 10-mi. Southeast Corridor rail line connecting the Pleasant Grove area of Dallas with the existing Pearl Station downtown.

The contract also includes a 2.3-mi. section of the Northwest Corridor. In addition to the civil work required for the build-out of this section, the contract calls for facility construction, track work, utility relocations, light-rail systems installation and traffic control elements.

Final Section of SH 45 Under Construction

Construction recently began on the last segment of the State Highway 45 North toll road. The section is located north of Austin in Round Rock and will extend east to State Highway 130. Eight SH 45 projects are currently under construction.

According TxDOT, the section is 1.5 mi. long and will cost $34 million to build. The contractor is Austin Bridge and Road. Completion is expected in May 2006.

SH 45 is part of TxDOT's Central Texas Turnpike Project, which is building almost 68 mi. of toll roads in the Austin area.

Perry Lauds Conditional EPA Approval of Fine-Particle Pollution Level

Gov. Rick Perry recently announced that the Environmental Protection Agency gave Texas conditional approval regarding federal health-based fine-particle standards. The governor also praised residents for continuing their efforts to improve the state's environment.

"By reducing fine-particle pollution, we are addressing the top cause of childhood asthma." Perry said. "And though we will continue to work toward cleaner air in our state, the EPA's new designation signifies a strong success on the road to a healthier Texas."

To reach attainment, an area must meet an annual standard of 15 micrograms per cubic meter, based on the three-year average of annual mean fine-particle concentrations, and a 24-hour standard of 65 micrograms per cubic meter, based on the three-year average of the 98th percentile of 24-hour concentrations.

Areas designated as nonattainment are subject to transportation-conformity measures, requiring local transportation and air-quality officials to coordinate projects such as road construction to ensure they do not hamper attainment goals.

As a designated attainment area, Texas would not be required to take steps to improve air quality for fine-particle pollution, but it would have to prevent air-quality deterioration.