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| Infrastructure Watch | | |
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- $545.9M loan paves way for Los Angeles light rail
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has approved a $545.9 million loan to help California's Los Angeles County build an 8.5-mile light-rail line to connect the existing Metro Exposition Line to the Green Line near Los Angeles International Airport. The loan covers a major portion of the Crenshaw Corridor's total cost of approximately $1.75 billion. "President Obama called for an America built to last, and this loan program can help us achieve that," LaHood said. KCAL-TV (Los Angeles)/The Associated Press
(10/1)     
- L.A. City Council OKs $1.5B stadium project
The Los Angeles City Council voted 12-0 to advance construction of the $1.5 billion National Football League stadium project to be developed by the up-for-sale Anschutz Entertainment Group. "This is truly a game changer for Los Angeles," said Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. The project is expected to create jobs in the thousands and additional tax revenue for the city. In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Tim Leiweke of AEG discusses ramifications of a possible sale of AEG and when L.A. could see an NFL team. San Jose Mercury News (Calif.) (free registration)
(9/28), Los Angeles Times (tiered subscription model)
(9/29)
- $1.2B N.D. nitrogen plant to create 2,000 construction jobs
 CHS Inc., a firm involved in energy, grains and foods, plans to build a $1.2 billion fertilizer plant in Jamestown, N.D. This editorial explains the economic benefits to the area and urges the city of 15,000 to prepare for an influx of 2,000 construction workers when the project breaks ground in about two years. Jamestown Sun (N.D.)
(9/29)
| Trends & Technology | | |
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- Safety of Seattle's state route 520 bridge pontoons in question
An investigative report raises concerns about the alleged use of shortcuts and need to meet deadlines as factors that could affect the safety of Seattle's new state route 520 bridge. The report noted several issues with the concrete pontoons for the $4.65 billion bridge, including information from a Washington Department of Transportation panel that said Kiewit General didn't follow the design drawing for placement of cables during post-tensioning of the concrete. KOMO-TV/KOMO-AM (Seattle)
(10/1)
- Spending on construction projects declined 0.6% in August
Spending in the construction sector fell for a second straight month, dropping 0.6% in August from July figures, according to the Commerce Department. The drop, the largest since July 2011, was unexpected. "Construction is not going to be able to lead the recovery," said Ryan Sweet, Moody’s Analytics senior economist. Bloomberg
(10/1)
| Advancing the Profession | | |
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- Civil engineering students work on water projects abroad
Students at the University of Minnesota involved in the school's chapter of Engineers Without Borders have traveled to Uganda and Guatemala to work on projects to make clean water more accessible. One project involved rainwater collection and another was to develop a proposal to expand a dam system.
The work with EWB "gives students an outlet to apply things in class to a real-world outlet and actually help people," said EWB-UMN president Samantha Ehrenberg. The Minnesota Daily (University of Minnesota)
(10/2)
- Leaders shouldn't try to be experts, says Acumen chief
It's always tempting for bosses to present themselves as experts in their field, says Jacqueline Novogratz, CEO of the Acumen Fund. In today's complex world, though, it's virtually impossible for a single person to fully grasp all aspects of an organization's work. The best leaders "reject trite assumptions, reject the status quo, and are really open to listening to solutions from people who are most impacted by the problems," Novogratz says. The New York Times (tiered subscription model)
(9/29)
| News from ASCE | | |
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Renew your ASCE membership now for a chance to win $101
Congratulations to Nicholas Albergo, M.ASCE, of the Florida Section/West Coast Branch, and Roger Smith, Ph.D., P.E., F.ASCE, of the Texas Section/Brazos Branch, winners of $101 each in ASCE's 2013 Member Renewal Contest. You could be next. Fifteen winners will be randomly selected from among all members who renew between now and Dec. 14, with new winners chosen weekly. So the sooner you renew, the more chances you have to win. Albergo and Smith also helped their respective Sections advance in the Section Renewal Race; see how. Your ASCE membership demonstrates your commitment to professionalism and our profession. Now, why $101? The 2012-13 Member Resource Guide sent with your September Civil Engineering magazine has the answer.
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