Georgia’s Stimulus Wish List Includes Highways, Transit

In response to a survey by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials about the amount of projects that could fit into a federal highway stimulus plan, the Georgia Department of Transportation has issued a list containing approximately $3.4 billion worth of projects that could be “shovel-ready” within 180 days.

It includes more than $2.2 billion in DOT roadway contracts, including those for maintenance.

Transit received considerable attention from the state DOT when assembling the list. MARTA, the main transit authority, has about $1.1 billion in contracts that are good-to-go, and an additional nearly $62 million in transit projects are included. Additionally, roughly $22.6 million in commuter rail contracts are included.

Aviation projects total about $45.3 million.

One of the biggest single contracts on Georgia’s wish list is a $111 million mill-and-inlay project on Interstate 285 in Cobb and Fulton counties.

Upgrades to Interstate 75 in numerous counties received significant attention. Some of these wish-list projects include: a $90.4 million widening contract in Bibb County; an $87.9 million concrete rehabilitation contract in Dooly County; $84.2 million worth of maintenance in Dooly and Houston counties; and $47.5 million interchange and widening at I-75 and County Road 717 in Bibb County;

Other major contracts include: a $98.9 million contract to build the Harry S. Truman Parkway in Chatham county; $60.8 million to build the Fall Line Freeway/North Gordon Bypass in Wilkinson County; and $86.7 million worth of concrete removal and reconstruction on I-16 in Laurens County.

“This is merely a preliminary list and we are still reviewing projects and looking at other considerations before a final decision is made,” Mark McKinnon, media coordinator with GDOT, stated in mid-December. By Scott Judy

Georgia Contracts: 34% Decline During November

The overall value of new Georgia contracts signed in November for future construction fell 34%, compared to the same period of a year ago, according to McGraw-Hill Construction, publisher of Southeast Construction. The total value of new contracts was roughly $1 billion, compared to last November’s nearly $1.6 billion.

In November, all three of McGraw-Hill Construction’s broad categories showed double-digit percentage decreases. Of the three, the value of residential contracts once again fell the most, this time by 56%, compared to last November, to total roughly $269.7 million. The nonresidential market fell 18% compared to a year ago, and totaled about $623 million for the month. The nonbuilding segment – which includes infrastructure projects – declined 30% for a $148.3 million total.

For the year-to-date, the value of new Georgia contracts is now 33% behind 2007’s pace, with roughly $16.4 billion in new project starts. The residential market is 49% behind ’07, with roughly $5.8 billion in new contracts. The nonresidential market is 13% behind last year, with nearly $7.6 billion in new project starts. The nonbuilding sector is now 29% behind ’07, with about $3.1 billion in new starts.

Gilbert Southern to Start $111M Tunnel, Pumping Station Project

The Atlanta area office of Gilbert Southern was scheduled to start construction in January of its $111.7 million tunnel and pumping station contract for the City of Atlanta Department of Procurement, according to McGraw-Hill Construction.

Choate Named GC for UGA’s Greek Park

Choate Construction Co. of Atlanta has started groundwork and construction of the first phase of the University of Georgia’s new Greek Park that will consist of four new fraternity houses. Completion of the Greek Park is slated for late June.

The Greek Park project is new to the UGA campus and will require a new infrastructure. Choate will also oversee this work, which consists of storm drainage, utilities, exterior walks and asphalt parking lots to service the new fraternity houses.

Three of the four fraternity houses will have 20 beds each, while the other will have 16 beds.

D&D Construction Services Starts on Savannah Embassy Suites

Orlando-based D&D Construction Services broke ground recently on a seven-story, 162-room Embassy Suites at the Savannah International Airport in Pooler, Ga. The contract is valued at $17 million for the 142,000 sq-ft project.

The company expects to top off the hotel in April and complete it by December.

DPR Construction Completes Georgia’s First Solar Cell Manufacturing Facility

DPR Construction recently completed Georgia’s first solar cell manufacturing facility in Norcross for Suniva, a solar cell manufacturer. DPR completed the 30,000-sq-ft photovoltaic cell production space and 15,000 sq ft of office space in four months.

The contractor converted an empty warehouse into a fully operational facility. Suniva began production of solar cells while DPR was still in the final stages of construction.
DPR partnered with architecture firm Perkins+Will of Atlanta on the design-build contract.

Click here for more Georgia News >>