Alabama #9, 2012 by Construction Equipment Guide

ALABAMA STATE EDITION

231

72 Florence

Huntsville

20 Decatur

565 59

A Supplement to:

231

431

Gadsden

78 59 Anniston

Birmingham Bessemer

82 Tuscaloosa

65 280

20 82 Auburn

Selma

Phenix City

Montgomery

May 2 2012 Vol. XXIIV • No. 9

231

43 84 431 331

84 52 31

Dothan

“The Nation’s Best Read Construction Newspaper… Founded in 1957.”

Mobile

Your Alabama Connection • Rich Olivier, Atlanta, GA • 1-800-409-1479

Work on U.S. 84/SR 12 Continues By Mary Reed CEG CORRESPONDENT

The Alabama Department of Transportation’s (ALDOT) project on U.S. 84 (SR 12) in Coffee County to widen and provide additional lanes continues to move forward. U.S. 84 intersects with heavily traveled east-west routes in Alabama including U.S. 431, U.S. 231, U.S. 331 and I-65. “ALDOT continues making improvements to US 84 to provide motorists with a safer travel route across Alabama from neighboring states,” said an ALDOT spokesperson. The 300-day contract is 35 percent complete and will add additional lanes from west of Double Bridges Creek at New Brockton to the bypass at Enterprise, a town famous for its monument to the boll weevil, curse of cotton growers. The statue celebrates Enterprise’s economic recovery by switching to peanut farming after its cotton crop was devastated in the early 1900s. The statue, depicting a woman in classical garments holding a larger than life boll weevil over her head, is celebrated not only as a memorial of thriving as a result of overcoming adversity, but also as the sole world monument to an agricultural pest. The route is signed and designated El Camino East/West Corridor, forming part of a highway stretching 1,729 mi. across five states from Brunswick, Ga., to El Paso, Tex. One of the early primary routes from the Atlantic to the present Texas-Mexico border, Spanish settlers called it El Camino Real or The King’s Highway. The Alabama stretch of this highway was designated El Camino by the state legislature in

(L-R): Caterpillar’s Michel Bastin talks to David Strain, Buddy Glisson and Stephen Strain, Strain Asphalt and Paving, Woodland, Ala., about the new Cat 938K wheel loader.

Thompson Tractor Hosts Demo Day The 300-day contract is 35 percent complete and will add additional lanes from west of Double Bridges Creek at New Brockton to the bypass at Enterprise, a town famous for its monument to the boll weevil, curse of cotton growers.

2004. Work is ongoing on the corridor. Georgia has now completed 91 percent of its portion, Louisiana 15 percent, and Texas 73 percent, while Mississippi has completed its segment. Alabama has completed 52 percent of its 234.70 mi. (377.71 km) of the El Camino Corridor. Montgomery, Ala.-based McInnis Construction LLC, is prime contractor for the $11.4 million Coffee County project, which is funded by ALDOT. The contract was awarded in May 2011 and work began that summer, with a completion date of fall 2012. The job includes grading, widening, drainage and partial base and pave work in addition to construction of the extra lanes. “We are self-performing all clearing and grubbing, removal of items, grading work, roadbed base work, select erosion control and storm

drain installation,” said Timothy McInnis II, vice president of the company. McInnis Construction, which on average has 12 employees and two superintendents working onsite, is fielding a large fleet of John Deere equipment for the job, including 9520 tractors pulling double John Deere pans. Other equipment from John Deere includes 6430 tractors; 200 and 270 excavators; 700J and 650 dozers and articulated dump trucks. In addition, the contractor is utilizing a Volvo 330 excavator and articulated dump trucks from the same manufacturer, as well as a Caterpillar 140M motorgrader and Bomag rollers. Since 2010 McInnis Construction has been utilizing biodiesel manufactured by SouthernEco LLC, which produces 5,000 to 8,000 gallons a see ALDOT page 2

alled “Dega Demo Day,” Thompson Tractor hosted an event at Talladega Superspeedway on April 4 to showcase Caterpillar’s newest Tier IV BCP products. It was a picture perfect day for attendees to view and/or demo the new K-Series wheel loaders, F-Series backhoes, K2-Series dozers, E-Series mini-excavators, DSeries CTL’s and MTL’s and B3-Series skid steer loaders. Guests saw an incredible array of Cat machine displays in the infield of Talladega Superspeedway and then enjoyed a see THOMPSON page 6

The Amlong family (L-R), Stephanie, Bryan, Ivey and Wyatt, Amsher General Contractors, Enterprise, Ala., talk to their south Alabama representative, Walt Hewett, Thompson Tractor-Dothan, Ala.

Page 2 • May 2, 2012 • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • Alabama State Supplement • Construction Equipment Guide

McInnis Construction Leads Way on U.S. 84/SR 12 Project ALDOT from page 1

year and also is headquartered in Montgomery. SouthernEco is owned by Clay McInnis, brother of Tim McInnis, and also a vice president of McInnis Construction. Clay McInnis described biodiesel as “a plug-andplay fuel, meaning there are no requirements to modifying the diesel engine running it. It is cheap to produce and very good to the environment. It is less toxic than table salt and more biodegradable than sugar.” “I pick up used cooking oil from restaurants and convert the oil into biodiesel with machines I sell manufactured by Springboard Biodiesel,” he went on. “The used cooking oil is free so I can make a gallon of biodiesel for around $1.25. I simply blend biodiesel into our bulk diesel tanks at 10 percent mixture. We use it in off-road equipment and generators.” Randy Hall, grading division manager, McInnis Construction, described the work the company is carrying out on the U.S. 84 project. “Clearing and grubbing as well as removal of items is being performed with the 200 and 270 excavators. Grading work involves John Deere 9520 tractor and pan combos, the articulated dumps, John Deere

The Alabama Department of Transportation’s (ALDOT) project on U.S. 84 (SR 12) in Coffee County to widen and provide additional lanes continues to move forward.

700 and 650 dozers, and the Cat 140M motorgrader,” he said. “Storm drain pipe is being performed with John Deere excavators and dozers, and erosion control items by their excavators, dozers and farm tractors.” Together the Timothy McInnis family and Randy Hall have performed similar projects for ALDOT for more than 40 years, and

while almost all new road construction projects are similar in scope and this project is no exception, a few problems have cropped up during the course of the job. However, as Tim McInnis pointed out, “All projects encounter problems and/or changes weekly. We have resolved with the owner, ALDOT, all issue/changes to date and as quick as possible so as to not delay the project.” McInnis Construction has engaged a number of subcontractors for the job, including H&L Construction of Troy, Ala., which is performing culvert construction and guardrail installation. Tipton Construction, based in Dothan, Ala., also is performing culvert construction, while Wiregrass Construction, Dothan, Ala., is carrying out all the asphalt work for the project. Geneva Grassing of Bellwood, Ala., is handling select erosion control items and Ozark Striping, based in Ozark, Ala., is providing all striping. About the Companies McInnis Construction LLC, is made up of grading, bridge and commercial divisions. While working mainly in southeastern United States, the company also has carried out projects in Florida, Mississippi, Georgia

and Louisiana. McInnis Construction practices environmental stewardship not only by using biodiesel fuel, but also by consulting LEED accredited professionals for its “green building” projects. Current jobs include bridge construction and demolition as part of the widening of SR 10 in Butler, Ala., and bridge raising and widening work on I-59 in Gadsden, Ala., both Alabama Department of Transportation projects. The company website is at http://www.mcinnisconstructs.com SouthernEco LLC, aims to support its local community, economy and quality of life while also contributing to energy source security for the southeastern United States by production of biofuel. The company also sells custom-designed equipment for client production of biofuel as well as the finished product itself. SouthernEco has sold biodiesel equipment to the Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind (AIDB), Sara Lee Corporation, the city of Oneonta and many other clients. For further information consult SouthernEco’s website at http://www.southernecogroup.com/index.html. (This story also can be found on Construction Equipment Guide’s Web site at www.constructionequipmentguide.com.) CEG

Montgomery • Jefferson • Talladega • Calhoun • Russell • Walker • Lawrence • Dekalb • Morgan • St. Clair • Tuscaloosa • Morgan • Shelby •Alabama… Bibb •Hale • Fayette • Marion • Winston • Cullman • Shelby • Chilton • Chambers • Covington • Baldwin • Clarke • Monroe • St. Clair • Chilton • Escambia• Montgomery • Jefferson • Russell • Fayette • Conecuh • Coffee • Geneva • Montgomery • Jefferson • Talladega • Bibb • Coffee • Calhoun • Russell • • Walker• Lawrence• Dekalb • Morgan • St. Clair • Tuscaloosa • Bibb• Hale • Fayette • Monroe • Clarke • Winston • Cullman • Shelby • Chilton • Chambers • Covington • Baldwin • Clarke • Monroe • Montgomery • Jefferson • Talladega

‘The Yellowhammer State’ Highway Project Lettings

The Alabama State Department of Transportation received bids for transportation-related improvement projects. Following is a list of some of the projects let. County: Calhoun Contract ID: BRF-0074(526). Project: Bridge replacements and approaches on SR-74 (US-278) from Nances Creek Industrial Boulevard in Piedmont to near the Cherokee County Line. Distance: 2.13 mi. Contractors and Bid Amounts: • McInnis Construction LLC — $8,392,189 • C. W. Matthews Contracting Company Inc. — $8,499,509 • Taylor Corporation — $8,639,482 County: Marion Contract ID: NHF-0004(522). Project: Slide corrections on SR-4 (Corridor X) from west of SR-171 (MP

15.900) to SR-44 at various sites as indicated by the plans. Distance: N/A Contractors and Bid Amounts: • Joe Keenum Excavation & Construction Inc. — $1,156,562 • Racon Inc. — $1,159,638 • Tomlin Construction LLC — $1,256,865 County: Talladega Contract ID: HSIP-0077(514). Project: Planing, resurfacing and traffic stripe on SR-77 from the Clay County Line to SR-21 in Talladega. Distance: 6.09 mi. Contractors and Bid Amounts: • McCartney Construction Company Inc. — $1,825,959 • Dunn Construction Company Inc. — $2,085,803 • Apac Mid-South Inc. — $2,131,576 County: Marshall Contract ID: NH-0001(567). Project: Planing, resurfacing and traffic

stripe on SR-1 (U.S.-431) from the Etowah County Line to Miller Street in Albertville. Distance: 6.96 mi. Contractors and Bid Amounts: • Whitaker Contracting Corporation — $3,835,608 • Jackson Paving & Construction Inc. — $3,999,799 County: Jackson Contract ID: NH-0002(553). Project: Planing, resurfacing and traffic stripe on SR-2 (U.S.-72) from 0.44 mi. west of SR-35 through Hollywood to CR113. Distance: 7.53 mi. Contractors and Bid Amounts: • Jackson Paving & Construction Inc. — $5,224,296 • Whitaker Contracting Corporation — $5,385,817 County: Baldwin Contract ID: NH-STPAA-0003(568). Project: Planing, resurfacing and traffic stripe on SR-3 (US-31) from the south city

limit of Bay Minette (MP 17.491) to south of Town Square (MP 20.941). Distance: 3.27 mi. Contractors and Bid Amounts: • Mobile Asphalt Company LLC — $979,415 • Hosea O. Weaver & Sons Inc. — $1,015,579 • John G. Walton Construction Co. Inc. — $1,206,932 County: Washington Contract ID: NH-HSIP-0013(578). Project: Planing, resurfacing and traffic stripe on SR-13 (U.S.-43) from the Mobile County Line (MP 30.146) to MP 35.833 south of McIntosh. Distance: 5.68 mi. Contractors and Bid Amounts: • Mobile Asphalt Company LLC — $1,690,694 • John G. Walton Construction Co. Inc. — $1,717,989 • Hosea O. Weaver & Sons Inc. — $1,753,370

Construction Equipment Guide • Alabama State Supplement • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • May 2, 2012 • Page 3

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Huntsville / Decatur, AL 256-350-0006 Oxford, AL 256-832-5053 Pensacola, FL 850-479-3004

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Construction Equipment Guide • Alabama State Supplement • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • May 2, 2012 • Page 5

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Construction Equipment Guide • Alabama State Supplement • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • May 2, 2012 • Page 5

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The Thompson Tractor logo proudly displayed on the front of the Cat race car. Tristan McCulloch (L), Archer Western Contractors, Birmingham, Ala., gets a brief demo of the Cat D5K2 LGP from Caterpillar’s Joel Fritts.

Thompson Tractor Hosts Event in Talladega THOMPSON from page 1

barbecue lunch in the garage area with other service and supply vendors displaying their products. And most of the crowd took the ultimate opportunity of putting on a fire suit, strapping on a helmet (and HANS device of course) and jumping into the passengers seat of a race car for some fast-paced laps around the track as a part of the Dale Jarrett Ride Along Experience.

After a few laps around the track, Ron James, Stone Building Company, Birmingham, Ala., stops for a photo session beside the #31 Cat car.

One of the Talladega Official Pace Trucks pulled the “people mover” trailer to shuttle guests from the track infield to an off-site demo area for trying out a Cat K series wheel loader and crawler tractor.

In the equipment demo area just outside the track, Cat representatives went over the features and attendees got a hands-on demo of the new Cat 930K wheel loader and D5K2 track type tractor. After running the Cat D5K2 track type tractor, Tristan McCulloch of Archer Western Contractors, Birmingham, Ala., said, “It ran smooth and I like the pitch control, makes a big difference. On other machines, once

From the Tuscaloosa, Ala., area, (L-R) J.R. Matzke, and Rodney Woodham, both of RaCon Inc., and John Waldrop of Thompson Tractor go under the hood of a Cat 420F backhoe loader.

Checking out the new Cat 259B Series 3 skid steer loader (L-R) are Steve Creamer, Creamer Dozer, Brewton, Ala; Rucker Brown, Thompson Tractor-Pensacola, Fla; and Matt Arrington, Arrington Curb & Excavation, Flomaton, Ala.

you get a full blade, if it starts to slow down, you need to pick the blade up a little bit. But on this you just angle the blade and keep going. I like it, I want one.” Fred Odom of SDR, based in Millport, Ala., demoed the new Cat 930K wheel loader and was quite impressed with the machine. “We buy a new loader at least every six months and this 930K is a nice advancement on the 928H’s we bought last year.”

Liking what they saw in the new Cat CT660 vocational truck are Dave Sides (L) and Justin Taylor of B&G Equipment & Supply, Birmingham, Ala.

Caterpillar’s Joel Fritts shows the easy removability of the Accugrade display on the new Cat D5K2 track type tractor.

Meanwhile at the track, after his first ride along in a race car on Talladega’s 2.66 mi. superspeedway, Dell McDonald, of McDonald Brothers Construction, Huntsville, Ala., said, “It’s just incredible, phenomenal! I’ve been coming to Talladega for 15 years and actually being in a car going about 175 mph gives you a whole new perspective of the track.”

Long time NASCAR fan, Dell McDonald, McDonald Brothers Construction, Huntsville, Ala., takes his first laps in a race car at Talladega.

Deep in discussion of the new Cat 930K wheel loader (L-R) are Kirk Kelly, Thompson Tractor; Fred Odom and Josh Karr, SDR, Millport, Ala.; and Andy Cruickshank, Caterpillar product specialist.

Construction Equipment Guide • Alabama State Supplement • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • May 2, 2012 • Page 7

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8920 Weaver Avenue Leeds, AL 35094 205/699-2699 866/480-6125

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