ALABAMA STATE EDITION
231
65
72 Florence
2
Huntsville
20 Decatur
72
565 59
43
A Supplement to:
231
431
31
5
Gadsden
78 59 Anniston
20
Birmingham Bessemer
82 Tuscaloosa
65 280
20 82 Auburn
80
85
Selma
Phenix City
Montgomery
82
August 20 2014
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231
43 84 431 331
84
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Vol. XXVI • No. 17
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“The Nation’s Best Read Construction Newspaper… Founded in 1957.”
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Your Alabama Connection • Rich Olivier, Atlanta, GA • 1-800-409-1479
Augusta Evans Opens Doors for Disabled Students By Cindy Riley CEG CORRESPONDENT
After more than a year of construction, special needs students in Mobile County, Ala., will soon be heading to a new school. In August, Augusta Evans School officially re-opens its doors, at a location in west Mobile that will better serve each child. The special needs school is reportedly the only one of its kind in the area. “The decision to build a new school was based on our needs assessment,” said Tommy Sheffield, facilities manager at Mobile County Public School System. “Being one of the older schools in the district, Augusta Evans was in bad shape. It serves the handicapped, but the old location was never designed to be a special needs facility.” Augusta Evans, which serves special-education students from pre-kindergarten through age 21, was formerly located on Florida Street in Midtown between Old Shell Road and Spring Hill Avenue. A groundbreaking on the new school’s campus at the now demolished Hillsdale Middle School took place in November 2012. The $12.5 million project was set for completion by fall 2013, but construction delays forced the work to stretch into 2014. The new facility on Cody Road is more than 80,000 sq. ft. (7,432 sq m), and features a donated, state-of-the-art playground and two greenhouses. It also includes a custom-built shelter that can withstand an F4 tornado. The shelter is designed to house all the children and staff at one time in one area. In June, staff members began the move from the old location. Classrooms have been boxed up in hopes of a smooth transition when students return from summer vacation. Sheffield said the new school can better accommodate children with severe, and in some cases, extreme disabilities. Construction crews made certain the school’s features comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards, including lighting that turns on through motiondetecting sensors. “The sliding glass doors automatically open,” said Sheffield. “The halls are a lot wider, to give the children enough room to change classes and walk up and down with-
Scott Roberson, Mobile Public Schools photo
Holmes and Holmes Architecture adapted the site to the playground and helped place and make changes to the grade and the drainage system, according to Nick Holmes, Jr., partner of Holmes and Holmes Architecture.
out being cramped, whether they’re in a wheelchair, a motorized wheelchair or a walker. Each classroom has customized sinks, and there are restrooms built-in, so an aide or teacher doesn’t have to take the student down the hall.” The structure is one level with an attached multipurpose building that includes a gym, cafeteria, kitchen and library. Two very large greenhouses also were constructed on site, using an aluminum frame with two layers of polyethylene cover. Each was installed over a combination of stone and concrete floor. The greenhouses are designed to be adapted to a specific site, so that foundation can be put in, along with proper erection. “We met with our Special Education team, and Dr. Shelia Martin was instrumental in helping us visualize the future,” Sheffield said. “There aren’t any schools I’m aware of in the state in public facilities to serve special needs. Mobile County already has a school set up for the deaf and blind. Augusta Evans is another step in raising the bar.” Sheffield said building an entirely new school at a new location is more cost-effective and will last for decades to see AUGUSTA page 2
Scott Roberson, Mobile Public Schools photo
Crews ran 3,500 linear ft. (1,066 m) of concrete curb and gutter and roughly 3,500 linear ft. of new storm drain HDPE pipe, according to Jerry Gordon, project manager.
Page 2 • August 20, 2014 • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • Alabama State Supplement • Construction Equipment Guide
Scott Roberson, Mobile Public Schools photo
Scott Roberson, Mobile Public Schools photo
The tornado shelter wing required substantial concrete footings, 12-in. (30 cm) concrete block walls reinforced with steel and poured solid with concrete, and a 10-in. (25.4 cm) reinforced concrete roof deck, according to Jerry Gordon, project manager.
After more than a year of construction, special needs students in Mobile County, Ala., will soon be heading to a new school.
Tornado Shelter Wing Proves Most Challenging for Project AUGUSTA from page 1
come. The new location also will help students’ transition with their disabilities. “You wouldn’t believe the waiting list we have for these programs. Enrollment at the old school was around 250, because that’s all they could physically manage at that location. The new building can serve up to 500. “The new school also has a special bead room set up,” said Sheffield. “Augusta Evans is one of the largest bead distributors in Mobile County for Mardi Gras. Beads are donated to the school, which are then cleaned and recycled to earn money. It also provides a skill for the children, as far as counting, sorting and bagging them.” The Rotary Club of Mobile adopted Augusta Evans and raised about $250,000 to install an ADA-approved, fully accessible playground. The flooring consists of four inches of foam rubber, so walking on a spongy pad makes it safe if students fall while playing on the many specially designed pieces of equipment. Don Gordon Construction Inc. of Daphne, Ala., served as the general contractor on the project. “The biggest challenge on this project was the tornado shelter wing of the school that’s designed to withstand winds of 200 mph,” said Jerry Gordon, project manager. “It required substantial concrete footings, 12inch concrete block walls reinforced with steel and poured solid with concrete, and a 10-inch reinforced concrete roof deck.” Beyond the equipment used by the site contractor, crews used a hydraulic crane for setting roof trusses, reach forklifts for masonry and plywood decking of the roof, man lifts for high trim work and scissor lifts
inside the building for running HVAC duct work, running acoustical ceiling and setting elevated light fixtures. Gordon said masonry work was highly demanding. “There was a considerable amount of different masonry elements including arches, cast stone and high walls,” said Gordon. “This required a lot of time and detail.” Steven Walker, project manager of Superior Masonry Inc. discussed challenges on the project. “The entire front of the building was the most challenging. The saw-tooth brick cornice, the arches along with the cast stone and the five-foot barrel arch at the main entrance required very skilled masons. The high walls in the gymnasium were the most time consuming part of the project.” Concrete block totaling 110,000 units were needed, along with 250,000 bricks, 5,000 sacks of mortar, 650 cu. yds. (496 cu m) of concrete, 100,000 linear ft. (30,480 m) of horizontal reinforcing and 35,000 sq. ft. (3,251 sq m) of insulation. “We used EZ crank-up scaffolding and conventional scaffolding,” Waller said. “We also used a JCB and JLG 6K forklift, and a Mayco concrete pump.” Materials used during construction included 3,500 cu. yds. (2,675.9 cu m) of concrete in building slabs and sidewalks, wood trusses, 300 tons (272 t) of wall and slab steel reinforcement and a total of 1,000 squares of roofing shingles. About 54,000 cu. yds. (41,285.9) of dirt was moved on the project. “A lot of existing dirt was stripped and stored on site for reuse, if possible,” said Gordon. “The rest was hauled offsite. We
laid 6,000 square yards of new asphalt on stone base. We ran 3,500 linear feet of concrete curb and gutter and roughly 3,500 linear feet of new storm drain HDPE pipe.” All restrooms are ADA compliant, and all showers include bench seats and easy to reach shower controls. The majority of the school’s handicap-accessible features didn’t create a challenge for crews, because they’ve been installed at numerous schools that incorporate the same features. “The only ADA feature that was a challenge was the use of showers for every two classrooms and bathrooms in every classroom,” said Don Gordon, president of Don Gordon Construction Inc. “This was due to the school being a special needs school. “It was a pleasure working with the architect and the school system facilities division. The project ran smoothly, due to their efforts.” Nick Holmes, Jr., partner of Holmes and Holmes Architecture of Mobile, welcomed the chance to be involved with the new school. “After we were contacted, we went out to the facility to tour it,” Holmes said. “The staff was keeping the building in beautiful condition, but under difficult circumstances. We were enthusiastic about being selected to do the work. The whole emphasis was to create a facility that serves the needs of disabled children and was also friendly to the custodial and teaching staff. “At first, we wanted to keep the new building close to the existing school, but there wasn’t enough property to hold it. For that reason, we placed it where an earlier school had been destroyed.” Holmes said the tornado shelter was par-
ticularly challenging for his team. “This was a new concept for us, designing a wing that was tornado resistant. We used all the info we could find, and talked to the State Building Commission. We worked with structural engineers to meet the criteria that’s been set forth. The wing is built almost like a bunker. There are heavy concrete walls and ceilings underneath the regular shingle roof. There’s a 12-inch thick concrete roof to protect the students. “The playground was a specialized project,” said Holmes. “We were not directly involved in that, but we adapted the site to the playground, and made changes to the grade and the drainage system and helped in the placement.” As for the finished project, Holmes is extremely pleased with the outcome. “I think it’s a handsome building. We are very proud to have been associated with this project. I think it will serve students well for a long time.” Augusta Evans School was established to provide a quality education to special needs students. The faculty, staff and parents work to make certain each individual student receives an education of the highest quality, and is given the skills necessary to become a productive citizen and develop to his or her full potential. “It’s an exciting time for Augusta Evans students and their parents,” said Sheffield. “To see the looks on their faces when they arrive at the new school for the first time is going to be incredibly rewarding.” (This story also can be found on Construction Equipment Guide’s Web site at www.constructionequipmentguide.com.) CEG
Construction Equipment Guide • Alabama State Supplement • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • August 20, 2014 • Page 3
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Construction Equipment Guide • Alabama State Supplement • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • August 20, 2014 • Page 5
Page 4 • August 20, 2014 • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • Alabama State Supplement • Construction Equipment Guide
Construction Equipment Guide • Alabama State Supplement • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • August 20, 2014 • Page 5
Page 6 • August 20, 2014 • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • Alabama State Supplement • Construction Equipment Guide
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: Elmore Contract ID: 20140425009 Project: Widening, resurfacing, and traffic stripe on various routes. Distance: 45.17 mi. Contractors and Bid Amounts: • Wiregrass Construction Company, Inc. — $9,147,495 • Midsouth Paving Inc. — $9,152,097 County: Marshall Contract ID: 20140425025 Project: Constructing the turn lanes on SR-79 from south of Willow Beach Road to SR-1 (US-431) to include the intersection improvements at SR-1 (U.S.-431) in Guntersville. Distance: 0.378 mi. Contractors and Bid Amounts: • Whitaker Contracting Corporation — $1,215,572 • Jackson Paving & Construction Inc. — $1,262,229 County: Morgan Contract ID: 20140425036 Project: Resurfacing, traffic stripe and curb ramp installation on SR-3 (US-31) from just south of SR-67 (MP 354.958) to just south of SR-20 (MP 358.394) in Decatur. Distance: 3.409 mi. Contractors and Bid Amounts: • Wiregrass Construction Company Inc. — $2,077,408 • Reed Contracting Services Inc. — $2,122,910 County: Mobile Contract ID: 20140425037 Project: Resurfacing and traffic stripe on SR-17 (U.S.-45) from CR-63 (Chunchula-Georgetown Road) to the Washington County Line. Distance: 16.609 mi. Contractors and Bid Amounts: • John G. Walton Construction Co. Inc. — $3,696,864 • Hosea O. Weaver & Sons Inc. — $4,022,255 • Mobile Asphalt Company LLC — $4,227,967 County: Chilton Contract ID: 20140425046 Project: Intersection improvements (grade, drain, base, pave, and signals) on SR-3 (U.S.-31) at SR-22 and SR-145 in Clanton. Distance: 0.159 mi. Contractors and Bid Amounts: • Chilton Contractors Inc. — $1,456,027 • Carcel & G. Construction LLC — $1,653,613 • Walker Patton Company Inc. — $1,709,826 • J.C. Brown Construction Inc. — $1,777,774 • Veterans Landscaping Company Inc. — $1,779,244 • Russo Corporation — $2,196,821
County: Lauderdale Contract ID: 20140404001 Project: Bridge replacement and approaches (grade, drain, base, pave, and bridge removal) on the eastbound lane of SR-2 (U.S.-72) over Bluewater Creek east of Killen. Distance: 0.667 mi. Contractors and Bid Amounts: • The Bridge Builders of Alabama LLC — $2,759,379 • B. H. Craig Construction Company Inc. — $2,934,663 • Riley Bridge Company Inc. — $2,970,757 • Jones Bros. Inc. — $2,986,406 • Bell & Associates Construction L.P. — $3,095,237 • McInnis Construction LLC — $3,166,874 • Highways Inc. — $3,405,414 • Dement Construction Company LLC — $3,499,605 • Ikaros LLC — $3,700,000 County: Lowndes Contract ID: 20140404002 Project: Bridge replacement (grade, drain, base, and pave) on the westbound roadway of SR-8 (U.S.-80) over Tallawassee Creek east of Lowndesboro. Distance: 1.419 mi. Contractors and Bid Amounts: • McInnis Construction LLC — $2,888,554 • Chilton Contractors Inc. — $2,964,137 • Murphree Bridge Corporation — $3,029,209 • The Bridge Builders of Alabama LLC — $3,077,901 • Carcel & G. Construction LLC — $3,227,196
County: Jefferson Contract ID: 20140404005 Project: Traffic signal installations on CR-118 (Fieldstown Road) from I-65 North to SR-3 (U.S.-31) in Gardendale. Distance: N/A Contractors and Bid Amounts: • Stone Electric Company Inc. — $470,579 • Stone & Sons Electrical Contractors Inc. — $561,110 County: Houston Contract ID: 20140404042 Project: Resurfacing and traffic stripe on SR-12 (U.S.-84) from west of CR-75 to the east end of the Chattahoochee River Bridge and the bridge rail retrofitting of the westbound lane of the Chattahoochee River Bridge. Distance: 8.768 mi. Contractors and Bid Amounts: • Midsouth Paving Inc. — $4,043,004 • Wiregrass Construction Company Inc. — $4,355,696 County: Montgomery Contract ID: 20140404048 Project: Planing, safety widening, resurfacing, pipe extensions, guardrail, and traffic stripe on SR-53 (U.S.-231) from Athey Road to just south of SR-6 (U.S.-82). Distance: 4.329 mi. Contractors and Bid Amounts: • Asphalt Contractors Inc. — $3,195,216 • Midsouth Paving Inc. — $3,540,773 • Wiregrass Construction Company Inc. — $3,639,749
Construction Equipment Guide • Alabama State Supplement • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • August 20, 2014 • Page 7
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