UDOT Crews Recycle Old Pavement to Create New Highway Road Base
The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) is recycling old concrete on site on Bangerter Highway to help build the highway’s new interchanges.
Crews on the Bangerter 4700 South project finished recycling approximately 15,000 cu. yds. of concrete – enough to fill two Goodyear Blimps. UDOT opted to recycle the material on site instead of hauling off the material to another location to reduce the number of truck trips in the area.
“In the past, all of this concrete would have gone to waste and now is being recycled and reused for UDOT projects,” UDOT Region 2 director Robert Stewart said. “This pavement has been here for 30 years, and it’s great to be able to give it new life.”
Crews have worked every day for the past five months on the recycling process.
To accomplish the task, crews use heavy machinery to break up the old sections of the highway. Then that material is placed into an onsite crushing machine. The crushing machine has a large magnet inside to separate the concrete from the metal rebar, which is also recycled.
Once the large cement chunks are crushed into tiny pieces, UDOT starts reprocessing it into a road base for the new interchange.
Arts Facility
The University of New Mexico broke ground on Oct. 15, 2024, for its Center for Collaborative Arts & Technology (CCAT).
Designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro (DS+R), the 60,000 sq.-ft. facility for the UNM College of Fine Arts (CFA) will serve as a central hub for innovation, creativity and collaboration. Completion is expected in the fall of 2026.
Bradbury Stamm Construction of Albuquerque is the project contractor.
“The university has always been both a catalyst for and a pathway to New Mexico’s vibrant artistic culture,” said UNM President Garnett S. Stokes. "This unique facility will enrich our relationships with our state’s cultural communities and business sector partners to spur creative and economic growth that is fundamental to the mission of UNM and vital to the growth of the state of New Mexico.”
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The north elevation of the CCAT as depicted in a University of New Mexico rendering.
East Colfax Bus Rapid Transit Project Debuts in Denver
City, state and federal representatives kicked off construction on Oct. 4, 2024, of a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service line for East Colfax Avenue in Denver, Colo., that will transform how people move along the corridor.
The goal is to make travel by bus faster and more reliable and provide an attractive alternative to driving that’s safer, and better for the environment, according to the Regional Transportation District, which provides public transportation in eight counties.
At the event at City Park Esplanade, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) awarded $150 million toward the implementation of the bus rapid transit system — the maximum allocation allowed in its Fixed Guideway Capital Investment Grant program.
The city and county of Denver are partnering with contractor Kraemer N.A. to build the 10-mi. BRT. Work crews began mobilizing the week of Oct. 7, starting at Broadway and East Colfax Avenue. Completion is expected in 2027.
Construction of East Colfax Bus Rapid Transit is estimated at $280 million. Aside from the U.S. Department of Transportation committing $150M million toward the improvement project, other funding sources include $88 million from Denver —- $55 million from the Elevate Denver Bond, $28.4 million from the Denver Regional Council of Governments and $14 million from the city of Aurora.
Federal representatives spoke about the importance of transit infrastructure and investing in the region’s efforts to improve and enhance the public transportation system.
“FTA is happy to ‘Back the Fax’ by supporting Lynx bus rapid
transit, which will transform how people move on the busiest bus corridor in the region,” FTA Deputy Administrator Veronica Vanterpool said.
“Investing in our public infrastructure means investing in our community, and the East Colfax Avenue Bus Rapid Transit Project will improve the quality of life for our region, create jobs and increase access to vital transportation options,” U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette said.
The implementation of bus rapid transit on East Colfax Avenue
from Civic Center Station to Interstate 225 in Aurora will offer dedicated, center running transit lanes from Broadway to Yosemite Street, more efficient travel through signalized intersections and faster boarding operations, reducing transit travel time along the full stretch by up to 30 minutes.
In addition to improving travel times, the East Colfax Bus Rapid Transit system will feature an enhanced pedestrian experience with more trees and lighting and improved sidewalk and transit stops.
(All photos courtesy of the Regional Transportation District.)
Granite Announces $65 Million SR 30 Project in Logan, Utah
Granite of Watsonville, Calif., announced that it was awarded an approximately $65 million contract by the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) to begin Phase 2 of the State Route 30 Improvement Project in Logan, Utah.
Project funding will come from UDOT and federal money.
“This project is a strategic win for Granite as it strengthens our ongoing relationship with UDOT,” said Jason Klaumann, Granite’s vice president of regional operations. “The successful completion of Phase 1 in 2023 positioned us as the low bidder for Phase 2, ensuring our
structures, pipe and earthwork crews will remain engaged through late 2024 and most of the 2025 season. Our team is excited to continue working with UDOT Region 1 and deliver these critical improvements for the Logan community.”
The SR 30 corridor accommodates a diverse traffic mix, including the traveling public, farm equipment, horses, cyclists and runners. Improvements will include a 12-ft.-wide multi-use path with a cast-in-place concrete box underpass, wider shoulders, turning lanes and advanced warning signs for railroad crossings. Also, the project will feature two new pre-
cast box culverts and widening one concrete girder bridge to accommodate the Logan River / Cutler Marsh area.
Key elements of the project include:
Multi-use path: A 12-ft.-wide path for pedestrians and cyclists.
Roadway enhancements: Wider shoulders and turning lanes for improved traffic flow.
Safety features: Advanced warning signs
for railroad crossings.
Environmental considerations: Installation of two new precast box culverts and the widening of one concrete girder bridge. Infrastructure upgrades: Guardrail, ATMS, lighting, signalization, storm drain, water, sewer and landscaping improvements. Phase 2 is expected to be completed in December 2025.
A rendering of a bus station and the roadway for the East Colfax Avenue Bus Rapid Transit service line.
The East Colfax Avenue BRT project’s planned station stops.
Federal officials present a $150 million check for the East Colfax Avenue BRT.
Edged Energy Starts Data Center Project in Mesa, Ariz.
Edged Energy, the fast-growing sustainable infrastructure provider, marked a significant milestone in August with the start of construction on a new data center in the Phoenix-area city of Mesa, Ariz.
Strategically located at 8811 E. Warner Road, east of State Route 202, Edged Phoenix will be built for high-density artificial intelligence (AI) workloads and equipped with advanced waterless cooling and ultra-efficient energy systems. It will offer 36 MW of critical capacity.
The two-story data center will be set on 12 acres and span 210,000 sq. ft., according to Data Center Dynamics. Construction costs are expected to reach about $70 million.
The groundbreaking event was attended by Mesa city officials and key project partners and showcased the collaboration between Edged Data Centers, local general contractor Haydon Building Corp. and local utility provider Salt River Project (SRP). The new data center is expected to come online in late 2025.
“Edged is thrilled to become part of the Mesa community. This project would not be possible without the support and leadership of the city of Mesa and the Arizona Commerce Authority. Together, we share a deep commitment to innovation and sus-
tainability,” said Frank Scandariato, director of platform delivery at Edged. “With the groundbreaking of Edged Phoenix, we will help the fast-growing digital economy meet increasing demand while addressing issues of local water scarcity and climate change head-on.”
The Edged platform is uniquely optimized for both energy and water efficiency. This is particularly important in a hot, dry climate like Arizona with limited water supply.
Unlike traditional data centers which put significant pressure on the power grid and consume billions of gallons of water each year, Edged Phoenix will be outfitted with the ThermalWorks ultra-efficient waterless cooling technology that can handle highdensity AI-driven loads yet consumes no water. This innovative design is expected to save more than 94 million gallons of water annually.
Edged is a subsidiary of Endeavour with nearly a dozen new data centers operating or under construction across Europe and North America and a gigawatt-scale project pipeline. Edged Phoenix will join a growing network of data centers under construction across the United States, including in Atlanta, Chicago, Kansas City, Dallas and Columbus.
Edged Energy photo
Edged Energy executives and local officials break ground on the new data center in Mesa, Ariz.
Old Bangerter Highway Becomes Part of Its Successor
“We are taking the old Bangerter Highway, crushing it up and making it into a product to put into the new Bangerter Highway,” said Jake Nielson, contractor project manager on the Bangerter 4700 South project. “What most people don’t know is that most of the materials in our highways are 100 percent recyclable, whether that’s concrete or asphalt.”
For more than a decade, UDOT has worked to eliminate stoplights on Bangerter Highway by converting intersections into interchanges. This year, UDOT is building interchanges at 13400 South, 9800 South, 4700 South and 2700 West.
Bangerter Highway is one of the Salt Lake Valley’s largest north-to-south corridors, moving an average of 60,000 vehicles daily. Removing stoplights and converting all intersections into freeway-style interchanges will enhance safety and help keep traffic moving in the ever-growing west side of the Salt Lake Valley.
(All photos courtesy of Utah Transportation Commission.)
Fall 2026 Completion Expected for UNM’s Fine Arts Facility
Located on the northeast corner of Stanford Drive and Central Avenue in the parking lot by Johnson Field — a major corridor and leg of the historic U.S. Route 66, the facility will act as a new arts gateway into the university.
“The building is organized around a super lobby at the second level, with elevated panoramic views of Route 66 and the Sandia Mountains,” DS+R Partner Benjamin Gilmartin said. "This horizontal slice in the building’s materiality welcomes visitors into the heart of the building while creating space for teaching, performance, exhibitions and research.”
With multiple spaces, rehearsal
rooms, a 600-seat multi-purpose performance hall and dynamic collaborative workspaces, CCAT aligns with the College of Fine Arts’ Framework Plan and the vision of a space where ideas flow freely across disciplines, nurturing a critical and creative workforce. The $82.1 million facility is funded by general obligation bonds approved by New Mexico’s voters in 2022, along with funding from institutional bonds.
“CCAT will impact students, staff and faculty at UNM in many profound ways,” said Michael Hix, chair of the Department of Music. “Adding a new state-of-the-art performance venue/concert hall will allow faculty and staff to fulfill our educational goals
by providing students with the performance experiences they deserve.
The space will promote even greater innovation and collaboration between faculty and students throughout the College of Fine Arts.”
Once complete, CCAT is expected to energize Central Avenue with its lively artistic presence and be a point of pride for the entire UNM community. Students, staff, faculty and visitors can anticipate a space where artistic talents are cultivated and celebrated, setting the stage for the next generation of groundbreaking works and creative possibilities. (Photos courtesy of the University of New Mexico.)
RECYCLE from page 1
ARTS from page 1
The former Bangeter Highway is broken into pieces.
Concrete is crushed into smaller pieces for use as a new road base.
An Astec FT2650 jaw crusher and a Cat excavator work together to pulverize concrete.
A rendering of the southwest approach to the Center for Collaborative Arts & Technology (CCAT) at the University of New Mexico.
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John Deere Names 4Rivers’ Mike Delk Technician Champ
4Rivers Equipment announced that Mike Delk was recognized as one of John Deere’s Technician of the Year Division Champions for 2024. This prestigious award highlights his exceptional service and commitment to excellence.
The John Deere Technician of the Year Division Champion comes by way of a rigorous selection process. Initially, companies nominate their top technicians, who then compete as territory champions. These champions are evaluated anonymously by a
panel of Deere employees, who select the final division champions.
Delk’s outstanding performance and dedication earned him this esteemed recognition, one of only four from the construction and forestry sector.
“Winning this award has been a humbling and overwhelming experience,” Delk said. “It motivates me to continue working hard, knowing that I make a difference. I am blessed to be honored with this award, and it feels great to know that my hard work, time away from family, and dedication to our customers are recognized by my company and coworkers. We have a great team in Hobbs, [New Mexico], and the support from the store has been instrumental in my success. I cannot be thankful enough.”
Delk’s journey is a testament to his dedication and passion. Growing up in Clovis, N.M., Delk’s hands-on approach to learning and his time in the Marine Corps shaped his work ethic and commitment. His career at 4Rivers Equipment has been marked by continuous learning, innovation and a deep commitment to customer service.
For more information, visit www.facebook.com/4RiversEquipment or www. 4riversequipment.com. (Photos courtesy of 4Rivers Equipment.)
4Rivers Equipment photo
Mike Delk of 4Rivers Equipment was honored as a John Deere Technician of the Year Division Champion.
Mike Delk poses in front of John Deere equipment.
