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Hyundai Opens N.A. Customization Center in Brunswick
Representatives from HD Hyundai Construction Equipment North America joined executives from HD Hyundai XiteSolution, parent company of HD Hyundai Construction Equipment, along with representatives from Wallenius Wilhelmsen, to celebrate the grand opening of the first HD Hyundai North American Customization Plant in Brunswick, Ga.
Columbus Airport Lands $24M From FAA; Ga. Tech to Expand
The commercial airport in Columbus, Ga., is due to receive big money from the federal government to help fully reconstruct one of its runways, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced Sept. 6.
The FAA will provide $24.4 million to the Columbus Airport (CSG) to reconstruct runway 6/24, one of 519 projects nationwide to which the federal agency awarded funding as part of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) $1.9 billion Airport Improvement Program (AIP).
CSG’s runway 6/24 needs to be rebuilt
down to its base due to normal wear and tear, such as cracks, depression and displacement, along with addressing storm drain issues, the Ledger-Enquirer reported Sept. 10.
The total cost of the southwestern Georgia airport project was expected to cost $36.5 million, the newspaper said, but officials with the facility have not yet said whether they have the rest of the money accounted for.
This construction is expected to start in March and take 103 days to finish, according to CSG officials. The closure of the asphalt runway “will suspend all commercial, large
general aviation and military operations during the construction of the project,” CSG said in a previous news release.
Typically, the airport’s commercial traffic consists of three Delta Airline flights a day.
Officials also noted the CSG’s other asphalt runway will remain open throughout most of the ongoing improvement project, aside from a one-week span in which both will need to be closed.
“The typical lifespan of an asphalt runway is around 40 years, [and] as a runway approaches this age, it will be assessed for
reconstruction,” Columbus Airport Director Amber Clark said in a written statement. “Preventative maintenance is conducted to extend the life of the runway as much as possible.”
She added that although the airport’s takeoff and landing surface has undergone regular upgrades over the years, including the resealing of cracks, milling and refilling its layers, “it has been determined that our runway has reached the end of its useful life and is due for reconstruction.”
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State Adds $1.5B Transportation Infrastructure Grant
The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) recently provided details on forthcoming transportation programs and projects receiving funding as a result of a $1.5 billion investment from Gov. Brian P. Kemp’s amended Fiscal Year 2024 budget recommendation, recently approved by the state’s General Assembly.
Georgia continues to benefit from unprecedented economic growth paired with conservative state fiscal management. Increases in population and commercial activity also are putting more traffic on the Peach State’s roadways than ever before, the agency noted in a July 18 news release.
The additional funding will enable GDOT and local governments to invest in the state’s transportation infrastructure, helping keep up with higher construction costs in the face of historic inflation, and expediting strategic projects across Georgia.
During this year’s 2024 Legislative session, Kemp recommended — and the Georgia General Assembly appropriated — monies from the state’s budget surplus to support transportation infrastructure improvements by advancing timing for key projects and begin new strategic efforts.
Funding was appropriated to the programs below and will be allocated by GDOT as noted:
• Airport Aid, worth $98 million, will advance improvements at many general aviation airports (excluding Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport). The program’s grant is a 372 percent increase over the last budget.
• Local Roads will get $250 million, a 117 percent increase, in state funding for every city and county for local transportation investments.
• GDOT’s Capital Construction program is to receive $593 million. The award represents a 58 percent increase and will go toward managing cost increases due to inflation and expediting 24 projects in the agency’s existing pipeline of projects over a total of 43 years.
• The Capital Maintenance program’s allocation of $50 million will increase that GDOT budget by 32 percent to resurface state highways around the state.
• GDOT’s new Freight Program is slated to receive $500 million for 18 projects devoted to freight-carrying infrastructure which will begin to improve efficiency, safety, and reliability for the transportation of goods across Georgia.
A recent GDOT report, entitled the Georgia Freight Planning Analysis, found that freight movement will nearly double across the state in the coming 25 years, increasing traffic congestion and imposing higher product costs.
Strategic transportation investment can mitigate the impacts of that additional freight movement, with projects that can be found in the Georgia Statewide Freight Plan, the Coastal Empire Study and other plans developed by the state transportation agency.
“Over the last few years, we’ve welcomed unprecedented job creation to all regions of the Peach State, and this funding will ensure our already reliable infrastructure network can meet the needs of that incredible growth,” Kemp noted.
“I want to thank [Lt. Governor Burt Jones, Speaker of the House Jon Burns], and members of the General Assembly for their support of this generational investment as we work together to keep Georgia the best state for opportunity. In the months and years ahead, hardworking Georgians will see further improvements to the roads and bridges they drive each day.”
New Funding to Quicken Many State Transportation Projects
Because growth impacts every corner of Georgia, an initial portion of these funds will be used to move the needle on 42 critical freight and capital construction projects, according to GDOT.
Of those, 19 are new projects focused on added roadway capacity, new access to interstate highways, and the kickstart of a new generation of ideas to improve the state’s transportation network at critical growth locations.
Approximately 80 percent of the freight and capital construction funds will go directly to construction, for projects that can now be advanced to completion and delivery. Other major projects recently identified from plans will begin preliminary work, readying them for future phases when funding for those phases is identified.
GDOT said that, in total, these monies will accelerate projects by more than 40 years.
“As a result of continued population and economic growth that makes Georgia a more prosperous state for our citizens, Georgians experience firsthand the impact of added demand on our roadways and transportation system on a daily basis,” explained Robert Brown, chair of the Georgia State Transportation Board.
“With this monumental investment in state transportation infrastructure and the ongoing support of Gov. Kemp and the Georgia State Legislature, we are now equipped to execute on this group of projects that will provide new safety and economic benefits for Georgians across the state,” he added.
Balfour Beatty to Deliver Multiple School Renovation Projects
Balfour Beatty has been selected for 11 K-12 renovation projects on behalf of DeKalb County School District and Atlanta Public Schools in Georgia.
The new projects totaling more than $120 million, signifies the growth and expansion of Balfour Beatty’s educational portfolio in the state and the company’s commitment to improving learning environments for thousands of students, faculty and staff in the Greater Atlanta Metro area.
Balfour Beatty will work in partnership with DeKalb County School District and its industry partners to complete these major system upgrades and renovations including full replacements of HVAC systems, electrical upgrades, roof replacements, fire safety upgrades and other various improvements.
Balfour Beatty also has been selected for two renovation projects on behalf of its repeat-client, Atlanta Public Schools. At Towns Elementary School, the project team will deliver an HVAC replacement and building improvements and at Miles Elementary School renovations include a parking lot addition, HVAC replacement
Nine school facilities within DeKalb County School District will undergo renovations and building systems replacements at Nancy Creek Elementary, Champion Theme Middle School, Idlewood Elementary, Murphey Candler Elementary and other schools across the District.
of an outside air system unit, generator installation and a building automation system.
“These renovation projects tap into what our teams do best, which is working with our local school districts to provide a seamless construction experience while keeping students, faculty, staff and visitors safe,” said Mike Macon, Balfour Beatty senior vice president in Georgia. “Our phased approach to executing these facility renovations will allow us to uphold our commitment to delivering these essential projects with minimal impact to school operations. Once complete, each school will breathe new life and provide enhanced learning environments for students.”
Preconstruction activities are under way for the DeKalb County School District and Atlanta Public Schools facilities. Construction for projects with occupied campuses will be phased, with extensive renovation activities being executed during the summer months and school breaks while the buildings are unoccupied.
Full contracts have been executed for DeKalb County School District’s projects at Nancy Creek Elementary and Champion Theme Middle. For remaining schools, contract awards are expected to be executed in 2025.
For more information, visit www.balfourbeattyus.com.
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Officials Celebrate Grand Opening of HD Hyundai Center
Representatives from HD Hyundai Construction Equipment North America joined executives from HD Hyundai XiteSolution, parent company of HD Hyundai Construction Equipment, along with representatives from Wallenius Wilhelmsen, to celebrate the grand opening of the first HD Hyundai North American Customization Plant in Brunswick, Ga.
Through this consolidated customization plant, HD Hyundai Construction Equipment NA will be able to manage assembly work and modifications required by North American dealers and their customers. The center’s primary purpose is to streamline the machine delivery process while maintaining adequate inventory.
With this new facility, HD Hyundai will be better equipped to meet dealer needs for complete configurations and advanced hydraulic modifications.
“This state-of-the-art facility will help us reduce the lead time needed to get fully assembled machines to our customers,” said Stan Park, president and CEO, HD Hyundai Construction Equipment North America.
Longtime logistics partner Wallenius Wilhelmsen will continue to provide logistics support, while the 93,000-sq.-ft. plant will follow the path of HD Hyundai’s predecessor operation in Belgium, which handles similar customizations for Europe.
The HD Hyundai customization team will take machines from shipping ready to work ready, for instance fitting excavators with standard or long arms and mass or standard buckets, depending on customer requirements, or equipping them with additional cameras or 2D machine guidance or making them Trimble 3D-ready.
For more information, call 877/509-2254 or visit na.hd-hyundaice.com.
(All photos courtesy of Hyundai.)
Georgia Tech Looks Into Developing Former Randall Brothers Site
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Typically, a crack resealing project occurs every 3 to 5 years and a rehabilitation project takes place once each 10 years, Clark added.
“They’re going to tear up all of the asphalt that we currently have — all of the base material,” she explained. “They will be laying storm drains underneath the runway and relaying the base, then [have to apply] a top coat. Hopefully, that will be concrete, but, if not, it will be asphalt.”
In speaking recently with WTVM-TV in Columbus, Clark assured the flying public that from now until the reconstruction begins in March, runway 6/24 currently remains safe for travel.
Funding for the $36.5 million dollar project will cover two fiscal years, but the reconstruction will happen as one project. Clark noted that the federal monies for the runway rebuild will be combined with state and local funding.
If everything goes to plan, Columbus Airport Runway 6/24 is expected to be oper-
ational again next July.
Georgia Tech Plans On-Campus Mixed-Use Development
After its development slate was wiped almost completely clean in 2023, to the chagrin of Atlanta armchair preservationists, a mixed-use project that would continue Georgia Tech’s westward expansion in Atlanta is showing signs of life.
Plans were recently filed with the Atlanta City Council Zoning Committee for the redevelopment of the former Randall Brothers Construction Materials headquarters, a century-old complex located near the western fringes of the university campus on Marietta Street, Urbanize Atlanta reported Sept. 16.
According to city filings, Georgia Tech is seeking a Special Use Permit to build a hotel and dormitory on the 7.3-acre site, which also counts 294 ft. of frontage on North Avenue near Coca-Cola’s headquarters. But first, the property needs to be rezoned from a
classification for light industrial uses to mixed-use residential and commercial.
Exactly what the site’s redevelopment could look like is not yet clear.
A Georgia Tech representative told Urbanize Atlanta via email, “There’s really nothing new on this yet,” when asked for specifics.
The property is located where North Avenue meets Marietta Street, a few steps north of downtown and directly west of Bobby Dodd Stadium.
University officials previously said an arts-focused redevelopment will replace the longstanding building supply company, and earlier filings described those plans generally as “multifamily, dormitory, hotel, office and commercial uses.”
For now, the site is idle and vacant, apart from large concrete slabs and one old brick structure that was mothballed, as project leaders noted in their demolition permit paperwork that it was for future adaptivereuse purposes. Eight commercial buildings
totaling 101,000 sq. ft. were razed on the property in 2023.
The redevelopment would continue Georgia Tech’s growth spurt on the western rim of campus and beyond, where the university’s first new student housing since 2005 is planned and the Science Square project debuted earlier this year.
Randall Brothers initially put the Marietta Street property up for sale in early 2018, citing the area’s post-Olympics boom and rise in property value during the current long development cycle.
Later that fall, Georgia Tech Foundation paid $36 million for the property, noting that its bones and adaptive-reuse potential echoed two success stories on the flipside of downtown: Ponce City Market and Krog Street Market.
After selling the Marietta Street property, Randall Brothers
relocated its Atlanta facility to an overhauled headquarters building overlooking Atlanta Road near Interstate 285.
(L-R): Wallenius Wilhelmsen COO of Logistics Services John Felitto and Senior Vice President of High & Heavy Services Americas Mike Rye congratulate HD Hyundai XiteSolution President and CEO Young Cheul Cho on the opening of the new HD Hyundai North American Customization Center.
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President and CEO of HD Hyundai XiteSolution, Young Cheul Cho, inaugurates the opening of the HD Hyundai North American Customization Center with the celebratory breaking of a bottle of wine over the bucket of one of the Hyundai excavators customized at the new facility.
