Texas 5, March 10, 2024

Agricultural Tractors

2015 JOHN DEERE 6215R......................$139,500

2020 JOHN DEERE 6130M....................$115,000

(5) 2018-2021 JOHN DEERE 6120M....From $79,500

2018 JOHN DEERE 5125R......................$98,500

2022 JOHN DEERE 5125M ....................$139,500 (2) 2021-2022 JOHN DEERE 5100M..............$CALL

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Artic Trucks

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Attachments

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Crawler Loaders

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Dozers - Wheel

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Crawler Carriers

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Compactors - Padfoot/Smooth Drum

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2017 CATERPILLAR CS66B....................$119,500

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Dozers - Crawler

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Forestry-Mulchers-Track

2019 CATERPILLAR D3K2 LGP $129,500

Excavators - Crawlers

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2019 CATERPILLAR 390FL....................$935,000

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(2) 2017-2019 CATERPILLAR 349FL..From $279,500

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2018 CATERPILLAR 320........................$172,500

2017 CATERPILLAR 316FL....................$149,500

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2013 CATERPILLAR 6030....................$1,250,000

Off-Highway Trucks

1982 CAT 773B RIGID FRAME TRUCK........$45,000 Motor Graders

2018 CATERPILLAR 14M3......................$360,000

(2) 2022 CATERPILLAR 16..................$1,345,000

2020 CATERPILLAR 160AWD..................$250,000

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Water Equipment - Tower/Tanks

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Water Equipment - Trucks

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2022 CATERPILLAR 730-04............................$CALL

(5) 2021-2023 CATERPILLAR 725-04....From $550,000

2015 FREIGHTLINER M2............................$85,000

(18) 2018-2021 KENWORTH T370..........From $89,500

2023 INTERNATIONAL HV507 4X4................$169,500

(4) 2022-2024 INTERNATIONAL HV607..............$CALL

(9) 2022-2024 INTERNATIONAL MV607..From $115,000

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(17) 2018-2022 PETERBILT 348..........From $149,500

Wheel Loaders

2023 CATERPILLAR 980............................$CALL

2019 CATERPILLAR 966M..............From $329,500

2024 CATERPILLAR 966............................$CALL

2020 CATERPILLAR 950M......................$339,500

(2) 2018 CATERPILLAR 938M..........From $179,500

Miscelleneous Equipment

2022 ROME AG-12................................$10,500

2023 ROME OT-10-At Tillage Tools..............$CALL

2023 ROME OT-12 PLOW..........................$CALL

2019 ROME TACW16............................$36,000

2023 ROME TACW-20-Ag-Tillage Tools........$CALL

2023 ROME TAW-20S............................$42,500

2018 ROME TCW28..............................$19,750

(3) 2022 ROME TRCW-12................From $62,500

2022 ROME TRCW-16............................$74,000

2023 Great Plains Ag-Tillage Tools-No Till Drill$CALL

McCarthy, J.T. Vaughn to Build $5B Pediatric Campus

Children’s Health and UT Southwestern Medical Center have selected HKS and Perkins&Will as the integrated design team to collaborate on a new pediatric campus in Dallas to meet the demands of the growing North Texas population.

The new campus, which will replace the current Children’s Health hospital in Dallas, is designed to be one of the largest, most transformative pediatric hospitals in the nation. McCarthy Vaughn Partnership (MVP) — a joint venture of McCarthy Building Companies Inc. and J.T. Vaughn Construction LLC — will serve as construction manager of the $5 billion project, which will include 552 beds and 4.5 million sq. ft. of construction.

Children’s Health anticipates beginning construction on the new hospital campus in the second half of 2024. The hospital will potentially open in the next six to seven years.

Rachel Knox, Studio Practice Leader of the Health practice at HKS and a partner in the Dallasbased global design firm, is principal-in-charge on the project.

“The Children’s Health team and the physicians from UT Southwestern who work at Children’s Health are just incredible, compassionate caregivers,” said Knox. “We’re creating a facility that not only matches that level of care, but will allow them to enhance it.”

Ian Sinnett, Health Principal in the Dallas studio of global architecture and design firm Perkins&Will, is the project’s director of planning.

“For more than 110 years, Children’s Health has made it their mission to make life better for children,” Sinnett said. “We’re deeply honored to help them continue achieving this goal through the design of a new world-class health campus,” said Sinnett. “This hospital will be a gamechanger for

children and their families all across Texas — and for the incredible care staff committed to their healing journeys.”

“HKS and Perkins&Will are the two largest health architecture practices in Dallas,” Knox noted. “Many of us are parents. This is more than a project for us — our kids are in this community. While both of our firms have designed children’s hospitals around the world, it’s incredible to work on one in your own backyard.”

Michael Malone, MVP project executive, said, “The new pediatric campus will be a critical hub to support ever-growing pediatric health care needs in Dallas today and well into the future. We are thrilled to be able to bring our extensive health care construction experience to help build the spaces

that will make a difference in so many young lives.”

The new hospital will house 552 beds, which will increase the inpatient capacity at Children’s Health by 38 percent. The hospital will also have 15 percent more emergency department (ED) space and 22 percent more operating room space, plus space for future expansion.

The facility will include a Level I pediatric trauma center with 90 ED exam rooms and 24 observation rooms. A new fetal care center will provide the region’s most advanced and accessible services for complex maternal and fetal health care.

Additional features include a connector bridge between the new campus and UT Southwestern’s William P. Clements Jr. University Hospital. A new outpatient building on campus will contain 96 exam rooms.

For additional updates, please visit childrens.com/watchusgrow.

About MVP

MVP, a joint venture of McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. (McCarthy) and J.T Vaughn Construction LLC (Vaughn), is the construction manager at risk for the New Pediatric Campus project, a collaboration of Children’s Health and UT Southwestern Medical Center.

Over the past two decades, McCarthy and Vaughn have completed a combined total of more than 40 million square feet of healthcare across the state, totaling nearly $10 billion.

MVP brings this industry-leading healthcare expertise to the New Pediatric Campus, along with a commitment to developing local workforces and building deep relationships with trade partners. Teaming partner on the project is PostL Group who brings nearly 10 years of healthcare experience and is a certified HUB and MBE. 

(All photos courtesy of McCarthy.)

Children’s Health anticipates beginning construction on the new hospital campus in the second half of 2024. The hospital will potentially open in the next six to seven years.

Children’s Health and UT Southwestern Medical Center have selected HKS and Perkins&Will as the integrated design team to collaborate on a new pediatric campus in Dallas.

The $5 billion project will include 552 beds and 4.5 million sq. ft. of construction.

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Gov. Abbott Announces Funds for Eagle Pass Base Camp

“Texas is expanding our border security capabilities by building a new Texas Military Department base camp to increase and improve border security operations in this area.”

Greg Abbott Texas Governor

Gov. Greg Abbott recently announced during a press conference in Eagle Pass that Texas is building a Forward Operating Base in the Del Rio sector to house Texas National Guard soldiers.

The Texas Military Department acquired 80 acres of land in Eagle Pass to construct a Forward Operating Base that will house up to 1,800 Texas National Guard soldiers, with the ability to accommodate an additional 500. The base camp also will feature a 700seat dining facility, a recreation center, laundry facilities, WiFi access, individual rooms

for soldiers starting at 118 sq. ft., chaplaincy programs and medical and psychological health facilities.

“Texas is expanding our border security capabilities by building a new Texas Military Department base camp to increase and improve border security operations in this area,” said Abbott. “This will increase the ability for a larger number of Texas Military Department soldiers in Eagle Pass to operate more effectively and efficiently. Before now, the Texas National Guard had been scattered across this entire region in cramped quarters, away from fellow soldiers, and sometimes traveling long distances to do their job. This base camp is going to dramatically improve conditions for our soldiers. Texas would not be able to respond to President Biden's border crisis without the brave men and women of the Texas National Guard, and it is essential to build this base camp for them.”

The base camp also will feature a 700-seat dining facility, a recreation center, laundry facilities, WiFi access, individual rooms for soldiers starting at 118 sq. ft., chaplaincy programs and medical and psychological health facilities.

Abbott was joined by Adjutant General of Texas Major General Thomas Suelzer and Texas Border Czar Mike Banks.

“In addition to being able to house 1,800 troops in their own individual rooms, Forward Operating Base

“The key thing I want you to take away from this is that we are providing a better quality of life for our Texas National Guard soldiers,” said Border Czar Banks.

Eagle also will have surge capability of taking on 500 additional troops should we need to deploy the Texas Tactical Border Force to this area,” said Major General Suelzer. “In the coming weeks, we will also be expanding operations north and south of Eagle Pass, putting up additional barriers to fortify our border. We are also adding three more fan boats and expanding our drone program radar truck capabilities. Under Governor Abbott’s leadership, we are deploying every available resource and strategy to protect and defend Texas.”

“The key thing I want you to take away from this is that we are providing a better quality of life for our Texas National Guard

soldiers,” said Border Czar Banks. “To see those numbers decrease in Texas, it’s a testament to what these soldiers and DPS are doing to secure the border. I applaud Governor Abbott for your leadership to stand up and do what the federal government continues to fail to do.”

Gov. Abbott recently issued a statement on Texas’ constitutional right to defend and protect itself as President Biden continues to attack Texas and refuse to do his job to secure the border. The Governor joined members of the Texas House of Representatives to outline their joint efforts to continue expanding border security operations. 

(All photos courtesy of Gov. Abbott.)

The Texas Military Department acquired 80 acres of land in Eagle Pass to construct a Forward Operating Base that will house up to 1,800 Texas National Guard soldiers, with the ability to accommodate an additional 500.

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Hut 8 Begins Construction of New Digital Asset Mining Site

Hut 8 Corp., one of North America’s largest, digital asset mining pioneers and computing infrastructure providers, recently announced that it has commenced construction of its newest digital asset mining site in Culberson County, Texas. With construction under way, the company expects to bring miners online at the site in Q2 2024.

The Culberson County site creates the optionality for the company to expand its selfmining fleet or to transition existing self-mining activity from Granbury, Texas and Kearney, Neb. to the site. The site is expected to have up to approximately 3.6 EH/s of selfmining capacity if current generation miners are deployed. Based on current energy price forecasts, the company expects that its cost to mine a Bitcoin at the Culberson County site will be approximately 30 percent lower than its cost to mine a Bitcoin through its hosted miners at Granbury, Texas and Kearney, Neb.

“The Culberson County project exemplifies Hut 8’s focus on operating excellence,” said Hut 8 CEO Asher Genoot. “Our in-house development team enables us to build quickly and cost-effectively. Compared to the benchmark of approximately $460,000 per MW set by recent acquisitions in the area, our all-in cost to design and build the Culberson County site is expected to be less than $275,000 per MW. This represents a savings of more than 40 percent, or approximately $18,500,000 in upfront development costs per every 100 MW of expansion. For the Culberson County site specifically, this means that we expect to build the site for $17,300,000 or less, instead of approximately $29,000,000.”

expenditures for the Culberson County site.

“Breaking ground at the Culberson County site marks the introduction of Hut 8’s new treasury strategy, which focuses on deploying our stack strategically to grow the business, create shareholder value and minimize dilution,” said Genoot. “As we head into the halving, we anticipate that distressed assets will become available at favorable valuations and create opportunities for further growth. A core principle of our new strategy is to deploy capital thoughtfully and strategically to maintain a strong balance sheet and position ourselves to evaluate these opportunities as they arise.”

About Hut 8

The company also has formally enacted a new treasury

strategy that provides for the use of Bitcoin held in reserve to build balance sheet value and finance growth initiatives. Bitcoin held in reserve may be deployed through direct sales, option strategies or other approaches. The strategy is designed to enhance the company’s ability to execute strategic initiatives, increase its operating scale and optimize metrics such as energy cost and cost to mine a Bitcoin. Decisions to utilize Bitcoin held in reserve will be made on a case-bycase basis. The company will use this strategy to fund capital

Through innovation, imagination and passion, Hut 8 Corp.’s executive team is bullish on creating value at the intersection of infrastructure and energy through Bitcoin mining and hosting, groundbreaking managed services, energy arbitrage, operating traditional data centers and capitalizing on emerging technologies like AI and machine learning. Headquartered in Miami, Fla., Hut 8 Corp.’s infrastructure portfolio includes 11 sites: five high performance computing data centers across British Columbia and Ontario that offer cloud, colocation, AI, machine learning and VFX rendering computing solutions; and six Bitcoin mining, hosting and managed services sites located in Alberta, N.Y., Nebraska and Texas. Long-distinguished for its unique treasury strategy, Hut 8 Corp. has one of the highest inventories of self-mined Bitcoin of any publicly-traded company globally. For more information, visit www.hut8.com 

Four New Buildings Will Be Constructed at Texas A&M

Regents recently approved building a new engineering building in Galveston, a health sciences building in Laredo, a public health and education building in San Antonio and an arts and media building in Corpus Christi.

The $258 million in campus investments is just the latest in a building boom that’s occurring across the state. The Texas A&M University System has more than $4.1 billion worth of construction projects in planning and design, construction or development across Texas.

“This unprecedented investment in public education will reap benefits for Texans for generations to come,” said John Sharp, chancellor of The Texas A&M University System. “We are thankful for both the wisdom of the Texas legislature and the leadership of The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents for making these projects possible.”

Campus projects approved today include:

Arts & Media Building, Texas A&M

Univ. Corpus Christi, $81M: The 85,000-sq.-ft. Arts & Media Building will house undergraduate and graduate programs within the School of Arts, Media, & Communication, including music, theatre and dance. The new two-story facility will provide modern, proscenium theatre performance space, a recital hall, a black box theatre and a dance studio. It also will include rehearsal halls and theatre labs for instruction in costume construction and makeup, as well as faculty and administrative staff offices and support areas.

Construction is scheduled to start in April with substantial completion by March of 2026.

Engineering Classroom & Research Building, Texas A&M Univ. Galveston, $51M: The building will allow for growth of the Freshman Engineering Program as well as other programs including Environmental Engineering, Ocean Engineering and Computer Science and Engineering. Construction is set to start in March with substantial completion scheduled for November 2025.

Health Sciences Education & Research Center & Western Hemispheric Trade Center Expansion: Texas A&M International University, Laredo, $71M: The new Health Sciences Education & Research Center will house several health sciences programs, including the Kinesiology, Communication Disorders and Public Health programs which require classrooms, demonstration rooms and research labs to meet increased enrollment demands. The facility also will allow for an expansion of health sciences offerings in the future, including occupational therapy and clinical lab sciences, helping address the acute needs of Laredo.

The expansion to the Western Hemispheric Trade Center will consolidate growing business school programs currently housed in two other buildings, including a new entrepreneurial incubator. Construction on both is set to begin in March and should be completed by December 2025.

Public Health and Education

Building Project at Texas A&M University-San Antonio, $55M: This facility will include classrooms, labs and support spaces for the College of Education as well as Public Health initiatives. A&M-San Antonio has a unique opportunity with this facility to effect change in the community and region. New programs will support the launch of a new academic program in public health aimed at addressing the comorbidities and health disparities that exist in South Bexar County. The facility will support a partnership between A&M-San Antonio and the Texas A&M Public Health program with the necessary spaces to prepare highquality public-health scientists, educators, and specialists to meet the Texas workforce shortages in public health, healthcare management and STEM+H specialty areas, as well as to provide necessary services to improve health and quality of life.

Construction is scheduled to start in March with substantial completion scheduled for January 2026. 

Hut 8 photo

Grading is under way at Hut 8’s 63 MW site in Culberson County.

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Zachry Utilizes Cat 336, Dozers for Earthmoving Operations

Zachry crews are constructing two new overpass bridges on SH 71 over the existing signalized intersections at Ross and Kellam roads that will improve mobility by allowing through-traffic on SH 71 to flow through the area without stopping. New frontage roads will allow local travelers to access to Ross and Kellam roads and improve cyclist and pedestrian infrastructure.

The project was designed by Gunda Corporation, which was acquired by Ardurra while this project was under construction.

Bridge Construction

“The two overpasses over Ross Road and Kellam Road remove two signalized intersections that stopped high speed traffic in both directions, which should reduce local traffic conflicts with thru traffic,” said Aaron Vrazel, Zachry’s project manager. “Several median crossovers are also being removed with the hopes to lower crossing traffic incidents. Business and residential driveway access now has dedicated frontage roads that will be posted for 45-mph instead of trying to turn and merge with high-speed traffic on the main lanes.

“Ross Road is a major corridor for local traffic and especially for Del Valle ISD with a high school, middle school and elementary school, so getting thru traffic up and over the SH 71 intersection at Ross Rd reduced the peak traffic conflicts at this critical intersection,” he added. “Event traffic for Circuit of the Americas now has better access from to Kellam Road via the SH 71 frontage roads rather than blending with through traffic on the main lanes.”

Precast/prefabricated TX34 and TX54 girders were used.

“These wide flange girders are wide enough to act as support for the bridge overhang concrete that would normally require temporary falsework,” said Vrazel. “These

wide flange girders allow for the deck concrete to be placed without installation and removal of that separate overhang falsework/formwork. This approach accelerated the deck construction and reduced the need for lane closures for traffic below the overpass bridges.

“Footings and tie beams were added to provide support on the existing SH 71 eastbound and westbound bridges over Onion Creek adding resiliency for future flood events,” he added. “Along with the footings and tie beams, 18-inch and 30-inch rock riprap, concrete riprap, and interlocking articulating concrete blocks were installed to protect the bridge foundations from scouring during high flow events.”

“Prestressed concrete I-Girders [are being used] because prestressed concrete is the most durable, reliable and strongest concrete that is widely used for the construction of mega buildings and bridges,” Glynda Chu, a public information officer of TxDOT’s Austin District, said. “Prestressed concrete is very beneficial to construct crack-free structural members and tackle shrinkage and temperature effects. Prestressed concrete allows the construction of longer span beams and girders in addition to increase the ultimate load carrying capacity for the same member cross-section.”

“All of the bridge substructure, bridge superstructure and overhead sign column work is cast-in-place,” Vrazel said. “Falsework was utilized for the bridge cap construction as a part of the substructure and for the overhang on the westbound Onion Creek widening, but the wide flange beams at the four Ross and Kellam overpass bridges allowed for that overhang falsework to not be utilized.”

Most of the earth moving equipment is Cat, including a 336 excavator; D5 and D4 dozers; an 84-in. vibratory roller; an RM400 mixer; a 150 motor grader; a 950 loader, as

well as standard pieces. Dozer and motor graders paired with Trimble machine control and GPS also are being used. Structures crews are mainly utilizing JLG and Skyjack manlifts, Xtreme 1255 12k telehandler and a Grove rough terrain crane.

The frontage roads are approximately 1.5 mi. of two-lanes in each direction, eastbound and westbound. The frontage lanes are asphalt while there are 2.5 mi. of main lane and ramp construction. Approximately 1.7 mi. of the mainlanes have been completely reconstructed with 11-in. continuously-reinforced-concrete paving (CRCP).

“The local soil is a high PI clay that requires treatment with lime or replacement to be used for the roadway,” said Vrazel. “Frontage roads get 8 inches of lime treatment, then 8 inches of flex base and 6.5 inches of hot mix asphalt [HMA] with curb and gutter on each side. The main lanes have two feet of a select embankment material that has the top six inches treated with cement that is capped with an asphalt bond breaker prior to the CRCP being placed.

TXDOT standard mixes including Class B, A, C, S and P.

“Substantial drainage was installed including removing and replacing all of the cross culverts from ROW to ROW,” said Vrazel. “Then parallel drainage was added along the curb lines of the frontage roads and ditch lines on each side of the main lanes and the main lane median.”

Zachry had one large grading crew and two structures crews, along with various subcontractors performing the work on the project.

For improved cyclist and pedestrian infrastructure, 10-ft. wide shared-use-paths (SUP) are being constructed along the eastbound and westbound frontage roads from Ross Road to Kellam Road.

“These SUP sections are connected to each other and the adjacent sidewalks with

sidewalks and ADA curb ramps at the Ross Road and Kellam Road intersections,” said Vrazel. “There also will be upgraded protected signalized pedestrian crossings at the frontage road intersections to allow for access along most of the project length.”

During peak times, westbound traffic in the morning and eastbound traffic in the evening would back up at least a half-mile at the old signals.

“The free flow overpasses at Ross and Kellam roads decrease these backups and allow increased mobility of traffic,” said Vrazel. “Dedicated frontage roads allow for better access to future developments from Onion Creek to just past Kellam Road.”

According to Vrazel, revisions were needed to a few of the steps in the traffic control plan in order to complete the work as designed.

“Zachry and TXDOT partnered throughout the project to utilize the Request for Information [RFI] process to come up with the most efficient solutions to these conflicts,” Vrazel said. “Temporary shoring was implemented in a couple of areas to allow for work to proceed where the width needed for construction did not allow for vertical differences between the existing and proposed pavement sections. Extended night and weekend lane closures were also utilized to complete work that was needed to maintain two through lanes which addressed some of the traffic control plan conflicts.”

In regards to the lifespan, Chu stated that “typically the design life for new bridge construction is approximately 50 to 70 years.”

To manage traffic during the construction, TxDOT did phased construction using DMS signs, message boards and construction signing to alert the traveling public.

“Traffic is flowing extremely well now that the eastbound and westbound overpass bridges have been completed,” said Chu.

Zachry crews are constructing two new overpass bridges on SH 71 over the existing signalized intersections at Ross and Kellam roads that will improve mobility.

AUSTIN from page 1

Precast/prefabricated TX34 and TX54 girders were used.

Crews Constructing Two Overpasses On Texas Highway

“Since the opening of the SH 71 main lane overpasses, it is challenging to ensure traffic stays within the 55-mph work zone speed limit,” Vrazel. “The traffic control plans are utilized to bring materials and equipment in and out of the work areas. Gaps are created in the portable concrete traffic barrier [PCTB] to allow for access to homes and businesses. These access points are also utilized by project personnel to enter the work area from the travel lanes if deceleration and acceleration areas can be created.

“For this job, TxDOT has allowed Zachry to have multiple construction entrances to the job to allow for the movement of equipment, materials, storage space, to minimally impact the traveling public while constructing the job,” said Chu.

The project is not without its challenges.

“In addition to the traffic control plans, maintaining access has been a main focus recently,” said Vrazel. “Zachry coordinates with businesses and homeowners to build driveways in phases or provide alternate access to keep the project moving but to also maintain access at all times. The project is currently in the later phases having completed the eastbound frontage road and both eastbound and westbound main lanes over Ross and Kellam Road. The focus now is to complete the westbound frontage road.”

Zachry and TxDOT continue to partner to reduce utility conflicts and mitigate delays.

“Most of the project was very accessible, but one area that had tight access was the East abutment and East bank of the Onion Creek bridges where the Right-of-Way [ROW] was adjacent to the tow of the existing bridge embankment,” said Vrazel. “This area posed some access and erosion control challenges that were managed weekly to ensure that work could be completed, but also kept the creek protected from sediment discharge. We have an effective working relationship with TxDOT and the construction-engineering-inspecting [CEI] firm Atkins-Realis.”

The work on the overpass bridges has been completed.

“There are four, three span, two-lane bridges that are about 300 feet long with a 10-foot and 4- foot shoulder,” said Vrazel. “There also was a 14-foot by 10-inch widening to the 750-feet long westbound SH 71 bridge over Onion Creek that allowed for an additional merge lane from the Ross Road entrance ramp down to the SH 130 northbound frontage road. The westbound Onion Creek bridge widening and foundation improvements along with the eastbound frontage road were the first areas started on the project because they were outside of the existing lanes of traffic.

“The two eastbound overpass bridges

were constructed at the same time and then the two westbound overpass bridges were constructed at the same time,” he added.

The eastbound SUP was completed in January 2023 and the westbound SUP construction is just beginning with the goal of completing in the spring 2024.

Busy days have many Zachry and subcontractor workers on-site.

The main subcontractors for the project are Aaron Concrete Contractors along with Austin Formula Utilities for the underground drainage/curb and gutter; Texas Highway Walls for the wraparound MSE walls at the intersections; The Levy Company for the electrical/signals and the large signs; Lone Star Paving for the HMA work; Flasher Equipment Company for pavement markings; M&D Industries of Louisiana for the drill shaft foundations; and Roadway Specialties Inc. (RSI) for guardrail and small signs.

The amounts of materials generated by excavation and demolition operations have not been finalized.

“Asphalt, concrete and reinforcing steel removed from the project are recycled or reused,” said Vrazel.

New materials include more than 42,000 cu. yds. of concrete, approximately 2,000 tons of reinforcing steel, more than 44,000 tons of asphalt, 4,100 linear ft. of 24-in. water line, 3,400 linear ft. of box culvert ranging in size from 4 ft. by 4 ft. to multi-barrel 10 ft. by 5 ft., and approximately 26,000 linear ft. of reinforced concrete pipe (RCP) ranging in size from 18 in. to 42 in.

For a multi-year project such as this, maintenance is crucial for maximum production.

“Equipment fluids, lubrication and undercarriage components are monitored for normal and excessive wear that may indicate

issues with machines,” Vrazel. “Proper lubrication and daily inspections by our operators help keep equipment downtime to a minimum.”

Additional Construction Planning is ongoing for the Tucker Hill Lane ($64 million) and Pope Bend Road ($53 million) projects, the second phase.

“Various improvements have been evaluated with the goal of upgrading SH 71 at these intersections,” said Chu.

The proposed projects would include two new overpass bridges on SH 71 over the existing signalized intersections at Tucker Hill Lane and Pope Bend Road, one-way frontage roads within the project limits and improved and expanded bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure.

“The projects require 24.5 acres of rightof-way at the Tucker Hill Lane intersection and 11.09 acres at the Pope Bend Road intersection,” said Chu. “The acreage at Pope Bend Road includes 2.13 acres in McKinney Roughs Nature Park, a park area used by the public, which is subject to Chapter 26 of the Parks and Wildlife Code. No displacements are anticipated for either of the proposed projects.”

Both projects are scheduled to go out for bid in 2027, once funding is secured.

The constraints analysis and development of conceptual roadway design alternatives has been completed, as has the environmental study and schematic design. The preparation of the final design, right-of-way acquisition, and utility adjustments is under way.

The SH 71 at FM 1209 project, the third, is also in the planning stage.

“The proposed project is needed to address increased congestion along SH 71 due to population growth and traffic volumes,” said Chu. “The purpose of the proposed project is to improve mobility and reduce congestIon along SH 71 at FM 1209.”

The proposed plan is to construct a new overpass bridge on SH 71 over the intersection at FM 1209.

“This would improve mobility by allowing SH 71 through-traffic to flow through the area without stopping,” said Chu. “In addition, new frontage roads would be built within the project limits to allow local travelers access to FM 1209. Bicycle and pedestrian accommodations would also be improved and expanded, as a part of this proposed project.”

Currently, the final design, right-of-way acquisition and utility adjustments phase is under way. Once done, the construction can begin.

The cost is estimated at $45 million, with plans to go out for bid in 2029 when funding is secured.  CEG

(All photos courtesy of Zachry Construction.)

AUSTIN from page 10

The first phase of this project — valued at $65 million — began in February 2021 as crews began upgrades to Ross and Kellam roads.

Prestressed concrete I-Girders are being used because prestressed concrete is the most durable, reliable and strongest concrete that is widely used for the construction of mega buildings and bridges

Clearway Energy Group Completes $660M Solar Project

Clearway Energy Group (“Clearway”) recently announced the completion of its 452 MW Texas Solar Nova complex in Kent County.

The project, completed in two phases, will generate enough electricity to power more than 190,000 homes each year. The $660 million investment in West Texas will contribute significantly to the local tax base, starting with an estimated $5.4 million in property taxes and wages to be paid in the first year.

“We are incredibly grateful for our partnerships with local officials, suppliers, construction partners and customers that made this project possible,” said Valerie Wooley, senior vice president of Origination at Clearway. “The Texas Solar Nova complex is delivering new renewable power to the ERCOT grid, thanks to the ongoing dedication of our partners. We thank Verizon, SKF and Toyota Boshoku America, among others, for partnering with Clearway to help meet their own decarbonization goals.”

Clearway’s Texas Solar Nova offtake agreements will support Verizon in achieving its target to source the equivalent of 50 percent of its total annual electricity consumption with renewable energy by 2025 and ultimately achieve its goal of net zero emissions in its operations by 2035. These agreements also support Citizen Verizon, the company’s

responsible business plan for economic, environmental, and social advancement.

“Clearway has been an outstanding partner to Verizon as we continue to work to meet our goals around climate protection,” said Jim Gowen, senior vice president of global supply chain and sourcing/chief sustainability officer of Verizon. “Through these purchase agreements with Clearway, we are proud to continue to accelerate the green-

ing of the U.S. electrical grid.”

A portion of the renewable attributes from the solar projects also will go toward supporting SKF and Toyota Boshoku America in achieving their respective decarbonization goals through Renewable Energy Certificate (“REC”) purchases.

“SKF’s long-term agreement to purchase RECs from Clearway’s solar complex in Kent County not only enables us to secure 100 percent renewable electricity for all our operations in the U.S. and Canada, but also represents a significant investment in the green energy sector,” said Rob Jenkinson, net zero manager of SKF Group. “This marks a crucial milestone in our sustainability journey for North America, and for SKF globally, bringing us a step closer to our goal to decarbonize our global operations by 2030 and forming an important element of our net-zero strategy.”

“Toyota Boshoku America is excited to partner with Clearway as a REC buyer for this solar project,” said Ryan Hunt, vice president of production control of Toyota Boshoku America. “The project embodies our core values of doing what is right and contributing to society on a path towards a more sustainable future. It also supports our overall decarbonization goals by offsetting one hundred percent of our annual energy consumption in the United States and Canada by 2026.”

More than 400 craftworkers contributed to the Texas Solar Nova complex with more than 500,000 hours of injury-free labor. The project is built on approximately 5,000 acres of land with over 1.1 million solar panels.

Clearway and its construction partner, Mortenson, supported several local organizations during construction, including the Texas Leadership Charter AcademySecondary campus, the Spur Texas Community Food Bank, school supply drives and fundraisers for local community parks.

In connection with the construction and operation of these facilities, Clearway assembled a bank consortium consisting of Natixis, DNB, MUFG, NordLB and Societe Generale for a total of approximately $700 million of construction financing commitments and $182 million of term loan commitments. Clearway arranged tax equity for the project, as well as cash equity from HASI in partnership with Clearway Energy, Inc.

About Clearway Energy Group

Clearway Energy Group is leading the transition to a world powered by clean energy. Along with its public affiliate Clearway Energy Inc., it owns and operates 10 gigawatts of renewable and conventional energy assets across the country. As it develops a nationwide pipeline of new renewable energy projects for the future, Clearway’s 8 gigawatts of operating wind, solar and energy storage assets offset the equivalent of more than 10.5 million metric tons of carbon emissions for its customers today. Clearway Energy Group is headquartered in San Francisco with offices in Carlsbad, Calif.; Scottsdale, Ariz.; Denver, Colo.; Houston; and Princeton, N.J.

visit clearwayenergygroup.com.

Clearway photo

Clearway Energy Group recently announced the completion of its $660 million 452 MW Texas Solar Nova complex in Kent County.

TxDOT’s $10,000 Scholarship Set to Accept Applications

Texas students who helped clean up and beautify their communities can now apply for a scholarship contest awarding a total of $10,000.

The annual Don’t mess with Texas Scholarship Contest is now accepting applications for the 2024 school year. All Texas high school seniors currently attending public, private or home school — and planning to attend an accredited college, university or trade school in the fall 2024 semester — are eligible to apply. Judges will select two winners based on applicants’ proven results in leading projects or efforts focused on educating communities about the importance of keeping our state and roadways clean and litter-free.

The annual Don’t mess with Texas Scholarship Contest is now accepting applications for the 2024 school year.

Sponsored by Ozarka and iHeartMedia, the contest recognizes the creativity of high school seniors who are taking a leadership role in preventing litter in their communities.

“It’s important that future generations feel empowered to create long-term, sustainable solutions to make their communities litter-free,” said Norma Rios, program coordinator of TxDOT’s Don’t mess with Texas campaign. “Our state is counting on these leaders to keep Texas litter-free for decades to come.”

Past winners include 2023 winner Hayden with Pioneer Technology & Arts Academy in Greenville. Hayden developed the Trashy Tuesday campaign. At least twice a month students would gather after school on a Tuesday and clean litter around their campus. The project expanded to cleaning community parks as well.

Neddah with Brownsville Early College High School in Brownsville was another 2023 scholarship recipient. Neddah was a leader of the Environmental Club at her school.

The group conducted a litter survey and then developed and implemented a litter management plan at her campus. They also created an on-campus recycling program and created a competition among the classrooms to see who can recycle the most.

Don’t mess with Texas has been educating Texans about litter prevention since 1986. The program includes annual “Trash-Off” community outreach events and the Adopt-aHighway volunteer program.

To apply for the Don’t mess with Texas Scholarship Contest, visit dontmesswithtexas.org

Applications must be received via online submission by 5 p.m. (CDT) on April 2, 2024.

For media inquiries, contact TxDOT media relations at MediaRelations@txdot.gov or 512/463-8700.

TxDOT Issues Its Statement On Future of I-35 Project

In response to a lawsuit brought by Rethink35 and other opponents of the I-35 Capital Express Central project, TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams signaled the agency plans to vigorously defend the much-needed project.

“This is a project designed with the community and for the community,” said Williams. “We have carefully followed and even exceeded the environmental and legal requirements to advance this project. We don’t believe that the actions of these opponents have merit. TxDOT intends to continue to press forward to deliver the I-35 Capital Express Central project.”

Extensive collaboration with citizens, community groups and elected officials over many years and comments from more than 18,000 community members were incorporated in the project’s design.

The scope of the project includes:

• Adding non-tolled high-occupancy vehicle managed lanes to encourage carpooling and accommodate mass transit;

• Creating boulevard-like frontage roads from Cesar Chavez Street to Dean Keeton Street;

• Designing the project to accommodate and incorporate deck plazas, should they be funded by our partners;

• Removing upper decks and lowering the

mainlanes between Holly Street and Airport Boulevard;

• Widening east-west bridges to include 30 ft. on each side for safety buffer and shared-use paths, adding shared-use paths on both sides of I-35 throughout the corridor;

• Constructing new bicycle and pedestrian crossings at 3rd Street, 4th Street, 15th Street, Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard and 51st Street.

“TxDOT design and environmental teams undertook the most rigorous environmental process to ensure we put forward the best plan that meets safety and mobility needs while keeping community values a priority,” added Williams. “The selected alternative is the result of hard work and a painstaking effort to reduce adverse impacts.”

The Austin area is expected to see more than $10 billion in economic development over the next three decades. Improvements to I-35 are critical for the local, regional and national economy.

“The traffic demand is here and will continue to grow as more people move to the Austin area to take advantage of the booming job market and quality of life that Central Texas offers,” said Williams. “It’s our duty to mitigate congestion and work to advance these needed safety and mobility improvements on this critical corridor.”

TxDOT photo

TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams signaled the agency plans to vigorously defend the much-needed project.

Mobile Demolition Processor with Rotation Single Cylinder, High-Powered, Used to Crush and Process Concrete, Barely used processor with up to 185 tons of crushing force, Mounting head fits Komatsu PC210, SN# MDP20151

AT6156 $48,000

LaBounty UP45

Universal Processor with Concrete Processing Jaw Set and Shear Jaw Set, with rotation, Ideal tool for demolition work, Mounting head fits Komatsu PC490, SN# UP45307

AT6162 $136,000

Waste/Construction Grapple, Mobile Demolition Grapple, with Rotation Demolition, Material Handling and Sorting, hardly used, Mounting head fits PC290, SN# DG25017

AT7595 $35,000

Genesis GXP 990 R

Komatsu PC490

Factory refurbished shear with rotation mounted on a Komatsu PC490, 35" Jaw opening, 35" Jaw Depth, Excavator 4,552 Hours, SN# 990334R

K19405 $429,500

LaBounty MSD 2250 R

Shear, with Rotation, Ideal for Demolition 30" Jaw Opening and 30" Jaw Depth, 3rd member mount, Mounting head fits PC490 at the stick end, SN# 622117

AT5950 $131,500

LinkBelt/Genesis LMT

Genesis Tool, Link-Belt branded, LMT Demolition Tool with rotation. Shear Jaw and CP Jaw with stands. Mounting head to fit LBX 350.SN# 320222 AT8465 $119,5000

Atlas 300 MH

Material Handler with 46" of reach, 4 tine Atlas Grapple, Front and Top Window Guards, 15KW Gen/Set, 90% rubber 903 Hours, Warranty thru 3-22-26 or 4,000 Hours, SN# 302M301267

AA22004 $485,000

Rotating Concrete Processor Mobile Hydraulic Pulverizer, non rotation Single Cylinder, High-Powered, Used to Crush and Pulverize Concrete, Rented a few times, 44" Jaw Opening and 40" Jaw depth, Mounting head fits Komtsu PC 360, SN# P350119

AT8215X $48,000

Sennebogen 825E

Material Handler with Bateman 5 tine grapple, Equipped with front guard, Baldor/Hubble Gen/Set, 85% tires, Clean used machine ready to go to work, 8,623 Hours

SN# 8250328

ZZ19840X $298,000

LaBounty MSD 2000 R

Komatsu PC290

Shear, Hydraulic Shear with Rotation Bearly Used, Hydraulic shear mounted on Komatsu PC290, 28" Jaw opening and 29" Jaw Depth, Excavator 2,676 Hours, SN# 620869

K191024M $325,000

Construction grappl heavy duty two over three grapple, NEW Heavy demolition and or rock grapple, Mounting head fits Komatsu PC160, SN# 40619

AT4425 $17,500

LinkBelt/Genesis LDT

Genisis Tool, Link-Belt branded. Demolition Processor. Mounting head to fit LBX 350. SN# 290133.

AT8464 $97,000

Genesis LXP300

Processor, with rotation, Ideal for demolition work, Multi head, Comes with Shear Jaw and CP Jaw with stands, Mounting Head for LinkBelt 300, SN# 320139

GS17003 $119,500

LaBounty MDP 20R CP

LaBounty MHP 350 S CP

LaBounty HDR 40 S

LaBounty MDG 250