Texas 11, June 2, 2024

Lone Star Constructors Progressing On I-35E

By Irwin Rapoport CEG CORRESPONDENT

The multi-billion-dollar plan to upgrade the entire 28-mi. I-35E corridor in Dallas and Denton counties is progressing with Phase 2 (valued at $709 million), which began in spring 2022, expected to be delivered in late 2025.

This portion of the project, part of the Texas Clear Lane Initiative, is reconstructing and widening a 6.39-mi. southern section of I-35E in Dallas County from I-635 to the Denton County line. The work will fully reconstruct and widen this section of the general-purpose lanes from six to eight and improve intersections and frontage roads to decrease congestion and improve safety for motorists. The existing Toll Managed Lanes (MLs) that are being reconstructed will remain as two lanes.

The design-build project is being constructed by Lone Star Constructors (LSC), a joint venture of Fluor Heavy Civil LLC and Austin Bridge & Road. Fluor has led the delivery of successful design-build projects for TxDOT and Austin LP has built Texas highways, many in the Dallas District.

Scope of Work

To this point, the JV has completed the following elements: majority of design, substantially complete on utility relocations, nearly complete with the proposed southbound frontage road and more than 50 percent of the proposed project drainage. Over the next few months, the work effort will focus on constructing the remaining proposed southbound general-purpose lanes (including four overpass bridge structures), continued construction of the proposed northbound frontage roads and cross street intersection construction.

In a few locations, the JV has ample space to operate to construct frontage roads, bridges and install underground infrastructure. Having such sites ensures that crews do not have to worry about traffic and that materials can be brought in and taken out easily. As construction has ramped up, a considerable number of loaders were arriving and departing

12

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Artic Trucks

(3) 2019 CATERPILLAR 745............From $289,500 (2) 2019 CATERPILLAR 740GC................$439,500 2017 CATERPILLAR 725C2....................$209,500 (2) 2022 CATERPILLAR 725............From $395,000 (5) 2023 ROKBAK RA30............................$CALL 2023 ROKBAK RA40................................$CALL

Attachments

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PA110VS245 WINCH....................$7,500

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ROMCO Equipment Hosts EV Demo Event in Carrollton

ROMCO Equipment held an EV Demo event at its Carrollton branch for the north Texas region on May 9 to highlight the advancements Volvo Construction Equipment and other brands are making in alternative power.

Excavators — both compact and full size — and wheel loaders from Volvo were on display along with LeeBoy’s 8520C electric powered paver and electric compressors from Atlas Copco.

Derrick Edmonds, ROMCO’s electric equipment product specialist, was on hand to answer customers’ questions about Volvo’s EC18, ECR18 and ECR25 compact excavators, the industry’s first medium size EC230 excavator, and L20 and L25 wheel loaders.

Factory reps from Volvo, LeeBoy and Atlas Copco also were available to offer insight on their machines’ capabilities.

Volvo has been a leader in the push toward electric transformation and has goal of having 35 percent of its machine sales be electric by 2030, according to its website.

Attendees enjoyed a Texas BBQ and crawfish boil at the conclusion of the demonstration.  CEG

(All photographs in this article are Copyright 2024 Construction Equipment Guide. All Rights Reserved.)

see ROMCO page 8

ROMCO’s Carrollton branch hosted the impressive demonstration of electric equipment.

City of Grand Prairie employee Amador Garcia “scores” during the ECR25 operator challenge.

Andrew Bruxvoort, ROMCO general sales manager, welcomed customers to the event, highlighting advancements in alternative power.

(L-R): Kevin Nelson and Garrett Thompson of Intercon Demolition along with ROMCO Power Systems Division sales manager John Michael Alaniz.

Volvo’s EC230 electric excavator offers operators lower noise and vibration than diesel machines, with responsive hydraulics due to the electric motor.

LeeBoy Rep John Greaney answers questions about his company’s 8520C electric powered paver.

Jay Leslie (R) of Sierra Dairy and Russel Ankrom of Atlas Copco were among the participants in the skill challenge operating the Volvo ECR25.

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Mustang Cat Conducts Red Tag Sale at Houston Facility

Mustang Cat held a successful Red Tag Sale at its main location in Houston on May 16 to 17.

The sale featured used Caterpillar equipment at reduced prices and resulted in more than 80 machines being sold, according to officials at the dealership.

The sales have become popular semi-annual events for the dealership. A second sale is planned for October.

About Mustang Cat

With its headquarters in Houston, Mustang Cat is a privately-held Cat dealership that has been at the forefront of construction and power systems equipment for 70 years. In addition to offering Caterpillar’s full line of new equipment, the dealership also specializes in Cat Certified Used Equipment — low-hour machines in like-new condition. These selections are inspected by Mustang staff and clients receive a full maintenance history report for an informed purchase. 

(All photographs in this article are Copyright 2024 Construction Equipment Guide. All Rights Reserved.) see MUSTANG page 26

Among those available to help buyers (L-R) were Trey Kersh, Myles Roll and AJ Brazier, all of Mustang Cat; Jami Bree Seubert and Brice Moll of Cat Financial; and Ben Rice of Caterpillar.

Jose Saucedo (R) of Ponce Trucking purchased this Cat 320 from a smiling Anthony Olivares of Mustang.

Mustang Cat Sales Coordinators Wesley Dixon (L) and Shane Podsednik were on hand to help facilitate customer purchases.

Trey Kersh, prime product sales manager of Mustang Cat, helped oversee the busy two-day event.

Jack Burnson, Caterpillar BCP Work Tool rep for the Houston district, with one of several Cat D7s that were sold over the two days

Sales Rep Taylor Kulak (L) and Marketing Rep Eric Hoffart welcomed buyers to the two-day sale event.

David Kelly (L) of Deep South Land and Timber and Hadyn Ford, prime product sales rep of Mustang, discuss Kelly’s equipment needs.

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Volvo, LeeBoy, Atlas Copco Offer Insights On Machines

Green Cow Compost’s Frank Kalsbeek gets a feel for the power of Volvo’s L20 wheel loader.

Derrick Edmonds, ROMCO EV product specialist, was a busy man throughout the day as he facilitated customers that wanted to operate the machines on display.

ROMCO from page 4

Volvo electric excavators move stone at ROMCO’s EV Demo on May 9 in Carrollton.

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Monk JCB Celebrates Five Successful Years in Houston

Monk JCB of Houston is celebrating five successful years as the Houston-area JCB dealer despite an eventful half-decade of challenges, including a major construction project and a pandemic.

Founded in spring 2019 in a temporary facility, Monk JCB began construction almost immediately on a building on Houston’s busy North Freeway, according to Company President Bryan Monk.

The facility — a 13,000-sq.-ft. building on 5.5 acres — has helped propel Monk to unprecedented growth numbers in new equipment sales, service hours and parts sales. But it was not all smooth going, according to Monk.

COVID Factor

By 2020, the walls were up on the new facility, but COVID-19 brought construction to a halt shortly thereafter. With pandemic regulations relatively less restrictive in Texas compared with other states, progress resumed in the fall and Monk took occupancy on an unfinished building in December 2020 (there was no permanent power to the structure at that time and the company relied on generators for several weeks). Also, it did not have internet connectivity, yet, making typically routine internal processes challenging.

Finally, in May 2021, Monk was able to be fully operational and the company has been on an impressive trajectory ever since.

Meeting CustomersÊ Needs

Product support is the lynchpin of Monk’s growth strategy.

“From the start, our goal has been to bring unparalleled service and quality to the construction equipment sector in Houston,” Monk said. “Houston is a great place to be in this business and we aim to build a dealership worthy of the

market we are in.”

The company maintains a parts inventory of more than $4 million and has a record of 94 percent availability within 24 hours.

“Our parts department plays a crucial role in ensuring minimal downtime for our clients,” Monk added.

The service department is a key component of the operation, equipped with advanced facilities that include eight service bays.

“We offer customized service programs, including 24hour service,” Monk said, highlighting his commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction.

The approach is working. Parts sales doubled from 2021 to 2022 and rose an additional 30 percent in 2023. In the first year in the new facility, service hours doubled and unit sales grew by 300 percent and has since grown exponentially, tripling the number of JCB machines in the field in just five years, Monk said.

“We have done well with civil contractors, underground and water, as well as the landscaping market,” he added.

Retaining key personnel over the long-term ranks among the major components contributing to Monk JCB’s growth — all four original Monk employees remain on the staff today, along with approximately 25 additional team members.

“All of the original cast, if you will, is still here,” Monk said. “Original members like technicians Luis Hernandez and Carlos Zepeda, along with Renee Young, our office manager, have been pivotal to this journey.”

Currently, Monk’s staff includes six equipment sales representatives and a product support sales representative. Travis Monk, Bryan’s son, is the strategic accounts manager and will eventually be at the helm of the family business.

“He is the next generation of Monk JCB,” Bryan said.

Monk added that his current team puts him in a position

to achieve their goals going forward.

“There is plenty of work in Houston and there will be for the foreseeable future,” he said. “There are good, solid contractors here. We know every customer by name. All customers are not the same, nor are they just a number to us. They put their trust in us and we don’t take that trust lightly. If we don’t perform, it affects their livelihood and we take that pretty seriously.

“There are lots of highs in terms of potential in this market,” he added. “We intend to reach that potential and a key advantage we have is that we can grow without making a huge splash. We can sneak up on competitors, so to speak. We are locally owned and customer access to ownership is encouraged. Mid-sized contractors are very important to us.

“We are Houston-based,” Monk added. “We live here. This is our home. It is incredibly exciting to be able to grow a company in the place that I call home.”

As such, Monk JCB is deeply involved in the local community, engaging in various initiatives that support the Houston economy and contribute to community development.

“We believe in giving back to the community that has supported us,” Monk said, referencing the Houston Rodeo as an example of community involvement. Monk serves on the finance committee while several staff members also contribute to the popular annual event.

For Monk JCB, the next five years promise to be both challenging and fulfilling. A $9-billion construction project on I-45 will disrupt traffic for years while trimming 100 ft. of road frontage at the dealership. While it might affect traffic flow, Monk said it will not change their focus.

“Our vision extends beyond just selling equipment,” he said. “We aim to revolutionize how construction businesses operate. We’ll continue to judge ourselves by a different standard. We feel like we need to overperform.”  CEG

Monk JCB photo

Monk JCB is celebrating five years as the Houston-area dealer, where its 13,000-sq.-ft. facility has helped propel the business to unprecedented growth numbers in new equipment sales, service hours and parts sales.

Fluor, Austin Bridge & Road Contend With Road Challenges

The biggest and most unique challenge with this project is keeping the managed lanes open and reversible throughout construction.

CONSTRUCTORS from page 1

to bring in various materials and remove debris from excavation operations. Having space to store materials permits the JV to transfer materials to work sites and to replenish materials. These sites help to maximize production to meet milestones.

WSP designed the new roads and infrastructure.

“This project will require the larger HSG-40cw automated barrier gates [ABGs] in order to manage the closure operations of two of the proposed two-lane managed lane access ramps.”

Construction Challenges

Traffic is a major issue for the construction.

“The biggest and most unique challenge with this project is keeping the managed lanes open and reversible throughout construction,” said Margarita Moreno, the JV’s public information manager. “This is the first TxDOT full reconstruction project that has this contractual requirement. Now that the majority of utilities have been relocated, the project has seen improvements in production and increased schedule certainty in meeting intermediate traffic switch goals. This is a tight, dense urban work zone. We have some areas that have multiple utility owners of all types and depths consolidated into an 8 ft. wide corridor. This adds to the duration of utility relocations, as it is impossible to perform multiple relocations simultaneously in a tight corridor.”

The traffic management plan is working well.

“LSC has maintained the minimum required lanes during construction and continues to optimize lane closures to facilitate multiple operations,” said Moreno.

Day and night operations are taking place at multiple locations along the project corridor. Main lane closures are

only contractually allowed at night.

The new lanes are based on continuously reinforced concrete pavement. Underground infrastructure being installed includes dry utilities (gas, power, telecom), wet utilities (water and sewer), drainage (pipe and box), ITS and tolling and drilled shaft foundations.

To say that this is an equipment-driven project is an understatement. Operators are using relatively new equipment purchased between 2013 and 2023.

Demolition and excavation operations should generate 94,000 cu. yds. of concrete and 293,000 cu. yds. of asphalt.

TxDOT is committed to recycling as much material as possible on current projects and its contractors make the remaining materials available to recyclers.

“At Lone Star Constructors, we strive to deliver innovative, predictable and sustainable solutions to help build a better world,” said Moreno. “To us, sustainability means meeting the needs of our clients while conducting business in a socially, economically and environmentally responsible manner to the benefit of current and future generations.

“Sustainable development is integral to our approach to business and the solutions we provide to clients,” she added, “and we demonstrate our commitment through our actions. At our project, we aim to protect natural resources, whilst also creating economic, social and human value. Throughout the construction phase, LSC commits to take into consideration the triple bottom line in all decision making and construction processes.”

Major workdays have a considerable number JV and subcontractor workers on-site. The main subcontractors are North Texas Contracting and Renaissance Construction for wet utilities and drainage; Future Telecom for telecom relocations; SICE for electrical/ITS/toll/illumination; Urban

Infraconstruction for structures and walls; Texas Heavy Civil for earthwork; and PSI for independent quality acceptance.

With so much equipment on-site, the JV and its subcontractors have on-site mechanics and support that can be called in when needed to ensure that production is minimally impacted by daily wear and tear issues that crop up.

The JV and subcontractors purchase and rent equipment from local and regional dealerships.

Project Background

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), back in 1998, “began a comprehensive review and planning study of the I-35E corridor in Dallas and Denton counties,” stated a press release. “For the next 13 years, TxDOT and communities and stakeholders refined the designs and upgrades for this corridor. In 2011 and 2012, TxDOT received environmental clearance for the $4.8 billion infrastructure project. Also, $1 billion in funding was identified for an initial phase of the project with most coming from SH 121 regional toll revenue funds dedicated to Denton County. In accordance with state law, TxDOT and corridor stakeholders held seven public meetings to determine the method and scope of the initial phase (Phase 1) as well as lay the groundwork for Phase 2 to complete the remaining elements of the corridor. The I-35E project is dedicated to improving mobility along I-35E in a safe, efficient, reliable and environmentally sensitive manner.”

“Increased traffic along the I-35E corridor, coupled with regional population growth in Texas has created travel demand that exceeds its current capacity,” said Tony Hartzel, Northeast Texas communications director of

Skanska, B. Bell Builders to Construct Rice Business School

Skanska USA has been selected to construct a new $54.5 million building at Rice University for the Jones Graduate School of Business that will support the school’s growing student and faculty population.

The University and project teams celebrated the new project with a ground breaking ceremony on May 9, unveiling the innovative design of the new facility.

The new 112,000-sq.-ft. structure features classrooms, modern office spaces and vibrant amenities such as dining areas, open gathering spaces and facilities for private events. The new building will integrate with McNair Hall — the current home of Rice Business — enhancing the campus envi-

ronment and continuing to cultivate a collaborative culture.

Skanska is partnering with B. Bell Builders on the project, a local general contractor based in Sugar Land, Texas.

“We take immense pride in our role in shaping some of the nation’s premier universities,” said Dennis Yung, executive vice president and general manager of Skanska USA Building in Houston. “This project will not only help shape our community, but also enhances Rice University’s esteemed position in the global business arena. It will empower students from diverse backgrounds, enabling them to engage in transformative learning experiences and collaborative endeavors for generations to come.”

The new building will expand around the existing one, creating new public spaces between the sections and is designed to blend seamlessly with the campus and its surroundings.

Additionally, the new building will be constructed above an existing underground parking garage and will include flood-proofing measures to enhance the school’s resilience to extreme weather.

“This remarkable new building embodies the evolution of Rice Business over the past five decades and its commitment to equipping graduates who are not only integral to organizations around the globe, but are also poised to lead them,” Rice President Reginald DesRoches said. “We’re committed to offering top-tier facilities that complement our topranked academic programs, attracting the best students, faculty and staff to our campus.”

The Jones Graduate School of Business building is expected to reach completion in February 2026.

About Skanska Skanska uses knowledge and foresight to shape the way people live, work and connect. More than 135 years in the making, it is one of the world’s largest development and construction companies. It operates in select markets throughout the Nordics, Europe and the United States. Skanska in the U.S. is headquartered in New York City with 28 offices around the country. In 2023, construction in the U.S. generated $7.1 billion in revenue and as a developer in the U.S., Skanska has invested a total value of $4.6 billion in commercial and multi-family projects. 

(All photos courtesy of Skanska.)

CDE Wash Plant to Increase Production for J. Lee Milligan

From hauling dirt to processing it, excavating contractor J. Lee Milligan has invested in a new CDE EvoWash sand washing plant that is expected to more than quadruple processing volumes at the firm’s production facility in Amarillo, Texas.

Founded in 1937 with a single truck and a contract to haul dirt for $1.25 per hour on New Mexico’s Conchas Dam project, J. Lee Milligan has grown to become one of the largest heavy highway construction firms operating in the panhandle and South Plains of

Texas today. Its latest investment, a first with washing experts CDE, will lead to the commissioning of a new 200 tph dual pass EvoWash this summer. The plant will replace an existing 40 tph traditional sand screw.

CDE photo

A compact, modular sand washing system, the EvoWash screens and separates the smaller sand and gravel fractions through an integrated high-frequency dewatering screen, sump and hydrocyclones.

Last fall, CDE launched a campaign to enable operators to trade in their old, less efficient sand screws. With data from USGS (United States Geological Society) indicating that in some of the most densely populated urban centers across the United States demand for sand and gravel reserves often outstrips supply, CDE launched the campaign to support natural sand producers to adopt modern technological solutions to drive efficiency across their operations.

Chris Brannon, aggregates superintendent at J. Lee Milligan, said, “We’re losing quite a lot of material to the pond, meaning we’re having to work harder for longer to meet our production targets. With this new CDE plant we’ll be able to vastly increase the rate of production and capture the fine material we’re missing to offer a healthy boost to our bottom line.”

Ronan Duffy, business development manager at CDE, added, “Though sand resources in the Texas area are in abundance, it still makes good business sense to

process that material as efficiently as possible. Powered by CDE hydrocyclone technology, J. Lee Milligan will benefit from excellent control of cut points to increase in-spec sand recovery with their new EvoWash. This flexibility means the business will be able to respond to the needs of customers and the market in an agile way to really accelerate the return on their investment.”

A compact, modular sand washing system, the EvoWash screens and separates the smaller sand and gravel fractions through an integrated high-frequency dewatering screen, sump and hydrocyclones, which provide unrivaled control of silt cut points to eliminate the loss of quality fine material with significant commercial value to settling ponds, according to the manufacturer.

Producers can still take advantage of CDE’s trade-in deal by swapping their sand screw for CDE’s EvoWash.

For more information, visit cdegroup.com/swapyourscrew. 

Officials from Rice University gathered to celebrate the ground breaking ceremony for the new Jones Graduate School of Business.

The construction team will build a 112,000-sq.-ft. structure that features classrooms, modern office spaces and other amenities.

Crews Building Frontage Roads, Bridges, Intersections

CONSTRUCTORS from page 12

TxDOT. “The existing I-35E facility is an essential element of the local and regional transportation system. The purpose of the project is to meet local and regional travel demands by increasing capacity; upgrading the transportation infrastructure to meet current FHWA and TxDOT design standards for interstates, bridges and frontage roads; thereby improving the safety of travelers along I-35E.”

Of the $709 million total cost, $230 million of the funding is from the Texas Clear Lanes initiative. The construction cost is $601 million, design cost $78.6 million and utility relocation cost $30 million.

The initial scope/plan was based on a $4.8 billion project that would rebuild the entire 28-mi. corridor and provide managed lanes with dynamic pricing to keep traffic moving at 50 mph. At the time it was noted that approximately $1.1 billion in funding had been identified for the project with most coming from SH 121 regional toll revenue funds dedicated to Denton County.

The project was based on three segments: Segment 1 — south end, I-635 to Bush Turnpike, 5.5 mi.; Segment 2 — middle portion, Bush Turnpike to FM 2181, 12.1 mi.; and Segment 3 — north end, FM 2181 to U.S. 380, 10.5 mi.

On Dec. 13, 2012, the Texas Transportation Commission conditionally awarded Phase 1 of the project to AGL Constructors, a design-build joint venture composed of several notable design and construction firms including Archer Western Contractors, Granite Construction Co. and Lane Construction Co.

“This section of the I-35 corridor is on the list of Texas’ 100 most congested roadways,” stated the press release.

“Expanding I-35E will reduce congestion that results in lost work time, increased fuel costs and higher price of goods. The project will improve mobility across Lake Lewisville with construction of a second bridge that will offer more reliability for commuters during major incidents.”

“The second bridge has greatly improved mobility and reliability since it opened to traffic,” said Hartzel.

Phase 1, known as the I-35E Managed Lanes Project, or 35Express, which began in October 2013, added two-lane reversible tolled managed lanes to the middle and south

segments and an additional general-purpose lane capacity in each direction in Denton County. It also included main lane frontage roads across Lake Lewisville, as well as interchange improvements.

The financing was based on $460 million in federal funds, $694 million in state funding (including $534 million in Denton County RTR funds), $285 in TIFA funds and $14 million from local sources.

The I-35E was originally constructed in the 1950s/1960s.  CEG

(All photos courtesy of Lone Star Constructors.)

Demolition and excavation operations should generate 94,000 cu. yds. of concrete and 293,000 cu. yds. of asphalt.

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2017 Takeuchi TL8CRW cab, rubber tracks, HD bucket w/ teeth TL17037

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2016 Komatsu GD655-6 Pushblock, 14' MB KM16099R

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2012 Komatsu HB215LC-1 a/c, 9'7" long arm, 32" shoes, hybrid, bucket KM12780U

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2015 NPK GH18 Refurbished, PC490LC mounting bracket NP15027 $59,000

Construction On I-35 Will Last Until 2033

Construction crews are performing a massive amount of work on Interstate 35 and that work is expected to continiue over the next decade.

Construction is expected to be completed by the end of March 2033, according to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) filing.

The TDLR filing said Central Texas will be getting a nearly $531 million makeover later this year for one if its highways.

This southernmost segment of construction is a part of the $4.5 billion I-35 Capital Express Central project in Austin which began this month, a spokesperson from the TxDOT told MySA. CapEx Central aims to improve an 8-mi. stretch along I-35 between U.S. 290 East and SH 71/Ben White Boulevard, according to a project website.

Construction included in the latest TDLR filing is expected to begin December 2 and the scope of the work will be on I-35 from Holly Street to U.S. 290 west and SH 71. Builders plan to reconstruct I-35 by adding two northbound and southbound non-toll lanes, as well as bypass lanes, new structures, drainage and shared used paths. The project also includes reconstructing intersections, ramps, general purpose lanes and frontage roads..

The city of Austin is paying for a redesign on parts of the project, such as caps and bridges with amenities, including parks, community buildings, or coffee shops, on top. It’s projected to cost roughly $800 million.

This project is serving approximately 308,158 sq. ft. of road in the next decade. The overall I-35 CapEx project’s plan for improving the roadway is to remove the existing Ihighway decks, lower the roadway and add two non-tolled high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) managed lanes in each direction along I-35 from U.S. 290 East to SH 71/Ben White Boulevard.

It also will reconstruct east-west cross-street bridges, add pedestrian and bicycle paths and make additional safety and mobility improvements within the project limits. 

(All photos courtesy of TxDOT.)

This southernmost segment of construction is a part of the $4.5 billion I-35 Capital Express Central project in Austin, which began in June.

Company Tests New Method On San Antonio Roadways

By Lori Lovely CEG CORRESPONDENT

Modern Hydrogen, a start-up specializing in decarbonizing natural gas at the meter in order to deliver clean fuel for sectors traditionally difficult to decarbonize, set out to prove its hypothesis: stripping solid carbon from natural gas before combustion is a more practical approach to decarbonizing than managing gaseous CO2 — and can reduce the amount of harmful CO2.

Previous methods of reducing CO2 after combustion have proven complicated and expensive, according to Mothusi Pahl, Modern Hydrogen’s vice president of business development and government affairs.

This new method substantially reduces costs as well as the embodied CO2 of asphalt, which contributes to the decarbonization of the natural gas sector, a known CO2 emitter.

“Capturing carbon before combusting natural gas — not after — could make decarbonization easier,” Pahl said. “Nobody else has figured out how to decarbonize at the point of use.”

In the process of developing a way to deliver “energy with a CO2 footprint that looks like renewables,” they discovered a way to reduce the environmental impact of paving roads with asphalt —one that sequesters carbon for centuries. It also happens to enhance the quality of asphalt.

Extracting solid carbon from natural gas produces two products: clean hydrogen fuel and solid carbon, which can be used in asphalt to improve its strength and durability at a lower cost per lane mile because, according to Pahl, the solid carbon acts as a “binder strengthener” that reduces the amount of binder needed in hot mix asphalt.

Testing in San Antonio

Through a series of strategic partnerships, predominantly in Texas and the Pacific Northwest, Modern Hydrogen has been putting this solid carbon product to the test. The first use of carbon-sequestered asphalt on public roads was implemented in San Antonio through a collaboration with Austin-based Road Recyclers and Bexar County Department of Public Works.

“Texas understands the requirements for hot mix,” Pahl said.

There will be different mixes for different temperature bans. The “magical equation,” Pahl said, is a mix that is strong when the weather is hot and flexible when it’s cold. In addition to temperature, there are local operating requirements and traffic requirements that impact the design spec. For example, residential streets vs. county highways will vary. He said the company is working with its partners to optimize mix designs.

Bexar County Department of Public

Works Director Tony Vasquez told the San Antonio Business Journal, “If you have a product that’s eco-friendly but doesn’t work, you can’t use it or you shouldn’t be using it. But one of the benefits of adding sequestered carbon to the mix is it makes it stronger, so that’s what we’re going to be looking at.”

While Modern Hydrogen has only been field-testing carbon-sequestered asphalt for less than two years, it has done extensive testing in the lab, where it has simulated accelerated wear, thermal cycling, oxidation and weathering. Through both testing and practical application, Pahl said, they have found “no impact on the expected useful life of any asphalt that’s been deployed.” Nevertheless, development will continue in an effort to “improve performance at higher temperatures without reducing performance at lower temperatures,” Pahl said.

It’s an important focus, especially given the

challenges of climate change and the potential for some areas to see temperature increases.

Another of its “aggressive objectives” is to reduce the cost per lane mile. While this new green asphalt technology substantially reduces the embodied CO2 in asphalt, Pahl said cost is an important aspect of the project. Fortunately, its multi-patented process of producing carbon-sequestered asphalt reduces costs at the same time it decreases CO2 emissions from natural gas.

“There’s pressure to reduce embodied CO2 in asphalt,” Pahl said. Although he believes that reaching zero CO2-level asphalt is a “Hail Mary,” he asks, “What can we do to make roads cheaper and better and lower the CO2 equation? How can we do this quickly and economically — because if we can’t afford to decarbonize, we won’t do it. We have to make it a preferred economic pathway.”

He’s convinced that this “cost-efficient

decarbonization technique, utilizing existing infrastructure, accelerates the shift towards a zero-carbon future.” Furthermore, he said that these pilot projects are demonstrating the advantages of sequestered carbon asphalt as part of a sustainable, eco-friendly infrastructure that supports domestic energy security and more economical road construction.

Targets

“We’re always looking at infrastructure,” Pahl said, but, initially, Modern Hydrogen was unsure where its idea would best fit: concrete, structural fill, next-generation drywall?

“We looked at materials that need highstrength fill at a competitive price. Ultimately, they realized that the asphalt industry is ‘moving at light speed, comparatively,’ so they began targeting asphalt companies and county highway departments in a two-prong approach.”

Pahl said the project in Texas “transcends local boundaries, offering a blueprint for cities across Texas and beyond in environmental sustainability.”

He goes so far as to describe it as a “call to action for government entities at all levels” to urge the adoption of clean energy and low-carbon strategies in public infrastructure. It stands as a model for municipalities statewide, he maintains, demonstrating the potential of sustainable, high-performance asphalt in urban planning.

The result is proving so effective, Pahl said he “wouldn’t be surprised if other counties produce sequestered carbon road specifications.”  CEG

(All photos courtesy of Modern Hydrogen.)

This new method substantially reduces costs as well as the embodied CO2 of asphalt, which contributes to the decarbonization of the natural gas sector, a known CO2 emitter.

The first use of carbon-sequestered asphalt on public roads was implemented in San Antonio through a collaboration with Austin-based Road Recyclers and Bexar County Department of Public Works.

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2023 PRINOTH RAPTOR 500 Stk# PN5646, 605 Hrs

2023 KOMATSU PC210 LC-11 Stk# KO2164, 480 Hrs

Next Issue Closes June 19th

Galveston Bridge in Need of Repairs After Accident

GALVESTON,

Texas

(AP) A barge slammed into a bridge pillar in Galveston, Texas, on Wed., May 15, spilling oil into waters near busy shipping channels and closing the only road to a small neighboring island. No injuries were reported.

The impact sent pieces of the bridge, which connects Galveston to Pelican Island, tumbling on top of the barge and shut down a stretch of waterway so crews could clean up the spill. The accident knocked one man off the vessel and into the water, but he was quickly recovered and was not injured, said Galveston County Sheriff’s Office Maj. Ray Nolen.

The Texas Department of Transportation had been scheduled in the summer of 2025 to begin construction

on a project to replace the bridge with a new one. The project was estimated to cost $194 million. In documents provided during a virtual public meeting last year, the department said the bridge has “reached the end of its design lifespan, and needs to be replaced.”

The agency said it has spent more than $12 million performing maintenance and repairs on the bridge in the past decade.

The bridge has one main steel span that measures 164 ft. (50 m) and federal data shows it was last inspected in December 2021. It’s unclear from the data if a state inspection took place after the Federal Highway Administration compiled the data.

Ports along the Texas coast are hubs of international trade, but experts said the collision was unlikely to result in serious economic disruptions since it occurred in a lesser-used waterway. The island is on the opposite side of Galveston Island’s beaches that draw millions of tourists each year.

The accident happened shortly before 10 a.m. after a tugboat operator pushing two barges lost control of them, said David Flores, a bridge superintendent of the Galveston County Navigation District.

“The current was very bad, and the tide was high,” Flores said. “He lost it.”

Pelican Island is only a few miles wide and is home to Texas A&M University at Galveston, a large shipyard and industrial facilities. Fewer than 200 people were on the campus when the collision happened and all were eventually allowed to drive on the bridge to leave. Students who live on campus were allowed to remain there,

but university officials warned those who live on campus and leave “should be prepared to remain off campus for an unknown period of time.”

The accident came weeks after a cargo ship crashed into a support column of the Francis Key Bridge in Baltimore on March 26, killing six construction workers.

The tugboat in Texas was pushing bunker barges, which are fuel barges for ships, Flores said. The barge, which is owned by Martin Petroleum, has a 30,000gal. capacity, but it’s not clear how much leaked into the bay, said Galveston County Spokesperson Spencer Lewis. He said about 6.5 mi. of the waterway were shut down because of the spill.

The affected area is miles away from the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, which sees frequent barge trafficand the Houston Ship Channel, a large shipping channel for ocean-going vessels. Aside from the environmental impact of the spill, the region is unlikely to see large economic disruption as a result of the accident, said Marcia Burns, a maritime transportation expert at the University of Houston

“Because Pelican Island is a smaller location, which is not in the heart of commercial events, then the impact is not as devastating,” Burns said. “It’s a relatively smaller impact.”

At the bridge, a large piece of broken concrete and debris from the railroad hung over the side and on top of the barge that rammed into the passageway.

Mustang Cat Sells More Than 80 Pieces

Pedro Brito of PB Tree Service was shopping for a reliable skid steer to add to his fleet.

The sale featured skid steers, excavators, trucks and even a couple motor graders, including this Cat 140M AWD.

Hats and other “swag” were available from Mustang marketing staffers Eric Hoffart and Karina Montejo.

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