International

Berger Wins Management Job For $16-Billion Saudi Project

The Louis Berger Group on April 1 signed a $100-million, five-year program-management contract to help Saudi Arabia build some $16 billion worth of highway and transit systems through 2025 in Madinah, the second-largest destination for Islam followers. Talal Alraddadi—secretary-general of Al Madinah Al Munawwarah Development Authority, the government organization tasked with implementing the plan—said it will include bored tunnels, cut-and-cover, viaducts and major improvements to key interchanges. Berger will work with a joint venture of Systra and Egis on documents up to 30% design, and design-build packages should hit the street in a year.

Power

New Funds To Advance Low-Impact Hydropower Systems

The U.S. Energy Dept. on April 9 announced $7 million in funding for research and development of innovative, low-impact hydropower systems. While hydropower supplies 7% of the nation's electricity, recent department reports show an additional 65 GW of hydropower potential in undeveloped rivers and streams and more than 12 GW of hydropower potential at non-powered dams. Specific areas of interest include new rapidly deployable and removable technologies, such as prefabricated structures, water impoundment structures and water conveyance systems; innovative methods for constructing hydropower facilities and generator components.

Companies

Roadbuilder CW Matthews Inks $1M DBE Fraud Pact With FHWA

C.W. Matthews Contracting Co., one of Georgia's largest roadbuilders, agreed to pay a $1-million fine as part of a settlement with the U.S. Federal Highway Administration over false claims related to the federal disadvantaged-business-enterprise program. A federal investigation concluded that, from 2007 to 2010, the contractor filed "false and misleading" reports that work was performed by a certified DBE trucking firm when, in fact, a non-DBE firm had completed it. The agreement, says the Marietta, Ga., firm, must appoint a corporate compliance officer, establish a DBE-compliance program and retain an independent monitor. C.W. Matthews admitted no wrongdoing. The firm claims a trucking firm misrepresented itself as a DBE.

Equipment