The results of Tuesday�s election are in, and voter approval of school and construction bonds throughout the region was hit or miss, with some major defeats handed out. The southwest�s largest bond issue, New Mexico�s $155.2-million request for funding dozens of higher education and special school projects throughout the state, failed by a narrow margin of less than 2,500 votes. Smaller state-wide bonds, providing $7.7 million for senior citizen facilities and $7 million for various libraries, were successful. Voters in New Mexico�s most populous county, Bernalillo, passed all of its bond measures, including $25 million for parks, roadways and storm/wastewater
In the business of safety, we talk about competency and use the term “competent person.” OSHA refers to and requires competent persons in several of its standards and defines the term as “one who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to employees, and who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them.” div id="articleExtrasA" div id="articleExtrasB" div id="articleExtras" Yet many managers, supervisors and leaders find it difficult to apply this definition. Looking at the two primary components—capability to identify hazards and authority to correct
MATHER Airports are feeling the pinch of both the recession and airline financials more than ever, with negative impact on airport development. Many developing trends in airport design over the past 10 years respond to this economic reality. Programming for a new or improved airport facility is weighted toward maximizing value in those areas where passenger impact will be greatest. div id="articleExtrasA" div id="articleExtrasB" div id="articleExtras" Security Apart from economics, the most visible changes in design have been security related as a result of Sept. 11, 2001. Security standards have impacted airport design substantially, with no small effect on the
Related Links: Colorado Ballot Measures Could Cost State Billions in Tax Revenues The debate over ballot measures 60, 61 and 101 has been anything but illuminating. According to the propaganda, voters should: • Vote yes to punish government at all levels for more than $1 billion in higher taxes and fees enacted without a vote of the people by Gov. Ritter and statehouse Democrats. • Or vote no because “The Ugly 3” will trigger a voter-approved recession and put thousands of people out of work. Frankly, both of those arguments are overwrought. All three measures offer some policy changes that
Falsework is coming down this month after supporting the construction of what officials believe is the only transit bridge in the world to cross over an active taxiway. Photo: Courtesy of Austin Bridge & Road Officials think mass transit guideway at Phoenix airport may be the only one of its kind to cross through active airspace. Falsework is coming down this month after supporting the construction of what officials believe is the only transit bridge in the world to cross over an active taxiway. The 740-ft-long cast-in-place box-girder bridge is the centerpiece of a two-mile-long transit system that will connect
New Mexico voters will have final say in the Southwest�s largest bond issue: a $155.2-million request for funding dozens of higher education and special school projects throughout the state, including $5.65 million for expanded classrooms at Dona Ana Community College and $10 million for a children�s hospital outpatient building in Albuquerque. Similar education bond issues have been approved by voters time and again in the state in recent years. Additional general obligation bonds up for statewide vote would provide $7.7 million for senior citizen facilities and $7 million for various libraries. Bond elections in the state�s most populous county, Bernalillo,
An oil worker is led to the edge of an offshore oilrig platform and given the command to jump into the icy waters below. The rational response, as you would guess, is an emphatic “no.” After all, why leave the comfortable confines of the rig for the unseen dangers below? But if that rig catches fire, you can bet the same worker will be the first to jump overboard to save his life. div id="articleExtrasA" div id="articleExtrasB" div id="articleExtras" It is that parable of survival that is facing nearly every general contractor today. If survival can only be assured if
The $240-million Hoover Dam Bypass Bridge opened to vehicle and foot traffic on Oct. 20th between Arizona and Nevada, 890 ft above the Colorado River. Last week, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood officially christened the “Mike O’Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge,” which is named after former Nevada Gov. Mike O’Callaghan (1971-79) and professional football star turned soldier Pat Tillman. The sleek, elegant structure stretches across the Black Canyon a quarter-mile downstream from the dam. The 1,960-ft bridge will be North America’s longest single-span concrete arch when it opens to traffic later this month. “This magnificent bridge is proof positive that America
Las Vegas Strip resorts vie to be the hottest place in town, but Vdara, a recently opened hotel, literally can scorch those visiting the pool deck during certain times of the day. The 57-story, 1,495-room hotel is one of six towers at the $8.5-billion, 67-acre CityCenter complex, which opened last December. Photos Courtesy of CityCenter Land LIC Scorcher Hotel owner says it is trying again to fix the alleged �death ray� problem after a 2008 attempt. On Sept. 16, Vdara condominium owner and personal injury lawyer William G. Pintas complained to local media that the hotel�s south facade concentrated noon
Photo: Fred Holden Judges for Southwest Contractor�s annual competition honoring the best in design and construction have selected winners in Arizona, Nevada and New Mexico. Related Links: Arizona Winners Nevada Winners New Mexico Winners Southwest Contractor�s annual awards competition, now in its 13th year, honors the best in design and construction over the past 12 months. Categories ranging from Civil/Public Works to Retail acknowledge the excellent work and the variety of disciplines in the industry today. The staff of Southwest Contractor and this year�s panel of judges would like to thank all of the firms that took time to submit
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