In November 2008, the Colorado Dept. of Transportation released its assessment of the state’s transportation infrastructure, rating pavement surfaces on nearly half of the state’s highways, which total more than 3,000 miles, as “poor” or worse. Also, nearly 125 of the state’s bridges are in poor condition, with many of them labeled structurally deficient. Photo: Governor's Office Gov. Bill Ritter, surrounded by FASTER supporters, signed the new bill into law during the 2009 legislative session. Related Links: Top Colorado & Wyoming Newsmakers of 2009 Better Denver Bond Program Thrives DHA Wins Stimulus Grants Heading West No Help Wanted Colorado Transportation

Despite ongoing budget woes, RTD kicks into high gear the first of its FasTracks programs, the West Corridor light rail line between Denver and Golden. Photo: Terry Shapiro Photography West Corridor crews have begun construction on the two light rail bridges over the Sixth Avenue Freeway, this one on the north side of the Indiana Avenue exit. Photo: Terry Shapiro Photography Structural work continues this winter to prepare for track installation next year. Related Links: Top Colorado & Wyoming Newsmakers of 2009 Better Denver Bond Program Thrives DHA Wins Stimulus Grants No Help Wanted Colorado Transportation Stimulus Snapshot FASTER Bill

A-1 Chipseal acquired the assets of Rocky Mountain Pavement, a 15-year Denver-based asphalt preventive maintenance company. Full terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. Related Links: Top Colorado & Wyoming Newsmakers of 2009 Better Denver Bond Program Thrives DHA Wins Stimulus Grants Heading West No Help Wanted Colorado Transportation Stimulus Snapshot FASTER Bill to Boost CDOT Funds New Businesses, New Offices Moves The combination of these two companies further solidifies A-1 Chipseal’s strategic initiative to become the leading company for pavement maintenance services in Colorado, according to Ben Vagher, company president. All of Rocky Mountain Pavement’s operations and processes have

Montana Projects Roundup   12/2009 8th Avenue-Main to 9th-Laurel Reconstruction Laurel, Yellowstone County $3.3 million Owner: Montana Dept. of Transportation Contractor: Knife River Design Firm: MDT Billings District 5 Start: Nov. 2009 Finish: Fall 2010 This ARRA-funded project consists of sidewalk, curb and gutter reconstruction; surfacing, drainage, signing and striping; a water and sewer trunk line and services construction through Laurel. Absarokee Street Reconstruction Absarokee, Stillwater County $12.9 million Owner: MDT Contractor: Riverside Contracting Design Firm: MDT Billings District 5 Start: Nov. 2009 Finish: Fall 2010 This project consists of grading, drainage, fencing, irrigation relocation and road maintenance work in the

Smith Seckman Reid Inc., an engineering design and facility-consulting firm with 13 offices across the country, moved its Denver office to the Denver Tech Center. Related Links: Top Colorado & Wyoming Newsmakers of 2009 Better Denver Bond Program Thrives DHA Wins Stimulus Grants Heading West No Help Wanted Colorado Transportation Stimulus Snapshot FASTER Bill to Boost CDOT Funds Mergers & Acquisitions New Businesses, New Offices SSR’s new address is 8055 E. Tufts Ave., Suite 1100, Denver. Since February 2006, SSR has been located in The Weitz Building. The new Denver Tech Center location features more than 20,000 sq ft of

Fifty-nine seasons after the first kickoff took place at the University of Wyoming’s War Memorial Stadium in Laramie, the players and fans have a new reason to cheer. The War Memorial Stadium East Enhancements and Wildcatter Expansion Project is under way and on schedule. Photo: University of Wyoming Each 240,000-lb column was set with two cranes, one 300-ton and one 250-ton. Photo: University of Wyoming Two cranes were used to provide easier handling of the super columns, which were cast vertically with the tapered side down and prestressed symmetrically around the cross section. Related Links: Erector Set The stadium, dedicated

A list of award winners from AIA Colorado, Denver and Utah. Slide Show AIA Colorado Awards Slide Show Slide Show AIA Denver Awards Slide Show Slide Show AIA Utah Awards Slide Show AIA Colorado Recognizes 2009 Achievements in Architecture The Colorado Chapter of the American Institute of Architects recognized its 2009 architectural design, honor and president�s awards recipients during a ceremony on Oct. 17 at the Keystone Resort and Conference Center. The 14 architectural design awards were selected from 120 entries submitted by AIA Colorado architects. AIA Colorado 2009 Design Awards Jury Chair Deborah Berke of Deborah Berke & Partners

Submitted by ajc architects and Big-D Construction This project was a historic renovation of the Oquirrh School, which was designed by Richard Kletting and originally built in 1896 as an elementary school. The project includes 52,000 sq ft of space converted into new office space, observation rooms, conference rooms and meeting space for the Children’s Center, a nonprofit providing mental healthcare for pre-school children. The project also included upgrades to the electrical and mechanical systems, along with a new elevator shaft and new elevator to service the building. Related Links: Intermountain Best of 2009 Project Team: Salt Lake City, $6.7

Submitted by Hogan & Associates Construction This project consisted of the transformation of old Veterans Administration Hospital in the foothills of Salt Lake City’s Avenues District into the city’s first luxury condominium complex, The Meridien. The historic structure was originally built in 1924 on 3.4 acres. The 80,000-sq-ft project and its park-like surroundings afford owners a panoramic view of the Salt Lake Valley, the Wasatch Mountains and the Great Salt Lake. Related Links: Intermountain Best of 2009 The building is neo-classical in its design, with elements that are purely Georgian in heritage. The structure is graced by a variety of

Submitted by Jacobsen Construction The new training center for the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Association features a state-of-the-art weight room, gymnasium, climbing wall, cardio areas, ski and snowboard ramps, aerials trampolines, a nutrition center, a sports-medicine recovery and rehab room, and a sport-science lab. Computer and multimedia rooms are hot-wired to allow athletes and coaches to analyze physical and equipment performance. Related Links: Intermountain Best of 2009 The Center of Excellence has the feel of a high-performance student union building. It was created to better serve athletes’ needs and, ultimately, become their “training home.” But it also serves as an