Tag: Minnesota: Page 7

Roadbuilding

Kandiyohi County uses aggregate base stabilizer on damaged county road

Located in central Minnesota, Kandiyohi County proudly maintains a 649-mile highway system, which includes 452 miles of bituminous roads and 197 miles of gravel roads, as well as 69 bridges. In the mid-2000s, it became apparent that a certain 5.5-mile stretch of bituminous road was beyond the point of maintenance. As with many other roads, […]

December 20, 2013

Roadbuilding

Minnesota faces $12 billion highway funding shortfall

In the next 20 years, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) could face a $12 billion dollar shortfall. The Star Tribune reports that MnDOT rebuilt Interstate 35 between Twin Ports and the Twin Cities in the past couple of years, but many of the other highways in the state need similar work. And despite that […]

December 13, 2013

Roadbuilding

House passes water infrastructure bill

The House on Wednesday night passed its version of a bill to reauthorize federal waterways spending, the Associated Press reports. The $8.2 billion measure — known  as H.R. 3080, or the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA) — passed the House 417-3. It is the first waterways spending bill the House has passed in […]

October 24, 2013

Business

Labor shortage pushes up construction cost of Minnesota Vikings stadium

The Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority is in the process of doing a bit of recalculating and prioritizing as it faces the challenge of staying within the $975 million budget for the next home of the Minnesota Vikings in downtown Minneapolis. According to a report from Finance & Commerce, the challenge of finding skilled laborers has caused […]

October 7, 2013

Workforce

Twin Cities contractors strike out on their own amid sluggish hiring, housing rebound

As a result of still-sluggish hiring in the middle of a housing rebound, more and more contractors in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area have begun to work as independent contractors, according to a report by the The Star Tribune. Construction in the Twin Cities is up 24 percent compared to this time last year. Despite the […]

August 28, 2013

Construction Equipment

Minnesota’s Extreme Sandbox gives the public a chance to operate construction equipment

An awesome, young company in Hastings, Minnesota is bringing the thrill of operating heavy machinery to the masses. Anyone who has ever driven a bulldozer, or an excavator, or even a skid-steer knows it’s a singular experience. It combines a feeling of power with one of nostalgia, of playing in the dirt as a kid. […]

August 20, 2013

Roadbuilding

MnDOT launches route-planning app, webpage for truck drivers

The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) has launched a real-time service webpage for truck drivers. The new page, part of the agency’s 511 services, allows truckers to plan the best route from origin to destination. When drivers download MnDOT’s 511 mobile application, they can also receive alerts about possible road restrictions along their route, including […]

August 9, 2013

Business

Former contractor breaks down communication barriers with ELSA, a device that speaks 180 languages

Imagine yourself in the middle of an important project. You need to tell your workers about a crucial step in the building process. You attempt to speak with them, but all you get in return are several confused faces. You’re clearly not getting through. This was the place Charles Howerton found himself seven years ago. […]

August 9, 2013

Roadbuilding

Foxx talks transportation needs in Connecticut, Minnesota

Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx on Monday took his first official trips, visiting New Haven, Connecticut, and Minneapolis, Minnesota. Foxx, who officially took on his new role as DOT chief earlier this month, discussed transportation needs in each city he traveled to. The Connecticut trip was focused on rail safety, according to a report from The […]

July 23, 2013

Roadbuilding

Twin Cities’ Metro Transit cracks down on fare-paying

Minnesota’s Metro Transit has begun implementing a system to help the transit determine when and where riders are not paying, according to the Star Tribune. The system involves drivers on three of the busiest bus routes entering information into a computer when a customer doesn’t pay the full fare. Metro Transit began the 10-day test […]

July 15, 2013

Workforce

Minnesota construction training program for women has 90% job placement rate

Facing big projects like the St. Croix Crossing bridge, the Central Corridor Light Rail and a new football stadium for the Minnesota Vikings, more and more women are filling Minnesota’s need for construction workers thanks to a training program in Minneapolis. Women Wear Hard Hats Too is a 20-week program that seeks to fully prepare women for […]

June 26, 2013

Roadbuilding

Minnesota cuts tax hikes from transportation bill

The Senate Tax Committee voted yesterday to remove tax increases from the Minnesota’s transportation finance bill, Minnesota Public Radio reported. The committee rejected and removed two particular provisions: a 7.5 cent per gallon tax increase for road and infrastructure maintenance and a 0.5 cent metro sales tax dedicated to state transit. Senator Scott Dibble–Senate Transportation […]

May 9, 2013