In February 2024, Agate Construction Co, Inc. (Agate) was one of the contractors working to repair a dam, located near Federalsburg, MD. This notable dam plays a significant role in the local ecosystem and community, including recreational uses and local aquatic habitat creation. The dam was initially constructed to power a grist mill, which was a common use for many dams on the Eastern Shore. This mill no longer exists, but the dam remains a significant historical structure ... Read more
During the 2022 hurricane season, Puerto Rico faced disastrous flooding brought on by Hurricane Fiona. Despite its Category 1 rating, the effects of Fiona's massive rainfall submerged homes that were already damaged from Category 4 Hurricane Maria in 2017. Since then, buildings have slowly sunk in the ground due to liquefaction, or water and loose sediments at ground surface. Any new construction on Puerto Rico's weak soil must be built on strong foundations made to resist future lique ... Read more
A project is underway to stabilize three different sites along the busy U.S. 49 corridor in Yazoo City, MS. Two of these sites are less than a mile from each other making this an integral repair to the area as U.S. 49 is one of the most important highways in Mississippi and was the state's first highway to see a significant rural road segment with four-lanes. Today, it is still the only four-lane route that directly connects the state's capital and largest city, Jackson, to the Mi ... Read more
Pile Driving & Storm Defying
Editor: Debbie Reaney
Spanning over the Raritan River in Newark NJ is the sole bridge that has carried trains of the New Jersey Coast Line from South Amboy to Perth Amboy for the past 115 years and encompasses greater Newark, Hoboken, Jersey City and New York City. During the destructive Hurricane Sandy in 2012, the low-profile structure became submerged and took a hit from a runaway tugboat and was shifted 18 inches on its piles, pr ... Read more
McLean Returns to Churchland Bridge ~ 50 Years Later
Editor: Debbie Reaney
The Churchland Bridge in Portsmouth, VA is a critical throughfare for residents, connecting two sections of the city. It also serves as one of three crossings of the Western Branch of the Elizabeth River and as a route for trucks delivering goods to and from South Hampton Roads. The original bridge was built by VDOT over 50 years ago before the annexation of Norfolk County with ... Read more
CH 150 Advances Worker Safety
Editor: Debbie Reaney
The hilly topography and infamous, historic cobblestone streets of Seattle, WA have caused great distress for drivers for as long as cars have been in the city. Half of the 100 cobblestone streets still in use, some dating back 120 years, are historically preserved and thus narrow down options for transportation. Even if the remaining 50 were paved, the steepness of roads throughout the region as well ... Read more
Predrilling For Pedestrian Safety
Editor: Debbie Reaney
The once small south Florida town of Miramar, Florida, is growing faster than 91% of similarly sized cities since 2000. It is currently the 209th largest city in the US and has grown 81.1% since 2000. Due to this fast-paced growth, Florida DOT (FDOT) is orchestrating a complete makeover of the roadways to strengthen the area's infrastructure. Twenty separate projects, involving the constructi ... Read more
Beavers really are "Worth A Dam"
Editor: Debbie Reaney
Located in Westerly, Rhode Island along the southern border of Newton Swamp, the Cottrell Bridge, which carries Westerly Bradford Road (Route 91) over McGowan Brook, was one of many around the state deemed structurally deficient. The replacement and upgrade of this structure was vital to ensure the safety of the surrounding wildlife habitat as well as the over 4,300 vehicles that traverse it daily. The Newton Swamp M ... Read more
Keller Promotes Student Achievement in Illinois
Editor: Allison Braswell
The complete overhaul of Lanphier High School in Springfield, IL will have its 1,200 students excited to go to class! Renovations of the 85-year-old school that began in Spring 2022 are expected to convert it into a state-of-the-art learning environment, revamping the entire property while making sure to preserve its historical nature. Major upgrades call for a 2,000-seat field house, a fully ... Read more
Editor: Debbie Reaney
When Hurricane Ida made landfall in the state of Louisiana in 2021, it brought with it torrential rains and unexpected flooding. The areas in Jefferson Parrish saw 11-foot storm surges during the massive storm system that devastated many homes and businesses. The Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, along with the help of the Louisiana Transportation Department, plan to install 29 miles of levees, flood-walls, and gated structures at an o ... Read more
