Hamon Contractors is building the middle segment of the new 104th Avenue bridge in Northglenn, replacing an original I-25 bridge from 1962. CDOT photo.

By Kevin Flynn
Inside-Lane.com

More than $390 million in road construction projects on state highways will be underway this year in the metro Denver area, with more than a third of the total funded by the federal stimulus program.

The activity is spread across 32 projects in the Colorado Department of Transportation’s Region 6, which covers much of the Denver area with the exception of Boulder and Douglas County south of Highlands Ranch. It includes projects CDOT is doing plus several city projects in Denver and Aurora on state highways that CDOT is overseeing.

CDOT’s Region 6 staff led by Region Director Reza Akhavan outlined the projects in a briefing that brought to light some of the savings achieved recently in bidding results that allowed budgeted funds to be plowed back into additional work.

“This will be keeping us very busy this year,” Akhavan said.

CDOT aerial photo shows grading work at the 120th Avenue Connection project over US 36, looking southwest.

Foremost was savings in the $23.3 million 120th Avenue Connection project in Broomfield, which is providing a straight-across link west-to-east from CO 128 to 120th Avenue to allow traffic to bypass the busy Wadsworth/Midway Boulevard interchange with U.S. 36. Inside Lane wrote about this project when ground was broken, and at the time, CDOT didn’t have funding to start the second phase that would include the tie-ins on the east side with 120th.

Now, says CDOT Region 6 North Program Engineer John Schwab, savings achieved through the design-build contracting process used by CDOT and the contractor partnership of Edward Kraemer & Sons and HNTB will allow CDOT to begin design work on that second phase, as well as right-of-way acquisition. The hefty construction costs for that phase, estimated up to $40 million, means the rest will have to wait for more funding.

They projects range from the inexpensive– such as a $180,000 paint restriping of Parker Road between Hampden and Belleview Avenues to fit in third lanes in each direction, a small price to squeeze out extra traffic capacity on the busy corridor, and $500,000 for a wildlife fence along U.S. 6 between Heritage Road and 19th Street in Golden – to several in the $30 million and $40 million class.

Because of the lead time to get stimulus-funded projects underway, there are many projects this construction season that are being funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. They include the $47.2 construction of a new Central Park Boulevard interchange on Interstate 70 by SEMA Construction to provide better access to Denver’s Stapleton neighborhood and commercial area, the $17.9 million addition of a 17th Avenue interchange on Interstate 225 by Hamon Contractors to ease traffic flows into the Fitzsimons medical campus in Aurora, the $36.9 million replacement of the Alameda bridge over I-25 in Denver by Jalisco International and a new $32 million flyover ramp for southbound Santa Fe Drive to eastbound C-470 by Edward Kraemer and Sons in Littleton.

CDOT also will be starting up projects funded by the new revenue from the FASTER program’s vehicle registration fee hikes. They include new signals, auxiliary lane and realignment of the roadway geometry at the hazardous intersection of CO 7 and York Street in Adams County, more median cable guards on C-470 to prevent crossover head-on crashes and concrete median barrier on South Santa Fe Drive in Littleton.

“While a few large Recovery Act projects are still underway, there are many projects that are just starting that will greatly improve safety and mobility on our highway system,” said CDOT Executive Director Russell George. “Specifically, there will be several critical bridge and safety projects as a result of FASTER.”

Use this map of CDOT’s Region 6 — most of the Denver Metro area — along with the project descriptions below to see where these projects are located. I have put all 32 projects below with details on cost, schedule, work hours and project scope, along with pictures from many of them:

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Metro Denver CDOT Projects Spring-Summer 2010
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North Area (North Program Engineer John Schwab)
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Edward Kraemer and Sons has placed girders at the new 120th Avenue bridge over US 36 has girders and will soon install bridge decking. CDOT photo.

Cost: $23.3 million

Contractor: Edward Kraemer and Sons, Inc.

Resident Engineer: Yet to be determined

Work: Constructs a new six-lane road across US 36 to connect 120th Avenue and State Highway 128 in Broomfield in order to provide greater connectivity to US 36 and local roadways. This project will construct two of the three phases needed to complete the entire project. As part of this project, a new bridge over US 36 will be constructed as well as a new bridge over Commerce Street. Several local roads such as Commerce Street, Old Wadsworth Boulevard and 118th Avenue will be realigned to correspond with the new roadway. The RTD park-n-Ride facility at Wadsworth Parkway will be relocated near the Broomfield Event Center. Currently, motorists in the Broomfield area can only cross US 36 at Wadsworth Parkway. Due to the lack of continuity with State Highway 128 and 120th Avenue, the US 36/Wadsworth Parkway interchange is heavily congested and State Highway 128 and 120th Avenue are operating at capacity during peak hours. Traffic forecasts indicate at least a doubling in traffic over the next 20 years. The new 120th Avenue Connection will provide relief on these major corridors by improving connectivity, safety and mobility.

Update: To date, crews have conducted embankment work on 120th Avenue and have begun bridge construction over US 36. Girders and bridge deck panels have been installed for the new bridge over US 36.

Work Hours: Single lane closures Sunday through Thursday from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. with double lane closures from 10 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.

Duration: September 2009 through October 2010
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Hamon Contractors is working on the middle segment of the new 104th Avenue bridge over I-25 in Northglenn. CDOT photo.

2. 104th Avenue over I-25

Cost: $6.5 million

Contractor: Hamon Contractors, Inc.

Resident Engineer: Yet to be determined

Work: Replaces the 104th Avenue bridge over I-25, which was originally constructed in 1962 and is one of Colorado’s structurally deficient bridges. The new bridge will be wider to accommodate an additional left turn lane from eastbound 104th Avenue to northbound I-25.

Update: The new bridge is being constructed in three phases with work beginning on the northern portion. Currently, crews have completed the northern and middle portions of the new bridge and work will begin on the southern portion towards the end of April.

Work Hours:
I-25: Single lane closures Sunday through Thursday from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. with double lane closures from 10 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. There will be occasional full closures of I-25 for girder installation, deck panel installation and bridge deck concrete pours.
104th Avenue: Single lane closures Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with double lane closures Sunday through Thursday from 10 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. There will always one lane open in each direction.

Duration: May 2009 through January 2011
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The original 80th Avenue bridge over U.S. 36 was built in 1951 as part of the Denver-Boulder Turnpike. Structures Inc. will build the replacement. CDOT photo.

Cost: $7 million

Contractor: Structures, Inc.

Resident Engineer: Yet to be determined

Work: Replaces the 80th Avenue bridge over US 36, which was originally constructed in 1951 and is one of Colorado’s structurally deficient bridges. When complete, the bridge will be wider to accommodate an additional left turn lane from 80th Avenue to Oakwood Drive and a wider sidewalk. The project also realigns 80th Avenue to the east to improve sight distance, access and traffic flow. The improvements will accommodate the future widening of US 36 as determined through the US 36 Environmental Impact Statement.

Work Hours:
US 36: Single lane closures Sunday through Thursday from 10 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. There will be occasional full closures of US 36 for girder installation, bridge deck panel installation and bridge deck concrete pours.
80th Avenue: 80th Avenue will be closed for the duration of the project and a detour route will be in place which takes motorists to either 92nd Avenue on the north or 72nd Avenue on the south.

Duration: May 2010 through May 2011
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SEMA Construction crews are nearing completion on new I-76 bridges over the South Platte River and CO 224 in Adams County. CDOT photo.

4. I-76 over State Highway 224 and I-76 over the Union Pacific Railroad

Cost: $11 million (ARRA project)

Contractor: SEMA Construction, Inc.

Resident Engineer: Jake Koenig

Work: Replaces the existing I-76 structures over State Highway 224 and the Union Pacific Railroad, which were both originally built in 1967 and are two of Colorado’s structurally deficient bridges. In addition, the project will construct a crash wall for the I-76 structure over the Union Pacific Railroad as well for the State Highway 224 structure over the Union Pacific Railroad. The crash walls protect the bridge supports in case of a train derailment and are needed for the future North Metro FasTracks line. RTD is funding the design and construction of both walls.

Update: The bridges are being constructed in three phases as to not disrupt traffic. Currently, crews have completed the westbound and middle portions of the new bridges and are working on the eastbound portion. Girders have been installed for the final portion and crews will pour the bridge deck in late April.

Work Hours: Single lane closures Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with occasional night work.

Duration: June 2009 through July 2010
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The new CO 7 bridge being built by Zak Dirt Inc. over the South Platte River in Brighton is nearly complete. CDOT photo.

5. State Highway 7 over the Platte River

Cost: $3.6 million

Contractor: Zak Dirt, Inc.

Resident Engineer: Jake Koenig

Work: Replaces the existing State Highway 7 structure over the Platte River with a new structure and replaces the existing bridge over the McCann Ditch with a new concrete box culvert. The State Highway 7 bridge over Platte River was originally constructed in 1967 and is one of Colorado’s structurally deficient bridges.

Update: To date, crews have completed two thirds of the new bridge and will have the final one third complete by the end of April. In May, crews will pave State Highway 7 in asphalt through the construction zone.

Work Hours: State Highway 7 is in a temporary alignment with traffic shifted to the south, but all lanes are open in each direction. Occasional night work will take place Sunday through Thursday from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.

Duration: June 2009 through June 2010
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6. 96th Avenue at I-76

Cost: $4.1 million (ARRA project)

Contractor: Castle Rock Construction Co.

Resident Engineer: Jake Koenig

Work: Constructs roundabouts at the on and off-ramps at the interchange of 96th Avenue and I-76 to improve safety and mobility.

Update: The majority of the work is now complete, but crews are finishing work in the southeast quadrant of the roundabouts.

Work Hours: Single-lane alternating traffic on 96th Avenue Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The ramp from eastbound I-76 to 96th Avenue is closed as well as the southeast service road.

Duration: May 2009 through April 2010
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7. US 6 over Lakewood Gulch

Cost: $1.1 million

Contractor: Hamon Contractors, Inc.

Resident Engineer: Yet to be determined

Work: Repairs bridges at three locations in the Denver metro area. The work includes cleaning and repairing the culvert at US 6 over Lakewood Gulch; removing deteriorating concrete and patching at Quebec Street over Sand Creek; and replacing expansion joints on I-70 over I-25.

Update: The work on US 6 over Lakewood Gulch and Quebec Street over Sand Creek is complete. Crews will begin repairs at I-70 over I-25 in May once the expansion joints have been fabricated.

Work Hours: Single lane closures from 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m., Sunday through Thursday.

Duration: February 2010 through June 2010
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8. Colorado Boulevard (State Highway 2) – 62nd Avenue to Quebec Street

Cost: $3.2 million (ARRA project)

Contractor: LaFarge North America, Inc.

Resident Engineer: Bill McDonnell

Work: Resurfaces 2.4 miles of Colorado Boulevard in asphalt and upgrades traffic signals.

Work Hours: Single lane closures Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Duration: May 2010 through September 2010
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9. US 85 at 144th Avenue

Cost: $800,000 (estimate)

Contractor: Yet to be determined

Resident Engineer: Bill McDonnell

Work: Constructs raised traffic islands on 144th Avenue to prohibit traffic in both directions of 144th Avenue from making left turns onto US 85 and also from crossing over US 85. Improvements will also be made to the left turn lanes on US 85.

Work Hours: Single lane closures Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. with occasional night work.

Duration: May 2010 through June 2010
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10. State Highway 128 – McCaslin Boulevard to Eldorado Boulevard

Cost: $1.4 (estimate)

Contractor: Yet to be determined

Resident Engineer: Bill McDonnell

Work: Rotomills and resurfaces approximately one mile of SH 128 in asphalt

Work Hours: Single lane closures Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with occasional night work.

Duration: August 2010 through September 2010
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Central Area (Central Program Engineer Jim Bemelen)
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11. I-70 at Ward Road

Cost: $8.5 million

Contractor: Asphalt Paving, Co.

Resident Engineer: Ed Martinez

Work: Reconstructs the eastbound I-70 exit ramps at 44th Avenue/Ward Road by moving the ramps east a quarter of a mile from their current location in order to increase merge distance. The north side of 44th Avenue will also be widened to accommodate two left turn lanes from eastbound 44th Avenue to I-70 as well as one full continuous merge lane on 44th Avenue between the I-70 off-ramp and Ward Road. Following the completion of interchange work, I-70 between Colfax Avenue and Kipling Street will be rotomilled and paved in asphalt.

Work Hours:
I-70: Single lane closures Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sunday through Thursday from 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m with double lane closures from 10 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.
44th Avenue: Lane closures Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. At least two left turn lanes from 44th Avenue to eastbound I-70 must remain open at all times as well as at least one lane of eastbound and westbound 44th Avenue.

Duration: January 2010 through June 2011
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12. I-70 – Colorado Boulevard to Monaco Street

Cost: $5 million (estimate)

Contractor: Yet to be determined

Resident Engineer: Ed Martinez

Work: Replaces concrete barrier along I-70, constructs a new crash wall on Colorado Boulevard under I-70 and installs several new permanent sign structures.

Work Hours: Single lane closures Sunday through Thursday from 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. with double lane closures from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.

Duration: June 2010 through October 2010
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13. I-70 – Brighton Boulevard (State Highway 265) to Colorado Boulevard (State Highway 2)

Cost: $21.7 million

Contractor: American Civil Constructors, Inc.

Resident Engineer: Tony Stewart

Work: Repairs or replaces 60 expansion joints on the I-70 viaduct, which is over 40 years old. The project also reconstructs the median to improve drainage and replaces the bridge rail. In all, 64 expansion joints will be repaired or replaced on the viaduct between two projects. The first project, which was completed in 2006, repaired or replaced four expansion joints. This work will help extend the life of this aging structure, which was originally constructed in 1964.

Update: To date, crews have completed the majority of the expansion joint work between Brighton Boulevard and Vasquez Boulevard and have just started work between Vasquez Boulevard and Colorado Boulevard.

Work hours:
I-70: Single lane closures Sunday through Saturday from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. with double lane closures from 10 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.
46th Avenue: Various segments of eastbound or westbound 46th Avenue will be closed based on the location of the work on I-70.

Duration: September 2008 through May 2011
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14. Colorado Boulevard (State Highway 2) – Alameda Avenue to Martin Luther King Boulevard

Cost: $3.8 million

Contractor: LaFarge West, Inc.

Resident Engineer: Tony Stewart

Work: Resurfaces approximately 3.5 miles of Colorado Boulevard in asphalt, reconstructs the median and curb ramps. The traffic signals will be upgraded and turn lanes will be improved at the Colorado Boulevard/Colfax Avenue; Colorado Boulevard/17th Avenue and Colorado Boulevard/Montview Boulevard intersections.

Work hours: Single lane closures Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Sunday through Thursday from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Duration: May 2010 through October 2010
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15. I-70 at Central Park Boulevard

Cost: $47.2 million (ARRA project)

Contractor: SEMA Construction, Inc.

Resident Engineer: Tony Stewart

Work: Constructs a full interchange at I-70 and Central Park Boulevard which is between Havana Street and Quebec Street. The project will construct all ramps and structures for eastbound and westbound I-70 and for Central Park Boulevard. I-70 between Sand Creek and Havana Street will also be paved in asphalt. This project is being funded by the City and County of Denver with CDOT oversight.

Work Hours: Single lane closures Sunday through Thursday from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. with double lane closures from 11 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Occasional weekend work is possible.

Duration: June 2010 through Spring 2011
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16. US 287 from 10th Avenue to Baseline Road (State Highway 7)

Cost: $5.9 million (estimate)

Contractor: Yet to be determined

Resident Engineer: Randy Furst

Work: Replaces approximately 230 concrete slabs, rotomills and paves two bridges on US 287 and conducts erosion control work on the east side of US 287.

Work Hours: Single lane closures Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Duration: May 2010 through December 2010
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17. Federal Boulevard (US 287) at 120th Avenue (State Highway 128)
Sheridan Boulevard (State Highway 95) – 52nd Avenue to 56th Avenue

Cost: $664,000

Contractor: K.E.C.I Colorado, Inc.

Resident Engineer: Randy Furst

Work: Upgrades the traffic signals at both locations to include mast arm poles and LED lights. A raised median will also be installed on Sheridan Avenue between 52nd Avenue and 56th Avenue to improve safety

Work Hours: Single lane closures Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Duration: March 2010 through June 2010
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South Area (South Program Engineer Paul Jesaitis)
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Structures Inc. has excavation underway for the widening of Arapahoe Road under I-25. CDOT photo.

Cost: $2.4 million

Contractor: Structures, Inc.

Resident Engineer: Abe Lavassani

Work: Adds an additional through lane in each direction by placing the new lanes where the existing on-ramp lanes exist. This means that the third lane will be separated from the existing through lanes by the pier columns. In addition, a turn lane on westbound Arapahoe Road between the southbound I-25 off-ramp and Yosemite Street will be added and the center median will be modified to accommodate the new configuration.

Update: The majority of the work has been completed, but median work and paving remain. Over the next couple of months, crews will remove the medians on eastbound and westbound Arapahoe Road, pave the additional lane from southbound I-25 to westbound Arapahoe Road, complete asphalt paving through the construction zone and complete landscaping.

Work Hours: Single lane closures Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Sunday through Thursday from 7:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. There will be occasional weekend work.

Duration: September 2009 through June 2010
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19. Southbound I-25 to I-225
Parker Road (State Highway 83) to Southbound I-225

Cost: $1.5 million

Contractor: ABCO Construction, Inc.

Resident Engineer: Abe Lavassani

Work: Installs an anti-icing treatment on the ramps from southbound I-25 to northbound I-225 and northbound Parker Road to southbound I-225 to improve traction. Automatic anti-icing systems will also be installed on the ramp from southbound I-25 to northbound I-225 and from southbound I-225 to southbound I-25.

Update: The traction material has been installed on the ramp from southbound I-25 to northbound I-225 and on one lane of the ramp from northbound Parker Road to southbound I-225. Crews will likely return in May to complete the paving on the second lane of the northbound Parker Road to southbound I-225 ramp. Crews will be wrapping up the installation of the two anti-icing systems in the next couple of weeks.

Work Hours: Single lane closures Sunday through Thursday from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. and from 9 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. on Monday.

Duration: October 2009 through June 2010
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20. Parker Road (State Highway 83) at Arapahoe Road (State Highway 88)

Cost: $30 million (estimate)

Contractor: Yet to be determined

Resident Engineer: Abe Lavassani

Work: The final phase of this interchange improvement project constructs a grade-separated interchange and the corresponding ramps and improves drainage. When complete, Parker Road will run over Arapahoe Road and the traffic signal will be removed for free-flowing traffic at the interchange.

Work Hours: Single lane closures Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Sunday through Thursday from 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Throughout construction, Parker Road or Arapahoe Road may be placed in a temporary alignment.

Duration: May 2010 through December 2011
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21. I-225 at Colfax Avenue (US 40)- Phase I

Cost: $1.4 million (ARRA project)

Contractor: Concrete Works of Colorado

Resident Engineer: Rick Erjavec

Work: This is the first phase of an interchange improvement project. This phase will reconstruct the southbound I-225 off-ramp to Colfax Avenue as well as the northbound I-225 on-ramp from Colfax Avenue. Drainage improvements will also be made. The City of Aurora will construct this phase with CDOT oversight.

Work Hours: Single lane closures Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. or Sunday through Thursday from 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.

Duration: November 2009 through April 2010
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22. I-225 at Colfax Avenue (US 40)- Phase 2

Cost: $17.9 million (ARRA project)

Contractor: Hamon Contractors, Inc.

Resident Engineer: Rick Erjavec

Work: The second phase of the interchange improvement project will construct the southbound off-ramp to 17th Avenue and Colfax Avenue along with the southern portion of 17th Avenue to serve inbound traffic. The City of Aurora will construct this phase with CDOT oversight.

Work Hours: Single lane closures Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. or Sunday through Thursday from 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.

Duration: April 2010 through December 2011
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23. I-225 – 2nd Avenue to Mississippi Avenue

Cost: $33 million (estimate)

Contractor: Yet to be determined

Resident Engineer: Rick Erjavec

Work: Widens I-225 between 2nd Avenue and Mississippi Avenue to accommodate three lanes in each direction with an additional auxiliary lane. I-225 from north of Colfax Avenue to 2nd Avenue will be restriped to also accommodate three lanes in each direction. A new 8-10 foot concrete noise wall will be constructed near Mississippi Avenue to replace the deteriorating wooden fence and a new 8-10 foot noise wall will be constructed near Potomac Circle.

Work Hours: Single lane closures Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. or Sunday through Thursday from 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.

Duration: June 2010 through August 2011
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Castle Rock Construction crews continue to work on rehabilitation of the C-470 roadway. CDOT photo.

24. C-470 – I-25 to Santa Fe Drive (US 85)
C-470 Bike Trail – I-25 to I-70

Cost: $32 million (ARRA project)

Contractor: Castle Rock Construction Co.

Resident Engineer: Ron Buck

Work: Repairs or replaces concrete slabs along nine miles of C-470 and resurfaces C-470 in asphalt. Rehabilitates and replaces concrete slabs on the C-470 bicycle/pedestrian trail.

Update: To date, the concrete repairs are complete on westbound C-470 and the majority of eastbound C-470. Crews will complete the concrete work on eastbound C-470 in the coming months and then begin asphalt paving on both eastbound and westbound C-470. Bike path work is also still underway.

Work Hours: The majority of the roadway work on C-470 will take place from 8 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday each weekend. Single lane closures are also possible Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Sunday through Thursday from 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Work on the bike path will take place Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Duration: July 2009 through September 2010
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The 1958 Valley Highway bridge over Alameda Avenue -- and the flash flooding that often occurs underneath it -- will be things of the past with a replacement project now getting underway by Jalisco International. CDOT photo.

25. I-25 at Alameda Avenue

Cost: $36.9 million (ARRA project)

Contractor: Jalisco International, Inc.

Resident Engineer: Ron Buck

Work: Replaces the Alameda Avenue bridge over I-25 with one that is wider to accommodate an additional lane in each direction. Minor improvements will also be made to I-25 under Alameda Avenue and drainage will be improved. This work is part of a larger project that will eventually improve I-25 as determined in the I-25 Valley Highway Environmental Impact Statement.

Work Hours: Single lane closures Sunday through Thursday from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. with occasional weekend work.

Duration: April 2010 through September 2011
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26. Santa Fe Drive (US 85) at C-470

Cost: $32 million (ARRA project)

Contractor: Edward Kraemer & Sons, Inc.

Resident Engineer: Ron Buck

Work: Constructs a flyover ramp from southbound Santa Fe Drive to eastbound C-470 to improve safety and mobility.

Work Hours:
Santa Fe Drive: Single lane closures Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Sunday through Thursday from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.
C-470: Single lane closures Sunday through Thursday from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Full closures of C-470 will also be required for girder installation, bridge deck panel installation and concrete deck pour.

Duration: June 2010 through January 2012
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27. I-25 – 6th Avenue to 23rd Avenue

Cost: $4.3 million (ARRA project)

Contractor: Brannan Sand and Gravel Co.

Resident Engineer: Tony Gross

Work: Rotomills and resurfaces approximately three miles of I-25 in asphalt.

Update: The majority of work is complete, but crews need to complete some smoothness grinding and some erosion control work.

Work Hours: Single lane closures Sunday through Thursday from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Duration: June 2009 through April 2010
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Concrete Express crews excavate for new bridge pier footings at the Hampden Avenue bridge over Federal Boulevard. CDOT photo.

28. Hampden Avenue (US 285) -Kipling Street to Federal Boulevard

Cost: $40.1 million

Contractor: Concrete Express, Inc.

Resident Engineer: Tony Gross

Work: Replaces the Wadsworth Boulevard (State Highway 121), Pierce Street and Federal Boulevard (State Highway 88) bridges over Hampden Avenue and reconstructs Hampden Avenue between Wadsworth Boulevard and Federal Boulevard.

Update: Construction started near Federal Boulevard with crews realigning Hampden Avenue to accommodate reconstruction in the median. In late April/early May, construction will begin to replace the Hampden Avenue bridge over Federal Boulevard. Construction will continue to move west as work progresses.

Work Hours: Single lane closures Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Sunday through Thursday from 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Full closures of Hampden Avenue will also be required for girder installation, bridge deck panel installation and concrete deck pour.

Duration: January 2010 through June 2011

Region 6 Traffic Engineering Projects (Traffic Engineer Steve Hersey)
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29. State Highway 7 at York Street

Cost: $750,000 (estimate)

Contractor: Yet to be determined

Resident Engineer: Jake Koenig

Work: Adds an auxiliary lane on State Highway 7 from 168th Avenue to York Street and installs a new traffic signal at the SH 7/York Street intersection.

Work Hours: Single lane closures Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Duration: June 2010 through November 2010
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30. C-470 – Quebec Street to I-25
C-470 – Morrison Road to Wadsworth Boulevard
Santa Fe Drive (US 85)- Aspen Grove Way to Ridge Road

Cost: $3.3 million (estimate)

Contractor: Yet to be determined

Resident Engineer: Leela Rajasekar

Work: Installs median cable guardrail in two locations along C-470 to help prevent crossover accidents. Concrete median barrier will also be installed on Santa Fe Drive.

Work Hours: Single lane closures Sunday through Thursday from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Duration: June 2010 through February 2011
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31. US 6 – Heritage Road to 19th Avenue

Cost: $500,000 (estimate)

Contractor: Yet to be determined

Resident Engineer: Leela Rajasekar

Work: Installs a wildlife fence along US 6 to help prevent wildlife/vehicle collisions.

Work Hours: Single lane closures Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Sunday through
Thursday from 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.

Duration: August 2010 through November 2010
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32. Parker Road (State Highway 83) – Belleview Avenue to Hampden Avenue

Cost: $180,000 (estimate)

Contractor: Yet to be determined

Resident Engineer: Alazar Tesfaye

Work: Restripes Parker Road to accommodate a third through lane in each direction.

Work Hours: Sunday through Thursday from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.

Duration: May 2010 through June 2010

Concrete repairs on C-470 between I-25 and Santa Fe Drive will once again take place this weekend, weather permitting

DOUGLAS/JEFFERSON COUNTY- Concrete repairs on C-470 between I-25 and Santa Fe Drive will once again take place this weekend, weather permitting. This weekend, crews will work from 8 p.m. on Friday, March 12th to 5 a.m. on Monday, March 15th, weather permitting. During this time, the following closures will be in place on C-470 and major delays are expected:
• Eastbound C-470 between University Boulevard and Yosemite: One lane of eastbound C-470 will be closed from 8 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday. Major delays are expected and alternate routes are strongly advised.
• Eastbound C-470 to Quebec Street: The ramp from eastbound C-470 to Quebec Street will be completely closed from 8 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday. Detour: Motorists can take Yosemite Street to Park Meadows Drive or University Boulevard to County Line Road.
• Quebec Street to Eastbound C-470: The ramp from Quebec Street to eastbound C-470 will be completely closed from 8 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday. Detour: Motorists can take County Line Road to either Yosemite Street or I-25.

Since the concrete repairs require crews to place new concrete, there is about a 10 to 12-hour timeframe in which the concrete has to cure. During this time, one lane of eastbound C-470 will remain closed as well as the on and off-ramps at Quebec Street, but crews will not be visibly working. This is a necessary process for concrete replacement to ensure the pavement is of high quality and can withstand the heavy traffic C-470 handles. Once the concrete cures, crews will stripe and conduct some other minor work before completely reopening all lanes and ramps of eastbound C-470.

CDOT would like to remind motorists to obey all traffic signs and flaggers and to “Slow for the Cone Zone .” Most fines will be doubled if the infraction occurs in the work zone.

This work is part of an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) project. The $32 million project will repair nine miles of C-470 and then pave the entire length in asphalt. Concrete repairs will also be made along 26 miles of the C-470 bike path between I-25 and I-70.

Castle Rock Construction Co. of Centennial is the contractor for this project, which is scheduled to be complete by the end of September 2010.

In all, Colorado will receive more than $400 million from the Recovery Act for highway projects and $103 million for transit projects. For more information about how Colorado is putting the recovery act to work, visit www.colorado.gov/recovery. For a list of CDOT’s Recovery Act projects, visit www.dot.state.co.us/arra.

A rush of workers and equipment helps Concrete Works of Colorado get a one-block section of new sidewalk along South Broadway done in one day. Inside Lane photo.

By Kevin Flynn
Inside-Lane.com

One block of South Broadway in Denver on Thursday turned into what Joe Schwartz, Concrete Works of Colorado superintendent, calls an ant hill.

That’s when all hands are on deck in a colony of activity for a contractor to get in quickly, get a job done and get out by the end of the work day.

For the city of Denver’s ambitious South Broadway reconstruction, a project funded by the voter-approved Better Denver bond program, that meant getting the new sidewalks poured in one day on the east side of the 1500 block south.

“The ant hill – that’s what we call it,” Schwartz said while roaming the block to choreograph the work and make sure everyone is sequenced on time – that’s how to ensure each crew is ready to move on to the next task.

Making a big push to do the work in one area so quickly is a huge help to businesses on the block, whose access is temporarily disrupted by the construction.

“Our aim is to get this done as quickly as possible,” said Ann Leggett, spokeswoman for Concrete Works of Colorado. “We made a commitment to the people here to get this done today.”

Bill Wieder, left, stands in front of his South Broadway properties watching the work. He grew up on the block and believes the improvements will be a boost to investment in the neighborhood. Inside Lane photo.

“I think it’s going to be very much of a stimulant to Broadway because it will look so much better,” said Wieder, whose mother bought property on the block in 1948. Wieder grew up here and is landlord to several of the businesses on the east side. He can remember when neighboring Herman’s Hideaway was Cunningham’s Supper Club, and can rattle off where the grocery store and doughnut shop used to be.

He said he’s reduced their rents during the project to help them weather the construction period and come out the other side.

Concrete Works is helping with that too by allowing parking along its new concrete curbs when work permits, and by putting out numerous signs along other curbside areas for shopper parking.

When the project is finished – and this is only the first of three segments that will reconstruct Broadway in concrete all the way to the Englewood line – both the city and the property owners expect that the improved transportation infrastructure will boost the economy of the neighborhood.

You can view a slideshow of the work. The photos were taken on Thursday.

To expand to full screen and read the captions, first click on the “play” button and then click on the box that will appear at the lower right corner — with the four little arrows pointing outward. When the full screen appears, click on “Show Info” at the menu bar on the top right.

Perhaps the best aspect of the work is lowering the grade on the street itself. Frequent drivers of the area around Broadway and Iowa Avenue know how hail storms and summer downpours can result in flooding there. Over the years, the street surface has built up to where it is higher than the sidewalks. As traffic made it through the water, it pushed waves of runoff onto the sidewalks and into the fronts doors of the businesses. Many owners have sandbags at the ready to keep the water out.

New drainage patterns on the street will resolve that problem.

The work also includes Denver Water’s replacement of a 100-year-old water line, a late addition that held up work for a bit, but this portion of the job will still be done in June, says Augie Maestas, the city’s inspector following the work.

The South Broadway project represents a major investment in the popular commercial strip that houses the metro area’s Antique Row, among other businesses. The plan includes a raised landscaped median similar to that in Englewood, with a mix of trees, antique-style streetlamps, sidewalk planting areas and colored concrete in the median.

Rendering shows what the 1500 block of South Broadway will look like when the project is completed. City of Denver rendering.

One of the first items of work was to remove old Denver Tramway trolley tracks that were still embedded under the asphalt.

It’s getting through the pain of construction to get to that gain of revitalization. The ant-hill approach, sort of a construction SWAT team, helps.

Schwartz had 45 crew members at work up and down the block, including company owner Marc Lenart, who was operating a loader. Each with their own tasks, the crews moved from framing and preparing each site to tamping down fill dirt for an even surface to pouring and spreading the concrete and, finally, to finishing and smoothing it.

The city divided the entire 17-block project into three pieces. Schwartz said the four-block section now under construction between Iowa and Arizona avenues will be done in June. It includes new traffic signals at Iowa, Arkansas and Louisiana avenues. It is a $6.8 million contract. Next month, the southern segment from the Englewood line at Yale Avenue to Wesley Avenue will go out to bid. The middle and largest segment, Wesley to Iowa, will be last.

Mike Roth, co-owner of the popular Herman’s Hideaway, watched the crew pour the first new sidewalk slab right at his doorway – as he pondered whether to put his initials in the wet batch once the crew moved up the way.

Mike Roth, right, co-owner of Herman's Hideaway, watches the crew finish the slab in front of the popular club. Inside Lane photo.

His grandfather was Herman, who started at Cunningham’s in 1962. He bought the place, changed the name and began booking musical acts into the place in 1982 and it has become a prime destination on South Broadway since then. The place helped launch Big Head Todd and the Monsters and Opie Gone Bad. It has fostered local talent as well as featuring such bands as Faith No More, 311, The Fray, Dave Matthews Band, Widespread Panic and Phish.

Roth said he prepared for the construction period by realizing that he’d lose some of the impulse customers who might drive by and otherwise come in but for seeing all the dirt and equipment.

“I saw this coming a mile away and started booking real strong acts,” Roth said. That would help ensure his regulars and those destination customers would come regardless of having to park a bit farther away.

“We’ll put it in our ads when the work is done,” Roth said. “Because to see something like this happen on South Broadway is exciting.”

WEEKEND WORK ON C-470 CANCELLED, LANE CLOSURES STILL SCHEDULED FOR NEXT WEEK

DOUGLAS/JEFFERSON COUNTY— The weekend lane closures on eastbound C-470 between I-25 and Santa Fe Drive have been cancelled due to inclement weather; however, concrete repairs will resume next week.

The following lane and ramp closures will be in place Monday, February 22nd through Thursday, February 25th, weather permitting, for concrete work.

University Boulevard to Westbound C-470- The entire on-ramp will be closed from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m., Monday through Thursday. During the closure, motorists will be detoured to Dad Clark Drive and then to Broadway where access to westbound C-470 is available. In addition, one lane of the ramp will be closed from 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday.

University Boulevard to Eastbound C-470: The entire on-ramp will be closed on Thursday from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. During the closure, motorists will be detoured to County Line Road and then to Quebec Street where access to eastbound C-470 is available.

Westbound C-470 between University Boulevard and Lucent Boulevard: One lane of westbound C-470 will be closed from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m., Monday through Wednesday.

Since the concrete repairs require crews to place new concrete, there is about a 10 to 12-hour timeframe in which the concrete has to cure. During this time, the on-ramps will remain closed or partially closed, but crews will not be visibly working. This is a necessary process for concrete replacement to ensure the pavement is of high quality and can withstand the heavy traffic C-470 handles. Once the concrete cures, crews will stripe and conduct some other minor work before completely reopening the on-ramps.

CDOT would like to remind motorists to obey all traffic signs and flaggers and to “Slow for the Cone Zone.” Most fines will be doubled if the infraction occurs in the work zone.

This work is part of an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) project. The $32 million project will repair nine miles of C-470 and then pave the entire length in asphalt. Concrete repairs will also be made along 26 miles of the C-470 bike path between I-25 and I-70.

Castle Rock Construction Co. of Centennial is the contractor for this project, which is scheduled to be complete in July 2010.

In all, Colorado will receive more than $400 million from the Recovery Act for highway projects and $103 million for transit projects. For more information about how Colorado is putting the recovery act to work, visit www.colorado.gov/recovery. For a list of CDOT’s Recovery Act projects, visit www.dot.state.co.us/arra.

Concrete repairs continue on eastbound C-470 this weekend and next week

DOUGLAS/JEFFERSON COUNTY— This weekend, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) will continue concrete repairs on eastbound C-470 between I-25 and Santa Fe Drive which will require various lane closures on C-470.

This weekend, crews will work from 8 p.m. on Friday, February 12th to 5 a.m. on Monday, February 15th. During this time, the following closures will be in place on eastbound C-470 and major delays are expected:
• C-470 between Quebec Street and Yosemite Street- Two of the three lanes of eastbound C-470 will be closed from 8 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday. Major delays are expected and alternate routes are strongly advised.
• Quebec Street to Eastbound C-470: The ramp from Quebec Street to eastbound C-470 will be completely closed from 8 p.m. on Friday to 5 a.m. on Monday. Detour route: Take County Line Road to I-25.

Since the concrete repairs require crews to place new concrete, there is about a 10 to 12-hour timeframe in which the concrete has to cure. During this time, two lanes of eastbound C-470 will remain closed, but crews will not be visibly working. This is a necessary process for concrete replacement to ensure the pavement is of high quality and can withstand the heavy traffic C-470 handles. Once the concrete cures, crews will stripe and conduct some other minor work before reopening all lanes of eastbound C-470 as well as the ramp from Quebec Street to eastbound C-470.

In addition to the weekend work, the following closures will be in place Monday, February 15th through Friday, February 19th, weather permitting for concrete repairs and replacement:
• Monday, February 15th- Thursday, February 18th: The ramp from University Boulevard to westbound C-470 will be closed from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. each night. Detour route: Motorists can take Dad Clark Drive to Broadway.
• Tuesday, February 16th through Friday, February 19th: One lane of the ramp from University Boulevard to westbound C-470 will be closed from 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. each day.
• Tuesday, February 16th through Wednesday, February 17th: The ramp from University Boulevard to eastbound C-470 will be closed from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. each night. Detour route: Motorists can take County Line Road to Quebec Street.
• Wednesday, February 17th through Thursday, February 18th: One lane of the ramp from University Boulevard to eastbound C-470 will be closed from 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. each day.

CDOT would like to remind motorists to obey all traffic signs and flaggers and to “Slow for the Cone Zone.” Most fines will be doubled if the infraction occurs in the work zone.

This work is part of an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) project. The $32 million project will repair nine miles of C-470 and then pave the entire length in asphalt. Concrete repairs will also be made along 26 miles of the C-470 bike path between I-25 and I-70.

Castle Rock Construction Co. of Centennial is the contractor for this project, which is scheduled to be complete in July 2010.

In all, Colorado will receive more than $400 million from the Recovery Act for highway projects and $103 million for transit projects. For more information about how Colorado is putting the recovery act to work, visit www.colorado.gov/recovery. For a list of CDOT’s Recovery Act projects, visit www.dot.state.co.us/arra.

Paving on eastbound I-270 to close ramp to I-70 this weekend

DENVER – Starting at midnight on Friday night, weather permitting, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) will completely close the ramp from eastbound I-270 to I-70 for paving operations. The ramp will reopen by 5:30 a.m. on Monday.

“In early January, we closed this ramp to repair the bridge deck, but we weren’t able to pave because the temperatures were too cold,” said CDOT Project Engineer Steve Pineiro. “With warmer temperatures this weekend, we will return to the ramp and pave the entire bridge deck in asphalt.”

Throughout the weekend, motorists will exit eastbound I-270 at Quebec Street and take Quebec Street south to I-70. Major delays are expected and alternate routes are strongly advised. The ramp will completely reopen by 5:30 a.m. on Monday, February 15th.

This weekend’s closure will be the last full closure of this ramp as part of the project. Expansion joint repairs will require single lane closures at a later date and more information will be released once that work is scheduled.

This weekend’s work is part of a project that rehabilitates two other bridge decks in the Denver metro area: eastbound I-70 over 20th Avenue and eastbound I-70 over the Union Pacific Railroad between Monaco Street Quebec Street.

Jalisco International, Inc. is the contractor of this $772,000 project. The entire project should be complete by the end of June 2010.

McFadyen’s bill would require the Colorado Department of Transportation to report on whether those killed were CDOT employees or contractors and any measures CDOT implements to avoid recurring fatalities.

Go to the Pueblo Chieftain to see the entire article.

Denver Public Works Wastewater Management Division will be installing a storm sewer underneath eastbound 6th Avenue between Hudson Street and Eudora Street. The project will begin at the intersection of eastbound 6th Avenue and Hudson Street and will proceed west on eastbound 6th Avenue to Eudora Street. The work will begin January 18, 2010 and will be finished in late July 2010. The need for this storm sewer installation was identified in the Storm Sewer Master Plan.

BT Construction will be the contractor on the job and will be installing a storm sewer pipe up to 42 inches in diameter.

Due to the expansiveness of this project, a full lane closure of portions of eastbound 6th Avenue will be closed between the hours of 7:30 am and 3:30 pm, with one lane open outside this timeframe. This will be a moving closure meaning that the closure will begin at Hudson Street and move west, ending at the intersection of eastbound 6th Avenue and Eudora Street. Adequate signage will be in place alerting drivers of the project and detour.

The public’s patience and cooperation during construction is greatly appreciated.

The low cost of materials had been one positive during the slowdown that the commercial construction industry has been experiencing the past year.

But Inputs to construction industries, a weighted average of all materials used by contractors, rose 0.6% from October to November, according to Ken Simonson, chief economist for the Associated General Contractors of America. They had fallen 2.3% in the past 12 months, and were flat over the past three months.

“Public agencies and private owners contemplating construction projects should treat today’s figures as a warning shot,” he says. “Prices for many materials have stopped falling and are poised for increases.”

Go to the Memphis Business Journal to see the entire article.

1,900 Construction Jobs Added in Those Five Areas While 1.1 Million Workers Lose Jobs Nationwide As Employment Picture Continues to Deteriorate

ARLINGTON, VA – Only five out of 337 metropolitan areas saw an increase in construction employment between October 2008 and October 2009 according to a new analysis of metropolitan area employment data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Meanwhile, construction employment nationally tumbled by 1.1 million jobs over the past 12 months alone, with 328 metro areas reporting losses. Construction employment was unchanged in four metros.

(Inside Lane note: The AGC table shows Colorado construction jobs down 16 percent in October compared with October 2008. You can read the entire list, with all metro areas by state, here.)

“Imagine if the entire population of greater Salt Lake City lost their jobs, because that’s basically what has happened to construction employment in America’s largest communities,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “In many communities, construction employment isn’t just contracting, it is collapsing.”

Simonson noted that Reno-Sparks, NV again had the largest percentage decline with a 32 percent drop in construction employment. Other cities with large percentage declines in construction employment included Kokomo, IN (31 percent); Redding, CA (30 percent); El Centro, CA (29 percent); and the Cleveland, OH area (28 percent). Simonson added that the Phoenix metro area lost the most construction jobs (33,000); followed by Atlanta (24,700); and Las Vegas-Paradise, NV (24,500).

In comparison, only one community saw double-digit job gains. Columbus, IN again led the nation in construction job growth with a 20 percent increase, totaling 400 added construction jobs. Four other cities saw increases in construction employment, Anderson, IN (6 percent); Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA (5 percent); Tulsa, OK (3 percent); and the Davenport, IA area (1 percent). Those five communities combined added only 1,900 construction jobs over the past twelve months.

“Getting construction workers back on the job will provide a significant economic boost to virtually every community in America,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, the association’s chief executive officer. “The lesson for Washington ought to be clear: we should be building our way out of the country’s current bleak employment picture.”

Sandherr urged Congress and the Administration to include new construction and infrastructure investments as the core component of any new measures designed to address an employment market that has left over 10 percent of Americans, and 18.7 percent of construction workers, unemployed.

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