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Welcome to our newsroom! Here you will find the latest information about our company, projects and people. Browse articles published by our engineers and scientists in national publications and conference proceedings, view our press releases and read through news coverage of Terracon.
If you are a member of the media, you may contact our media relations representative at media@terracon.com.
Interior Dept. determination clears path for transmission project’s next step, an environmental review.
Interior Dept. determination clears path for transmission project’s next step, an environmental review.
Howard LaFever, a veteran environmental engineer, explains how communities can build and repair infrastructure in sustainable ways.
Audio File:
Howard LaFever, a veteran environmental engineer, explains how communities can build and repair infrastructure in sustainable ways.
Audio File:
Calls are rising for more domestic natural gas and crude-oil transmission infrastructure, but environmental and safety reviews are also mounting.
Calls are rising for more domestic natural gas and crude-oil transmission infrastructure, but environmental and safety reviews are also mounting.
Twenty-seven airports across Pennsylvania will improve facilities and enhance safety with a $12.6 million investment of federal and state funds, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett announced on May 1.
“More than 290,000 people in Pennsylvania rely on the aviation industry for jobs,” Governor Corbett said in a press release. “It’s vital to maintain investments in these airports so they can continue operating safely and are able to expand to meet business demands.”
The state portion of funding – $805,547 from PennDOT’s aviation development program – comes from the state’s jet fuel tax and leverages more than $743,047 in local matching funds.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is providing $11.8 million in grants through the block grant program, which is funded through taxes collected nationally on airline tickets, freight waybills, international departure fees, and the sale of aviation fuel. Airports receive up to 95 percent of eligible project costs for projects included in Pennsylvania’s 12-year transportation program.
Public-use airports in the state are eligible for the aviation development program. Airports eligible for the federal block grant program include: general aviation airports, designated reliever airports, and non-primary commercial airline airports (those with fewer than 10,000 annual passengers) that are part of the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems.
The state has 133 public-use airports and heliports and 15 airports have scheduled commercial service.
Twenty-seven airports across Pennsylvania will improve facilities and enhance safety with a $12.6 million investment of federal and state funds, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett announced on May 1.
“More than 290,000 people in Pennsylvania rely on the aviation industry for jobs,” Governor Corbett said in a press release. “It’s vital to maintain investments in these airports so they can continue operating safely and are able to expand to meet business demands.”
The state portion of funding – $805,547 from PennDOT’s aviation development program – comes from the state’s jet fuel tax and leverages more than $743,047 in local matching funds.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is providing $11.8 million in grants through the block grant program, which is funded through taxes collected nationally on airline tickets, freight waybills, international departure fees, and the sale of aviation fuel. Airports receive up to 95 percent of eligible project costs for projects included in Pennsylvania’s 12-year transportation program.
Public-use airports in the state are eligible for the aviation development program. Airports eligible for the federal block grant program include: general aviation airports, designated reliever airports, and non-primary commercial airline airports (those with fewer than 10,000 annual passengers) that are part of the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems.
The state has 133 public-use airports and heliports and 15 airports have scheduled commercial service.
Oil and gas groups like rule’s 2015 compliance date but some environmentalists contend EPA conceded too much to industry.
Oil and gas groups like rule’s 2015 compliance date but some environmentalists contend EPA conceded too much to industry.
Senate appropriations panel approves fiscal 2013 bill with 1% boost for Corps civil works, tiny increase for DOE environmental cleanup. House committee recommends 4% cut for Corps, 2% reduction for DOE cleanup.
Senate appropriations panel approves fiscal 2013 bill with 1% boost for Corps civil works, tiny increase for DOE environmental cleanup. House committee recommends 4% cut for Corps, 2% reduction for DOE cleanup.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) have developed and launched new tools designed to [...]
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) have developed and launched new tools designed to [...]
The House of Representatives passed the Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2012, Part II, on April 18 by a vote of 293 to 127.
Included in the extension is language to transfer the authority to approve the Keystone XL pipeline project from the Department of State to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).
Under the provisions of the extension, FERC would be required to issue a permit for the Keystone XL pipeline within 30 days of receiving an application. If no action is taken, the application would be deemed approved after the 30-day period.
The bill formally known as (H.R. 4348) extends Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) – the current highway bill – through Sept. 30, 2012. Part I of this extension (H.R 4281) was passed March 29 month just two days before it was set to expire March 31. (For the article “Uncharted Road Ahead,” which goes more in-depth on the short-term reauthorizations of SAFETEA-LU, click here.)
The original bill expired on Sept. 30, 2009. SAFETEA-LU’s predecessor, The Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21), enacted on Aug. 10, 2005, underwent 12 extensions throughout a two-year period.
Toby Mack, president of Associated Equipment Distributors (AED), says that the uncertainty surrounding federal surface transportation programs has hurt construction contractors and suppliers.
“[It has] forced us to delay transportation improvements vital to the long-term health of the U.S. economy,” Mack said in a formal statement following the House vote. However, Mack says that AED “is pleased that the House has finally passed legislation to move the highway and transit reauthorization process forward.”
AED is calling for a multi-year bill that creates new user fees. The organization says this would “ensure the Highway Trust Fund’s long-term integrity [and would] increase investment to the levels necessary to improve the nation’s transportation system.”
However, since there is no clear idea of when a long-term reauthorization would be passed, Mack says AED believes a swift conference on H.R. 4348 and MAP-21, the Senate’s two-year highway bill, “is the best way to keep the reauthorization process moving forward and restore some near-term certainty to federal infrastructure programs.”
U.S. Rep. John J. Duncan, Jr. (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Highways and Transit Subcommittee, says this legislation will allow programs to continue through the fiscal year and provide predictability during the summer construction season.
“The environmental streamlining provisions would also eliminate duplication by providing a single system to review decisions,” Duncan says in a written statement. “It reduces bureaucratic delay by requiring concurrent, instead of consecutive, project reviews and setting deadlines for the completion of environmental reviews. These changes will cut the delivery process in half and save taxpayers a great deal of money.”
U.S. Rep. John L. Mica (R-Fla.), chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, says the bill contains no tax increases, earmarks, or new federal government programs, quipping that it may “disappoint Democrats,” but the legislation “will help move the process forward in working to resolve differences with the Senate.”
In a press statement, Mica pounces on President Obama, noting that “when the President first sold the stimulus as an infrastructure bill, he failed to address the red tape that delays the approval of transportation projects. ‘Shovel-ready’ became a national joke because it takes so long to get the bureaucratic approvals for a project. This bill includes important provisions to significantly reduce the red tape that leaves projects and jobs behind.”
Mica also purports that the bill includes provisions to help ensure funds collected for the maintenance and improvement of our nation’s harbors are invested for that purpose. He also touts that the bill moves forward with the Keystone pipeline project.
“While the Administration meanders on developing any kind of real energy policy, this measure will help lower energy costs and create jobs for Americans, particularly important as gasoline prices continue to skyrocket because of the squeeze that the Obama Administration has put on production of our energy assets here at home,” Mica said.
The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) Dennis Slater also applauded the House action to pass its highway bill and move to conference with the Senate. “After many failed attempts, partisan politics were put aside and there was bipartisan support for this critical job-creating legislation,” Slater said.
Slater says that coupled with the Keystone XL pipeline approval, “a final highway bill has the potential to jump start the construction industry across this country as we head into the construction season. Therefore, the timing of this legislation is critical.”
U.S. Congressman Jason Altmire (Pa.-04), a member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, voted in favor of the latest extension. Despite voting for the short-term extension, he says that it doesn’t eliminate the need for a long-term solution.
“Inaction by Congress to produce a long-term reauthorization of our surface transportation programs is not an option,” Altmire said in a written statement after the vote. Altmire says the area the economy of Western Pennsylvania, the area he represents in Congress, depends on solid infrastructure, but “our roads and bridges are crumbling.
“An extension of these programs immediately creates jobs and helps strengthen our infrastructure to meet our growing economic needs, but a long-term reauthorization is our goal,” Altmire said. “Western Pennsylvania is doing its part to reduce our dependence on foreign energy sources, but we cannot do it alone. The Keystone pipeline will create thousands of jobs, and is one of the most important economic investments we can make. The construction of the Keystone pipeline will lower the cost of fuel for millions of American families. This is a vital project and we must work to get construction underway.”
The House of Representatives passed the Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2012, Part II, on April 18 by a vote of 293 to 127.
Included in the extension is language to transfer the authority to approve the Keystone XL pipeline project from the Department of State to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).
Under the provisions of the extension, FERC would be required to issue a permit for the Keystone XL pipeline within 30 days of receiving an application. If no action is taken, the application would be deemed approved after the 30-day period.
The bill formally known as (H.R. 4348) extends Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) – the current highway bill – through Sept. 30, 2012. Part I of this extension (H.R 4281) was passed March 29 month just two days before it was set to expire March 31. (For the article “Uncharted Road Ahead,” which goes more in-depth on the short-term reauthorizations of SAFETEA-LU, click here.)
The original bill expired on Sept. 30, 2009. SAFETEA-LU’s predecessor, The Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21), enacted on Aug. 10, 2005, underwent 12 extensions throughout a two-year period.
Toby Mack, president of Associated Equipment Distributors (AED), says that the uncertainty surrounding federal surface transportation programs has hurt construction contractors and suppliers.
“[It has] forced us to delay transportation improvements vital to the long-term health of the U.S. economy,” Mack said in a formal statement following the House vote. However, Mack says that AED “is pleased that the House has finally passed legislation to move the highway and transit reauthorization process forward.”
AED is calling for a multi-year bill that creates new user fees. The organization says this would “ensure the Highway Trust Fund’s long-term integrity [and would] increase investment to the levels necessary to improve the nation’s transportation system.”
However, since there is no clear idea of when a long-term reauthorization would be passed, Mack says AED believes a swift conference on H.R. 4348 and MAP-21, the Senate’s two-year highway bill, “is the best way to keep the reauthorization process moving forward and restore some near-term certainty to federal infrastructure programs.”
U.S. Rep. John J. Duncan, Jr. (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Highways and Transit Subcommittee, says this legislation will allow programs to continue through the fiscal year and provide predictability during the summer construction season.
“The environmental streamlining provisions would also eliminate duplication by providing a single system to review decisions,” Duncan says in a written statement. “It reduces bureaucratic delay by requiring concurrent, instead of consecutive, project reviews and setting deadlines for the completion of environmental reviews. These changes will cut the delivery process in half and save taxpayers a great deal of money.”
U.S. Rep. John L. Mica (R-Fla.), chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, says the bill contains no tax increases, earmarks, or new federal government programs, quipping that it may “disappoint Democrats,” but the legislation “will help move the process forward in working to resolve differences with the Senate.”
In a press statement, Mica pounces on President Obama, noting that “when the President first sold the stimulus as an infrastructure bill, he failed to address the red tape that delays the approval of transportation projects. ‘Shovel-ready’ became a national joke because it takes so long to get the bureaucratic approvals for a project. This bill includes important provisions to significantly reduce the red tape that leaves projects and jobs behind.”
Mica also purports that the bill includes provisions to help ensure funds collected for the maintenance and improvement of our nation’s harbors are invested for that purpose. He also touts that the bill moves forward with the Keystone pipeline project.
“While the Administration meanders on developing any kind of real energy policy, this measure will help lower energy costs and create jobs for Americans, particularly important as gasoline prices continue to skyrocket because of the squeeze that the Obama Administration has put on production of our energy assets here at home,” Mica said.
The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) Dennis Slater also applauded the House action to pass its highway bill and move to conference with the Senate. “After many failed attempts, partisan politics were put aside and there was bipartisan support for this critical job-creating legislation,” Slater said.
Slater says that coupled with the Keystone XL pipeline approval, “a final highway bill has the potential to jump start the construction industry across this country as we head into the construction season. Therefore, the timing of this legislation is critical.”
U.S. Congressman Jason Altmire (Pa.-04), a member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, voted in favor of the latest extension. Despite voting for the short-term extension, he says that it doesn’t eliminate the need for a long-term solution.
“Inaction by Congress to produce a long-term reauthorization of our surface transportation programs is not an option,” Altmire said in a written statement after the vote. Altmire says the area the economy of Western Pennsylvania, the area he represents in Congress, depends on solid infrastructure, but “our roads and bridges are crumbling.
“An extension of these programs immediately creates jobs and helps strengthen our infrastructure to meet our growing economic needs, but a long-term reauthorization is our goal,” Altmire said. “Western Pennsylvania is doing its part to reduce our dependence on foreign energy sources, but we cannot do it alone. The Keystone pipeline will create thousands of jobs, and is one of the most important economic investments we can make. The construction of the Keystone pipeline will lower the cost of fuel for millions of American families. This is a vital project and we must work to get construction underway.”
The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and the Illinois Tollway are hosting a public hearing on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Elgin O’Hare West Bypass (EOWB) Project tonight, April 18, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Belvedere Banquets, 1170 W. Devon Avenue in Elk Grove Village.
The Draft EIS documents the need for long-term transportation solutions in the area surrounding O’Hare International Airport and assesses in detail the benefits and impacts of the EOWB project.
The public is invited to attend to review the Draft EIS, ask questions and share its views on the EOWB Project, its environmental impacts and proposed mitigation strategies. Representatives from IDOT and the Illinois Tollway will be available to answer questions, and the public is encouraged to provide verbal or written testimony that will be included as part of the public record.
“The input we have been receiving from all of the key stakeholders has been critical to reaching this next important step to building the Elgin O’Hare West Bypass,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Ann Schneider. “This project is a priority of Governor Quinn’s administration for its ability to create jobs, promote economic development and improve transportation. We look forward to additional feedback from the public.”
“Thanks to the work of Governor Quinn’s Elgin O’Hare West Bypass Advisory Council, local communities, business leaders and regional planning and transportation experts reached consensus on the plan to fund and build this $3.4 billion project,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Kristi Lafleur. “Now, with the Illinois Tollway’s commitment to provide $3.1 billion, the start of this long-awaited project is in view.”
Last month, Illinois Transportation Secretary Ann Schneider and Illinois Tollway Executive Director Kristi Lafleur signed the Draft EIS, a major milestone for the project. FHWA and FAA are also designated lead agencies for the project. The completion of the Draft EIS moves the project another step closer to construction.
The Illinois Department of Transportation is leading the effort to complete the EIS and receive a Record of Decision from the U.S. Department of Transportation by the end of 2012. Once the Record of Decision is in place, the Illinois Tollway can begin construction of the EOWB.
Last August, the Illinois Tollway Board of Directors adopted the 15-year, $12 billion capital program, Move Illinois: The Illinois Tollway Driving the Future, which commits $3.1 billion toward the $3.4 billion needed to begin building the EOWB as soon as 2013.
May 14, 2012, Deadline for Public Comments
Public comments on the Draft EIS will be accepted by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and the Illinois Tollway through May 14, 2012. The Draft EIS and other materials will be available for review during the public hearing and are also available at municipal buildings and local public libraries located in the project area and on the EOWB Project website at www.elginohare-westbypass.org.
The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and the Illinois Tollway are hosting a public hearing on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Elgin O’Hare West Bypass (EOWB) Project tonight, April 18, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Belvedere Banquets, 1170 W. Devon Avenue in Elk Grove Village.
The Draft EIS documents the need for long-term transportation solutions in the area surrounding O’Hare International Airport and assesses in detail the benefits and impacts of the EOWB project.
The public is invited to attend to review the Draft EIS, ask questions and share its views on the EOWB Project, its environmental impacts and proposed mitigation strategies. Representatives from IDOT and the Illinois Tollway will be available to answer questions, and the public is encouraged to provide verbal or written testimony that will be included as part of the public record.
“The input we have been receiving from all of the key stakeholders has been critical to reaching this next important step to building the Elgin O’Hare West Bypass,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Ann Schneider. “This project is a priority of Governor Quinn’s administration for its ability to create jobs, promote economic development and improve transportation. We look forward to additional feedback from the public.”
“Thanks to the work of Governor Quinn’s Elgin O’Hare West Bypass Advisory Council, local communities, business leaders and regional planning and transportation experts reached consensus on the plan to fund and build this $3.4 billion project,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Kristi Lafleur. “Now, with the Illinois Tollway’s commitment to provide $3.1 billion, the start of this long-awaited project is in view.”
Last month, Illinois Transportation Secretary Ann Schneider and Illinois Tollway Executive Director Kristi Lafleur signed the Draft EIS, a major milestone for the project. FHWA and FAA are also designated lead agencies for the project. The completion of the Draft EIS moves the project another step closer to construction.
The Illinois Department of Transportation is leading the effort to complete the EIS and receive a Record of Decision from the U.S. Department of Transportation by the end of 2012. Once the Record of Decision is in place, the Illinois Tollway can begin construction of the EOWB.
Last August, the Illinois Tollway Board of Directors adopted the 15-year, $12 billion capital program, Move Illinois: The Illinois Tollway Driving the Future, which commits $3.1 billion toward the $3.4 billion needed to begin building the EOWB as soon as 2013.
May 14, 2012, Deadline for Public Comments
Public comments on the Draft EIS will be accepted by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and the Illinois Tollway through May 14, 2012. The Draft EIS and other materials will be available for review during the public hearing and are also available at municipal buildings and local public libraries located in the project area and on the EOWB Project website at www.elginohare-westbypass.org.
Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology research are fusing BIM with augmented reality concepts to get real-time data into facilities management.
Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology research are fusing BIM with augmented reality concepts to get real-time data into facilities management.
