Projects possible thanks to federal Gas Tax Fund

February26, 2015 ThunderBay, Ontario Infrastructure Canada

Residents of ThunderBay are benefitting from a series of local infrastructure improvements, thanks to contributions from the federal Gas Tax Fund. Joint investments from the federal and municipal governments supported a number of projects in 2014, including local road infrastructure rehabilitations, railway crossing upgrades, and the design of a new retaining wall on one of the city's most prominent streets.

In total, six local roads were improved throughout the city. Cornwall Avenue was completely reconstructed to include the addition of new sewers and water mains. Leslie Avenue and Lithium Drive were both repaved, as were Arthur Street, Begin Street and Edward Street; the latter will also boast new curbs, sidewalks, street lights, water mains and storm sewers in spring2015. The newly rehabilitated roads will help improve traffic flow and increase safety, while sewer upgrades will contribute to protecting the environment and residents' well-being.

Meanwhile, upgrades were also completed on the Canadian Pacific (CP) Island Drive and the Canadian National (CN) Mountdale Avenue spur track crossings. Work included the addition of new rail and new asphalt intersection surfaces to improve rideability and ensure safe and smooth travel for trains passing through the city. Planning and design has also begun on the replacement of a 100-year-old retaining wall on High Street. Replacing the wall will reduce long-term maintenance and repair costs while ensuring motorists' safety.

"Our Government is pleased to provide ThunderBay with flexible infrastructure funding that allows the city to support a multitude of projects. These local road and rail improvements, made possible by the Federal Gas Tax Fund, will ensure that drivers and train passengers can enjoy safe and smooth travel for years to come. The federal Gas Tax Fund will continue to aid municipalities like ThunderBay, and continue to generate economic growth across Ontario."

- The Honourable Greg Rickford, Minister of Natural Resources, Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario and Member of Parliament for Kenora

"We are pleased that the Federal Government is supporting our efforts to address our City's infrastructure needs. Improvements to infrastructure such as bridges, sidewalks, street lights and water mains play a critical role in the vitality of our City and contribute to quality of life for citizens, as well as visitors. This funding represents an ongoing investment in a healthy, vibrant, connected and strong City."

- His Worship Keith Hobbs, Mayor of ThunderBay

Vincent Rabault Press Secretary Office of the Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec 613-943-1838

View post:
Thunder Bay celebrates local infrastructure improvements

A proposed upgrade and repair project on Alley Street in Alma has been estimated at $250,000, according to engineering reports given to the city council.

The project would involve road, retaining wall and sewer line work in close quarters with neighboring property owners.

Its not a typical job by any means, said Lisa Fleming, an engineer employed by Ayres Associates of Eau Claire, Wis.

The project also would involve obtaining work easements from a couple of property owners before the city could take construction bids. City officials plan to handle easement talks. Fleming said it was possible the city could award a bid contract in April.

Retaining wall work would involve use of manufactured stone blocks resembling limestone. Wall work was estimated at $100,000.

The city council in December approved spending up to $20,000 for Ayres Associates to engineer a wall design. Alderman Gary Ruff voted against it and Alderman Dave Earney abstained.

Other 2015 street projects under consideration were Cedar Street from Hwy. 35 to Second Street, and resurfacing of the south city boat-landing ramp.

Sealcoating of Vista Drive and River Street also were on the agenda. Cedar Street needs to be studied first, because it has a cement storm sewer running under it.

More:
Alma street repair estimated at $250K

Kyle Busch, center, is taken to an ambulance on a stretcher after he was involved in a multi-car crash during the XFINITY Series race at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday.

The aftereffects of Kyle Buschs violent crash into an inside concrete retaining wall at Daytona International Speedway last weekend continued to ripple through the industry Tuesday, with two major track operators announcing plans to do more to protect drivers.

International Speedway Corp., the parent company of Daytona International Speedway and 12 other tracks, announced it is developing a significant plan for the installation of additional impact-absorbing technologies including but not limited to SAFER barriers (Steel and Foam Energy Reduction).

The announcement came just hours after Busch, 29, was released from Halifax Health Medical Center in Daytona Beach on a stretcher and flown to a hospital in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Busch had surgery at Halifax on Saturday night after suffering a compound fracture of his right leg and a fracture to his left foot when his No. 54 Toyota slammed into a section of wall without SAFER barriers during an Xfinity Series race.

His injuries prompted an immediate call for enhanced safety measures from drivers, fans and others, who stated they couldnt understand why all tracks werent already protected by shock-absorbing systems, such as the SAFER barriers.

ISCs plan will begin with its two superspeedways, Daytona and Talladega, ISC President John Saunders said in Tuesdays statement.

We will utilize all available tools to ensure the safety of the drivers and our fans. It will remain our top priority.

A thorough review of our other ISC facilities will continue with the focus to prioritize each tracks most critical areas first, Saunders stated. This includes but is not limited to our upcoming races at Phoenix International Raceway and Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California.

Atlanta Motor Speedway also announced it would expand its use of impact-absorbing barriers this week, before all three major NASCAR series are scheduled to race on Saturday and Sunday.

Read this article:
Tracks add barriers after Busch crash

Chris Sadler is pictured digging out the dry stone wall at Froghall.

VOLUNTEERS have been learning the traditional skills of drystone walling to help repair a route which could soon become a scheduled ancient monument.

The Cauldon Plateway was the forerunner of todays railways and would transport raw materials in horse-drawn trucks, guided by metal rails on the ground.

Now part of the old line by Froghall Wharf, in the Moorlands, is being used as the backdrop for training courses.

A group of volunteers spent two days there last week, digging out a stretch of the retaining wall along theroute and repairing its stonework.

The wall, which dates back to the 18th century, had become almost hidden under mounds of earth.

Waller and advanced craftsman Andrew Brown-Jackson demonstrated the techniques.

He said: We havent been allowed to use any stuff thats not of the same age.

Much of the material used for the retaining wall here is grit stone.

The drystone techniques were originally used thousands of years ago and the traditional approach has changed little since then.

Originally posted here:
Reviving an ancient craft in the Moorlands

Grading with Bobcat Skid Steer S175 Walnut Creek, California -All Access Construction
Grading this back yard to get it ready for some sod and sprinklers. We will also be doing some pavers, a concrete retaining wall, a fire place and an Ipe deck. Check out this similar project...

By: All Access Construction

See the original post:
Grading with Bobcat Skid Steer S175 Walnut Creek, California -All Access Construction - Video

Setting Up Concrete Forms Walnut Creek -All Access Construction
A lot of little details went into setting up this concrete sitting wall and fireplace. Stay tuned for the concrete pour video... Who is All Access Construction? From stamp concrete to retaining...

By: All Access Construction

Read the original:
Setting Up Concrete Forms Walnut Creek -All Access Construction - Video

Driver severely hurt after car falls off retaining wall in Kansas City
A driver suffered life-threatening injuries after her car fell 15 feet off of a retaining wall in Kansas City. Read more at http://m.kshb.com/1voRF6m 41 Ac...

By: 41 Action News

Read more:
Driver severely hurt after car falls off retaining wall in Kansas City - Video

At JP Concrete, we work hard to supply quality precast and prestressed concrete products, combining that with an unrivalled personal service that keeps our customers coming back. Our business has been built on hard work and reputation: we never lose sight of how important reliability is.

Our products Our catalogue of products includes concrete panels, precast concrete retaining walls, concrete barriers, concrete barrier hire, concrete lego blocks, concrete channels and much more. You can download our product brochure HERE. Please note you will need a PDF viewer to read this document; you can download a free PDF reader from the Adobe website.

Our ethos Our customers know they can depend on the quality of our supply and its nationwide reach. We understand that each project is unique and that each customer has specific needs, so we adapt our service to fit. When you team up with JP Concrete, you can depend on us working hard to foster a long-lasting relationship.

Read more >>

JP Concrete has been supplying precast products to the agricultural and construction markets since 2007 and currently has its main plant based in Derby and has sales offices located in Sussex and Devon.

Our agricultural products cover a large range of applications including; silage clamps, slurry stores, grain stores, livestock buildings and slurry channel systems. Prestressed concrete panels are normally used horizontally and placed against or within the web of a steel column. They can be used vertically (vertical cantilever wall panels) which is useful in applications such as slurry stores where it is advantageous not to have steels exposed to the slurry.

Our construction products are used in a wide variety of applications including; precast retaining walls, storage bays, salt barns, waste and recycling, warehouse cladding, flood defence, king post walls, fire and blast walls and concrete bund walling. As well as the main products, we also manufacture ballast blocks and kentledge blocks.

Our security products include a range of barriers measuring 1500mm to 3000mm long. We also offer these products on a weekly hire basis.

JP Concrete Products distribute their precast products nationwide and can deliver to; Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Cheshire, Cornwall, Cumberland, Derbyshire, Devon, Dorset, Durham, Essex, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Herefordshire, Hertfordshire, Kent, Lancashire, Leicestershire, London, Lincolnshire, Middlesex, Norfolk, Northamptonshire, Northumberland, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Rutland, Shropshire, Somerset, Staffordshire, Suffolk, Surrey, Sussex (East Sussex, West Sussex), Warwickshire, Westmorland, Wiltshire, Worcestershire, Yorkshire, Wales and Scotland.

Want to find out more about JP Concrete? Read our Blog or follow us on Google Plus or Facebook.

Read this article:
Concrete Retaining Walls, Concrete Panels, Concrete ...

Download PDF here

Are you planning an outdoor project but dont know where to start? As one of Australias largest suppliers of bricks, pavers, lawn turf, synthetic grass, retaining walls, stone and landscaping products, Melbourne Brick can help transform your outdoor dream into a dream outdoors.

Melbourne Brick stocks a huge variety of major brands including Adbri Masonry, Austral, Boral, Selkirk and PGH, along with premium products from the likes of Daniel Robertson, Krause, Glen Thompson and Advance.

Whether your next project requires pressed, wirecut, shaped, clay or concrete bricks, Melbourne Brick has it all. We also stock a range of synthetic and real grasses for your lawn or sports ground including Supernatural and Life Like synthetic grass. Our lawn turf range comprises Palmetto, Sapphire and Empire brands (amongst others).

Now more than ever, Melbourne Brick is becoming the leading retailer of products for your outdoor room. Our expertise, range of products and dedicated specialists ensure your home extensions, paving and landscaping projects complete your outdoor dream.

With comprehensive product displays, experienced staff and an ideas lounge in each superstore, it is simple to find the products and services needed to create the look you want.

Visit our stunning display superstores, or call 1300 722 102 for on-the-spot assistance.

Click here to read our Terms and Conditions: Terms of Sale and Online terms of Sale

See more here:
Bricks | Brick Pavers | Retaining Walls | Melbourne Brick

Published: Sunday, February 22, 2015 at 10:48 p.m. Last Modified: Sunday, February 22, 2015 at 10:48 p.m.

The Northwest 16th Avenue project continues to generate emails, including one from Rebecca Howard regarding a retaining wall on the north side of the road just west of 24th Street.

Howard wanted to know why the wall is remaining in place despite its having chunks of concrete missing. Considering the time, tax dollars, and inconvenience that has gone into this project, one would think that this portion of deteriorating wall could be replaced as other portions have been.

Brian Singleton of Alachua County Public Works said the wall will be repaired by cutting the damaged area back to the reinforcing steel and replacing the areas with a concrete epoxy material.

Eleven other locations along the corridor will be repaired via the same method, Singleton said in an email.

Keep Alachua County Beautiful (KACB) has contacted the county regarding painting all the walls on the corridor so they have a consistent finish; the County will work will KACB to schedule the painting once construction is completed. The two walls that required replacement could not be repaired while maintaining their structural integrity.

A couple of readers wrote in recently with a suggestions and an observation.

Mike Cataldo of Lake City often comes to Gainesville on Saturday mornings to visit the farmers market off U.S. 441 and 34th Street.

But the market can be difficult to find from some because overgrown vegetation blocks the sign for it, he said, suggesting some trimming.

Go here to read the rest:
Walls along NW 16th Ave. to get needed attention