Proposed massive public works program

PSDF350 · Feb 14, 2009

It seems many people have someone to blame for the current economic situation and there sure were a few people in the financial system in the USA and other countries who should give back their bonuses to taxpayers and then some. It also seems the previous Government was asleep at the wheel to let all this happen as well.

This is my opinion but I don't think it was the previous administrastion that where asleep at the wheel, it was more the party that is in control now fighting tooth and nail to make previous look as bad as humanly possable.

digger242j · Feb 14, 2009

It also seems the previous Government was asleep at the wheel to let all this happen as well.

This is my opinion but I don't think it was the previous administrastion that where asleep at the wheel,... .

Now that those two opposing opinions have had equal time, I'll point out that we're once again crossing the line into politics. Can we please respect forum policy about that?

DeLong · Feb 14, 2009

Im on the village board in my small town and weve been coming up with a wish list in case some money shakes lose.

I dont think a large enough percentage will be put towards infrastructure.

basspro · Feb 14, 2009

I think that is the way to go. Have projects ready, as far as they could possibly be, just waiting on $$. I am interested to see how this plays out. I doubt the their (govt.) idea of infrastructure is that same as ours (blue collar folks..sorry if you don't fit in my generality). We see infrastructure as roads, power, transportation support (docks, waterway, bridge). I think the Govt. sees infrastructure as corporate funding, retail (brick & mortar) tax breaks, banks.

It is really perspective. We see tires, engine, nuts & bolts. & they see Paint, Apholstry, carpet.

Not sayin one is right or wrong, just seen in different perspectives....would like "them" to see it from "our" perspective a little more.

DeLong · Feb 14, 2009

I agree. More money in roads & bridges is what I was hoping for.

Turbo21835 · Feb 15, 2009

Hmm, paint, apholstry, and carpet is infrastructure?

Infrastructure can be defined as the basic physical and organizational structures needed for the operation of a society or enterprise [1]. The term typically refers to the technical structures that support a society, such as roads, water supply, sewers, power grids, telecommunications, and so forth. as seen on wikipedia

This bill has way too much money going to everything but roads and bridges. One only needs to take a drive to see where the money needs to be spent. Aging sewer and water systems. Aging power grids, which seems like they may get a boost in this bill. Aging roads and bridges. Certain portions of which are in abismall shape. One needs to look no further than the I35 bridge in MN for a prime example.

Ill take a drive today and see if i cant grab a few pictures of how MDOT fixes bridges with bad concrete decks. On top they throw cold patch on a hole. On the bottom of the bridge they build a series of platforms out of 2x6s and plywood to catch any falling concrete

basspro · Feb 15, 2009

Sorry, bad analogy...but I think I am close to the truth. Everyday Isit on an overpass here in modesto that bounces up & down when a truck drives across...nothin compared to 2x8 & plywood though!

CM1995 · Feb 15, 2009

Well at least neither of you guys have to cross this everyday - (https://www.heavyequipmentforums.com/Forum/showthread.php?t=4557&highlight=Costa+Rica) pic in post #1. Makes you appreciate what we do have in the states, even if it is "substandard" to our standards.

digger242j · Feb 15, 2009

Here's how we do it in Pittsburgh...

The concrete arch bridge carries a local arterial road across the Parkway East, which is the main highway out of town to all points east.

When the netting failed to catch all the concrete chunks that were falling on the traffic below, they built another "bridge" underneath, to catch the falling debris and protect the traffic.

Pretty slick, huh?

Picture pirated from the "Pittsburgh" forum on City Data.com

Red Bank · Feb 15, 2009

I was really hoping that more of the Stimulus bill would be going to infrastructure also. If all of the $787 billion was going to pure infrastructure, imagine the jobs that would be created, not only to the companies doing the actual projects but to all of the suppliers, trucking industry, equipment manufacturers, etc. Think about every costs that is associated with your work projects. The company I work for is mainly in the sewer business, we specialize in slip lining and pipe bursting. Aside from the usual equipment (mini excavators, back hoes, air compressors, work trucks,etc), we also have vendors that supply us with our pipe bursting equipment, then you have the vendors that sell us the pipe and fittings, the fusing machines, the local fuel suppliers, and when we go out of town for work, we need motels, restaurants, clothes,etc. Then with our employees making money, when they get home they would spend it-fix up the house, buy a new car, boat, motorcycle, go on vacation. Everyone would get a piece of the pie if the bill was aimed more towards the infrastructure.

dobie · Feb 16, 2009

My $.02........States like PA stand to see a significant amount of $$$. A "thanks for voting Democrat this time" incentive. States like NY that are always blue, will get a piece but, we need not be coddled in order to ensure future votes.
That being said, everyone should watch the types of projects that appear after the funding flood gates are opened. With regards to the highway industry, I predict the following, lots of paving projects and a few "high profile" bridge rehabs. I'm assuming you've all seen a paving operations before. Lots of trucks ,lights, and people!! Makes a great backgorund for that "Infastructure Update" on the local news at 6! Plus the road looks so nice after it's done. A great photo op for some local politicos. "Look how we spent your $$, isn't this new pavement beautiful!!" (Now don't come back here with a camera 8 months later to see that the 1 1/2" skim layer is cracked and pot holed, just like it was before it was "fixed")
And the bridges will be high visibility ordeals.
The Gov't will need as much positive expsoure for these projects as possible. So anything that is accessible and easily viewed by the masses is up for rehab!
Here's to hoping that some of you can get on board that gravy train when it comes a rumblin through your towns!!

mailtrain · Feb 16, 2009

Basspro;

If that bridge you are sitting on everyday stops moving when a truck goes over it ,you should start running like the Devil is after you.It's suppose to move if not get off.

The little guy is the one that should have the stimulus. They would spend it,where as the big guy will spend it on bonuses, corp. jets,vacations,trips for the family using the corp. jet.

mailtrain

Turbo21835 · Feb 16, 2009

Should be great MDOT gets a whopping 856 million according to the news today

On the other hand, towns, and school districts get 7 billion. Lets see how that money can be wasted. Finally medicad gets 2.3 billion. Im sure this will turn everything around :stirthepot

Dozer575 · Feb 17, 2009

This is a political thread.

Turbo21835 · Feb 17, 2009

Michigan Bridge Repair

Finally got a shot of how MDOT fixes the bridges around here. This problem began a few years ago in the Detroit area. MDOTS excuse down there was it was concrete that used slag, instead of stone. A few years later we started running into the problem up here, where there is no slag. Go figure.

This is a five step fix. Step 1, when you get a pot hole on a bridge, throw some cold pack asphalt in the hole, dont question where the chunks of went. Step 2 Wait a month or so. Step 3, by now someone has had a chunk fall on the car, it has made the news, Now its time to act. Step 4, Run and get a bunch of plywood and 2xs, make sure to shut down the road. Now place the plywood between the I beams to catch the concrete. Fill with cold patch up on the road surface. Step 5, pass this on to your PR person for the region. This does not apply to bridges over water, those are a one step repair process, throw more cold patch in it.

digger242j · Feb 17, 2009

Dozer575 said:
This is a political thread.

Shhhh...

We're trying to hijack it into a bridge thread.

bill onthehill · Feb 17, 2009

I lost the pic of Penndot's bridge repair when my hard drive crashed. Someone hit the guard rail on the bridge and a piece of girder was hanging out in the lane of traffic. This is a one lane iron girder bridge over a small river. After 2 phone calls and a personal visit to the local maintenance shed they finally sent a crew out. Their repair was to paint the end of the beam with PINK marker paint and rope it back about six inches. three weeks later I stopped with my camera and sent a few shots to the state representatives office and Penndots main headquarters.I included a few shots of the water taken thru the holes in the deck. I mentioned that the press would have a field day with this and the next day they had a crane,welder and a patching crew to fill in the holes in the deck.

DarrylMueller · Feb 17, 2009

Now is this was a political post? We will all hope and pray for the money to come our way. A large part on my business was infrastructure. Now that it's over the stimulus, how much money will really come our way for infrastructure? They are talking about 3% in the next 9 months. Anything is better than nothing I guess?
The only the writers of stimulus know what is in it, no one was given the time to read it and it was not posted on line like the 5 days to review the President promised during the elections. Remember what he said about the pork!
Along with this is the environmental research that goes into each project and the cost and wasted time, just hoe long. The Alaskan Highway was built in 10 months with the current state of regulations, we are held hostage to environmental regulations these great projects along with Interstate Highway would still be in the courts.

I can only hope the O///a golden egg is not some cheep import thin plated golden egg.
I feel that I am so over regulated that I have to go outside and scream several time a day, the endless filing and renewals!

The debit that comes out of this; anyone that has debit is a slave to it. We USA are now a slave to this debit.

DarrylMueller · Feb 17, 2009

Paving and crude oil.

dobie said:
My $.02........States like PA stand to see a significant amount of $$$. A "thanks for voting Democrat this time" incentive. States like NY that are always blue, will get a piece but, we need not be coddled in order to ensure future votes.
That being said, everyone should watch the types of projects that appear after the funding flood gates are opened. With regards to the highway industry, I predict the following, lots of paving projects and a few "high profile" bridge rehabs. I'm assuming you've all seen a paving operations before. Lots of trucks ,lights, and people!! Makes a great backgorund for that "Infastructure Update" on the local news at 6! Plus the road looks so nice after it's done. A great photo op for some local politicos. "Look how we spent your $$, isn't this new pavement beautiful!!" (Now don't come back here with a camera 8 months later to see that the 1 1/2" skim layer is cracked and pot holed, just like it was before it was "fixed")
And the bridges will be high visibility ordeals.
The Gov't will need as much positive expsoure for these projects as possible. So anything that is accessible and easily viewed by the masses is up for rehab!
Here's to hoping that some of you can get on board that gravy train when it comes a rumblin through your towns!!

My$.01
Are you aware that with out crude oil no paving. Since the present group in control of Washington is not going to push for DRILLING FOR OIL so much for your paving when the crude goes up again. Our AC price is still high because there is no work to use up there supplies that were bought at high prices, plus environmental fees and the last price was $75.00 per ton at the plant this winter. Two years ago it was half of that, lets borrow the money and send it to the oil producing country's to help them out. Still no energy policy except plug in cars for the give me more group in Washington, oh I forgot they hate power generated by coal to?

OCR · Feb 17, 2009

Paving and crude oil.

DarrylMueller said:
Along with this is the environmental research that goes into each project and the cost and wasted time

Well put Darryl... :thumbsup

And I had a big rant going about wolves and "empire- building"... but I lost my internet connection... and the post.

Probably just as well... :ban

I agree though, the enviro thing is out of control!!!

Wolf reintroduction... same people responsible for the project are now flying around in helicopters... shooting them! Too many; now they need to be "managed" (forever?).. :crazy.. :Banghead

*Empire-building=

In an organization, empire-building can also be demonstrated when an individual or small group (land management agency) eagerly and proactively suggests and pursues functions, activities or projects that are of questionable value, in an effort to enhance their legitimacy and future value. Pursuit of these activities is initially done at little or no marginal cost, but later the activities are used to justify increased resource allocation, being part of the organizational status quo, and thus the individual or group's overall command of resources, and influence, increases.

*Source= Wikipedia

My insert...(land management agency)

OCR

PS...

I feel that I am so over regulated that I have to go outside and scream several time a day, the endless filing and renewals!

I know what you mean...

Proposed massive public works program

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