Read about it here! Soon, employees of Entergy Texas who are currently stationed in the Chevyland Service Center in Beaumont, next to Interstate 10, will have access to a new building. As part of the initiative to build an interchange between I-10 and US 69, the Texas Department of Transportation intends to purchase the property on which the service facility is now situated. Meanwhile, the United States Secretary of Commerce, Gina Raimondo, made the announcement that the Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) will be awarding a grant in the amount of $4.9 million to the City of South Amboy, Inc., located in South Amboy, New Jersey, for the purpose of improving the city’s road and sewer infrastructure to encourage economic growth. On the other hand, due to the high costs and complexity involved, machine control has always been reserved for larger machine segments and larger firms. However, the issues that currently face the industry are shared by all parties involved. Additionally, six months after the Sandels Building was evacuated at Florida State University owing to the possible presence of a cancer cluster, the university has not stopped testing every building on campus for radon.
Entergy Texas plans a service center in Beaumont
Original Source: Entergy Texas announces construction of service center facility in Beaumont
As part of the project, Entergy Texas is collaborating with Bartlett Cocke, a local general contractor, to develop a 71,000-square-foot facility at US Hwy 287 and Chinn Road.
About 50 Entergy Texas employees will work at the new plant.
“While we build this new plant, Entergy Texas is committed to working with our neighbors to minimize interruptions,” said Todd Gallagher, grid senior manager at Entergy Texas.
Buildings include a warehouse, a laydown yard, a service center, a repair shop, and an office. The facility will withstand a category 4 hurricane with 150 mph winds, improving storm resilience and ensuring the safety of our personnel.
The new facility shows Entergy Texas’ commitment to becoming a significant employer and community member in Southeast Texas, said CEO Eliecer Viamontes.
By 2022, the new warehouse will be open. In 2024, the office building will be finished.
The Commerce Department invested $4.9 million in South Amboy, NJ business development
Original Source: U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $4.9 Million in American Rescue Plan Funds to Support Business Development in South Amboy, New Jersey
This initiative will support three industrial rehabilitation projects, including two warehouse distribution centers. This EDA grant will be matched by $1.7 million in municipal money, creating 390 jobs and generating $1.1 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates.
“President Biden’s American Rescue Plan brings direct support to American communities,” stated Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo. “This EDA investment will support business expansion and job creation in South Amboy, promoting a stronger regional economy.”
“The Economic Development Administration plays a crucial role in supporting community-led economic development programs,” stated Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. EDA is thrilled to work with South Amboy to help businesses grow and thrive.
Gov. Phil Murphy stated, “Federal money via the American Rescue Plan will allow us to continue constructing economically prosperous and competitive communities.” “Investing in infrastructure catalyzes growth in our local businesses and communities, a key aspect of New Jersey’s COVID-19 epidemic recovery.” To sustain our economy’s growth, we must create new good-paying jobs and modernize our infrastructure to boost efficiency and create safe, healthy working conditions for our inhabitants.
Senator Bob Menendez is delighted to have worked with his Democratic colleagues to establish the American Rescue Plan, which has allowed New Jersey municipalities to undertake infrastructure improvements. “This award will create good-paying employment, boost economic development, and improve road and water infrastructure, making the town safer and healthier for families.” “I appreciate the Biden Administration’s commitment to New Jersey and its nine million inhabitants.”
“The American Rescue Plan has given localities flexible resources to enhance economic development and recover from COVID-19,” said Senator Cory Booker. The award will help South Amboy establish a more resilient infrastructure, boost economic activity, and create hundreds of jobs.
South Amboy will get $4.9 million from the American Rescue Plan to fix municipal infrastructure and improve services, said Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. (NJ-06). It’s terrific to see the American Rescue Plan helping New Jersey create jobs and rebuild infrastructure. I appreciate Secretary Raimondo’s leadership as we fight to assure community investment equity. I thank Mayor Henry for seizing the possibilities that make South Amboy a fantastic place to live.
This project is financed by EDA’s American Rescue Plan Economic Adjustment Assistance Program, which gives American towns $500 million in grants. The Economic Adjustment Assistance program is EDA’s most flexible, and funding under it will assist hundreds of communities plan, build, innovate, and put people back to work through construction or non-construction initiatives intended to meet local needs. EDA’s American Rescue Plan initiatives are closed for submissions as of May 26, 2022. Rolling awards of $3 billion will be made through September 30, 2022.
3D Guidance, Machine Control May Change Building Construction
Original Source: How 3D Guidance, Machine Control May Effect Future of Building Construction
Contractors and entrepreneurs confront cost limits and supply-chain pressures and want more from their technology. Construction projects face delays and cost overruns due to supply chain concerns, growing labor prices, and a lack of user-friendly technological solutions to optimize productivity. Digital construction designs and quality control paperwork are increasingly needed.
3D Machine Control
3D machine control makes machine operators more exact, regardless of expertise. 3D machine control optimizes and simplifies the machine operator’s task. It reduces the possibility of errors, reducing the need to start over or redo.
With 3D machine control, fewer workers are needed at the operational location because a surveyor isn’t needed. Surveyors may work on other jobs to reduce costs and make it a beneficial long-term investment.
Workplace safety is another benefit. Slippery surfaces pose workplace concerns. The machine operator can spend more time on the excavator or wheel loader and use the tablet to view the work. Faster machine operator work reduces machine wear.
Digitalization’s Future?
Molio, a non-profit construction knowledge center, reported on digitalization in 2020. Two-thirds of construction organizations believe digitalization has considerable potential. The construction business benefits from developing technologies. It’s part of a company’s planning, production, and project management.
Companies believe digitalization’s challenge is understanding new technology. In recent years, 3D machine control has become more widespread, which may limit a machine operator’s understanding. In a few years, everything could change. Clients want digital processes and solutions. 82% of clients strongly believe that public construction should use digital solutions, whereas 17% agree and 1% disagree. It’s a tremendous increase from 2018, indicating that clients want more digitization and we’re entering a digital age.
The analysis reveals that a company’s digitalization affects its efficacy and efficiency.
The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and the Federal Highway Administration found in 2018 (Use of Automated Machine Guidance within the transportation industry, contractors reported a 10-25% increase in productivity and a 10-25% decrease in costs by using machine control.
Organizational culture prevents digitization. The barrier may be 3D machine control and digitization in the construction industry. Digitalizing it requires expenditure. Small organizations with a few employees utilize it the least, whereas medium-sized companies use it the most.
The analysis suggests digitalization’s major shortcomings are related to quality and errors. It improves processes and relationships with clients and suppliers.
Simplifying digitalization benefits machine operators.
Trimble Heavy Industry Machine Control and Leica Geosystems offer 3D machine control. Unicontrol claims its product is simpler than 3D machine control. 3D GPS machine control aims to be easy to use without requiring months to learn.
Rich Hilliker, Unicontrol’s North American managing director, states, “We emphasize user-friendliness.” Our goal is to train operators in 30 minutes or less, which is a big breakthrough for the business.
Unicontrol’s system combines sensors and GPS antennas to locate machines. Effective, correct usage of the product should optimize excavator and wheel loader synchronization without requiring the user to take the project home, as it is stored in the company’s cloud storage. The cloud storage element stores all project data.
According to Molio, digitalization needed a large investment.
“High-end construction enterprises have 3D guidance, but smaller equipment doesn’t,” adds Hilliker.
“Small and mid-sized contractors haven’t been catered to due to cost and complexity,” Hilliker says. “Job planning is hard. We’ve made it affordable for entrepreneurs and businesses.
Mold and radon mitigation at Sandels, other FSU buildings as the semester begins
Original Source: Mold, radon mitigation continues at Sandels, other FSU buildings as new semester begins
Florida State University continues to test every structure on campus for radon six months after the Sandels Building was closed due to a suspected cancer cluster.
A spokeswoman said more than 800 radon samples from 59 FSU buildings were examined between February and August.
90% of sample findings were below the EPA’s action threshold (EPA).
“As part of its commitment to campus health and safety, the institution tests its buildings for radon,” said Farnum-Patronis. “This takes time. The institution will continue radon testing and mitigation in all untested buildings.”
The university has spent $1.25 million to repair and renovate the Sandels Building, and another $3 million is planned.
A 129-page faculty paper in late January outlined yearslong worries about radon and mold levels at the Sandels Building, 675 W. Call St. The report cites eight cancer cases among building workers. Three died.
After months of construction and mitigation, radon levels in the Sandels Building have dropped significantly. Radon is the second biggest cause of lung cancer in the U.S.
The institution contracted two radon tests in late January. The next radon test was in February, and both measured 7 pCi/L.
Residential radon exposure limits are 4 pCi/L and 100 pCi/L. According to the Radon Information Center, lung cancer risk climbs 16% for every 2.7 pCi/L of radon.
The building’s four floors and basement have a maximum radon level of 1.1 pCi/L, according to August 12 data.
Additional investigation or any action involving radon at Sandels is not judged essential at this time, “said the most recent radon testing contractor.
Sandels will be cleaned and renovated.
Meanwhile, development will continue.
FSU Provost Jim Clark posted on sandelsresponse.fsu.edu, a website intended to chronicle the university’s efforts to rebuild the building, on Aug. 12 that “not all work is finalized.”
“Heavy-duty cleaning of the building” is set for Monday, along with carpet replacements, new fume hoods, free-standing bookcases, and a new roof and windows.
Clark stated in the last progress report, “We continue to receive requests from building residents, and supply chain concerns have caused delays.”
Graduate students and teachers can return to their offices, labs, and classrooms for the new semester.
If an instructor chooses not to hold classes at Sandels, the Registrar has assigned additional meeting spaces, Farnum-Patronis said.
Campus health and safety remain the university’s primary priority, Provost Clark said in a Sandels response update. “By letting individuals decide when to repopulate the building, we hope they can make the best option for themselves and their pupils.”
Williams and Music buildings
In May, some portions of Broward Hall, Gilchrist Hall, Kuersteiner Music Building, Landis Hall, Longmire Building, and Wildwood Hall tested above the EPA-recommended radon action level. By Farnum-Patronis.
Summer was spent on mitigating these constructions. Since then, “all buildings retested below the EPA-recommended limits in July or August.”
Farnum-Patronis says the university administration worked with deans and vice presidents of each building to notify workers and academics of affected areas.
Farnum-Patronis said faculty and staff were relocated and allowed to work remotely during the mitigation. Officials held face-to-face and Zoom meetings to answer inquiries about spaces.
Faculty voiced radon worries about Florida State’s Williams Building.
The building’s HVAC and duct systems have been cleaned since mid-February. All classrooms and offices have satisfied clearance conditions, and lessons started Monday, said Farnum-Patronis.
Sandel workers help
Since the Sandels Building story surfaced, current and former teachers and staff have asked for a pension fund and a medical checkup.
Farnum-Patronis said FSU’s technical, scientific, and medical specialists have helped current and former academics and graduate students.
FSU offered Sandels Building employees “a chance to speak with a licensed physician who is a leading expert in occupational hazards,” Farnum-Patrnois wrote.
Faculty and staff members who sought them had individual meetings to discuss questions and concerns.
Summary of today’s construction news
The corporation is in the process of constructing a facility of roughly 71,000 square feet, which will improve storm response and resiliency. There will be approximately fifty people working at the new plant who are employed by Entergy Texas.
In addition to that, Senator Bob Menendez is overjoyed to have collaborated with his fellow Democrats to construct the American Rescue Plan, which has made it possible for towns in New Jersey to invest in infrastructure rehabilitation projects.
Furthermore, a non-profit building knowledge center known as Molio published a paper on digitalization in the year 2020. Two thirds of construction enterprises are of the opinion that digitalization possesses a significant amount of potential. The building and construction industry stands to gain from the progression of technology.
Moreover, FSU offered Sandels Building employees “a chance to speak with a licensed physician who is a leading expert in occupational hazards,” Farnum-Patrnois wrote. Faculty and staff members who sought them had individual meetings to discuss questions and concerns.
