SNOW & ICE: 2024 FEATURE: Front Range Passenger Rail ARTICLE: Recycled Plastic Waste ARTICLE: Street Solutions COLUMNS: Association News PS: Out & About in Colorado SUMMER 2024: Vol. 20, No. 4 - $4.95
2┃ Colorado Public Works Journal 1974 - 2024
The fact that we get invited to many events is a testament of how companies put their trust in us to represent their story well and represent them often. I regularly get asked “You are at so many events and know so many people, how do you do it all”? So, if you are wondering the same as you read this. Firstly, that is my job, to be seen and to promote my brand. Being seen and known at places is how I grow my business and it is also why I know so many people. Not everyone is my customer, but everyone IS a connection. CPWJ is a resource for the industry to learn from and to connect with others. If my connections can help you please reach out to me here or on LinkedIn as I would be happy to facilitate an introduction. Our new for this year, Industry Event Schedule, is published on pages 68-69 and will show you where you will find me next. So, if you are going to be at any of those events be sure to come up to me and say hi. In the meantime, I must finish this for press as I now must get to Colorado Barricade’s Grand Opening of their new Aurora shop this afternoon. Look for details of their open house in our FALL issue. The Colorado Public Works Journal - jo@coloradopublicworksjournal.com J O U R N A L THE EDITOR REMEMBER that Colorado Public Works Journal can now be read online, on your phone, tablet or other mobile device. Please go there, take a look and let us know what you think at coloradopublicworksjournal.com SUMMER 2023┃3 Jo Taylor, Managing Editor As we were wrapping up this issue, I got to reflect on how grateful I am to be in this business. Owning my own publishing company was never a goal of mine, but then neither was working in the construction industry. Which I know many of you can relate to. As the owner, being able to alter the trajectory of Colorado Public Works Journal from how it once was, to fit what suits the industry now and into the future is what I am proud to deliver to our readers. The journal has evolved greatly since I took over the reins and immersed myself in the industry to find out what it is you want from a publication and listened to what the industries needs are. It’s a privilege to be invited to your companies to learn about who you are, what you do and how you work. To come to your events and having you trust us to represent you and your business in our publication. Having customers allowing us to portray their company by way of advertising and exposing their products and services is giving our readership the tools and knowledge to do their jobs more effectively. The contributions that we publish from our association partners gives each of them a voice to reach within in our CPWJ community.
4┃ Colorado Public Works Journal CONTENTS Cover Image: © Pueblo County Snow & Ice: page 21 MAILING LIST MAINTENANCE - COVID UPDATE Working from home and miss seeing your copy of CPWJ? No problem, send us your address and we will have your copy of CPWJ mailed to your home address rather than to your office.You may resume delivery to your office at any time. Please take a moment to let us know of any co-workers who may have moved on and no longer need to be on our mailing list. THANK YOU for helping us. 06 : Works News Equipment 09 : Works News Updates 10 : Works News People 14 : Looking Down The Line Connecting the Front Range Via Passenger Rail 18 : Colorado County Enhances Pavement With Its Own Recycled Plastic Waste 20 : Street Solutions: Setting Soil Polyurethane injection resolves settling soils in Centennial 58 : Industry Insights Andy Karsian 60 : Association News APWA, NUCA, RTD, CDOT, CAPA, ACPA, CCA, CSSGA 70 : PS! (Parting Shots) Out and About at Events in Colorado 74 : Advertisers Index Our Corporate Partners SUMMER 2024 : Volume 20 No. 4 COLORADO PUBLIC WORKS JOURNAL (ISSN 1555-8258) is published bimonthly in January, March, May, July, September and November CPWJ is published by PRIME Media, LLC, coloradopublicworksjournal.com Managing Editor: Jo Taylor, (720) 360-6737 jo@coloradopublicworksjournal.com Volume 20. No.4, July 2024 Production: PRIME Media, LLC Design: Taylored Graphics Printed by: One Stop Printing Subscription, Mailing Services and Accounting info@coloradopublicworksjournal.com Subscription $30.00 per year in the USA Periodicals Postage Paid in Denver, Colorado. Postmaster: Send address changes to: PRIME Media LLC, 5 White Birch, Littleton, CO 80127. Contents copyright © 2024 by PRIME Media, LLC All rights reserved Colorado Public Works Journal is an independent publication designed to be of service and interest to those providing civil services related to infrastructure construction and maintenance and allied fields, including government officials, heavy/civil contractors, engineers and architects, distributors, dealers and manufacturers of equipment and materials, and providers of services to government agencies and the construction and development industry Colorado Public Works Journal accepts no responsibility or liability for the validity of information and articles supplied by contributors, vendors, advertisers or advertising agencies. Opinions expressed are those of the individual writers and do not necessarily represent the views of the publishers of CPWJ. SNOW & ICE: 2024 FEATURE: Railway ARTICLE: Recycled Plastic Waste ARTICLE: Street Solutions COLUMNS: Association News PS: Out & About in Colorado SUMMER 2024: Vol. 20, No. 4 - $4.95
SUMMER 2024┃5 CAPA
6┃ Colorado Public Works Journal Works News E Q U I P M E N T JCB Breaks Ground at New $500 Million North American Factory Savannah, GA (June 4, 2024) — JCB today began work on a new $500 million factory in San Antonio, Texas – the biggest investment in the company’s history. An official groundbreaking ceremony at the site marked the beginning of construction, where The Hon. Alice Bamford, the daughter of company Chairman Anthony Bamford, as she turned the first shovelful of dirt on the property. Work on the 720,000 sq. ft. (67,000m²) factory is now under way on the 400-acre site. It will be the company’s second largest plant, rivalled only by JCB’s world headquarters in Rocester, Staffordshire, England, and create 1,500 new jobs over five years. The factory will make Loadall telescopic handlers and aerial access equipment, with production scheduled to start in 2026. The factory will also have the capacity to expand and build other products in the future. Chairman Lord Bamford said: “Construction equipment manufacturers sell more than 300,000 machines every year in North America, making it the single largest market in the world. JCB has been growing its share of this important market steadily over the past few years and the time is now right to invest in our manufacturing capacity in North America, where we already have one factory. “JCB really has come a considerable way since we sold our first machine here 60 years ago and it gives me immense pleasure to see how our business has grown in North America. Today really is a milestone day in the history of our family company,” Bamford says. JCB sold its first machine in North America in 1964 and opened its first US manufacturing plant in 2001 in Savannah, Georgia, which employs 1,000 people. The new facility will manufacture machines for customers specifically in North America. JCB employs 19,000 people globally and has 22 factories around the world, including 11 in the UK, seven in India, and others in Brazil and China. The company will mark its 80th anniversary in 2025. Safe Digging Practices in Colorado: A Comprehensive Guide for Contractors Colorado’s excavation contractors face quite a few challenges on the job. Diverse terrain and complex infrastructure ownership can quickly become a burden to excavators when starting a dig. With 273 active municipalities, including 198 towns, and 73 cities, safe digging standards aren’t always linear, which somewhat handcuffs contractors when planning a project. Still, Colorado is responsible for more than their fair share of the nearly quarter million reported instances of damage, according to the 2022 DIRT report. 77% of the nation’s no-call damages attributed to excavation professionals, the CGA urges better communication between contractors and infrastructure owners. As a leader in infrastructure-maintenance equipment and training, the Joe Johnson Equipment team is focused on equipping homeowners, municipalities and contractors with great resources to help keep infrastructure jobs safe and compliant. We developed this guide as a comprehensive step-by-step resource on how to dig in Colorado, wherever your next excavation job is. Safe Digging for Contractors: The Know What’s Below Protocol 1- Clearly mark your job site 2- Contact Colorado 811 or submit a ticket to iDig 3- After the ticket is submitted, USIC and/or utility providers are contacted and will mark your job site 4- In the case of a private line, contractors will need to contact the appropriate party 5- Confirm all lines are marked according to the 811 supplied list 6- Dig carefully around marked locations – Colorado’s legal tolerance zone is 18 inches, hand digging is strongly recommended
SUMMER 2024┃7 Faris Machinery, a specialized heavy equipment dealer serving municipalities and their contractors, recently made a significant contribution to the Community College of Aurora (CCA). At a luncheon held on June 21st, Faris Machinery donated $25,000 to support the construction of CCA’s new Diesel Power Mechanics building. For the past 7 years, Faris has closely collaborated with CCA’s Diesel Power Mechanics program. This partnership has focused on providing students with engaging co-op experiences and supporting their post-graduation employment. Remarkably, over half of Faris Machinery’s service technicians are graduates of this program. When Faris Machinery learned about CCA’s plans to construct a new building for the program, the company felt compelled to give back. John Wolfkill and Brian Horvath from the college were presented with a generous check for $25,000. This donation will enable CCA to create a new facility with critically needed additional space for student learning. Unlike the previous building, the new facility will accommodate larger equipment, providing a safer and more engaging learning environment. Faris Machinery recognizes the vital role education plays in shaping future professionals and remains committed to its partnership with CCA. Through this collaboration, Faris Machinery has the privilege of witnessing the talent and dedication of Diesel Mechanics right here in Colorado. Works News Faris Machinery’s Generous Donation to the Community College of Aurora POTHOLE PRO New from Southwest JCB Cut - Crop - Clean With Just One Machine SOUTHWEST JCB held a debut demonstration of the POTHOLE PRO in Commerce City. Municipalities gathered to watch how this machine can enable time efficiency and cost reductions to the job site when repairing pot holes. Less crew, one machine that does it all. *Cut from the cab *crop repairs *clean with one machine *repair asphalt defects permanently *unrivalled safety with 360 degree visibility to all 4 wheels * 600MM wide planer *400MM crop tool. E Q U I P M E N T
8┃ Colorado Public Works Journal Works News E Q U I P M E N T Komatsu A highly versatile machine that’s easily reconfigurable for changing work demands, the 362 HP (270 kW) PC490HRD-11 is engineered to help customers achieve higher efficiency at the demolition job site. The PC490HRD-11 uses Komatsu’s in-house boom change system that includes oversized quick connectors for the hydraulic lines that minimize back pressure and oil heating without restricting oil flow. The system also features hydraulically powered pins mounted inside the main boom structure to help reduce the risk of damage to the equipment during reconfiguration. The hydraulically expandable undercarriage of this new machine enables the tracks to be narrowed for transportation and expanded for working. The tilting demolition cab allows the operator to use joysticks to position the cab for an optimal view. The PC490HRD-11 offers six different working arrangements, with a boom extension for higher reach or extended digging boom. The demolition version of the PC360LC-11 will be launched in the North American market within the next year. RS&H Aquires Colorado Springs-Based Architecture and Planning Firm HB&A National employee-owned architecture, engineering and consulting firm RS&H has acquired Colorado Springs-based architecture and planning firm HB&A. The acquisition brings together two firms with a shared vision of delivering exceptional planning and design solutions for clients and communities. HB&A, founded in 1971, is an established leader in architecture and planning for the federal, local government, commercial, and non-profit sectors, with a portfolio of projects across Colorado and beyond. With a tradition that began in 1941, RS&H provides a wide range of services in the aerospace, aviation, corporate, federal, health and science, and transportation markets nationwide. “We’re excited to welcome HB&A to RS&H,” said Dave Sweeney, PE, RS&H CEO. HB&A’s innovative and creative team is a great addition and will enhance RS&H’s service offerings to our growing client portfolio. We share a common culture and look forward to creating a more connected future together.” HB&A principal Aaron Briggs, AICP, and the other HB&A principal owners are enthusiastic about the opportunities that joining RS&H will bring for the firm and its associates. “We have been looking for a partner that shares our values and passion for design, creativity, and serving our clients and communities. By becoming part of RS&H, we can offer our clients expanded expertise and capabilities while also providing greater career growth and employee ownership opportunities for our talented team.” The two firms have complementary experience and expertise serving various federal agencies, such as the U.S. Department of Defense, Air Force Academy, Army Corps of Engineers, Space Force, and more. HB&A also has a strong portfolio of projects working with local municipalities, county and state government agencies, and private and non-profit clients throughout Colorado Springs and the Colorado Front Range. “By joining forces, we can provide our clients with a broader pool of resources, a deeper bench of skills and enhanced value,” said Sweeney. “We are committed to a seamless integration that honors HB&A’s legacy and reputation while also embracing the opportunities and synergies that come from being part of RS&H.” while also providing greater career growth and employee ownership opportunities for our talented team.” The two firms have complementary experience and expertise serving various federal agencies, such as the U.S. Department of Defense, Air Force Academy, Army Corps of Engineers, Space Force, and more. HB&A also has a strong portfolio of projects working with local municipalities, county and state government agencies, and private and non-profit clients throughout Colorado Springs and the Colorado Front Range. “By joining forces, we can provide our clients with a broader pool of resources, a deeper bench of skills and enhanced value,” said Sweeney. “We are committed to a seamless integration that honors HB&A’s legacy and reputation while also embracing the opportunities and synergies
SUMMER 2024┃9 Colorado Barricade, the leading provider of traffic control and safety solutions, is excited to announce the opening of its newest location in Colorado Springs. This expansion marks a significant milestone in the company’s commitment to enhancing road safety and providing top-notch services throughout Colorado. Located at 6140 Champlin Dr in Fountain, the Colorado Springs facility will enable Colorado Barricade to better serve its customers in the southern region of the state. The new location will offer a full range of services, including traffic control, temporary fence rentals, barricades and standard and custom signage. “We are thrilled to bring our expertise and dedication to safety to Colorado Springs,” said Raechel Michaelis, Rocky Mountain Division President of Colorado Barricade. “This new location will allow us to provide faster, more accessible services to our valued customers in the area, and we look forward to building strong relationships within the Colorado Springs community.” For five decades, Colorado Barricade has been a trusted partner in traffic management, known for its reliable and innovative solutions. The company’s expansion into Colorado Springs is part of a Works News U P D A T E S Colorado Barricade Expands to Colorado Springs with New Location broader strategy to enhance its presence across the state and ensure that communities from the Front Range to the southern border receive the highest level of service. The Colorado Springs location will feature state-of-the-art equipment and a dedicated team of professionals ready to address the unique needs of construction projects, public events and road maintenance operations. This expansion underscores Colorado Barricade’s ongoing mission to make Colorado’s roads safer for drivers, pedestrians and construction workers alike. Denver Water celebrates new Northwater Treatment Plant Denver Water celebrated the completion of its new treatment plant, the Northwater Treatment Plant, after nearly a decade of planning, design and construction. The plant, built along Highway 93 north of Golden, can clean up to 75 million gallons of water per day and was designed to be expanded if needed. Over time, the new plant will replace the utility’s Moffat Treatment Plant, which was built in Lakewood in the 1930s. “It was time to build a plant that could replace one of our older plants,” said Nicole Poncelet-Johnson, the head of the water quality and treatment group at Denver Water. “This new plant will help us better meet the needs of a changing regulatory environment, the impacts of climate change and the need to be more sustainable in our operations,” she said. The Northwater Treatment Plant began operations earlier this year and was completed under budget. “The designers and contractors have worked on other conventional treatment plants along the Front Range, and you can see in this plant that they brought the best designs and ideas here to Northwater,” Poncelet-Johnson said. Unique elements at Northwater include deeper filter beds, which are used to filter out dirt particles in water. The deeper filters at the new plant can be operated for longer periods of time between cleanings, making them better suited for treating water affected by various aspects of climate change such as wildfires or floods. The plant uses ultraviolet technology to help clean the water, technology that reduces the time, space and chemicals needed to disinfect the water for delivery to customers. And a generator that harnesses power from the water flowing into the plant, when combined with other energy efficiency improvements, is capable of producing more energy than it needs for operations. “This plant helps us be ready for the next 100 years. It’s a great investment in the future for Denver Water and its customers,” Poncelet-Johnson said.
10┃ Colorado Public Works Journal Works News P E O P L E Faris Machinery We are thrilled to introduce Anthony Murillo, the newest member of the Faris Machinery team, who has recently joined us as the Rental and Inside Sales Specialist. Anthony is a fresh graduate from the prestigious University of Nebraska, Kearney, where he majored in Industrial Distribution. His academic journey has equipped him with a solid foundation in the field, preparing him for the practical challenges of the industry. In the summer of 2023, Anthony had the opportunity to intern at Faris Machinery. This experience allowed him to gain firsthand knowledge of our operations and understand the nuances of our business. His dedication and enthusiasm during his internship were commendable, making him a valuable addition to our team. Starting full-time at Faris on Monday, June 3, Anthony has hit the ground running. His role as the Rental and Inside Sales Specialist involves a dynamic range of responsibilities, and he has shown great initiative and adaptability. We are excited to see the contributions Anthony will make to our team and the innovative ideas he will bring to our operations. Welcome aboard, Anthony! Cenovus Energy Cenovus Energy is excited to announce the recent addition of Mike Scardina as our Senior Asphalt Marketing Advisor in Colorado. Mike will be supplying asphalt production customers with PG grade binder from the new Cenovus Hudson Colorado terminal. Mike has well over 20 years working with asphalt companies in various vendor roles. Cenovus, and Mike, are very excited to enter the binder market with their competitive high-quality products. Please reach out to Mike directly if you would like to learn more about Cenovus, our products, or the new facility, 719-678-2406 or mike.scardina@cenovus.com. We are thrilled to introduce Dave Hamilton as the new Rental Manager for Faris Machinery, a position he assumed as of June 5 at Faris’ headquarters in Commerce City. Dave is no stranger to the industry or to Faris Machinery. He previously served as the District Sales Manager for Northeast Colorado, demonstrating his exceptional skills and dedication to the company. In just his first year at Faris, Dave’s remarkable performance and commitment to excellence earned him a promotion to Rental Manager and part of Faris’ leadership team. His rapid ascent within the company is a testament to his hard work and talent, earning him the title of a “Rising Star in Industrial Distribution.” Dave’s professional journey is one of continuous growth and achievement. His experience and knowledge in the field of specialized heavy equipment, combined with his leadership skills, make him an invaluable asset to our team. As Rental Manager, we are confident that Dave will make significant contributions to our rental business and bring innovative ideas to our operations. We look forward to the continued positive impact Dave will have on Faris Machinery and are excited to support him in his new role. Congratulations, Dave!
SUMMER 2024┃11 Works News P E O P L E Women of Asphalt Awards their First Scholarship Check Nicki Upright President of Women of Asphalt Colorado was delighted to present a check for $1000 to Thalia Garman, the first recipient of a scholarship check being awarded in Colorado. Thalia who was excited as could be said “This is going to help me so much with my college expenses, I cannot thank you enough” The Women of Asphalt Colorado Branch continues to strive to help women of all ages become aware of careers in the construction industry. With quarterly FREE educational programs held throughout the year, these classes educate and inspire women to reach their goals. “Sponsorships and our fundraising Golf Tournament help us achieve this” said their Marketing Chair Jo Taylor. RMMCA Names Randy Drennen New Executive Director Denver, CO – Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association (RMMCA) announced Randy Drennen as the new Executive Director to lead the organization. Randy brings more than 25+ years of experience to this role. Randy joins RMMCA having previously served as the Vice President of the Colorado Contractors Association (CCA). In his role with CCA, Randy specialized in membership recruitment, facilitation between agency, owner and subcontractor issues, and promoting workforce development initiatives. Over the course of his career and prior to CCA, Randy worked with a national heavy highway and civil contractor in Colorado for over 15 years. Additionally, Randy has proven to be a leader in his community through his service on the Thornton City Council and the E-470 Public Highway Authority Board of Directors. Randy will his new role in early July and work alongside the Board and staff to ensure a smooth transition, “I’m looking forward to partnering with the RMMCA Board and labor partners in promoting workforce and business development opportunities and advocating for business-friendly policies that will benefit the skilled trades industry in Colorado,” Drennen said. Fiore & Sons Stephen Ceresa is a 30-year veteran of the construction industry that brings a solution-based approach to our clients. He has worked in all capacities of design and construction during his career and as a result he understands the work as well as how projects are designed and built. Mr. Ceresa gets involved early, listens to and works closely with our clients to ensure the Fiore team understands the client’s goals and what is important them. The result is the creation of an exceptional experience for our client while simultaneously building projects that are iconic.
12┃ Colorado Public Works Journal SPRING-SUMMER 2023┃43 BUILDING PROGRESS A MILE HIGH. Colorado builders aim higher. Aggregate Industries has become Holcim to help it happen. The trusted names you know are now part of Holcim, a global leader in building materials innovation and sustainability. Together, we’re working to develop new ways to build smarter, build greener and build progress for people and the planet. holcim.us Send Project ITB and RFQ’s to wcrestimating@holcim.com A LEADER IN INNOVATIVE AND SUSTAINABLE BUILDING SOLUTIONS. #FollowUsForward
SUMMER 2024┃13 ASPHALT | AGGREGATE | CONCRETE | UNDERGROUND 303.534.1231 | www.brannan1.com SAFETY | SERVICE | SUCCESS | KIEWIT.COM JOBS DONE WELL. Kiewit delivers large and small infrastructure projects all over Colorado with unparalleled quality.
14┃ Colorado Public Works Journal railroads, and local, state, and federal regulatory and funding interests to attempt to realize a passenger rail line connecting Colorado’s Front Range from Pueblo to Fort Collins.” Established in 2021 by the Colorado Legislature through the Front Range Passenger Rail District Act, the District is an independent government agency presided over by a Board of Directors of 17 voting and 7 non-voting members. Extending from the Wyoming border to New Mexico, the District spans 13 counties along a route that largely parallels I-25 while also taking advantage of existing freight rail lines. “What we’re talking about is intercity passenger rail for the entire region,” explains Karsian. “This isn’t the Light Rail or quite like a Commuter Rail either. This will be like Amtrak’s operations along the eastern seaboard. Faster, more comfortable trains that travel much longer distances with fewer stations in between. The approved route goes from Trinidad to Denver and then northwest to Boulder before LOOKING DOWN THE LINE THE LINE Colorado’s newest District seeks to connect the Front Range via passenger rail By Sean Vincent O’Keefe Infrastructure requires imagination. In envisioning, planning, funding, and delivering the built environment, the drivers of infrastructure have always been the vital need for connectivity, communication, and coordination among many intertwined interests. Those who take responsibility for driving the delivery of such must possess an ability to see an opportunity beyond obstacles and a willingness to embrace process as purpose. Andy Karsian, General Manager for Front Range Passenger Rail District has been looking down the line at public policy and government affairs his whole career and relishes the challenge of navigating contending perspectives in the public arena. “I spent nearly ten years as a Legislative Coordinator for Colorado Counties, Inc. followed by eight years as the State Legislative Liaison at the Colorado Department of Transportation,” begins Karsian. “As the General Manager of the Front Range Passenger Rail District, I am now working with elected public officials, chambers of commerce, multiple
SUMMER 2024┃15 continuing through Longmont and Loveland to Fort Collins. Nine primary stations are planned.” Asked about the need for such a system, Karsian knows the opportunity under his stewardship is no sure thing. Harder still, some of what is being proposed has been promised before in different ways in not-so-distant times. In 2004, voters approved a $4.8 billion plan to expand public rapid transit across metro Denver and toward Fort Collins via commuter rail. That plan, known as FasTracks has delivered over 25 miles of light rail track and 53 miles of commuter track and launched a rapid transit bus service called the Flatiron Flyer. However, the northbound commuter rail never materialized, leaving a regrettable gap in expectations for the northern end of the service area. “Right now, the Front Range is dependent on I-25, which is highly congested and poorly coordinated with the many unconnected local public transportation systems,” says Karsian of the on-the-ground transportation truth of today. Meanwhile, the air over Colorado’s primary population centers isn’t any better. According to the American Lung Association, Denver is 6th among the 25 worst cities in the nation for ozone pollution. Fort Collins is 15th, and Colorado Springs is 25th. The causes are as much topography as pollution. Most days, the morning sun along the Front Range heats the ground, causing upslope airflows. This results in a circulation pattern that pushes air pollutants from populated areas west toward the mountains during the day, only to be blown back east later that night. Though the proximity of Front Range cities to the mountains does contribute to the accumulation of air pollution, man-made variables – primarily vehicular traffic, agricultural, and oil and gas industry interests - are the cause. Reducing the volume of pollution sources is a logical remedy. “The Front Range Passenger Rail will create connections between all of the Front Range’s primary markets to allow for better mobility throughout the region,” continues Karsian. “There are also secondary benefits around Transit Oriented Development, Affordable Housing, and local economic opportunities at the stations.”
16┃ Colorado Public Works Journal Though he paints a pretty picture of the FRPR’s potential, Karsian wouldn’t be in his line of work without a pragmatic appreciation for the process of change. “It’s an expensive proposition,” he acknowledges before suggesting that the built-out costs for such a system in 2024 dollars could be up to $4 billion. “There would need to be many funding streams. Currently, the District is using federal funding to further develop a Service Development Plan in partnership with CDOT. The Service Development Plan will define the who, what, when, where, and why of ridership for the Federal Railroad Administration, which is key to unlocking future federal funding.” Though Karsian can rattle off a long list of possible funding sources including essential support from the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act that could be applied to the process, he reveals that ultimately, the future of the FRPR will come down to Coloradans. “The biggest and most important funding stream is the ballot measure in 2026,” shares Karsian. “If voters back passage, that will bring the revenue required for ongoing success. Without citizen support, this is much less likely to move forward.” Beyond the vision and the investments, infrastructure requires heavy, hard work. Synchronizing such an effort ahead of the 2026 ballot measure is no small task. Despite the enormity of the planning effort ahead, the District is running lean. Karsian is supported by a small team of four while reporting to a Board of Directors of 24. Representatives include leadership from the Front Range’s Councils of Governments, RTD, Union Pacific Railroad, BNSF Railroad, Amtrak, Wyoming, New Mexico, and various Governor Appointments. “Once we have a Service Development Plan that defines ridership, then we can lean into the conversations with the host railroads - Union Pacific and BNSF - on how to coordinate track use in both directions,” says Karsian. “In some places, we’ll have to do double tracking and other infrastructure improvements to ensure passenger rail doesn’t interfere with freight.” In addition to navigating the challenging waters of federal and local funding, there are also environmental clearances. Karsian envisions a NEPA process of perhaps two to four years, followed by a capital construction program of several years. The District intends to concentrate on opening the northern segment of the line first to make good on past promises as soon as possible. “On an aggressive schedule without setbacks, trains could be operational in the northern portion of the line by the end of the decade,” continues Karsian. When asked about the hurdles ahead of his team and the future of Front Range Passenger Rial, though he could go on for days about working through federal funding, railroad coordination, or environmental approvals, Karsian returns to principle. “The biggest challenge is making clear to voters that they are getting a value add to what they voted on before. For two decades, those citizens have not gotten what they need. The Front Range Passenger Rail isn’t a crazy idea; this is possible. If voters support it in 2026, we will deliver it.”
SUMMER 2024┃17 www.cowyacpa.org CO/WY Chapter - ACPA @COWYACPA Concrete Pavement MAKING THE GRADE ON INFRASTRUCTURE SUSTAINABILITY Optimizing pavement with expected use and performance conditions in mind can improve costs and reduce lifetime CO2 emissions. Two-thirds of a pavement’s total environmental impact over its lifetime often occurs during the phase in which the pavement is in use – well after material and design selections are made. Concrete is an economical, costeffective pavement solution that consumes minimal materials, energy, and other resources for construction, maintenance, and rehabilitation activities over its lifetime. Because of its rigidity, concrete pavement deflects less under vehicle loading, which results in reduced vehicle fuel consumption. Here’s Why Concrete pavement’s lighter color helps mitigate urban heat island effects and can help offset global warming. Concrete pavement is 100% recyclable, suitable for use in new concrete pavement, base materials, or controlled fill. Concrete pavement can periodically be renewed through diamond grinding, prolonging its lifespan, enhancing its smoothness, and improving its skid resistance. LONGEVITY INCREASED REFLECTIVITY RIGIDITY RENEWABLE RECYCLABLE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
18┃ Colorado Public Works Journal An urbanizing Colorado county along the Front Range is keeping postconsumer and plastic film waste generated within its borders out of its landfills by recycling it as a high-performance asphalt modifier to create a superior asphalt product. The resulting pavement performance shows improved stiffness and resistance without cracking due to extreme temperature ranges or fatigue, research at the National Center for Asphalt Technology shows. For years, businesses within Pueblo County, Colorado have been generating excessive amounts of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) thin films from manufacturing and packaging businesses. In Pueblo County -- as is the case of most other municipal and county governments -- the LDPE plastic waste was landfilled due to handling problems in the recycling plant, at an economic cost to the company and the environmental cost due to landfilling. These thin film waste polyethylene materials -- such as industrial shrink wrap scraps and blown plastic grocery bags -- are a challenging medium to work with because the flimsy or “fluffy” LDPE, LLDPE and HDPE materials are difficult to handle and tend to clog traditional separation and shredding operations. Instead -- in this growing region of Colorado -- they have been landfilled in an area where there is increasing pressure on landfill capacity. SHREDDED FILM WASTE Through a process utilized by Pueblo County, a new, proprietary technology from local employer Driven Plastics produces shredded film waste in a proprietary format that can be combined with a reactive elastomeric terpolymer (RET), and incorporated into pavements. Driven’s new process transforms the plastic from a lightweight, bulky medium into manageable 2-5mm flakes that blend easily. “This formulation is mixed in, either completely at a polymer modifying asphalt plant, or directly at a hot mix asphalt plant,” said Chris Wacinski, chief technology officer for Driven Plastics. The recycled polyethylene (rPE) -- shredded waste LDPE – is added as dry solid to the aggregate mix, while the compatibilizer, Elvaloy™ reactive elastomeric terpolymer (RET) from Dow, is added to the hot liquid asphalt binder to modify the asphalt and compatibilize the rPE with it. A trial application on Siloam Road in November 2022 won the county an award in 2023 for Sustainability/Large Community from the Colorado Public Works Association (see Colorado Public Works Journal, Fall 2023, p 33). Pueblo County’s Siloam Road -- a 1.75-mile section of two-lane road overlay -- was the largest project in North America to “upcycle” LDPE waste into rPE, diverting 13.5 tons of plastic waste from county landfills into the 2,700-tons of HMA used, That’s the equivalent of approximately 2.4 million plastic grocery bags, according to rPE supplier Driven Plastics. LEED GOLD CERTIFICATION Including the use of recycled LDPE plastics in its roads was a factor in Pueblo County being awarded LEED Gold-certification for all its facilities in February 2023. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification is awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council to recognize superior achievement in sustainable designs and operations for both private and public infrastructure. The county as a whole has 497 centerline miles of paved roads, and 653 miles of unpaved roads, said Gregory George, E.I.T., deputy director of Architecture, Engineering and Sustainability for Pueblo County. “In 2023 we did 4.42 miles of asphalt overlays with rPE plastics and RET modifier,” he said. The recent designation of Pueblo County as manager of the roads in an adjoining, growing unincorporated area has put pressure on the county public works agency. “Our biggest challenge right now is that we have ‘inherited’ Pueblo West roads, adding about 400-plus miles to our system at the beginning of 2023,” George added. “We’ve been actively trying to get those roads put back into a standard condition. We just ran our pavement condition index (PCI) for those roads and averaged a score of around 60. So we have quite a bit of work to do there.” Regarding the rest of the county, management is initiating a contract with an outside vendor to survey road conditions. “We rely on our PCI and traffic count data, and we marry the two together to determine our master planning for our roadways,” George said. Colorado County Enhances Pavements With Its Own Recycled Plastic Waste BY TOM KUENNEN Siloam Road application in late 2022 (here) has led to rPE modifier being entered as part of county specifications
SUMMER 2024┃19 WORKING WITHIN SPECS Success on those additional placements in 2023 led to the rPE plastic waste utilization process being specified for a brand-new, $35 million roadway, to be named Medal of Honor Boulevard. “It’s our plan to use this process in the construction of the Medal of Honor Boulevard,” said Karim Ayoub, E.I.T., project manager for Pueblo County. “We are implementing it into our designs, and we hope that as we perfect this technology and its implementation in our roads, we can take the fullest advantage of using the recycled material to improve the construction of Medal of Honor Boulevard.” “Earlier this year we bid the Medal of Honor project, which will connect Pueblo and Pueblo West,” George said. “We wrote the scope of work to include the recycled polyethylene (rPE) waste plastics without exception, so plastics were included in the bids. We had four contractors and all four of them had to give us pricing for the plastics. We learned is that it’s very new to everybody, so they’re not always sure how to price it,” George added. As Driven is scaling they have been able to bring down oil pricing and operational efficiency to become competitive in pricing with other asphalt additives on the market. Also, additional funds for this work may be eligible under FHWA’s Low Carbon Transportation Materials (LCTM) grant program, which is a $2 billion grant program for eligible projects that include materials and products determined to have “substantially lower levels of embodied greenhouse gas emissions,” as described by the EPA, via either a reimbursement (equal to the incrementally higher cost), or incentive (2 percent of the cost of the eligible material or product). “It’s also important to note that LCTM program of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), also called the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), may cover the premiums for construction with these types of materials as they are scaling,” Driven’s Wacinski said. “Driven is actively seeking partnerships to help states, cities and counties to be competitive for these dollars as they roll out.” Medal of Honor Boulevard will be a four-lane, two-direction road 3.5 miles long. George said the base course will not be rPE-modified, and but the 2-in. driving course will be. When constructed, Medal of Honor Boulevard will be the longest roadway in the world utilizing recycled plastics. The superior performance of modified asphalt is clear, but use of the rPE might add cost to the project depending on size and scale. “We would love to modify the entire cross-section of Medal of Honor with rPE,” George said. “But it’s not feasible with the budget we have. The one thing we’ve learned is that there should be ways to incentivize the use of plastics to allow them to be more competitive.” PLASTICS AND COMPATIBILIZERS In general, there are two methods of incorporating recycled plastics in asphalt: the wet process and the dry process. The two methods differ in how the plastic modifier is added to the asphalt mixture. In the wet process, plastic modifier is added into the hot liquid asphalt binder, while in the dry process, the recycled plastic is added directly into the aggregate mixture. In the Pueblo County case, a hybrid process was used where the RET compatibilizer is added to the hot liquid asphalt binder to modify the asphalt, and the rPE is added as dry solid to the aggregate mix. The RET compatibilizes the rPE in the asphalt binder and prevents the rPE from separating from the asphalt. More importantly, while the addition of plastics to asphalt provides stiffness, the RET compatibilizer adds elasticity, according to Dow. Stiffness enhances rutting resistance, and elasticity enhances the cracking resistance caused by extreme temperatures. This is critical as plastics have little to no elastic properties. Altogether, the final product enhances the performance properties of the pavement. At plant of contractor Tony J. Beltramo & Sons, Inc., processed rPE (blue) is introduced to mix from big bags onto feed belt RET plus rPE brings longevity and versatility to asphalt binders, Dow said. When RET is used with the recycled LDPE waste -- as refined by Driven’s proprietary process -- it can improve performance at high and low temperature extremes, preventing rutting and cracking, and making roads more durable and lasting longer. “Binders modified with RET and post-consumer, polyethylene-rich compositions have displayed enhanced resistance to both rutting and cracking,” said Roxanne M. Jenkins, Ph.D., technical service and development scientist, Packaging and Specialty Plastics, Dow. “The result is a storage-stable modified binder that meets specifications, providing more durable and sustainable asphalt pavements with more recycling options. “As both society and individual companies accelerate sustainability goals, at Dow we’ve been investing in efforts to transform plastic waste and other feedstocks into solutions that drive a circular economy, “ Jenkins said. “This has led us to seek collaborations such as this one with Driven Plastics and our other partners in the value chain, to work together and provide more sustainable solutions like recycled polymer modified asphalt.” Feed belt with recycled polyethylene rPE (blue) is fed directly to HMA drum with aggregates (brown) to be mixed with the RET-modified asphalt binder
20┃ Colorado Public Works Journal Street Solutions: Settling Soil Polyurethane injection resolves settling soils in Centennial Among the many challenges posed to Colorado’s built environments, perhaps the most pervasively persistent are the state’s expansive soils. Known as one of the most prevalent causes of damage to roads, bridges, buildings, and homes there is, in the U.S., annual losses due to the swelling and shrinking of soil are estimated to be greater than tornadoes, earthquakes, hurricanes, and floods combined. Along Colorado Boulevard in Centennial, settling soils contributed to deteriorating roadway conditions and shifting slabs approaching a bridge crossing Big Dry Creek. CIP Street Rehabilitation Manager Patrick Gunn explains the situation. “The City of Centennial identified the Colorado Boulevard corridor as a segment due for a mill and overlay rehabilitation in 2024, which is a two-year process,” says Gunn, an employee of Jacobs Engineering, operating as an extension of City staff. “There is a bridge adjacent to the South Suburban Golf Course where the approach slabs had settled significantly. I can tell you from driving over it for five years on my way to work that bump hit pretty hard.” Ever conscientious of the cost/benefit equation, for Gunn and his sponsors at the City of Centennial, due diligence requires pragmatic decision-making. “The approach slabs had settled some three to four inches. The asphalt patches used to fill the gap eventually worked themselves out, so we needed a permanent solution,” shares Gunn. “Removing and replacing the approach slabs would have taken three to four months and cost about a million dollars. When we explored using a polyurethane injection system, the schedule went from months to weeks, and the cost went from a million to two hundred and fifty thousand. It was an easy decision.” Far less disruptive than ripping up a primary north-south arterial, polyurethane injection is as simple as it sounds. “We hired CST in July of 2023. They drilled it, pumped it full of polyurethane, and raised the elevation with little public disruption,” says Gunn of a scope of work completed in a ten-day time frame in the summer of 2023. CST crews took elevation measurements and Dynamic Cone Penetrometer tests to identify settlement and weak soil zones. Testing determined that the soil beneath the sleeper slab and approach slab was completely saturated; the earth below Colorado Boulevard remained soft 14 feet below ground in some areas. With injection probes targeting weak zones, CST’s excavation-free process pumped polyurethane to specific depths to densify the soil to achieve a five-inch lift of the settled roadway. “The width of Colorado Boulevard allowed us to use the center turn lane to shift traffic. The solution was seamless, leaving only a few small holes to fill.” Lifting the roadway back to the design elevations was just one of the improvements along this corridor. Gunn points out that SEMSWA, in partnership with the City of Centennial, also installed two new drainage inlets south of the Big Dry Creek Bridge to convey surface water directly to the creek rather than flowing over the bridge which caused sedimentation and icing issues. The City also constructed approximately 800 feet of curb and gutter to reduce erosion south of the bridge. Finally, a Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon was installed at the intersection of Links Parkway and Colorado Boulevard which was the first implementation of an enhanced pedestrian crossing identified within the Colorado Boulevard Corridor Study. “The biggest takeaway is by working cohesively, inside and outside of the organization, municipal entities can address routine maintenance issues, proposed corridor improvements and longterm rehabilitation at once to save time and money,” finishes Gunn. “Our goal was to complete all these smaller projects before the 2025 resurface. Now, after we mill the road, put on a new top mat of asphalt, and stripe it, Colorado Boulevard will be good for the next 25 to 30 years.” By Sean Vincent O’Keefe
SUMMER 2024┃21
22┃ Colorado Public Works Journal by Cal Beyer images @ CDOT GLOBAL RESOURCES WITH A LOCAL TOUCH With a new look comes the power of a global team of experts, innovative solutions, more personalized products, and access to state-of-the-art technology that helps us solve problems like never before. But that doesn’t mean we lost our personal touch. We’re as committed as ever to the communities we serve - and that means partnering with local distributors who are just as committed as we are. monroetruck.com In Partnership With Denver: 303-295-2885 Greeley: 970-353-4918 www.ojwatson.com
Rodeo Dr Stallion Dr St Cloud Dr Crossroads Blvd Clydesdale Pkwy Fairgrounds Ave Centerra Pkwy Exit 259 Holiday Inn Express The Ranch - Larimer County Fairgrounds Snow Roadeo Site 25 Budweiser Events Center Arena Cir Embassy Suites Snow & Ice Conference Site SpringHill Suites by Marriott Map & Conference Committee Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Conference Highlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Daily Schedules and Session Details . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Roadeo At-A-Glance / Roadeo Committee Members . . . . . . . . 22 Exhibitors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Indoor Exhibit Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Outdoor Exhibit Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
24┃ Colorado Public Works Journal
SUMMER 2024┃25 TIME DESCRIPTION 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Roadeo Course Setup and Judges Orientation 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Conference Administration Hours
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