The Critical Path

Due to the water flowing down the creek and the restrictions placed by the Forest Service, setting the +/- 100 ft long bridge girders on the NB Deer Creek bridge called for a specialty operation that included approximately 6 separate synchronized crane maneuvers to safely move the 50+ ton girders from the truck to the bridge abutments. One crane is on top of the roadway and the other is in the bottom of the creek. Before reading further, imagine trying to carry a bucket of w

I plan to post a series of historical stories about the highway that was once a ribbon of death in the State of Arizona. History: Prior to 1950 to travel from Phoenix to Payson, you had to drive through Apache Junction, take the Bush Highway along the lower Salt River to Saguaro Lake and then take highway 87 to Payson. In the early 1950's the County negotiated a deal to build a section of highway across tribal land to make a direct route from Mesa to the Saguaro lake turnof

How an agency oversight roped us in! Arizona SR87 - Rye section.. This 5 mile project was in open range with just barbed wire keeping the cows off the road. Clearing for the new right of way fencing required making temporary gates in the existing fence and yes a few times the clever range cows were able to sneak in and munch on the shoulder grass. But we quickly herded them back to their side, no harm. The Rancher's house was on the West side of the road on the banks of D

I sat up quickly as the ringing of the telephone echoed off the walls of my small trailer. The clock glowed 12:30 am so I knew it was either a family emergency or something had gone wrong with the overnight deck pour. When I answered, Dan, my structure engineer, said "Hey boss, we turned over a mixer truck near the bridge!" My heart leapt to my throat as I went through the checklist, "Is anyone hurt?" I asked, when Dan said "no", then I pivoted to the job, "Can we finish t

In 2003 ADOT finally decided to upgrade US 93 over the infamous Burro Creek.

Estimating success rate is the best gauge for cost basis and profit margins.

Promotion of Arizona Contractor and Community Magazine and it's editorial staff. Publisher Billy Horner

Maximum dry density of soils is determined by testing also known as a proctor

Network estimating systems open a whole different level of communication requirements

The basic process of bidding work has not changed, technology has only quickened the pace of making mistakes.

Safety like everything else depends on a perspective based behavioral paradigm.

Construction culture required dedicated communications with all participants at all levels.

Great businessmen are not always greats craftsmen. Likewise great craftsmen are not always great businessmen. Get help when needed.