C&A Equipment Builds Around Service in Central Texas
Located in McGregor, Texas, just outside of Waco, C&A Equipment built its business around a simple approach: Prioritize service and stay closely connected to the local contractor.
Founded in 2018 by Chris Elliott, the company operates as a family-run dealership serving contractors across Central Texas.
Elliott said his path into the equipment industry was not a traditional one.
“My background was actually 15 years in commercial banking,” Elliott said. “Part of that involved handling repo equipment, and that’s really where I got my introduction to equipment sales.”
What began as a side effort quickly grew into a full-time opportunity. Elliott said the business expanded fast enough that he made the decision to build it into a standalone operation and bring in family to help run it.
C&A Equipment, named after Chris and his wife Annette, includes Elliott’s brother, Tyler Elliott, who oversees day-to-day operations, sales and shop activity. The team also includes Dale Yates, who assists with deliveries, sales and rental make-ready, and Noah Huddleston, the company’s shop technician.
The company operates from a facility built in 2021 along Highway 84 in McGregor. The location includes approximately 3,000 sq. ft. of building space with a showroom and a three-bay shop.
C&A Equipment serves a focused customer base, primarily local contractors working in construction, land clearing and related applications. Elliott said the company intentionally positions itself differently from
shop technician. Not pictured: Annette Elliott, co-owner, Dale Yates, sales and logistics.
larger rental houses and dealerships.
“We’re small, and that’s why we cater to the small contractor,” he said. “That’s our customer.”
That smaller scale allows the business to maintain close relationships with customers. According to Elliott, most customers interact directly with ownership when they visit the dealership.
“When our customers walk in, they’re usually seeing one of the owners,” he said.
“You don’t see that in most places.”
C&A Equipment became an authorized
dealer of Gehl equipment in 2023, offering skid steers, compact track loaders and telehandlers. In addition to equipment sales, the company maintains an active rental fleet.
Elliott noted that rentals play an important role in introducing customers to newer equipment.
“That’s why we went into rental before we went into sales,” he said. “Once people run the machines, they start asking questions.”
Attachments also represent a significant portion of the business. C&A Equipment carries a wide range of attachment lines,
including grapples, brush cutters, trenchers, post drivers and grading tools used across a variety of job-site applications.
While product offerings continue to expand, Elliott emphasized that service remains the foundation of the company’s approach.
“Everybody has equipment. It all operates essentially the same way,” he said. “What makes the difference is the service behind it.”
That approach traces back to Elliott’s experience in banking, where he said customer relationships were often the deciding factor.
“It’s less about the equipment and more about the service and who you’re dealing with,” he said.
As development continues across the Waco and McGregor area, C&A Equipment is seeing increased demand tied to regional growth and construction activity. Elliott said it is rewarding to see the company’s equipment working on local projects.
“You see your work come to life.” he said.
C&A Equipment continues to operate with a hands-on approach, focusing on service, accessibility and long-term customer relationships.
Elliott said that approach will remain central as the company continues to grow within the Central Texas market.
“Our goal is to keep doing what we’ve been doing,” he said. “Take care of our customers and continue to grow the business the right way.”
(Photo courtesy of C&A Equipment.)
Skanska Wins Contract to Build Biology Building at Texas A&M
Skanska announced on March 20, 2026, that it signed a contract with The Texas A&M University System, a repeat client, to construct a new Biology Teaching & Research building in College Station, Texas.
The contract is worth $165 million.
The project is slated to begin in spring 2027 and is expected to be completed in spring 2029.
The new approximately 17,200 square-meter facility is designed to transform life sciences education and research on campus.
It will replace several outdated biology buildings with an environment that supports the next generation of scientific discovery and advances both teaching and research. The center will feature research laboratories, activelearning classrooms, immersive
technology spaces and dedicated collaboration zones to support advanced biological and biomedical research.
Biology is one of the fastestgrowing areas on campus, according to the university, with 2,400 majors and more than 20,000 students enrolled in biology courses each year.
“This was 30 years in the making,” Alex Keene, biology professor and department head, who is co-leading the project with Distinguished Professor of Biology Deb Bell-Pedersen said in an October 2025 university press release. “The building is being designed to be the heart of life sciences at Texas A&M — a oneof-a-kind facility that integrates research and teaching in ways few universities can match.”
The building, which will be located on East Campus within the historic core, will replace outdated facilities — some more than 70 years old — with next-generation classrooms, active-learning spaces and flexible research laboratories.
In the design process, project leaders, including the architect, traveled around the country looking at other academic buildings, noting what would work or could be uniquely adapted to fit the needs of Texas A&M, according to the university.
The building will feature collaborative environments where students and faculty work side by side, fostering interdisciplinary breakthroughs in areas such as synthetic biology, regeneration and repair, biological timing and environmental resilience.
C&A Equipment operates as a family-run dealership serving contractors across Central Texas. (L-R) are Chris Elliott, owner; Tyler Elliott, operations manager; and Noah Huddleston,
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GSA, CBP, Community Break Ground
24 secondary inspection spaces with canopies, up from five lanes and 15 spaces, respectively. The 500-sq.-ft. headhouse will be upgraded to a new 6,000-sq.-ft. building. Additional upgrades include a new 9,000-sq.-ft. outbound inspection area and new parking lots to accommodate staff and visitors.
The new port of entry will be allelectric, meeting the Federal Building Performance Standards, and will feature water-saving fixtures and energyefficient building systems. These material selections alone will avoid 200 to 300 metric tons of climate-warming carbon emissions that would otherwise be associated with the manufacture of equivalent “industry-average” building
A rendering of a portion of the Brownsville-Gateway Land Port of Entry
officers continue to have the necessary facilities, technology and resources to perform their duties safely, effectively and efficiently,” CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott said. “We are grateful to our partners for making this possible and look forward to its completion.”
This land port of entry is a vital crossing point situated on nine acres in downtown Brownsville. Every month, this facility, which connects to the Gateway International Bridge, handles a significant volume of traffic, including approximately 148,000 passenger vehicles and 157,000 pedestrians in March 2026, alone.
the facility to enhance security and efficiency.
Work Begins On Texas A&M Meat Science Building
“Our nation’s ports of entry are vital to facilitate trade and travel while protecting against illegal goods and national security threats,” U.S. Sen. John Cornyn said. “The modernized Brownsville-Gateway Land Port of Entry will streamline operations and the flow of commerce.”
Project completion is scheduled for late 2029.
In late 2024, the GSA announced it has awarded a $263,906,507 designbuild contract to Brasfield & Gorrie LLC for the project. The Birmingham, Alabama-based company will provide
Construction and development firm Skanska celebrated on May 5, 2026, the groundbreaking of the $133.4 million AgriLife Meat Science & Technology Building.
Construction and development firm Skanska celebrated on May 5, 2026, the groundbreaking of the $133.4 million AgriLife Meat Science & Technology Building, a new 85,600-sq.-ft. facility at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas.
The building will provide Texas A&M AgriLife, the research and educational agency of the Texas A&M University System, with modern processing capabilities to strengthen the teaching, research, extension and industry engagement for the meat science program in addition to the Department of Poultry Science.
(All images courtesy of Brasfield &
The facility will serve as a cornerstone of a future agriculture district on West Campus, bringing one of Texas A&M’s most hands-on, industry-facing programs closer to students, faculty and partners. The facility will feature updated labs, classrooms, processing space and publicfacing capabilities. A retail outlet also will provide a public storefront for products developed at the center.
“This facility represents a major investment in the future of food and agriculture,” said Dennis Yung, executive vice president — general manager of Skanska USA Building in Texas. “We’re proud to support Texas A&M AgriLife’s efforts to prepare students for leadership roles in a highly complex, evolving industry while creating a space that brings research, education and real-world application together.”
The building will support hands-on education, applied research and industry engagement for students in food safety, meat processing and agricultural innovation, while reinforcing Texas A&M’s position as a national leader in meat science, according to the news release.
Texas A&M’s meat science program in the Department of Animal Science dates to 1926.
Construction completion is expected in 2028.
Skanska has been building for Texas A&M University since 2009 and completed the Wayne Roberts ‘85 Building, a centerpiece of Texas A&M’s Mays Business School, in early 2025.
(Photo courtesy of Skanska.)
The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Customs and Border Protection (CBP) broke ground on May 13, 2026, on the $300 million modernization of the Brownsville-Gateway Land Port of Entry in Brownsville, Texas.
Sentinel Midstream Advances Texas GulfLink Port Work
Sentinel Midstream photo Sentinel Midstream LLC announced on May 5, 2026, the start of work on its Texas GulfLink deepwater port.
Sentinel Midstream LLC announced on May 5, 2026, the start of work on its Texas GulfLink deepwater port, describing it as a significant milestone enabled by funding received pursuant to the United States-Japan Trade Agreement.
The project advances in coordination with the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Government of Japan and reflects the shared commitment to strengthening global energy security and expanding U.S. export infrastructure. Sentinel will lead the development of Texas GulfLink, overseeing construction, commercial operations, and longterm management of the terminal.
Funding provided under the U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement pursuant to Executive Order 14345 signed on September 4, 2025, underscores continued international confidence in U.S. energy infrastructure and supports the expansion of American crude oil exports to global markets.
Upon this commencement, Texas GulfLink will immediately begin construction of its deepwater crude oil export terminal, unlocking a new level of market access for U.S. producers, creating highquality American jobs, and reinforcing the United States’ role as a reliable global energy supplier.
“Texas GulfLink is about more than infrastructure, it is about unlocking the full potential of American energy, said Jeff Ballard, CEO of Sentinel Midstream. “This project creates a direct path from one of the most liquid crude hubs in
Ferrovial Lands $1.5B SH 99 Grand Parkway Project Southeast of Houston
Global infrastructure company Ferrovial announced on May 13, 2026, that it was selected by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to design, build and maintain the State Highway 99 Grand Parkway Segment B-1 project southeast of Houston.
Valued at approximately $1.47 billion, the nearly 15mi. construction project spans Brazoria and Galveston counties and marks a significant milestone in the continued expansion of the 184-mi. Grand Parkway loop.
“We’re proud to work with TxDOT on this important project for the growing Houston region,” said Ignacio Gaston, CEO of Ferrovial Construction. This award reflects our shared commitment to delivering high-quality infrastructure that serves Texas communities. Building on our success with SH 99 Segments H and I-1, we look forward to enhancing mobility and connectivity across southeast Texas.”
Segment B-1 will be delivered under a design-build contract with a capital maintenance term of up to 15 years and includes:
• construction of four new tolled lanes operated by TxDOT;
• discontinuous frontage roads;
• direct connectors at State Highway 35 and the new SH 99; and
• operational upgrades to SH 35
Ferrovial photo Global infrastructure company Ferrovial announced that it was selected by the Texas Department of Transportation to design, build and maintain the State Highway 99 Grand Parkway Segment B-1 project southeast of Houston.
The project will relieve congestion, improve regional travel reliability and support economic growth, while also enhancing emergency and hurricane evacuation capacity.
The final contract execution is anticipated this summer, with substantial completion targeted for winter 2031–2032.
Segment B-1 is part of a seven-county, 184-mi. project that will encircle Houston. The project is split into 12 parts, eight of which are completed. Ferrovial built and designed other project segments.
the world to global markets, strengthening our allies, improving trade dynamics, and reinforcing the United States as the supplier of choice in an increasingly uncertain energy landscape. We are proud to be a trusted partner of both the U.S. and Japan governments and help lead the next chapter of American oil exports.”
Texas GulfLink’s deepwater crude oil export terminal will be located approximately 30 mi. off the coast west of Freeport, Texas. Once complete, it will have the capability to fully load very large crude carriers (VLCCs) offshore, eliminating the need for costly and inefficient lightering operations. This direct-loading capability enhances global competitiveness while significantly reducing emissions associated with traditional export methods.
By enabling efficient, large-scale exports, the terminal will serve as a critical conduit connecting global markets to reliable, North Americanproduced crude oil. It is expected to expand market access across Asia and Europe, strengthen trade relationships with key allies, and reinforce the role of the United States as a stable, long-term energy supplier.
Once operational, Texas GulfLink is anticipated to support billions of dollars in annual export value, improve the U.S. trade balance, and drive sustained economic growth across the Gulf Coast and beyond.
Granite Wins $495M in Tactical Infrastructure Work for CPB at Laredo
Granite announced on March 26, 2026, that it was awarded the LRT-4 Webb-Zapata project by Customs and Border Protection.
The approximately $495 million project will be included in the company’s first quarter 2026 CAP.
The project scope consists of 27 mi. of tactical infrastructure improvements near Laredo, Texas. This includes significant mass excavation, grading, roads and fencing and cattle guards.
Granite will construct seven bridges, eight major culvert crossings, 68 paved concrete low water crossings and install approximately 27 mi. of electrical, lighting, cameras and fiber optics.
“Granite is focused on growing our portfolio of federal work, and the Webb-Zapata project is a major piece of that growth,” Granite Federal Division Vice President Curt Haldeman said. “This award reflects the collaboration and commitment of teams across multiple regions of the company, brought together by the support and leadership of many strong leaders within Granite. Together, we continue to demonstrate our capabilities as a reliable partner on vital federal infrastructure projects.”
“We are well positioned to serve our clients’ needs as we have the broad range of skillsets and sophisticated management required for tactical infrastructure projects,” Granite Program Manager Todd Keller said.
Work on the project is expected to begin in April 2026 and is expected to conclude in July 2027.
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DICA Gives EcoMax Crane
Pads to IUOE Training Site
DICA, a provider of engineered outrigger pads, crane pads, and ground protection products, announced on March 31, 2026, that the International Union of Operating Engineers’ (IUOE) Training Center in Crosby, Texas, received a set of EcoMax Crane Pads.
Those pads were selected for use with the training center’s new Potain IGO T99 selferecting tower crane.
“The industry has come to expect professional, engineered outrigger pads,” said John Callahan, training and equipment assistant at the Training Center. “This is safer than using whatever materials you have on hand on a job site because you know that this set of pads is intended for use with that specific crane and are designed to handle the loads.”
The IUOE Training Center features the latest equipment and products where apprentices learn how to operate the cranes, journeymen are trained on crane assembly/ disassembly and trainers receive Train-theTrainer instruction.
The Potain IGO T99 replaces a smaller IGO T70, whiach led the training center to re-evaluate the necessary supporting materials for setting up the self-erecting crane. Anticipating greater corner loads — the maximum ground bearing pressure exerted by the outriggers — Callahan sought out experts to assess the ground conditions.
“The key factors that impact corner loading on the IGO T99 are similar to any mobile crane, as the design principles are quite comparable,” said Chad Jacobs, tower
Thomas Lawson Named Purple Wave Sales Manager
Purple Wave Auction announced that Thomas Lawson joined the company as a territory sales manager of the Texas Panhandle.
Purple Wave Auction is a leader in online, noreserve equipment auctions serving the agriculture, construction, government and fleet industries, providing customers with opportunities to buy and sell equipment with confidence.
As a territory sales manager, Lawson will be responsible for facilitating relationships with equipment owners and operators. He will work closely with customers to find the best fit for Purple Wave to assist with their equipment remarketing needs.
Lawson entered the fleet industry 15 years ago, beginning his career in the overthe-road tractor-trailer segment as a diesel technician. He is certified in diesel technologies and spent 12 years with Ryder Transportation, beginning as a technician and advancing to regional manager. Thomas later transitioned to the Kubota Tractor Corp. and worked as an OEM representative as the bridge between the OEM and the dealer network.
crane specialist at Stephenson Equipment, a Potain tower crane dealer in the Northeast.
“The crane is supported on four outriggers, and the total corner load is primarily influenced by the combination of lifted load and wind or jib line forces. These factors work together to determine how the load is distributed across each outrigger.”
Based on engineering recommendations, the training center made improvements to the ground, which included adding a layer of crushed limestone. Callahan also asked for DICA’s help in selecting crane pads that would distribute the loads to acceptable levels.
DICA’s FIT Assessments consider crane manufacturer data, such as Maximum Outrigger Reaction Force and Outrigger Float dimensions, and the allowable bearing capacity of the supporting surface. Based on this analysis, DICA recommended the EM2-64, a 24-sq.-ft. EcoMax crane pad to Callahan.
EcoMax combines the stiffness of steel I-beams with the durability and longevity of fiber-reinforced composite materials. A patented design with unique through-bolt positioning ensures optimal load distribution across the entire crane pad.
Other DICA products in use at the training center since it opened in 2018 include FiberMax crane pads, SafetyTech and FiberTech outrigger pads, ProStack cribbing blocks and TrainSmart pole barrier systems.
For more information about DICA, visit dicausa.com.
Lawson’s territory covers the Texas Panhandle, including the Texas cities of Amarillo, Childress, Clovis, Hereford and the New Mexico cities of Clovis and Portales.
“I am most looking forward to bringing an easy, straightforward way of buying and selling equipment, and to being the best partner possible to customers that can benefit from our services,” said Lawson. “I was born and raised in the Texas Panhandle, and understand the process and struggles for businesses in the area across all industries.” For more information, visit purplewave. com.
Novartis Radioligand Therapy Site Work Begins in Denton
Pharmaceutical company Novartis broke ground on May 7, 2026, on its new 46,000-sq.-ft. radioligand therapy (RLT) manufacturing site in Denton, Texas, which is part of a $23 billion investment in United States manufacturing and research.
The start of construction on the company’s first Texas-based manufacturing facility brings U.S. RLT production closer to patients across the southern U.S., becoming the fifth RLT site nationwide.
A contractor and a dollar amount on this specific project were not mentioned.
“Radioligand therapy is transforming how we treat cancer, and expanded manufacturing is essential to delivering these therapies at scale,” said Vas Narasimhan, CEO of Novartis. “Breaking ground in Denton further strengthens our US supply chain and helps ensure patients can receive these highly personalized treatments when and where they need them.”
This expansion reinforces Novartis’ leadership as the first company to deliver RLT at scale, building the network capacity needed as these therapies extend into earlier stages of treatment and a broader range of cancers. Announced earlier this year, the site is expected to become operational
in 2028 and create new U.S.-based Novartis jobs in bioengineering, advanced manufacturing, quality, and operations, supporting economic growth in Denton and surrounding communities.
U.S. Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security Jeffrey Kessler, Swiss Ambassador to the U.S. Ralf Heckner, Texas state Sen. Brent Hagenbuch, Texas state Rep. Andy Hopper and Denton Mayor Gerard Hudspeth joined Novartis leadership, employees, and community partners to celebrate the start of construction.
The Texas facility bolsters the Novartis coast-to-coast RLT manufacturing network, with existing U.S. sites in New Jersey, Indiana and California, and a new site being added in Florida. The Denton site adds to the largest U.S. RLT manufacturing network.
In April 2025, Novartis committed $23 billion over five years to grow its U.S. research and manufacturing footprint. Seven new and three expanded facilities across the country are already under construction — part of the company’s broader effort to manufacture all key medicines for U.S. patients in the U.S., supporting supply resilience and dependable delivery of medicines.
DICA photo
The Potain IGO T99 self-erecting tower crane with DICA EcoMax crane pads
Purple Wave Auction photo
Thomas Lawson
TxDOT Reviews Infrastructure Progress in March, April
From major highway groundbreakings to new safety funding, March and April marked months of momentum for the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) as it continues to expand and modernize infrastructure across the state.
Here’s what happened in March:
Highway Projects Break Ground
In North Texas, TxDOT broke ground on the $888 million Interstate 30 Canyon Improvement Project in Dallas.
The transformative project will widen I-30 from six to 12 lanes between the Interstate 35E and Interstate 45 interchanges, enhance pedestrian safety and also reconnect and improve city street connections. Construction is expected to continue through 2031.
In the Panhandle, crews began a $44 million safety improvement project along U.S. 60 in Hereford, focusing on roadway reconstruction, ADA upgrades and drainage.
In Grayson County, TxDOT accelerated construction along U.S. 75 to address safety concerns and congestion, particularly near key access points to hospitals and highways.
In the Houston area, the long-running $128.2 million widening of Farm-to-Market 1960 is nearing completion. The project expands the roadway from four to six lanes
with added medians, sidewalks and turn lanes — improvements expected to ease congestion and support continued growth.
South Texas, Coast Projects Address Safety, Resilience
In the Rio Grande Valley, TxDOT is preparing for a nearly $196 million overhaul of State Highway 4 near Brownsville. The project will widen the roadway, add shoulders and a bike path and address flooding and safety concerns along the corridor.
Meanwhile, in Sugar Land, construction continues on Interstate 69 over the Brazos River, where lane closures and detours are in place as crews address erosion and improve the long-term reliability of the bridge.
East Texas Corridor Development Continues
In deep East Texas, TxDOT is advancing work on the future Interstate 69 corridor in Nacogdoches County. Crews are upgrading U.S. 59 to interstate standards by adding lanes and building new bridges, with completion expected in 2027. The project is expected to improve hurricane evacuation routes, reduce congestion and boost economic development across the region.
And here’s what happened in April:
Panhandle, West Texas: Major Upgrades, New Openings
In Amarillo, multiple projects moved forward along Interstate 27 and Interstate 40, including a $312 million effort to expand I-27 to six lanes between Amarillo and Canyon. Additional work across the region includes intersection upgrades, ADA improvements and new reduced-conflict U-turns aimed at improving safety and traffic flow.
Farther south in Lubbock County, TxDOT opened the first segments of Loop 88, marking a major milestone for the future outer loop. The newly opened stretches include a rebuilt section of Farm-to-Market 1585, now transformed into a six-lane freeway with frontage roads, bridges and ramps.
The project is part of a long-term plan to improve connectivity and accommodate growth across the Lubbock area.
East Texas: Rehabilitation, Corridor improvements
In Longview, construction began on a $3.2 million rehabilitation project along McCann Road between U.S. 80 and Loop 281. Crews are repairing the roadway base and surface, with the project expected to be completed within a few months.
Central Texas: Tackling Congestion in Austin
In Austin, TxDOT broke ground on a $68 million project along Loop 360 near Ranchto-Market 2222 and Courtyard Drive. The project will replace traffic signals with an underpass at Courtyard Drive and construct a diverging diamond interchange at RM 2222 to improve traffic flow and safety. Additional pedestrian and bicycle paths also are included.
South Texas: Safety, Community Improvements
In San Antonio, construction is moving forward on pedestrian safety upgrades along Roosevelt Avenue. Improvements include new traffic signals, medians, sidewalks and flashing beacons designed to reduce crashes and support safer travel for residents. The project is expected to be done by year’s end. In the Rio Grande Valley, TxDOT is preparing to launch a $32 million expansion of Conway Avenue. The project will widen the roadway from four to six lanes, add a center median and sidewalks, and improve drainage to reduce flooding. (This article is reprinted courtesy of the Texas Department of Transportation.)
Construction Starts On TRA Wastewater Project Near Dallas
Zachry Construction Corp. announced on May 5, 2026, that it is advancing work on the $108 million Central Regional Wastewater System Chlorine and Sulfur Dioxide Containment Building project for the Trinity River Authority of Texas in Dallas.
The project includes demolishing existing equipment and structures, modifying existing facilities and constructing new structures and associated equipment at the plant.
Zachry Construction is delivering a scope that includes sitework, grading, paving, stormwater drainage, roadways, chemical solution piping, plant water piping, drain and stormwater piping, natural gas piping and electrical and instrumentation systems. The project’s expected completion date is the fourth quarter of 2029.
Zachry Construction’s work is designed to modernize critical wastewater infrastructure and support safe, reliable plant operations through upgraded containment, utility and systems improvements. The work includes a new chlorine and sulfur dioxide containment building, a supplemental chlorine storage building, pump stations and related improvements.
“As communities continue to grow, investments in water and wastewater infrastructure remain essential to protecting public health and supporting long-term system reliability,” said Tyler Farella, vice president of Zachry Construction.
2026 Editorial Calendar
April (issue 7) Paving, Compaction and Milling
May (issue 9) Skid Steers, CTLs, Mini & Compact Equipment
June (issue 11) Attachments
July (issue 13) Electric Equipment
August (issue 15) Wheel Loaders, Tool Carriers & Attachments
August (issue 17) Backhoes and Attachments
September (issue 19) Utilities: Trenching, Compressors, Generators and Light Towers
October (issue 21) Off-Road Trucks, Dumpers & Mining Equipment
November (issue 23) Dozers, Crawler Loaders
December (issue 25) Trailers
Repaving Work the Project Focus for Remainder of 2026
This section of roadway is considered vital as it serves high traffic volumes from New Mexico, Texas and Oklahoma.
This section of U.S. 60 has two lanes in each direction with a dedicated turn lane. Approximately 13,000 vehicles travel along it each day. Most of U.S. 60 in Hereford is aligned with commercial businesses.
“This section of U.S. 60 in Hereford saw — and continues to see — a lot of heavy traffic coming in and out, which, in turn, puts a lot of stress on the roadway,”
Jason Britsch, a TxDOT spokesman of the Amarillo District, told Construction Equipment Guide. “This project aims to increase the life span of the roadway as we expect to see the number of vehicles continue to increase. In the engineering and designing phase, crews saw that this area could benefit from upgrades to sewer and drainage. Projects of this scale typically take several years to go through the design and engineering phase before construction starts.
“Safety is always TxDOT’s No. 1 priority,” he added. “Some of the safety aspects that TxDOT is upgrading are streetlights at certain intersections and turning lanes as well. We’re also upgrading pedestrian safety by constructing sidewalks in various areas of the project.”
Woolpert designed the project.
“Due to the proximity of a nearby railroad, TxDOT staff and crew kept in close communication with the railroad company to ensure that everyone was on the same page as what was going to be happening with this project,” Britsch said. “The newly resurfaced roads are expected to see routine maintenance once every 10 years as the new material is expected to add decades of service life.”
J. Lee Mulligan crews have started the repaving, beginning on the west side of Hereford. Over the next year, efforts will concentrate on repaving operations.
This is primarily a day shift project.
“A portion of the roadway has been sectioned off enough so that crews have plenty of space to operate safely and drivers can commute smoothly as well,” Britsch said. “TxDOT worked with the utility owners in relocating their utilities before construction started, which is typical on TxDOT projects. The coordination and working relationship with the prime contractor, J. Lee Milligan, has been working well.”
Removal of the current roadway began on the west side of Hereford and will
move east as the project progresses.
“Drainage will be addressed first, followed by resurfacing the roadway,” Britsch said. “Crews are working on multiple lanes at a time.”
Repairs for the subbase and base involve cement-treating the subgrade and installing flex base. Three different types of asphalt are being used: dense-grade, Superpave and stone matrix asphalt (SMA).
The heavy equipment in use includes Cat 336s excavators with buckets, Cat 938M dozers, loaders, rollers, mixers, milling machines and lay-down machines.
The storm sewer and drainage improvements are a crucial aspect of the work.
“Crews are installing drainage that will hold a larger capacity than what’s currently there,” said Britsch, who pointed out that the infrastructure is being placed at various locations on both sides of the road.
“Earthwork and excavation are necessary when it comes to replacing and installing the necessary drainage for a large-scale project such as this one.”
Existing sewer pipes are being kept in place. The box culverts, inlets and RCP pipe being used for the project are prefabricated elements.
The drainage work has operators using excavators and temporary trench protection.
The ADA aspects of the project, including sidewalks, will be completed in their particular areas as the work moves from west to east.
Average days have more than 15 J. Lee Mulligan and subcontractor employees on site. The major subcontractors are Alamo Brothers, Apollo Constructors, Barricades Unlimited, HJC Farms, TRP Construction and Wolfe Construction.
Approximately 129,000 sq. yds. of existing roadway are expected to be removed.
“A portion of the existing asphalt will be recycled into the new asphalt that will be laid down,” Britsch said.
New materials are expected to include 150,000 sq. yds. of flex base, 17,000 tons of dense-grade hot mix, 58,000 tons of Superpave hot mix and 22,000 tons of SMA.
J. Lee Milligan owns a considerable fleet that is maintained and updated as pieces of iron reach their replacement point. Mechanics are brought in as needed.
The firm said it buys and
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