Published Nationally
Western Edition
$3.00
® May 3 2026 Vol. XXVII • No. 9
“The Nation’s Best Read Construction Newspaper… Founded 1957.” 470 Maryland Drive • Ft. Washington, PA 19034 • 215-885-2900 • Toll Free 800-523-2200 • www.constructionequipmentguide.com
Inside
PCH Landslide Repair Requires Innovation When the team at Granite Construction took on a project to fix Regent’s Slide that nearly wiped out State Route 1 — also known as the Pacific Coast Highway — near Big Sur, they knew it would be difficult. The job was part construction, part mountaineering. The team members pressed ahead, not knowing they would have to use techniques they had only read about. Still, the Granite team wrapped up the difficult project in mid-January 2026, months ahead of schedule. The slide, caused by heavy rains in the Big Sur area, wrecked the road, the main route for residents to get life’s necessities. Granite worked closely with Caltrans and other contractors who specialized in stabilizing steep embankments. Granite also worked hand-in-hand with Caterpillar reps to provide remote-controlled equipment for this challenging project. Even a casual observer could tell this was no ordinary job by the presence of a Boeing CH-47 Chinook heavy-lift helicopter. The helicopter was essential for ferrying equipment, gasoline, water and other essentials down the hillside from a fire road to the precarious perch where the workers and machines kept busy with their tasks. The Chinook brought up to 23,000 lbs. of equipment each trip down the hillside. Regent’s Slide closed about 7 mi. of S.R. 1 with a repair cost of $50.2 million. By Chuck MacDonald CEG CORRESPONDENT
National Equipment Dealers Opens in Elgin...8
Komplet Expands Western U.S. Distribution....12
Terramac Adds Western States Cat to Network...16
Contractors brought in John Henry Drills to drive steel bars, some up to 60 ft. long, in a 10-ft.-by-10-ft. grid. This pattern linked the layers of the hillside together and reduced the risk of future slides onto the highway some 400 ft. below.
see LANDSLIDE page 36
Table of Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Attachments & Parts Section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18-21 Concrete Pouring, Paving & Placement Section . . . . . .22-23 Truck & Trailer Section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24-27 Aggregate & Recycling Section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31-35 Auction Section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48-53 Business Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50 Advertisers Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54
The Hidden Costs of Poor Safety Training Fewer Incidents, Lower Operating Costs, Happier Crew Improve Bottom Line By Lucy Perry
Safety both on the job site and in the equipment yard makes financial sense. It’s both socially responsible and good business. Contractors who invest in sound safety training see a noticeable return on investment. Their business image in the community and the industry improves as they Adobe Stock photo comply with standards and regulations. The bonuses, though, Lower incident rates also reduce a conare cost savings, efficient operations and employee satisfac- tractor’s experience modification rate, tion. directly influencing workers’ compensa-
CEG CORRESPONDENT
see SAFETY page 44
tion insurance premiums.