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Summer 2007 • A Publication of the Alabama Road Builders’ Association ROADBUILDER ROADBUILDER THE ALABAMA THE ALABAMA Where Will the Money Come From? A New American Transportation Vision: “Critical Commerce Corridors” Insurance Carriers Are Limiting Exposure to Liability for Construction Defects Member Profile: Hanson Pipe & Precast Finding More Resources for Alabama’s Road Construction

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Summer 2007 • A Publication of the Alabama Road Builders’ Association

ROADBUILDERROADBUILDERTHE ALABAMATHE ALABAMA

Where Will the Money Come From?

• A New American Transportation Vision: “Critical Commerce Corridors”

• Insurance Carriers Are Limiting Exposure to Liability for Construction Defects

• Member Profile: Hanson Pipe & Precast

Finding More Resources for Alabama’s Road Construction

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The Alabama Roadbuilder • Summer 2007 5

ROADBUILDERSummer 2007 • A Publication of the Alabama Road Builders Association

THE ALABAMA

CONTENTSExecutive Director’s Message .................................... 7

President’s Message ...................................................9

From the Alabama Department of Transportation .................................11

Where Will the Money Come From? Finding More Resources for Alabama’s Road Construction ................................13

Hall of Fame 2007 ....................................................18

2007 Legislative Session in Review ........................27

A New American Transportation Vision: “Critical Commerce Corridors” ............................. 29

Avoiding Risks: Insurance Carriers Are Limiting Exposure to Liability for Construction Defects ...............................................31

Picture Perfect Day: Spring Fling 2007 ................................................... 34

Member Profile: Hanson Pipe & Precast .......................................... 36

Heard Along the Highway ..................................... 38

Index to Advertisers .................................................41

ARBA OFFICERS, DIRECTORS & STAFF

PresidentTIM MULLENDORE

Vice PresidentGREG ABRAMSON

TreasurerSONNY BUNN

SecretarySHERMAN SUITTS

Immediate Past PresidentJOHNNY WALTON

Directors 2006-2007KEITH ANDREWSRANDY BILLINGSLEYTERRY BUNNRANDY BUTLERBOB DAWSONCRAIG FLEMINGJOHN FULLERLEE GROSSJOHN HARPERMITCHELL HARRISDAVE JONESMICHAEL MCCARTNEYTIM MCINNISKEITH (TAC) MIMSFRANK MURPHREECHRIS NEWELLDAVE REEDIKE SCOTTPAUL B. SCOTT, JR.JIM WAITZMAN, JR.NORMAN WALTONCHARLES E. WATTS, JR.PAUL WEAVER

Published for:Alabama Road Builders Association630 Adams AvenueMontgomery, AL 36104(334) 832-4331Fax: (334) 265-4931www.alrba.org

STAFF

EXECUTIVE DIRECTORBILLY [email protected]

COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTORTERRI [email protected]

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTSHIRLEY [email protected]

Published by:

Naylor, LLC5950 N.W. 1st PlaceGainesville, FL 32607(352) 332-1252 or(800) 369-6220Fax: (352) 331-3525www.naylor.com

PUBLISHERKathleen Gardner

EDITORRobin Lamerson

PROJECT MANAGERTom Schell

PUBLICATION DIRECTORRick Sauers

ADVERTISING SALESJason Dolder, Joe Herchel, Susan Maracle, Rick Sauers, Jamie Williams, Chris Zabel

MARKETING ASSOCIATEJessica Craik

LAYOUT AND DESIGNJoel Yap

ADVERTISING ARTLesley Helash

©2007 Naylor, LLC. All rights reserved. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced by any means, in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of the publisher..

PUBLISHED JUNE 2007/ALR-Q0207/6133

322951OMI Industries

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The Alabama Roadbuilder • Summer 2007 7

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE

TAKING CARE OF ALABAMA’S ROADS AND BRIDGESBY BILLY NORRELLARBA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

WE ARE FRESH OFF the heels of a legisla-tive session that saw several vehicles that would have pumped some much-needed resources into the state’s road and bridge program come and go with-out so much as a whimper. This is indeed a missed opportunity.

While it may not be politically popular to sup-port increasing fees or taxes, the one thing you can usually count on to be a good return on your money are infrastructure improvements. Lives are saved, jobs are created, economic development results, communities grow and expand when new roads and bridges are built – the list could go on and on. It is indeed unfortunate that many times issues that have absolutely nothing to do with what is trying to be accomplished can spell doom for an initiative that means so much to our state.

If we have heard about congestion once, we have heard about it a thousand times. Conges-tion requires not just maintenance of our existing roads, but the creation of new arteries for traffic and additional lanes for the main ones we cur-rently have bursting at the seams. But without the funds to create such new capacity, we will con-tinue to allow the problem to develop. ALDOT officials have stated that they are spending more of their existing funds on maintenance and reha-bilitation projects due to a decrease in federal funding. The federal road and bridge trust fund is projected to be out of money before this high-way bill expires in 2009.

The Alabama Department of Public Safety reports that at least 1,208 people died in crashes on Alabama roadways in 2006, and that number is expected to grow. Life is so precious that we must do everything we can to ensure the safety of our loved ones as they go about their busy days. Our highway safety needs are growing, and Alabama’s elected officials must address these needs to ensure

the motoring public’s safety. This requires that we not only sup-port legislation to ensure the safety of the traveling public, but that we use every gas tax dollar toward improv-ing and expanding our roads and bridges and, most important of all, that we raise more.

Nationally, the trend has been strongly support-ive of transportation initiatives. Americans in 14 states voted on at least 30 transportation funding related initiatives in the 2006 fall elections. 28 of the 30 ballot measures asked the voters to initiate, extend or increase taxes, approve bonds or fund transportation improvements. On average, voters approved the winning measures by 66 percent. ARTBA estimates that these efforts will provide nearly $40 billion nationally in needed revenue for transportation work.

The public has said, through these votes, that they are willing to pay more for transportation improvements if they have the confidence that the revenues are used properly and appropriately to address the mobility issues we face every day. ALDOT has stated that there is a growing gap between what we anticipate receiving in revenues and what the needs are for all Alabamians. Positive discussions have already been taking place through the Speaker of the House’s Infrastructure Commis-sion, the Transportation Means Business Confer-ence in Montgomery, the work of Manufacture Alabama to promote the great infrastructure needs in our state, and countless other gatherings of state leaders to discuss the problems we are facing. It is time for political courage to take center stage in Alabama, as other states have done, and address the funding needs of our transportation system. It’s time to move forward. ❏

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The Alabama Roadbuilder • Summer 2007 9

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

YOUR ASSOCIATION CONTINUES TO WORK FOR YOUBY TIM MULLENDOREAPAC-SOUTHEAST

ADDRESSING ALL THE ISSUES that face our industry is a 24/7 process. Between constant efforts to improve (and protect) our funding, fighting leg-islative battles at the statehouse on your behalf, working to elect and reelect our friends, answering transportation-related questions and requests from leaders throughout the state and the nation and tack-ling all the other items that seem to appear out of the blue, one can really understand the reasons we unite under the name of the Alabama Road Builders Association.

We have had the pleasure of meeting with Gov-ernor Bob Riley a number of times this year to discuss the transportation contractor liability legis-lation that we brought forth again this regular ses-sion. I cannot tell you how gratifying it is to know we not only have the ability to ask for these meet-ings with the Governor, but that he is so willing and interested in finding a solution to this predicament. While we realize this will not be a quick fix, we are comforted in the fact that the Governor and ALDOT Director Joe McInnes and their staff are willing to listen and work with us to find a solution.

ALDOT leadership has also been extremely giv-ing of their time to address issues of concern to our industry. We have held numerous meetings with bureau chiefs and front office leaders to discuss a number of matters including timely job closeouts,

specification changes and additional legis-lation of concern to our membership. We have been included in discussions about upcoming projects, possible fund-ing challenges that face the department and ways to improve the system in the field for our members as well as those ALDOT employees we work with so closely all over the state. These discussions have proven to be invaluable, and the courtesy that the leaders at ALDOT have shown by their participa-tion is extremely encouraging. We are fortunate to have such a healthy relationship between the industry and the department, and leaders who want to work to make the relationship the strongest it has ever been.

Answering the call for our members is what the Alabama Road Builders Association is all about. We collectively represent the largest economic development producing engine in the state. How-ever, we need to be united as an industry and speak with one unified voice. I encourage you to invite those friends with whom you work who are not ARBA members to join our ranks. It will only serve to make us stronger and more respected. I appreciate your support and continued involvement in our industry and association. ❏

Answering the call for our members is what the Alabama Road Builders Association is all about. We collectively represent the largest economic

development producing engine in the state. However, we need to be united as an industry and speak with one unified voice.

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The Alabama Roadbuilder • Summer 2007 11

FROM THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

THANKS FOR WORKING WITH US TO MAKE ALABAMA BETTERBY JOE MCINNES, TRANSPORTATION DIRECTOR, ALDOT

ROAD CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTE-NANCE can present many challenges for those of us at the Alabama Department of Transportation and for our partners in the road building industry. An emergency bridge repair on May 1 between Prattville and Montgomery brings to light the some-times-thankless work we share.

An ALDOT crew mobilized on the morning of Tuesday, May 1 to begin an emergency bridge deck repair on one of the interstate bridges between Montgomery and Prattville. The Department put out advanced publicity to the news media and deployed traffic control to taper traffic from three northbound lanes down to one to accommodate the equipment and personnel in the work zone.

Much as we expected, the traffic backup was more than a mile at times. We did everything pos-sible to minimize disruption by beginning the work after the morning rush period, and ending the work ahead of the evening rush period (when most of the I-65 traffic is northbound). The work went smooth-ly, the delays were minimal most of the day, and my office received only one complaint.

A member of my staff fielded the call. It was from a citizen who was incensed that his trip from Montgomery to Prattville took nearly an hour. He didn’t care that the bridge needed repairs to remain in use. He didn’t care that the work couldn’t wait. He didn’t care that his short-term inconvenience was the price for the continued

sa fe a nd rel iable access to the inter-state. He didn’t care that the work was nearly done when he drove through the work zone, and that the lack of activity he perceived meant that the majority of the workers were waiting for the steel plate to be bolted over the freshly-poured concrete so they all could begin breaking down the traffic control devices. He didn’t care that he traveled safely all the way home. And he wouldn’t allow a word in edgewise and finally digressed to profan-ity. Sometimes we can reel those callers in and explain things. Sometimes, like on May 1, we just apologize and hang up.

Yes, ours can be a thankless profession. The public takes for granted the convenience we have with Alabama’s more than 90,000 miles of local, state and U.S. highways. The public also takes for granted Alabama’s 950 miles of interstates, and the more than 48,000 miles of interstates that stretch like ribbons across America. And increasingly, our efforts to relieve congestion and plan for the future are met with opposition by people or groups who believe they know better than us how to plan for Alabama and America’s transportation needs.

The mission of the Alabama Department of Transportation is to provide the people of Alabama with a safe, efficient transportation network. As one of our top stakeholders, we know you share that mission and work

closely with us to ensure a safe transportation network.

12 The Alabama Roadbuilder • Summer 2007

302155Alabama Barricade

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The public also drives with abandon both in and out of work zones. Work zone crashes claim more than 1,000 lives each year across America; more than 75 percent are motorists rath-er than dismounted personnel in the work zone. And outside work zones, the annual death toll on our roadways is approximately 45,000 nationwide. The vast majority of these crashes are attributable to driver error, and more than half of all motor vehicle fatality victims are not wearing a seat belt.

The mission of the Alabama Department of Transportation is to provide the people of Alabama with a safe, efficient transportation network. As one of our top stakeholders, we know you share that mission and work closely with us to ensure a safe trans-portation network. Under Governor Bob Riley’s leadership, we continue to work on reducing interstate fatali-ties, to widen rural roadways in con-junction with resurfacing projects, and to finish projects to four-lane major

state highways in portions of Alabama where infrastructure development has been too slow coming.

We have reduced interstate cross-over crash fatalities by 75 percent with our guardrail and median barrier pro-tection projects, we are making Ala-bama’s highways safer by paying for overtime patrols using Alabama state troopers, and we are working diligent-ly to widen rural two-lane roads and complete major four-lane projects such as Alabama 157 in north Alabama and U.S. 431 in Russell County. In fact, Alabama 157 will be completed this summer after 43 years of “stop and start” construction. Just last summer, we finished U.S. 280 as a four-lane highway from Birmingham to Auburn after several decades of construction.

For all we accomplish together, we don’t get much thanks from the pub-lic. But still, I appreciate the working relationship we have that allows us to stand together and keep working to provide safer, better roads and bridges to the people of Alabama. We address our mission through our Five-Year Plan and our overall transportation planning process that seeks to keep new project development on track. We are making good use of the available state and federal funds, and we will continue being good stewards of the public purse.

Part of that stewardship is achiev-ing three consecutive record lettings, most recently nearly $800 million for FY 2006. Also in 2006, we received our second perfect property audit, accounting for more than 33,000 piec-es of equipment valued at a combined $400 million.

Together, we do good work and pro-vide a valuable service to the people of Alabama. We may not hear many words of thanks from the traveling public. In fact, most of the time when anyone bothers to give us feedback at ALDOT, we get an earful of pro-fanity rather than a kind word. But I don’t ever want to be guilty of not say-ing thanks to you, of not telling you I appreciate your partnership with us. Thank you, Alabama road builders, for working with us to make Alabama better. ❏

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GAS TAX UPDATE

Where Will the Money Come From?Gas tax revenue is flat. More and more cash is being used to match federal funds. How will Alabama find more resources to fund road construction and maintenance?BY JIM ROSS

Alabama continues to have the same old problem: finding a way to pay for building and

maintaining roads and bridges with existing revenue sources. The current system simply

doesn’t provide enough money to keep up with the state’s needs.

The Alabama Roadbuilder • Summer 2007 13

14 The Alabama Roadbuilder • Summer 2007

189936Martin Marietta Aggregates

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pg. 14

The 18-cent state gas tax, as is well known, hasn’t increased since 1992. As vehicles get more fuel efficient, revenue from that already-inadequate tax will slide. Indeed, gas tax receipts dipped almost 1 percent between 2005 and 2006. It should be noted that the motor fuels tax brought in 6.8 percent more revenue during that same time. But still, the overall trend isn’t good. Gas tax revenue is flat, at best, and shows little sign of growing: Since 1993, gas tax revenues have grown an average of only 1.1 percent annu-ally and motor fuel tax revenues have grown an average of 4.9 percent annu-ally.

The association is backing an effort to index the gas and motor fuel taxes. The indexing formula consid-ers changes in construction material prices and taxable fuel consumption. The goal: to provide adequate rev-enue to meet inflationary pressures on the cost of roadway construction and maintenance while taking into account the implicit revenue growth from any increase in fuel consumption.

The proposed indexing formula uses 1993 as the base year because that was the first year after the last 5-cent per gallon gas and motor fuel tax was implemented by the Legislature. These increases allowed Alabama to match an increase in available federal highway funds and adequately fund a state roadway maintenance program.

But the state, obviously, has not kept pace on its end. Federal Highway funds apportioned to Alabama have increased more than 100 percent – an average of 8.1 percent annually – since 1993, requiring twice as much state “match” funding. Inflationary pres-sures have eroded the state’s ability to consistently fund an adequate state

302158Apache Construction

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The Alabama Roadbuilder • Summer 2007 15

roadway maintenance program while continuing to meet its match require-ments.

Meantime, construction costs have skyrocketed. Material costs are up 83.6 percent since 1987, Alabama DOT estimates. The value of contracts is going up (more than $700 million in 2006), but actual project numbers are decreasing. In 2005, the number of projects dipped to 307; in 2002, the number was 451. There was a rebound in 2006 (344 contracts let); still, the numbers are way down. Concrete, asphalt and steel are just much more expensive these days, and it’s taking a toll on the bottom line.

Despite efforts to get an increase in the gas tax, or at least to achieve an indexing plan, nothing has changed. That’s why most experts – including, during an April speech in Alabama, former U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta – say it’s unwise for the state to rely heavily on gas tax revenue.

Can the feds help? Perhaps. Despite the realities described above, Alabama has never left any federal money on the table and has always procured the necessary match to draw down cash from Washington D.C. But federal money comes with strings, and some-times you wonder whether the state matching money might have been bet-ter spent elsewhere. For example, fed-eral rules might require building a shoulder that might not be necessary and wouldn’t be built if it were up to the state.

In any event, the U.S. government is facing funding problems of its own: The Wall Street Journal reports that, by 2009, “the tax receipts that make up most of the federal highway trust fund will be $21 billion shy of what’s needed just to maintain existing roads, much less build new roads or add capacity.”

So, if the state won’t make signifi-cant changes in the revenue stream and the federal government’s ability to help is limited, then where will the money come from? The state’s road needs certainly aren’t diminishing; to the contrary, they are as great as ever.

Perhaps the most promising idea

107300Long-Lewis Sterling

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pg. 15

is creating a system for public-private partnerships. Private entities can pay a fee to build, maintain and operate a toll road. If traffic volume doesn’t meet expectations, the state could step in and pay a “shadow toll” to the developer. Likewise, an existing road could be ceded to a private entity for a similar arrangement.

This would require a major legisla-tive change. But Gov. Riley already has signaled his willingness to study the concept. It has proven success-

ful in Chicago, where a private group paid $1.83 billion to operate a por-tion of the expressway system. Since early 2005, the private group has been responsible for all operating and main-tenance costs and has received all toll and concession revenue. This was the first long-term lease of an existing toll road in this country, according to the Federal Highway Administration.

Closer to home, Florida and Geor-gia are well on the way to establishing similar systems. The concept has been

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16 The Alabama Roadbuilder • Summer 2007

advent of fuel-efficient vehicles turned the concept on its head: One driver might use significantly more gas (and pay more tax) for driving the same amount of miles as another driver.

Still, the Oregon idea has some stumbling blocks. It would take time and effort to get vehicle manufacturers to install the mileage devices. Out-of-state drivers would continue paying a gas tax. And the incentive to buy fuel-efficient cars would be diminished: Why bother spending more when you pay just as much tax as the guy driv-ing the 1989 gas guzzler?

As always, we look to the legisla-tive and executive branches of state government to aggressively seek solutions to the funding issues. This isn’t just important to road builders, this is important to all Alabama resi-dents. Maintaining a first-rate system of roads and bridges is essential for safety, economic health and overall growth, and it’s incumbent on all of us to keep looking for ways to make the situation better. ❏

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shown to work for newly constructed roads and for existing ones.

For an even more radical approach to revenue generation, check out Ore-gon. That state recently completed a pilot project of what would be the ulti-mate user fee: one that is based on miles driven. Officials placed GPS and electronic odometers in some vol-unteers’ cars. They filled up at special gas stations, where the pumps took out a 24-cent-a-gallon gas tax, plus a 1.2 cent fee assessed for every mile on the

road, according to a Wall Street Jour-nal report.

Bill Flowers, Alabama DOT, has been in touch with Oregon officials and is monitoring their experiment. And he’s not alone. To some degree, most states are grappling with the same issues as Alabama and are look-ing for creative ways to bring in rev-enue.

The Oregon experiment is attractive because, like a toll, it is a true user fee. Fuel taxes once were like that, but the

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The Alabama Roadbuilder • Summer 2007 17

320466The Rodgers Group

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Honoring the The Alabama Road Builders Hall

of Fame was created in 2002

by several visionary members

of the Alabama Road Builders

Association’s board of directors.

Patterned after Alabama’s engineering

hall of fame, our intent to honor the

leaders and pioneers of Alabama’s

transportation construction industry

has taken a giant leap toward this

success with the installation of its fifth

class in April 2007.This special event was held in

Montgomery at the Montgomery Country Club on April 11, 2007, and featured another class of families that were and continue to be the back-bone of our industry and association from its infancy to the billion-dollar economic engine that helps drive our state’s economy. The intent of the Hall of Fame is to remember and honor all those individuals who have been instrumental in the establishment of today’s transportation construction environment, while giving the indi-viduals and their families a chance to re-establish relationships from long ago by visiting with industry friends at this special occasion.

The ballroom of the Montgomery Country Club was packed to capac-ity, with more than 200 special guests

HALL OF FAME

18 The Alabama Roadbuilder • Summer 2007

LegendsAlabama Road Builders 2007 Hall of Fame Ceremony

HALL OF FAME SPONSORSMurphree Bridge Corp.

East Alabama Paving Co., Inc.

R.R. Dawson Bridge Co., Inc.

Newell Roadbuilders, Inc.

Dunn Construction Co., Inc.

Volkert & Associates, Inc.

S T Bunn Construction Co., Inc.

Turner Insurance & Bonding Co., Inc.

Tractor & Equipment Co., Inc.

Strada Materials, LLC

S.A. Graham Co., Inc.

Wiregrass Construction Co., Inc.

Racon, Inc.

G.W. Norrell Contracting Co., Inc.

McCartney Construction Co., Inc.

Thompson Tractor Co., Inc.

Charles E. Watts, Inc.

Vulcan Materials Co., Inc.

Hines, Ridolphi, Carper & Aman, LLC

SRM Aggregates

APAC-Southeast, Inc.

Ozark Striping Co., Inc.

John G. Walton Construction Co., Inc.

Edwin M. Dixon

The Alabama Roadbuilder • Summer 2007 19

20 The Alabama Roadbuilder • Summer 2007

328557Southland International

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pg. 20

326918Dunn Construction Company

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pg. 20

for the momentous event. An opening reception allowed all those present to mingle about, see friends and review photos from the Alabama Road Build-ers Association archives.

Mr. M.B. McCartney, chairman of the Hall of Fame board of directors, welcomed all those in attendance and gave a description of his vision for the Hall of Fame. He also thanked the sponsors of the event for help-ing ensure that the ceremony would be a success. He next introduced Dr. Dan Turner, director of the University Transportation Center for Alabama at the University of Alabama, who served as emcee for the remainder of the ceremony. Mr. Bill Page then blessed the meal that had been served to the attendees.

In creating the format of the event, the Hall of Fame board of directors worked during the latter part of 2002 and early 2003 to fashion a ceremony that was reflective of both the past his-tory of the transportation construction industry in Alabama as well as those

who had an instrumental part in the creation of the Alabama Road Build-ers Association. At the same time, the board also wanted to include several deserving honorees who could enjoy being a part of the actual ceremony as it was taking place.

Selecting from a list of applicants that was submitted by the membership of the Alabama Road Builders Asso-ciation, the Hall of Fame board came up with the inaugural slate of honor-ees for the 2003 class of the Alabama Road Builders Hall of Fame.

The honorees for the class of 2007 are:

William A. Hughes, Sr.William E. PageRoger BassSamuel Barrow Murphree, Sr.*Ralph E. CompagnoS. A. Graham*Our thanks go out to the families of

all the honorees for the class of 2007. We appreciate all their support and assistance as we prepared biographical information on each of the inductees.

The cooperation between the families and our association staff was tremen-dous and made the creation of this program a delight.

In addition to the support of our Alabama Road Builders Association membership, we would also like to thank the board of directors of the Alabama Road Builders Hall of Fame. Their dedication and commitment to see this project through, culminat-ing in the ceremony described in this article, is a testament to the hard work and dedication they showed as we met time and again to prepare this inaugu-ral event.

We encourage all members of the transportation construction family and the Alabama Road Builders Asso-ciation to actively participate in the support and continued success of this annual event. We ask that you provide potential candidates for this honor at the appropriate time so they too may be considered for addition in the Ala-bama Road Builders Hall of Fame.

Congratulations to Roger Bass and the ot her 2007 Alabama Roadbuilders

Hall of Fame Rec ipients!

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The Alabama Roadbuilder • Summer 2007 21

324267Abramson LLC

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pg. 21

323985S.A. Graham

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pg. 21

Roger Bass was born in Grace-ville, Fla., in 1945 and graduated from Poplar Springs High School in Holmes County, Fla., in 1962. He worked for the Florida Road Depart-ment in Chipley from 1962-1964. During this time, he also was a “Top 40” disc jockey at WBGC Radio in Chipley.

In 1964, Bass returned to school. For three years he pursued an under-graduate degree in pre-medicine. In 1967, he decided to switch his major to building construction. While fin-

ishing school at the University of Florida, he served as president of the student chapter of the Associ-ated General Contractors of America (AGC). He graduated in 1969 with a bachelor’s degree in building con-struction.

In June 1969, Bass went to work with Couch Construction Co. in Dothan, Ala. His first job was as estimator in the Private Works divi-sion. Two years later, he began bid-ding highway construction projects in Alabama, Georgia and Florida. In 1973, he was promoted to gen-eral manager of Couch Urban Ser-vices, where he was responsible for Dothan-area asphalt construction, ready-mix concrete and sand manu-facturing. Bass left Couch in 1975.

In 1976, Bill Pritchard, who was then president of Southern Ready Mix, asked Bass to move to Bir-mingham and manage the company’s aggregate division. Bass was with SRM only a year, but his friendship with Pritchard continues today.

In November 1977, Bass joined Dunn Construction Co. as Alabama road division manager. When Bass joined Dunn in 1977, sales in his a rea of responsibi l ity were less than $5 million. When he retired as chairman in 2003, sa les had increased 30 fold and Dunn had become a significant regional high-way contractor.

During his career in the Alabama h ighway const r uct ion indust ry, Bass served on the boards of direc-tors of the Alabama Road Build-ers Association and the Alabama Asphalt Pavement Association. He is a past president of AAPA and ARBA. He presently serves on the board of directors of the Alabama Road Builders Hall of Fame. He has served as chairman on numerous industry committees and on other community and professional boards.

In 2003, Bass retired from full-time service in construction. Howev-er, he remains active in the Alabama highway construction industry. He is

Roger Bass

Congratulationsto the

Hall of Fame Class of 2007

from

Abramson, LLC

P.O. Box 170518Birmingham, AL 35217

S.A. Graham Company, Inc.www.sagraham.com

6965 U.S. Highway 231Post Offi ce Box 726

Brundidge, AL 36010

Offi ce: 334-735-2362Fax: 334-735-2363

E-mail: [email protected]

Congratulations tothe 2007

Hall of Fame Recipients

323985_SAGraham.indd 1 3/27/07 2:56:52 PM

22 The Alabama Roadbuilder • Summer 2007

222396Roadtech

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pg. 22

a minority partner in Mobile Asphalt Co. with his longtime friend, Randy Billingsley. He also owns Strada Materials, LLC, which markets con-struction aggregate in Alabama and is a member of the Alabama Road Builders Association. He is also active in political issues that affect the association and the industry.

Bass lives in Birmingham with his wife of 23 years, René. They have two daughters and five grand-children. They are his “most valu-able assets.”

Ralph Compagno was born and raised in New Orleans. He joined the Naval Reserve in 1943 and was activated and sent to Tulane Univer-sity as part of the V-12 Program. He graduated with a degree in civil engi-neering, then went to Midshipman School, where he was commissioned as an ensign in the Navy. After a short tour of duty, he was released and began working for various con-struction firms in the Louisiana and Mississippi areas.

Ralph was recalled to active duty in 1952-54 and was assigned to CBC Gulfport, Miss., as assistant public works officer and assistant resident officer in charge of construction. Prior to and during this time, the Navy sent him to CBC Port Hueneme, Calif., for additional education in “contract administration and labor relations.” After completing 20 years of service, he retired as LCDR CEC USNR.

During this time, he met M.C. Farmer, and upon his release from active duty, was employed by Farm-er Construction Co., Inc. With the beginning of the Interstate Highway Program in Mobile, M.C. Farmer, J.W. Laidlaw and Compagno formed FLACO Corp. FLACO completed work on I-65, I-10, I-65/10 Inter-change, Dauphin Island Parkway/Michigan Avenue I-10 Interchange and other heavy construction projects in the area. The corporation was termi-nated after 20 years of activity.

Ralph was not willing to retire at this time; he accepted a position with Radcliff Materials, Inc., which later became part of Dravo.

During this time, Ralph served as president of the Mobile County Road Builders Association, the Alabama Road Builders Association and the Society of American Military Engi-neers. He also served on the Director Contractor’s Division to the Ameri-can Road and Transportation Builders Association and was a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers. He also was chairman of the Road and Streets Committee, Alabama Section, of the Mobile Area Chamber of Com-merce.

Ralph also was in the Rotary Club

Ralph E. Compagno

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The Alabama Roadbuilder • Summer 2007 23

327385Scott Bridge

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pg. 23

164390ST Bunn Construction

1/4v

pg. 23

of Mobile, chairman of Cochrane Bridge Special Task Force Commit-tee of the International Trade Club. He was appointed by George C. Wal-lace as secretary-treasurer to the State Licensing Board for General Contrac-tors and to the Governor’s Adviso-ry Committee on I-210. He also was appointed as a Governor Committee Member Representing Industry on Gov. Guy Hunt’s Alabama Manage-ment Improvement Program of the Alabama Highway Dept.

Born in 1912, Simmie Austin Gra-ham was a native of Reeves Cross Roads near Brundidge, Ala. Having dropped out of school in the sixth grade, he learned about hard work early in life. He farmed in the Brun-didge community until 1931, when he moved to Columbus, Ga., to seek his fortune. He got a job working at Mus-cogee Cotton Mill and made a practice of saving his money.

In 1932, he was able to save $200, enough to marry Foy Carter, a native of Brundidge, and purchase a little hamburger stand that they ran. They sold hamburgers, hot dogs and chili for a nickel a piece.

After growing tired of the res-taurant business, he bought and ran a grocery store located near three Columbus cotton mills. He went door-to-door asking people to trade with him, and before long he had more business than he could handle. It wasn’t long before they purchased a home and their son was born.

They soon decided they wanted

to return home, so in 1943, they returned to Alabama and bought 140 acres and again started farm-ing near Brundidge. However, once again, Simmie found farming was not for him, so he bought a bull-dozer and started building ponds and performing construction work for people in the area.

From 1950-54, Simmie, with a par tner, Walter Bass, did land clearing, terracing and fish pond work, which led into highway and other miscellaneous construction. In 1954, Simmie incorporated his own company, S.A. Graham Co., Inc., in Brundidge. The company got it s f i rst Alabama Highway Department job in 1954, a second-ary road between Pine Level and Ramer. W.S. Newell was their sub-contractor, doing the concrete work. On the next job Newell received with the Highway Department, he returned the favor, subcontracting S.A. Graham Co., Inc., giving them the grading work. S.A. Graham

P.O. Box 2000Opelika, AL 36801

Phone (334) 749-5045Fax (334) 749-3936

Constructors/Engineers Since 1933www.scottbridge.com

Congratulations to the 2007

Hall of Fame Recipients

327385_scott.indd 1 4/23/07 2:18:11 PM

S T Bunn Construction Company, Inc.

205-752-8195

S T Bunn Construction Company is one of the oldest, familyowned construction businesses in the state of Alabama,founded in 1936.

Aside from actual pavement of roadways, S T Bunn operatesfour asphalt plants in the towns of Tuscaloosa, Demopolis,Fayette and Eppes. While most of the asphalt is utilized intheir own projects, some of the product is sold to othercontractors including state, county and municipal operations.

The company adheres to the codes of exemplary businessconduct and the highest quality construction materials andprocesses. The result of this family approach to quality pavingconstruction is visible for all to see on the interstates, roadsand parking lots of West Alabama.

24 The Alabama Roadbuilder • Summer 2007

327049Ready Mix USA

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pg. 24

282484East Alabama Paving

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pg. 24

The company has grown steadi-ly since. After graduating from Troy State University with a degree in business administration, his son, Rayvon, came to work with the com-pany. Machinery and construction were always his first love. He began working on machinery when he was 6. In 1962, Rayvon married the former Polly Griffin, of Troy, Ala., and she went to work with the company.

S.A. Graham served 16 years as a Pike County commissioner and served

as probate judge of Pike County for nine months to fill a vacancy that became open. He was the first high-way contractor to serve as a county commissioner. He served on the Ala-bama Licensing Board for General Contractors for a number of years and was on the board of directors for the Alabama Road Builders Association.

In 2004, S.A. Graham Co., Inc., celebrated its 50th year in business. The company has been a member of ARBA for more than 50 years.

Bill Hughes was born in Mont-gomery in 1934. He graduated from Sidney Lanier High School and enrolled at the University of Ala-bama. After graduating with a bach-elor’s degree in civil engineering, he served as an officer in the U.S. military. He participated in the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey in Alas-ka and also served in Florida and at other stations on the East Coast.

After two and a half years in the service, he returned to Alabama to join Warren Brothers in Birmingham. During his 10 years at Warren Broth-ers he progressed from estimator to superintendent to branch manager. While at Warren Brothers, he partici-pated in all phases of road construc-tion, including a very large interstate project. At that time, the 21-mile base and pave project on I-59/20 in Greene County was the largest single inter-state project let to contract by the Alabama Highway Department.

In 1968, Hughes joined Southeast Contractors and was a partner in one of the largest road construction com-panies in the South. During his time with the company, it was involved in all facets of heavy highway construc-tion throughout Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee.

In 1975, Bill moved back to Mont-gomery and purchased Capital City Asphalt Co. with Tom Coleman. Cap-ital City was a major player in the Montgomery area, with four asphalt plants. It was a significant produc-er of sand and gravel and had con-siderable grading capacity. Capital City Asphalt participated in several major road projects in central Ala-

William A. Hughes

327049_Ready.indd 1 5/15/07 9:40:31 AM

The Alabama Roadbuilder • Summer 2007 25

238968WW William

1/2vpg. 25

bama until the company was acquired by APAC in 1986. Hughes continued with APAC, serving as division presi-dent until his retirement in 1991.

Hughes has devoted countless hours to our industry. In Alabama, he served for years on the boards of directors of the Alabama Asphalt Pavement Association and the Ala-bama Road Builders Association. He was a member of most committees at various times and actively partici-pated in legislative efforts resulting in highway revenue increases. He was president of AAPA in 1973 and president of ARBA in 1983. He even served as interim executive direc-tor of ARBA for a brief period in 1997-98. From a national standpoint, he also served on the board of the American Road & Transportation Builders’ Association from 1987 until his retirement in 1991. Hughes is a registered professional engineer. He received an Outstanding Fellow Award from the University of Ala-bama Civil Engineering department in 1987. In 1988, he was awarded a Distinguished Engineer Fellow by the university’s School of Engineering.

Hughes has been married to Emily Bear since 1955. They have five children and 13 grandchildren. He is active in several civic and church activities in Montgomery.

Sam Murphree was born in Troy, Ala., to banker Joel Dyer Murphree II and Mary Elizabeth Barrow Mur-phree. He graduated from high school at Marion Military Institute in 1922. Due to his young age, he was not drafted into military service during World War I.

Murphree attended the University of Alabama for one year but returned home and worked as a bookkeeper at First National Bank of Troy for a year at a salary of $75 per month. He then determined that banking was not his calling and pursued a degree in civil engineering at Ala-bama Polytechnic Institute (Auburn University), graduating in 1927. His first job was as concrete quality assurance supervisor for Dixie Con-struction Co. (an Alabama Power

Co. subsidiary) on Lake Martin dam near Tallassee, Ala.

Murphree changed jobs in 1929 and became employed by Joe Frank Walters, of Troy, to supervise a con-crete paving job in Fort Smith, Ark. This employment also took him to jobs in Bridgeport, Tenn., and Bish-opville, S.C.

With the onset of the Great Depression and the emergence of asphalt paving, Murphree and Wal-ters split ways. During the height of

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the Depression, Murphree was unem-ployed for a couple of years. This period had a great impact on his eco-nomic attitude and helped develop his fiscally conservative nature.

Murphree and W.B. Goodwyn both became qualified as general contractors during the Depression period and decided to see if two struggling young contractors might do better as partners rather than competitors. They formed Goodwyn and Murphree, Inc., in 1935.

Goodwyn and Murphree closed during World War II due to men going into military service and the lack of civil road construction dur-ing the war effort. Murphree was too old to serve in this war and spent the war years operating Kilpatrick Oil Co. for a local Troy oil distributor friend, Ralph Kilpatrick, who was called into military service.

After World War II, Goodwyn and Murphree resumed the bridge contracting business, prospering during the 1950s primarily due to the bridge construction that became prevalent as part of the Jim Folsom era farm-to-market road program. With the beginning of interstate con-struction in the 1960s, Goodwyn and Murphree became active building interstate bridges in Alabama on I-65, I-59, I-10 and I-85. The company grew to well over 100 employees.

As interstate construction in Ala-bama became more and more com-petitive, Murphree and Goodwyn dissolved their business relation-ship in 1969. Murphree continued operating in the original company name until 1974, when the compa-ny changed its name to Murphree Bridge Corp. During the 1970s, this new company concentrated on I-10 construction in northwest Florida.

Sam turned the company over to his son, Tom, in 1976, officially retiring, but kept abreast of things nearly every day until he resigned from Murphree Bridge Corp.’s board of directors in 1997. The company has entered its third generation of family leadership with employees Andy Murphree, son of Tom Mur-phree, and Frank Murphree, son of

Sam Murphree, Jr., being the present principal owners.

Murphree was a devoted father, serving as scout master for his older son’s scout troop. He was head coach of his younger son’s little league baseball team and never missed any athletic event in which either son participated.

Murphree was a lifelong member of First Baptist Church of Troy. He mar-ried Melanie Walthall, of Newbern, Ala., in 1928, and the two were insepa-rable until her death in 1983. They had two sons, Sam Murphree, Jr. and Tom Murphree. He remarried in Septem-ber 1984 to Sara Graves, a local Troy widow. They lived together in Troy until his death in 2001 at age 98.

William E. (Bill) Page was born June 20, 1937, in Woodville, Ala. Upon graduating from Woodville High School in May 1954, Page enrolled in Jacksonville State Teach-er’s College, now Jacksonville State University. In the fall of 1955, he transferred to the Alabama Polytech-nic Institute, now Auburn Univer-sity, and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering in 1958.

Page began working summers with the Alabama Highway Depart-ment in 1956 as an engineer ing assistant doing field work and some draf t ing in the Scot tsboro dis-trict office. After graduating from Auburn, he was assistant project engineer for a major highway bridge across the Coosa River between Rockford and Verbena. Page subse-quently worked his way up through the ranks of the Highway Depart-ment, serving as project engineer,

resident (now distr ict) engineer, assistant construction engineer, state planning and program engineer, state construction engineer, state materi-als and tests engineer and assistant chief engineer, operations.

During this time period – June 1956 to December 1994 – Page served 20 highway/transportation directors (14 different individuals) and 14 governors (nine different individuals). He also served in the U.S. Army Reserves and retired at the rank of lieutenant colonel. He is a licensed professional engineer and land surveyor.

He has been on AASHTO’s Con-struction Subcommittee, Materials Subcommittee and Committee on Quality. He also has served on vari-ous project panels for the Transpor-tation Research Board, the National Council on Highway Research Proj-ects and as state coordinator for the Strategic Highway Research Pro-gram.

He was married to Dot Smith for 44 years until her death in 2001. They have two children, two grand-children and three great-grandchil-dren. In 2006, he married Ginger Marks Espy.

Page is a char ter member of Landmark Church of Christ in Mont-gomery and served on the Build-ing Committee from planning and construction of the initial facility through each new addition. Over the course of 20 years he served as a deacon, an elder, a Sunday School teacher and Wednesday night Bible study teacher. Page has been on numerous mission trips in the Unit-ed States for Landmark, more than half a dozen missions to Thailand and once to Malawi, Africa. He’s also made mission trips to Kentucky and Waveland, Miss., following Hur-ricane Katrina with Montgomery’s First Baptist Church.

Page volunteers for the Mont-gomery Area Council on Aging, delivering “Meals On Wheels” once a week, is on call for minor home repairs for its elderly clients and has assisted them with three annual fundraisers. ❏

William E. Page

The Alabama Roadbuilder • Summer 2007 27

FROM THE CAPITOL

2007 Legislative Session in ReviewARBA continues to work to protect and promote your best interests legislatively.

The House of Representatives passed

a number of transportation-related

bills that were supported by our

industry and ARBA. The Speaker of the

House had his Infrastructure Commission

working for the past year to come up

with a structural and financial legislative

package to improve the state system, and

they accomplished most of what they were

after.

The House passed the transportation commission bill, House Bill 64, before the midway point of the session, along with legislation transferring authority over state waterways (HB 119) and railroads (HB 280) to the Department of Transportation. Additional legislation allowing the state to enter public private partnerships to examine the creation of toll roads (HB 121) was also passed by the House.

The funding package followed and included a local county option bill (HB 164) allowing the addition on the state gasoline tax of up to six cents locally. Also included was a change in the point of taxation for gasoline and motor fuels called the “tax at the rack” bill (HB 749) by Representative Johnny Mack Mor-row (D-Red Bay). This legislation has the potential to capture a significant increase in the fuel collections for the state by reducing the number of locations that remit the taxes to the Department of Revenue and eliminating any fuel tax evasion that may be taking place. Other states have seen significant pickups in

their fuel tax collections when these bill shaves been implemented.

Representative Johnny Mack Morrow

28 The Alabama Roadbuilder • Summer 2007

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The ARBA-supported index-ing of motor fuel legislation (HB 787) by Represen-tative Mac Gipson (R-Prattville) was well received in the House, but was unable to be voted out of committee

because of a lack of support by certain members. We will continue to present these and other viable options to the

Legislature so they can implement long term solutions to the much-needed and heavily underappreciated infrastruc-ture in our state.

We continue to work toward the passage of liabil-ity legislation to limit road builder exposure to law-suits that seem to be more common these days. House Bills 382 and 383,

sponsored by Representative Victor Gaston (R-Mobile) were never debated before the House Judiciary Commit-tee because of strong opposition of this effort from the trial community. We will continue to work toward a resolution of the issue as our indus-try deserves protection for work they satisfactorily completed for the state. Many thanks go out to Governor Bob Riley and ALDOT Director Joe McInnes and their staff for their time-less efforts to work with us toward a resolution of this issue. A number of meetings took place with the leader-ship from the Governor’s office and ALDOT to try and find a solution to this crisis which impacts all taxpayers of Alabama. We will continue to press for a solution to this continuing prob-lem facing our industry.

Senate Bill 175 by Senator Larry Means (D-Gads-den) was an effort to restore the sales tax exemption for construction ma-terials, which had been temporarily repealed in 2004. Despite being de-

bated before the Senate Finance and Taxation Education Committee, it never received a vote and was unable to be sent to the fl oor for debate. We will continue to work to restore this exemption as well, which grows the road, school and government building construction programs for the state by not double-taxing materials as a part of the process.

Bills that would have diverted much-needed gasoline taxes to use for public transportation (HB 417) and given tax exemptions for biodie-sel products (HB 568) were defeated, preserving the limited resources we have to work with in the state road and bridge fund.

There were many issues of inter-est to our industry that were debated during the course of four months, and many more will follow. Please know we will continue to work to protect and promote the best interests of your Ala-bama Road Builders Association. ❏

Representative Victor Gaston

Senator Larry Means

Representative Mac Gipson

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The Alabama Roadbuilder • Summer 2007 29

ARTBA

BY T. PETER RUANE, PRESIDENT AND CEO, AMERICAN ROAD & TRANSPORTATION BUILDERS ASSOCIATION

A New American Transportation Vision:

America does not have the mod-ern, intermodal transportation system necessary to facilitate future robust economic growth, or to safely meet the mobility needs of U.S. citizens and businesses. Failure to address this fact will significantly impede the nation’s future competitiveness.

Now that I have gotten your atten-tion with this blunt assessment, I’d like to provide some additional con-text and highlight a proposal from the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) that is aimed at ensuring the U.S. improves and expands its surface transportation network to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

FREIGHT BOTTLENECKSIn ARTBA’s view, there is currently

no national strategy to facilitate the safe and efficient movement of freight. A January 2006, Federal Highway

Administration report illustrates the scope of the problem. The report, “An Initial Assessment of Freight Bottle-necks on Highways,” found that bottle-necks are causing truckers 243 million hours of delay annually. At a direct user cost of $32.15 per hour, the delay price tag for trucking companies is nearly $8 billion annually.

Between 1980 and 2004, U.S. vehi-cle miles traveled doubled, with truck travel increasing faster than auto-mobile travel in recent years. At the same time, total lane mile capacity increased only five percent. The result: growing traffic congestion at critical freight transfer points and in commu-nities across the nation. As we look to the future, the amount of freight ton-nage shipped on roadways by truck is projected to double by 2035 and truck-ing’s share of total freight tonnage is estimated to grow from 74 percent to 80 percent.

HARD REALITIES AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT’S ROLE

Given these hard realities and the fact there has been no vision for the nation’s surface transportation system from the federal government since 1956 when the Interstate Highway System construction program became law, a new approach to transportation planning is long overdue. The fed-eral government should take the lead, given its constitutional role in regulat-ing commerce among the states and with other nations. The U.S. Constitu-tion also requires the federal govern-ment to provide for national defense. To meet this responsibility, the gov-ernment must help facilitate the con-struction of efficient transportation facilities that expedite emergency and military mobilizations.

“CRITICAL COMMERCE CORRIDORS”In September 2006, ARTBA’s board

“Critical Commerce Corridors”

30 The Alabama Roadbuilder • Summer 2007

292163Southeast Materials

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pg. 30

137761Hines, Ridulphi, Carper & Aman

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pg. 30

of directors endorsed a new initia-tive focused exclusively on developing the capacity necessary to better facili-tate the movement of freight. ARTBA believes that in the next highway and transit reauthorization bill, due in 2009, the federal government must restructure these programs to address America’s current and future transpor-tation needs.

The result should be a holistic fed-eral surface transportation program that consists of two separate, yet equally important, components.

The ARTBA plan sees significantly expanded investment in the current core federal highway and transit pro-grams through the existing user fee structure. They must continue to be refined to address future safety and mobility priorities, particularly on the National Highway and Interstate Sys-tems.

To complement these programs, ARTBA’s “Critical Commerce Cor-ridors” (3C) initiative would create new user fee revenue mechanisms that would be exclusively focused on

a 25-year plan to upgrade and build a new generation of intermodal facili-ties aimed at vastly improving freight movement and the nation’s response in times of crisis or emergency. Where possible, the network would separate commercial traffic from passenger vehicles, which would help boost safe-ty and alleviate congestion for motor-ists. One of its hallmarks would be the extensive utilization of the latest in safety, communications and material technologies.

The 3C system should be defined through a process led by the U.S. Department of Transportation and that includes significant consultations with a wide variety of public and private stakeholders, such as state depart-ments of transportation, metropolitan planning organizations, the trucking and logistics industries, major port operators, representatives of interna-tional and domestic shippers, and the freight rail industry.

Such a collaborative process would be focused on producing a comprehen-sive assessment of the nation’s current surface transportation freight network and identifying the appropriate areas to add capacity. This same process would develop specific recommenda-tions to generate the revenues neces-sary to finance the new system and ensure the users would benefit from it. It would also be important that the user fees be statutorily protected so that the resulting revenue is not divert-ed for non-transportation purposes.

Other countries with aggressive eco-nomic objectives, such as China, recog-nize the need for a strong transportation infrastructure foundation. The ARTBA 3C plan offers a national strategy to help improve mobility and ensure future U.S. global economic strength. The Amer-ican people and business community deserve nothing less. ❏

Established in 1902, the Ameri-can Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) is the transpor-tation construction industry’s most respected voice in the nation’s capital. The Alabama Road Builders Associa-tion is ARTBA’s affiliated chapter in the state.

Hines, Ridolphi, Carper & Aman, Inc.Specializing in the Construction Industry

InsuranceContract Surety

Risk Management

Birmingham Location Montgomery Location

3415 Independence Drive 4137 Carmichael RoadSuite 219 Suite 330

P.O. Box 531310 Montgomery, AL 36106Birmingham, AL 35253 Ph.: 334.272.6200

Ph.: 205.879.1945 Fax: 334.272.4705Fax: 205.879.1946

The Alabama Roadbuilder • Summer 2007 31

LEGAL

Avoiding Risks

BY MAC B. GREAVES AND GRIFF TYNDALL

Construction is replete with a variety of risks. On any

construction project, the contractor always faces

the risk of performing faulty or defective work.

How does the contractor protect himself against this risk?

Clearly, hiring qualified and competent subcontractors and

practicing sound quality control measures aids in minimizing

the risk of defective work. Yet, history shows that even

the most prudent contractor will encounter disputes with

owners over defective construction. Often, these disputes

deteriorate into litigation, which presents the contractor

with not only the potential liability for the costs of repairing

the defective work, but legal fees and expenses as well.

The contractor’s primary “litigation” insurance, the commercial general liability (CGL) insurance policy, typi-cally provides the contractor with the best possible pro-tection against such costs. Recently, however, insurance carriers have begun to take steps to limit their exposure to costs associated with defective work.

Generally speaking, CGL insurance protects the con-tractor against damages associated with “bodily injury” and “property damage” arising out of the contractor’s acts or omissions. Thus, if a person is injured or tangible property is damaged as a result of the contractor’s operations, the CGL insurance carrier will step in, hire defense counsel for the contractor if necessary, and pay any damages awarded pursuant to a judgment received in litigation or a settlement between the parties. Does CGL insurance provide coverage for “property damage” to the construction work itself (i.e. defective work)? This question has been litigated for many years with inconsistent results.

Insurance carriers routinely argue that certain exclu-sions, often referred to as “business risk” exclusions, in the CGL policy are specifically intended to preclude cover-age for a contractor’s defective work. The carriers further reason that the CGL policy is not a performance bond and,

Insurance carriers are limiting their exposure to liability for construction defects.

32 The Alabama Roadbuilder • Summer 2007

301417Crumpler Plastic Pipe

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pg. 32

204487Chemical Lime

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accordingly, is not designed to protect against the risk of faulty or defective work. Despite the insurance industry’s arguments, however, the good news for contractors is that many courts have found coverage under the CGL policy for costs associated with repair-ing defective work. In response, many

insurance carriers are attempting to limit their liability for such costs by modifying the language of certain “business risk” exclusions contained in the CGL policy.

One of the primary exclusions relied upon by insurance carriers in denying coverage for costs associated with a contractor’s defective work is

exclusion “l” in the typical CGL poli-cy. This exclusion precludes coverage for:

“‘Property damage’ to ‘your work’ arising out of it or any part of it and included in the ‘products-completed operations hazard.’

“This exclusion does not apply if

the damaged work or the work out of which the damage arises was per-formed on your behalf by a subcon-tractor.”

In essence, this exclusion operates to exclude coverage for the costs of repairing defective work (or damage to the contractor’s otherwise proper-ly installed work caused by defective

work) which arise after the contractor has completed the work in his con-tract or the owner has otherwise put the project to its intended use. How-ever, the exception to the exclusion is as equally important as the exclusion itself. Note that if the damaged work or the work out of which the damage

arises was performed by a subcontrac-tor to the contractor, then the exclusion is not applicable at all. As the majority of general contractors today subcon-tract out most of the trade work, the exception contained in exclusion “l” often works to bolster the contractor’s argument that coverage exists for the costs and damages associated with

CGL insurance protects the contractor against damages associated with “bodily injury” and “property damage” arising out of the contractor’s acts or omissions. Thus, if a person is injured or tangible

property is damaged as a result of the contractor’s operations, the CGL insurance carrier will step in, hire defense counsel for the contractor if necessary, and pay any damages awarded pursuant to a

judgment received in litigation or a settlement between the parties.

The Alabama Roadbuilder • Summer 2007 33

325047Gerdau Ameristeel

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pg. 33

249828Sherman Dixie Concrete

1/3sq

pg. 33

repairing defective work. Unfortunate-ly, many insurers are now beginning to modify exclusion “l” via endorse-ment by deleting the subcontractor exception to the exclusion.

As the example below illustrates, the deletion of the subcontractor exception to exclusion “l” would all but eliminate the likelihood of cover-age under the CGL policy for con-struction defects:

After moving into a newly-complet-ed office building, the owner discovers several roof leaks, the result of poor installation by the roofing subcontrac-tor. The water intrusion has damaged not only the owner’s furnishings, but the drywall and carpet as well, all of which must be replaced in addition to the repairs to the roof. The owner makes demands upon the general con-tractor to repair the roof, as well as the interior work damaged by the water intrusion.

Because the property damage in the hypothetical above occurred after occupancy by the owner, the property damage would fall within the CGL’s

definition of the “products-complet-ed operations hazard” and would, consequently, trigger exclusion “l”. At first glance, the exclusion would apply to the costs of repairing the roof and replacing the carpet and drywall because each of those items would be considered “your work” under the general contractor’s CGL policy (which includes work performed by the general contractor’s subcontrac-tors). However, the exception to exclu-sion “l” is triggered because the “work out of which the damage arises” (e.g. the roof) was performed by a subcon-tractor to the general contractor. As a result, exclusion “l” does not apply and the carrier must rely upon other exclusions, if any are applicable, to deny coverage.

Clearly, in the absence of the exception to exclusion “l”, the exclu-sion would likely preclude coverage for any construction defect and, in the hypothetical above, the general con-tractor would not be afforded insur-ance protection against the costs of repair and replacement of its work, of

which costs could be significant. Con-tractors are urged to carefully review their CGL policies with their agents to obtain a complete understanding of what coverages are provided. ❏

Authors’ note: Questions or com-ments should be communicated to Mac B. Greaves or Griff Tyndall at Burr & Forman LLP in Birmingham, Alabama via email to [email protected] or [email protected], or via telephone to (205) 251-3000. This article is intended to provide general information concerning cer-tain aspects of insurance law. It does not constitute the rendering of legal, accounting, or other professional service and should not be used as a substitute for professional service in specific situations. If legal assistance or other expert assistance is required, the services of a qualified profession-al should be sought. If legal advice is sought, no representation is made about the quality of the legal services to be performed or the expertise of the lawyers performing such service.

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GOLF

THE 2007 ARBA SPRING Golf and Fishing tournament has come and gone, and we want to thank everyone for their outstanding participation in making this event one of the best ever. The weather was beautiful as we arrived this year on a Thursday in Orange Beach for the evening’s activities at Lester’s. A great number of golfers and fishermen – more than 35 fishermen – gathered for the evening’s seafood buffet dinner and creation of the scramble golf teams and fishing teams. This year, the marina of choice was Zeke’s Marina, and the weather order worked to perfection. Jeff Webb fashioned an excellent event that can only be compared to the latest ARBA social gathering, because each one seems to out perform the last. ALDOT representatives were on hand to join in the festivities, along with many bureau chiefs and many division and district engineers. Many thanks to these indi-viduals, along with all the other ALDOT employees who took time from their busy schedule to join us for this special occasion.

The scramble golf teams were created from a drawing containing players from skill level “A” through “D.” After the final golfers were put together, the fishing teams were listed on the big boards to show who would be in competition with each other for the “big fish” prizes. Lester’s did a masterful job of creating a seafood buf-fet fit for a group of hungry Alabama Road Builders. As the evening rolled along, everyone began making plans for their early morning rise and the start to a success-ful day of golfing and fishing.

Thursday morning in Orange Beach at the ARBA Spring Fling came with a per-fect weather pattern – sunshine. As the fishermen gathered at the marina at 7 a.m. to depart for a day of action, the captains prepared for a full day of excitement as the boats readied to head out toward the beautiful Gulf of Mexico for a day of suc-cessful fishing. Thanks to all the fishermen and women who participated in what was a record crowd of guests. We appreciate your support of the fishing rodeo!

At the same time, the golfers were gathering at the Cotton Creek course, a new location for the Spring Fling golf scramble. The Cotton Creek staff once again hosted a tournament that was orchestrated to perfection. The course was in immac-ulate condition, and with a record number of golfers on hand, was able to handle this overflow group.

The winners for the 2007 Spring Fling were as follows: Golf First Place – Gene Arnold, DeLane Hartzog, Mark Waites, Mike MurphreeLongest Drive – Jim Nebhut (both holes!)Closest to the Pin – Lee Gross, Bart HartsfieldCongratulations to all this year’s winners. A special thank you goes to Shirley

Banks and Terri Mitchell for their hard work on this event year after year. Please take the time to thank them for all they do to help make this event one of the most successful that ARBA puts on. ❏

Picture Perfect Day

Spring Fling 2007

34 The Alabama Roadbuilder • Summer 2007

Golf first place winners were Gene Arnold, DeLane Hartzog, Mark Waites and Mike Murphree.

The longest drive was won by Jim Nebhut (for both holes!). ☞

Closest to the pin were Lee Gross and Bart Hartsfield.

The Alabama Roadbuilder • Summer 2007 35

Hanson Pipe & PrecastMeeting the Unique Challenges of the Southeast Region

BY TERRI MITCHELL

MEMBER PROFILE

Hanson is an international building materials company and the largest

manufacturer of concrete products in North America. With facilities

throughout the U.S. and Canada, Hanson is a world leader and the single

source for everything from precast bridges and gravity pipe to cellular concrete

building panels and pressure pipe. Customers can expect the highest standards

from Hanson for projects large and small. State departments of transportation,

cities, counties, public authorities, the Army Corps of Engineers, airports and

private entities have all turned to Hanson for their building materials needs.

Hanson Pipe & Precast is part of Hanson Building Products North America, with more than 150 facili-ties and 7,100 employees, and its operations have been providing excel-lence since 1931. Hanson’s Southeast region, headquartered in Green Cove Springs, Fla., serves Alabama, Flori-da, Georgia, Mississippi, South Caro-lina and Tennessee. Manufacturing facilities are located throughout the region, and offer a complete line of products specifically tailored to meet the unique challenges of the region, including heavy rains, clay soil and more. At www.hansonpipeandprecast.com, visitors can get information on products and services available in the region, view case studies and project photos, download sales sheets and brochures, obtain technical informa-tion and read what clients are saying about Hanson.

In February 2007, Hanson Pipe & Precast announced the purchase of the assets of Sherman Industries Inc. Prestressed Concrete Division, a Pel-ham, Ala.-based manufacturer of pre-stressed bridge girders, precast bridge components, short-span rural bridge systems and various other heavy structural precast products. This 40-acre complex will be part of Hanson’s Southeast region and will expand the company’s capacity in the Southeast by providing bridge construction prod-ucts throughout Alabama, Georgia, Florida and Mississippi.

“ T h is acqu is i t ion i nc reases our commitment to customers in the Southeast region by providing another location to reach customers

(above) A bridge structure in Marion County, north of Birmingham, Ala., on the new I-22 connector from Memphis to Birmingham. Several hundred of these bridge girders are currently in place, serving the traveling public throughout Alabama and adjacent states.

(below) Built for CSX Railroad, this bridge is located in Bay St. Louis, Miss. and is CSX Railroad’s main east/west route in that area. Hurricane Katrina destroyed the original bridge. While all the other producers on the Gulf Coast were shut down for several weeks or months after the storm, Hanson was able to provide 540 60’-0” Modified Type IV Girders at a rate of 10 per day and delivered them at a rate of 10 per day from Pelham, Ala. to Bay St. Louis Miss. This bridge won the Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute’s “Best Non-Highway” Bridge Award and received second place in the Gulf South Prestressed Concrete Association’s “Top Projects 2005-2006.”

36 The Alabama Roadbuilder • Summer 2007

The Alabama Roadbuilder • Summer 2007 37

in the area’s growing communities,” said Joan Blecha, Hanson’s South-east region president. “The deal also expands our product line, offering our customers even more building solutions.”

Building with concrete has many advantages, especially when build-ing infrastructure with concrete pipe: Concrete costs less than plas-tic pipes to install, inspect and test. Historically, concrete is the most durable and sustainable material for infrastructure and major con-struction. It also has lower ongoing maintenance costs, and minimizes the risk of failure or early replace-ment. And, since concrete offers a broader variety of shapes, sizes and strengths, there is a greater chance that a project can be completed as planned, without the need for costly revisions, delays or custom fabrica-tion. Lower installation costs, less ongoing maintenance and reduced likelihood of future problems all add up to a lower total cost over the life cycle of a project.

When it comes to durability, ver-satility and long-term value, precast concrete pipe is the strongest pipe available. It can be designed and test-ed to resist any load required, making the expectation for precast concrete’s functional life twice as long as lesser materials. Precast concrete has the strength and flexibility to ensure the success of the most demanding appli-cations. Pipes are manufactured in a variety of sizes and shapes with sev-eral joints and seal options. There is also an array of linings and coatings that can handle the most aggressive environments. Plus, fittings and other special features can be designed and constructed to virtually any required alignment. Concrete continues to function long after a project’s design life is reached and maintains struc-tural integrity longer, which reduces the costs associated with repair and replacement.

Of all the products on the mar-ket, only one is certain to be around for generations to come: precast concrete. ❏

A winner of the Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute’s “Best Owner

Designed” Bridge Award and second place winner of the Gulf South

Prestressed Concrete Association’s “Top Projects 2004-2005” award,

this bridge was built as a replacement for a steel structure that was burned

when a tanker truck of diesel fuel overturned and exploded underneath

it. Located in downtown Birmingham, this structure was built with the

longest Bulb Tee single span in the state, at 134 feet. The bridge was torn down and rebuilt in a record 37 days

due in large part to Hanson being able to produce 36 beams and deliver

them in 17 days.

257010Interfi be Products

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pg. 37

307710Bengal Transport

1/4h

pg. 37

TM

Call today: 1-800-262-3771 — Fax : 440-248-2132www.inter f ibe.com

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We will serve our customers at a professional level others cannot and do so in a safe, effective, profi table and equitable manner.

307710_Bengal.indd 1 11/20/06 9:58:26 AM

38 The Alabama Roadbuilder • Summer 2007

ARBA DELEGATION VISITS WITH ALABAMA CONGRESSMEN AND SENATORSA group of Alabama Road Builder Asso-ciation leaders attended the Transportation Construction Coalition Fly-In the week of May 7 and had the opportunity to visit with many Members of the Alabama Congres-sional Delegation. Visits with Congress-men Jo Bonner and Spencer Bachus started the afternoon for a chance to discuss issues related to the future of the trans-portation construction program for t h e nation, and continued with a stop to see Alabama Senator Richard Shelby and his new Chief of Staff, Mike Brumas. A visit with Senator Jeff Sessions and the Senator’s Chief of Staff, Rick Dearborn, followed. Many t h a n k s t o those mem-bers who took the time from t h e i r b u s y schedules to be a part of this important annual event.

HEARD ALONG THE HIGHWAY

ARBA FALL GOLF TOURNAMENT, MONDAY OCTOBER 8, 2007, ARROWHEAD COUNTRY CLUBAnother great golf event is planned for this fall. Last fall, more than 200 golfers and guests joined ARBA for this fun event, and we expect another tremendous crowd this year. Mark your calendars today and be on the lookout for information about this fall tourna-ment. We will continue to play a scramble, and prizes will be award-ed to all the winning teams. Make plans to join us!

ROGERS’ GROUP MIKE AGEE NAMED FIRST A2 NSSGA GRASSROOTS ACTIVIST OF THE YEAR

On Feb. 28, Mike Agee, vice-president – gov-ernment affairs/market development of Rogers Group, Inc., was named National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association’s (NSSGA) first Aggre-gates in Action (A2) Activist of the Year during the Government Affairs Committee meeting held at NSSGA’s annual convention in San Francisco.

“Throughout 2006, Mike exemplified all that a committed grassroots activist should be—con-tacting legislators, providing feedback informa-tion to NSSGA, and taking an active role in NSSGA’s grassroots program by attending the annual fly-in and participating in conference

calls,” said NSSGA’s Vice President of Government Affairs Pam Whitted. “In addition, Mike worked to advance silica medical criteria model legis-lation in several states. In fact, he was unable to receive his award in per-son as he was in yet another state supporting efforts there to pass a silica medical criteria bill.”

Agee joined the Rogers Group in 1983 as a general superintendent for construction in Nashville. He became a vice-president for the company in 1987. Since that time, he has held various general management positions with Rogers Group in Alabama, Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee. In 2004, Agee assumed the role of vice-president – government affairs/mar-ket development. He works legislative issues at the federal, state and local level in Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee.

Agee has also served on the Board of Directors of NSSGA as chair-man of the Government Affairs Division during the passage of the current Federal Highway Bill. For the past two years, Agee has been involved in promoting state legislation dealing with the silica issue.

Agee graduated from David Lipscomb University in 1977 with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics. He began his career as an educator and coach, but transitioned into the construction industry initially operating an asphalt plant for McDowell Enterprises in Franklin, Tenn.

PRESIDENT’S LUNCHEON AND ANNUAL MEETING The annual meeting and president’s lun-cheon is scheduled for Friday, Septem-ber 28, 2007, at the Montgomery Country Club. Make plans today to join us for this always-festive tradition as we honor our outgoing president, Tim Mullendore, and welcome incoming President Greg Abramson and his board of directors.

The Alabama Roadbuilder • Summer 2007 39

ARBA MEETS WITH SENATE LEADERSHIPARBA guests and leaders met with members of the Alabama Senate in North Alabama in early May to discuss issues of interest to our industry. The gathering was in Union Grove at the beautiful Cherokee Ridge golf club and included a lunch at Parches Cove wildlife preserve. We are very grateful to our friends in the Senate who have a sincere interest in maintaining and growing the most important economic engine in Alabama – our road and bridge system. Fellowship and good times were had by all who attended.

168428SRM Aggregates

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pg. 39

314834Alabama Guardrail

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pg. 39

292925National Cement

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pg. 39

PHOTOS FROM OUR MEMBERSShown here is a culvert being constructed in Marshall County by ARBA member Miller and Miller, Inc. Miller and Miller is located in Huntsville, Ala.

6772 Highway 79 NP.O. Box 728 • Pinson, AL 35126

Tel.: 205-681-3395 • Fax: [email protected]

Specializing in installation of highway guardrails, signs and fencing

314834_Alabamaguardrail.indd 1 2/16/07 6:00:25 PM

NATIONAL CEMENT “The Cement of Choice for Building Success” National Cement Company of Alabama, Inc.

A Vicat Company

2000 SouthBridge ParkwaySuite 600Birmingham, Alabama 35209Direct: (205) 423-2600Fax: (205) 870-5777

Aggregates, Inc.

SRM is a leading supplier of qualitycrushed stone.

Since its beginning in 1957, SouthernReady Mix, now SRM Aggregates, hascontinued to build its reputation on qualityproducts, people and dependable service.Call and let us assist you in solving yourconstruction material needs.

SERVING THE INDUSTRYFOR OVER 40 YEARS!

100 Corporate Parkway, Suite G-2Birmingham, AL 35242

Ph.: (205) 995-5900Fax: (205) 995-5901

303065Pile Equipment

1/2h

pg. 40

329523Blacklidge Emulsions

1/4v

pg. 40

323480Warrior Tractor & Equipment

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pg. 40

40 The Alabama Roadbuilder • Summer 2007

For John DeereSales and Service, Call On:

66 Industrial Park Dr.Monroeville, AL 36460

334/575-7111

2149 Hwy 31 SouthPelham, AL 35124

205/988-4472

2255 Hwy 21 SouthOxford, AL 36201

256/831-0921

6801 McFarland Blvd. WestNorthport, AL 35476

205/339-0300

Hwy 31 SouthAthens, AL 35611

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323480_Warrior.indd 1 3/26/07 9:52:47 AM

Visit our web site at PILE-EQP.NETE-mail [email protected]

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329523_Blacklidge.indd 1 5/22/07 1:36:59 PM

324116McPherson Companies

1/4v

pg. 41

249687Thompson Engineers

1/8h

pg. 41

316245Miracle Truck Sales

1/8h

pg. 41

INDEX TO ADVERTISERSAGGREGATESMartin Marietta Aggregates .................................14SRM Aggregates, Inc. ...........................................39

ASPHALT & ASPHALT PRODUCTSAPAC-Southeast, Inc. .............................................8

ASPHALT EMULSIONS OR EMULSIFYING AGENTSErgon Asphalt & Emulsions, Inc. .............................4

ASPHALT PAVERSRoadtec, Inc. ........................................................22

ASPHALT SEAL COATINGBlacklidge Emulsions, Inc. ....................................40

ATTORNEYSBurr & Forman LLP ...............................................42

CONCRETENational Cement Company ...................................39

CONCRETE PRODUCTSAbramson, LLC ....................................................21

CONSTRUCTION COMPANIESDunn Construction Company, Inc. ........................20S T Bunn Construction Company ..........................23

CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENTASC Construction Equipment USA, Inc. ..................3Cowin Equipment ....................... outside back coverPile Equipment, Inc. .............................................40

CRUSHED LIMESTONEThe Rogers Group, Inc. .........................................17

CRUSHED STONE/GRANITE/RIPRAPSoutheast Materials Corporation ..........................30

DRILLING & BLASTING CONTRACTORSApache Construction ............................................14

EARTHMOVING EQUIPMENTSnead Ag Supply A&M Sales ................................16

EARTHWORK/GRADINGS. A. Graham Company, Inc..................................21

ENGINEERING/ ARCHITECTSScott Bridge Company, Inc. ..................................23Thompson Engineering.........................................41

EQUIPMENT RENTAL & SALESThompson Tractor ................................................10Warrior Tractor and Equipment ............................40

FIBERSFiberand Corp. .....................................................17Interfibe Products ................................................37

FUEL & LUBRICANT SUPPLIESPetroleum Energy Products Company (PEPCO) ........................inside front cover

GUARDRAIL & HIGHWAY SAFETYAlabama Guardrail, Inc. ........................................39

INSURANCEMcGriff, Seibels & Williams ..................................28Truitt Insurance Agency, Inc. ................................16

INSURANCE & BONDSHines, Ridolphi, Carper & Aman, Inc. ...................30Turner Insurance & Bonding Company. .......................inside back cover

LIME/QUICKLIME/HYDRATED LIME SLURRYChemical Lime .....................................................32

LUBRICANTSThe McPherson Companies, Inc. ..........................41

ODOR CONTROL PROGRAMSOMI Industries ........................................................6

PAINT SUPPLIERSSafety Coatings, Inc. ............................................42

PAVING CONTRACTORSEast Alabama Paving Co., Inc. ..............................24

PIPE MANUFACTURED PRODUCTSCrumpler Plastic Pipe, Inc. ...................................32

PRECAST CONCRETE PRODUCTSSherman Dixie Concrete Industries ......................33

READY-MIXReady Mix USA, Inc. .............................................24

STEELGerdau Ameristeel ...............................................33

TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNAGEAlabama Barricade, Inc. .......................................12Protection Services, Inc. ......................................17

TRAILER MANUFACTURING – LOWBEDS, CUSTOMLiddell Trailers ......................................................42

TRUCK SALES, PARTS & SERVICESBengal Transportation ..........................................37Long-Lewis Sterling .............................................15Miracle Truck Sales ..............................................41Southland International Trucks, Inc. .....................20WW Williams ........................................................25

UNDERGROUND LINE LOCATORSAlabama One Call .................................................17

The Alabama Roadbuilder • Summer 2007 41

The McPhersonCompanies, Inc.Total Petroleum Management

“Serving Your Energy NeedsFuel, Lubricants, Waste Oil, Fuelman”

5051 Cardinal StreetTrussville, AL 35173

888-802-7500

[email protected]

Proud Member of ARBA

Medium & Heavy Trucks

Mike Currier

Flat Dumps, Box Dumps, Cabs & ChasisHeavy Work Trucks & Tractors

205 625-2435Fax: 205 274-9411

Oneonta, ALEmail: [email protected]

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42 The Alabama Roadbuilder • Summer 2007

300583Liddel Trailers

1/3h

pg. 42

ADVERTISER WEB ADDRESS PAGEAbramson, LLC .................................................NA .................................................................................... 21Alabama Barricade, Inc. ..................................www.alabamabarricade.com ........................................... 12Alabama Guardrail, Inc. ...................................NA .................................................................................... 39Alabama One Call .............................................www.al1call.com ............................................................. 17APAC–Southeast, Inc.......................................www.apac.com .................................................................. 8Apache Construction Corporation ..................NA .................................................................................... 14ASC Construction Equipment USA, Inc. .........www.volvoce.com .............................................................. 3Bengal Transportation .....................................www.bengaltransport.com .............................................. 37Blacklidge Emulsions, Inc. ..............................www.blacklidgeemulsions.com........................................ 40Burr & Forman LLP ...........................................www.burr.com ................................................................. 42Chemical Lime ..................................................www.chemicallime.com ................................................... 32Cowin Equipment .............................................www.cowin.com .....................................outside back coverCrumpler Plastic Pipe, Inc. ..............................www.cpp-pipe.com.......................................................... 32Dunn Construction Company, Inc. ..................www.dunnconstruction.com ............................................ 20East Alabama Paving Co., Inc. ........................NA .................................................................................... 24Ergon Asphalt & Emulsions, Inc. ....................www.ergon.com................................................................. 4Fiberand Corp. ..................................................www.fiberand.com ........................................................... 17Gerdau Ameristeel ...........................................NA .................................................................................... 33Hines, Ridolphi, Carper & Aman, Inc. .............NA .................................................................................... 30Interfibe Products ............................................www.interfibe.com .......................................................... 37Liddell Trailers .................................................www.liddelltrailers.com ................................................... 42Long-Lewis Sterling ........................................www.longlewissterling.com ............................................. 15Martin Marietta Aggregates............................www.martinmarietta.com ................................................ 14McGriff, Seibels, & Williams, Inc. ...................NA .................................................................................... 28The McPherson Companies, Inc. ....................www.mcphersonoil.com .................................................. 41Miracle Truck Sales, Inc. .................................NA .................................................................................... 41National Cement...............................................NA .................................................................................... 39OMI Industries ..................................................www.omi-industries.com ................................................... 6Petroleum Energy Products ............................NA ............................................................. inside front coverPile Equipment, Inc. .........................................www.pile-eqp.net ............................................................ 40Protection Services, Inc ..................................www.protectionservices.com .......................................... 17Ready Mix USA, Inc. .........................................www.rmusainc.com ......................................................... 24Roadtec, Inc. ....................................................www.roadtec.com ............................................................ 22The Rogers Group, Inc. ....................................www.rogersgroupinc.com ................................................ 17S.A. Graham Company, Inc. .............................www.sagraham.com ........................................................ 21Safety Coatings, Inc. .......................................www.safetycoatings.com................................................. 42Scott Bridge Company, Inc. .............................www.scottbridge.com ...................................................... 23Sherman Dixie Concrete Industries ...............www.shermandixie.com .................................................. 33Snead Ag Supply A&M Sales ...........................www.sneadag.com .......................................................... 16Southeast Materials ........................................NA .................................................................................... 30Southland International Trucks, Inc. ..............NA .................................................................................... 20SRM Aggregates, Inc. ......................................www.oldcastlematerials.com ........................................... 39ST Bunn Construction Company, Inc. .............NA .................................................................................... 23Thompson Engineering ....................................www.thompsonengineering.com ..................................... 41Thompson Tractor ............................................www.thompsontractor.com .............................................. 10Truitt Insurance Agency, Inc. ..........................www.truittinsurance.com ................................................ 16Turner Insurance & Bonding Company ..........www.tibcoinc.com .................................... inside back coverWarrior Tractor & Equipment ..........................NA .................................................................................... 40WW Williams.....................................................www.wwwilliams.com ..................................................... 25

ATTORNEYS

312396_Burr.indd 1 2/13/07 7:52:57 PM

Burr & Forman LLP420 North Twentieth Street, Suite 3100Birmingham, AL 35203Phone: (205) 251-3000Fax: (205) 458-5100Web: www.burr.comBurr & Forman LLP combines a 100-year history in the Southeast with a forward-thinking approach to providing legal solutions. With over 180 attorneys in offices in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi and Tennessee, we offer a wide range of business and litigation services to clients in several industries with local, national, and international interests.

PAINT SUPPLIERSSafety Coatings, Inc.20180 Safety Lane P O Box 399Foley, AL 36536-0399Phone: (251) 943-1638Fax: (251) 943-3689E-mail: [email protected]: www.safetycoatings.comSafety Coatings manufactures all types of traffic paints, including DOT approved, Federal Specs, Parking lot paints, Hi-Build traffic paint, and Loop Sealant. We have been in business since 1979, and are known for our quality and service. Please call us for any of your traffic paint needs.

PROFILES ADVERTISERS.COM

L O W B O Y S A N D H Y D R A U L I C T R A N S P O R T S Y S T E M S

100 Industrial Drive • Springville, AL 35146 • www.liddelltrailers.com • 1.800.662.9216

Liddell M70/J40 70 Ton 2 + 3 + 2Liddell K Model55 Ton Capacity

Liddell SF Model

Liddell SF Model

Lightweight @ only 16,760 lb.

267982Turner Insurance

4/C

pg. 43

325222Cowin Equipment

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pg. 44

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