Hess Fast-Tracks PDX Job / State Funds School Route Program

Todd Hess Building Company prepares Portland International Airport for Northwest Airlines' non-stop flight to Japan.

New Flight Route Requires Quick Addition and Renovation

Portland, Ore. — Todd Hess Building Company of Portland, Ore., was recently selected by the Port of Portland to perform fast-track additions and renovations to 15,000 sq. ft. of space at the airport to accommodate Northwest Airlines' new non-stop route between Portland and Tokyo.

The scope of the Northwest Airlines work consists of Federal Inspection Service checkpoint expansion, concourse corridor connection bus waiting area, FIS baggage recheck expansion and relocation, signage modifications and upgrades to network rooms and gate improvements.

The building team met tight deadlines by identifying and ordering long lead items, which included HVAC systems, steel, conveyor belts and electrical components. Components of the project have evolved into design-build to accommodate the schedule and to address unforeseen site conditions. The Port construction team and architect all participated in assisting the speed of the project by making crucial decisions quickly and adapting to the materials that could be obtained in the time allowed. All subcontractors have been proactive in bringing their time constraints and concerns early so that direction could be given that would work for all the team members.

The projects architect is Mark Siemieniec Architecture, and major subcontractors include Harder Mechanical, Oregon Electric Group, Western Partitions and G&T Conveyors.

State Approves Money For Safe Routes Program

Olympia, Wash. — The Washington State Legislature recently approved $1 million in their 2004 budget to support the Safe Routes to School Grant Program. This program builds on the successful Traffic Safety Near Schools Grants, previously administered by Washington State Department of Transportation, by adding the flexibility to work with school districts and communities to meet the growing interest in improving safety for students bicycling and walking to school.

Eligible projects for this grant program should target:

• Engineering fixes (e.g., sidewalks, pathways, street safety and design improvements)
• Safety education curriculums and programs
• Enforcement programs
• Community health and encouragement initiatives

Safe Routes to Schools is a coordinated effort between the Washington State Departments of Health and Transportation, the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction and the Bicycle Alliance of Washington, and its purpose is to fund demonstration projects in a handful of selected communities that increase the number of students biking and walking safely to schools.

Emmert Wins Award For Extraordinary Transport

Clackamas, Ore. — Emmert International of Clackamas, Ore., has received the 2004 Trucking Job of the Year Award from The Specialized Carriers and Riggers Association.

Emmert moved 13 oversized modules almost 3,000 loaded miles each, from Texas to Washington, to win the award. Emmert trucks covered almost 78,000 miles; 39,000 miles with a super load transport, to complete this complex job.

The modules were up to 77 ft. long, 14.5 ft. wide and 12 ft. high, and the loaded weight was up to 139,000 pounds. Each load had to be permit routed and escorted throughout the journey. The job required months of planning, permitting, and making arrangements for personnel and equipment.

The most difficult part of the job took place at the destination. Special arrangements and engineering design had to be accomplished to widen the roadway without harming the wetlands adjacent to the plant.

It took 12 trucks to make all of the loads within the four-week schedule.