R&R Construction donates funds to ASSE foundation

The American Society of Safety Engineers' (ASSE) Foundation recently received $10,000 from R&R Construction Inc. of Sulphur, La., for the Rixio Medina Professional Development Grant to help ASSE members enhance their careers.

The Rixio Medina Professional Development Grant provides financial assistance to ASSE members seeking to enhance their education through ASSE certification preparation workshops, seminars, symposia and ASSE's annual Professional Development Conference. Up to three grants will be awarded each year and the amount will vary based upon the individual's professional development needs.

Founded in 1995, the Sulphur, La.-based R&R Construction is a general contractor providing construction and maintenance services to various industries including refining, petrochemical and power.

DOTD details timeline of Slidell road work

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) recently announced that the major road construction occurring on I-10 in Slidell will be completed in November, weather permitting.

"Work is being done 24 hours per day to get the project done as quickly and efficiently as possible," said DOTD Secretary Johnny B. Bradberry. "More importantly, all three lanes will be opened up in the event of an evacuation."

Barriere Construction Co. is the contractor for the 6.62-mi. project, which begins at the north end of the Twin-Span Bridge and ends at the French Branch Bridge. The road work began at the end of May and will be done in four phases.

Phase 1 consists of reconstructing the right (outside) shoulders on both the eastbound and westbound lanes. This phase is complete.

Phase 2, which is currently under way, involves the left (inside) shoulders, the left lanes and about half of the center lanes. The lanes will be rubblized (broken up) and overlaid with 4 in. of asphalt. Two lanes of traffic will be shifted to the right, with the right lanes partially on the new right shoulders. This phase should be finished by the middle of July.

Phase 3 involves the right lanes, the right half of the center lanes and the right shoulders. The concrete will be rubbilized and overlaid with 4 in. of asphalt. Two lanes of traffic will be shifted to the left onto the newly paved roadway. Completion of this phase is expected in mid to late August.

The final phase will consist of the final two lifts of asphalt, at 2 in. each. At this point, traffic will be put back in its normal configuration, with the exception of one lane being closed during paving operations. All paving will be done at night.

Two lanes of I-10 will be open at all times in order to impact traffic as little as possible.

AIA Baton Rouge announces new board of directors

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Baton Rouge Chapter recently announced its 2006 board of directors.

Members elected as officers are: President Christopher Sapp, Sapp & Sapp Architects; Vice-President/President-Elect David Cronrath, Louisiana State University; Treasurer Jason Hargrave, Post Architects; and Secretary Stephen Maher, Ritter Maher Architects.

Serving as directors are Richard Brown, Bani, Carville & Brown; Brent Bueche, BBI Architects; David Cronrath, Louisiana State University; Jack Ford, Ford Dickinson AAC; and Rick Lipscomb, Washer, Hill, Lipscomb Architecture LLC.

Delegates to AIA Louisiana are Whitney LeJeune, Post Architects; Gary Dunn, GD Architects LLC; and Jim Howell, Louisiana State University.

Associate Representative is Kelly Stuart Connolly, Associate AIA Stuart Connolly Design.

Bossier City hospital project under way

Arlington, Texas-based Ascension Group Architects LLP is overseeing design work on Promise Specialty Hospital of Bossier City, La., a $10 million long-term acute care hospital. The hospital is owned and will be managed by Promise Healthcare Inc., one the largest long-term acute care hospital companies in the country.

Ground was broken recently on the 40,000-sq.-ft., 50-bed hospital, which will feature all private rooms in three patient wings supported by the latest in medical and communications technology and equipment when it opens in spring or summer 2007.

The hospital will specialize in treating patients with complex, unresolved, acute, chronic or catastrophic illnesses, as well as severe trauma requiring a longer acute care length of stay.

Beard Construction moves to Port Allen

James A. Beard, president of Beard Construction Group LLC, recently announced the relocation of the contractor's corporate office from Rosedale, La., to 3970 Rosedale Rd. in Port Allen, La. The new facility consists of a 4,500-sq.-ft. office building with an additional 9.5 acres to be used for heavy equipment storage, maintenance and future expansion of its operation.

The new location will allow the company to accommodate growth experienced since its founding in 2004. Beard Construction specializes in heavy earthwork, environmental and civil construction throughout the Gulf Coast.

Sizeler Architects becomes Sizeler Thompson Brown Architects

William Sizeler, Ian G. Thompson and Thomas M. Brown recently announced that Sizeler Architects has become Sizeler Thompson Brown Architects.

The new name is a reflection of the firm's commitment to the design-construction industry.

"We are committed to metro New Orleans, Louisiana and the Gulf South," the principals said in a joint statement. "This is an exciting time for our firm and our region. We are growing and are involved in some of the region's most critical and historic architectural projects."

The new arrangement puts the firm's three shareholders equally at the helm of the 27-year-old organization.

When the firm was founded in 1979 as I. William Sizeler & Associates, founder Billy Sizeler led less than a handful of employees. As Sizeler Thompson Brown, the firm now has a staff of more than 40 people, including architects, interior designers, planners, programmers and construction administrators. Ian Thompson and Thomas Brown joined the firm in 1980 and 1987, respectively.

LeBlanc Architects becomes LeBlanc & Young Architects

Richard LeBlanc Architects Inc. has become LeBlanc & Young Architects Inc. of Shreveport, La. The firm is located at 705 Texas Street, Suite 100, Shreveport, La. 71101.

Stanley Consultants opens Baton Rouge office

Stanley Consultants recently announced the opening of a new office in Baton Rouge. The Baton Rouge office offers engineering, environmental and construction management services to federal, state and municipal clients in the transportation, water resources and water/wastewater markets.

With 15 domestic office and several international offices, Stanley Consultants is ranked as one of the country's leading engineering firms. As such, the Baton Rouge office has access to the company's full spectrum of services.

The office is managed by Brant B. Richard. A Louisiana native, he has more than 17 years of project management and business development experience. Brant has a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from Louisiana State University and is the president elect of the Baton Rouge Chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).

Stanley Consultants has several clients in the Louisiana area and is currently providing program management service to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to rebuild New Orleans' hurricane protection system.

"I'm excited about the opportunities available in this area with the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD), as well as the City of Baton Rouge. A local office will help us better serve our clients," Richard said.

Established in 1913, Stanley Consultants has served federal, state and municipal clients for decades. In 2005, AARP named Stanley Consultants the country's Best Employer for Workers Over 50.

Morton Verges, Rome Architecture become VergesRome Architects

Morton Verges Architects and Rome Architecture & Interiors of New Orleans have merged to become VergesRome Architects.

Ernest E. Verges II is president and Steven H. Rome is vice president. The address is 320 N. Carrollton Avenue, Suite 100, New Orleans, La., 70119.

Hirschmann names new dealer

Hirschmann Automation and Control of Chambersburg, Penn., has named Cherry Picker Parts its dealer for the territories of Louisiana and Mississippi.

Cherry Picker Parts is a full service dealer carrying Hirschmann's entire line of PAT and Krueger crane operator aids, including the recently introduced PRS 80 EZ wireless multi-sensor indicator and the Hirschmann maestro load moment indicator (LMI) upgrade.

Headquartered in St. Amant, La., Cherry Picker Parts has been servicing the construction industry for more than 25 years.

Paul F. Stewart Architect becomes Architecture Associates

Architecture Associates of Monroe, La., recently changed its name from Paul F. Stewart Architect to better serve its future clients. The firm principals are Bob Holtzclaw, Fred Bennett and Paul Stewart.