Group Contractors creates Transportation Division

Group Contractors LLC, a Baton Rouge-based industrial construction company, has opened a Transportation Division to transport construction machinery to jobsites. The division currently has four trucks, each capable of handling one-ton loads to haul cranes, cabs and booms and other equipment to construction sites.

The Transportation Division will provide hauling and transport services to Group Industries’ subsidiary companies, Group Contractors and Arrighi Simoneaux, as well as other construction companies, third party equipment dealers and vendors.

Group Industries LLC is headquartered in Baton Rouge with offices in New Orleans and Houston. Group Industries operates two subsidiary companies, Group Contractors, an industrial construction company, and Arrighi Simoneaux, a commercial construction company, both headquartered in Baton Rouge.

ABC establishes presence in northern Louisiana

The Pelican Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors is working to form an ABC membership in the northern part of the state. The goal is to have a locally-functioning ABC focused on enhancing the image of the construction industry, identifying skill assessments, recruitment and training needs.

A Steering Committee has been formed in the Monroe, Ruston and south Arkansas area to begin the process of the certification and training of site coordinators and proctors for its skill assessment program.

Training needs are being addressed and training partnerships are being established with Louisiana Technical College, Region VII; South Arkansas Community College and The University of Arkansas – Monticello.

Skill assessments will be offered at these partnership locations once ABC members have determined the disciplines to be addressed.

Louisiana National Guard awards two projects to Citadel

Citadel Builders LLC has been awarded contracts for two Louisiana National Guard projects. Contracts received are for a Readiness Center in Covington, La., and Readiness Center in Marrero, La.

Both projects are design-build and are currently in the design stage, with construction to begin in 2007.

The Readiness Center in Covington will serve as a training facility for soldiers and will include an administrative building, meeting hall, dormitory and storage facility. The contract amount for this project is about $13 million.

The Readiness Center in Marrero will be located at 1855 Ames Boulevard. This center will serve as a training facility for soldiers and will include an administrative building, meeting hall, dormitory and storage facility. The contract amount for this project is approximately $16 million.

HMS Architects designs Technology & Fine Arts Center

Archbishop Chapelle High School recently dedicated its newly completed Our Lady of Prompt Succor Technology and Fine Arts Center, designed by HMS Architects. The New Orleans-based firm began work on the project three and half years ago when the school administration and the Archdiocese needed to address anticipated growth and curriculum expansion.

F. H. Myers Construction of Harahan, La., was the project’s general contractor.

For 45 years, the school lacked adequate space for their music and art programs to flourish. Now, students can enjoy six new technology classrooms, two art studios and a band and choir rehearsal hall. HMS Architects also included a multipurpose lobby with gallery exhibit space for students to display their work.

“The technology-rich classrooms, art rooms and rehearsal space will allow our students to learn and create in a new way,” said Chapelle President Jane Ann Frosch. “With a beautiful soundproof room, the choir and band can practice without distraction and the lobby will allow students to display their art.”

“Designing for the school allowed us to apply our talent for design and our commitment for collaboration,” said Keith R. Steger, an HMS Architects principal.

“We worked with the school administration and contractors to create a functional, durable and attractive building.”

Groundbreaking for Our Lady of Prompt Succor Technology and Fine Arts Center began in May 2005 and was completed in August.

DOTD announces results of recent bid letting

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) recently considered bids totaling more than $132 million at its September public bid opening.

With a bid of $38,393,637.16, Diamond B Construction Co. LLC of Alexandria was the apparent low bidder on the state’s most expensive job, a project in Rapides Parish calling for grading, drainage structures, lime treatment, class II base course, Superpave, Portland cement concrete pavement, concrete slab span bridge, traffic signalization and related work on U.S. 165 from Glenmora to Woodworth.

ABC Pelican Chapter announces Excellence in Construction winners

The Pelican Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors in Baton Rouge, La., recently announced the winners of its local Excellence in Construction competition. Twenty-five entries were received in various industrial and commercial construction categories; 10 received Awards of Excellence and four Awards of Merit.

Excellence Award winners were Performance Contractors Inc., for its SM-1 Process Sewer Replacement Project; Basic Industries, Air Products Hurricane Katrina Recovery Project; Basic Industries, Murphy Oil Hurricane Katrina Recovery Project; Performance Contractors, LSG Project; Triad Electric & Controls Inc., Dupont, Hurricane Recovery DCS Project; Cajun Constructors, Hurricane Katrina Repairs and Modifications – IHNC East Side; Cajun Constructors, Western Canyon Regional Water Supply Projects Contract No. 1: Raw Water Intake & Pump Station Project; Protherm Services Group, ExxonMobil Pipe Stills #7 T-2 Tower T/A Project; Merit Electrical Inc., LSU Tiger Stadium Westside Expansion; and MAPP Construction LLC, State Farm Operations Building.

Merit Award winners included The Shaw Group Inc., Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel Project ConocoPhillips, Ponca City, Okla.; Turner Industries Group LLC, Murphy Oil Meraux Refinery Rebuild Project; James Construction Group, Cameron LNG Terminal Site Development; and The Shaw Group Inc., New Orleans Unwatering Project U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

A banquet was held in November at Lod Cook Alumni Center to recognize and congratulate all of the winners. The winners are eligible to compete in the National ABC competition.

DOTD celebrates construction of La. 3213 extension

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) recently marked the start of construction on the extension of La. 3213 from the Veterans Memorial Bridge to La. 3127 near Gramercy, La., with a groundbreaking ceremony.

“The extension is extremely important because it is an essential part of the state’s long-range hurricane evacuation plan,” said DOTD Deputy Secretary Cedric Grant. “The citizens of South Louisiana will be much safer at the end of this project.”

In addition to Grant, Sen. Jody Amedee, Rep. Roy Quezaire, St. John the Baptist Parish President Nickie Monica and St. James Parish Councilman Elton Aubert also spoke at the event.

Phase 1 of the 4.56-mi. project requires constructing two 12-ft. travel lanes from the Veterans Memorial Bridge to La. 3127 via La. 3213. Turn lanes will also be added to La. 3127 at its new intersection with La. 3213. Phase 1 will be complete by the end of 2007.

Byron E. Talbot Contractor Inc. is the general contractor for Phase 1 of the project and URS Inc. was the engineering consultant who designed the project. The DOTD project engineer is Clay Hollowell. The $14.3 million project was let for bids in April 2006.  

Phase 2 involves construction of a railroad overpass bridge on La. 3213 and a frontage road system. It will be let for bids at the end of 2007 and will cost about $14 million.