Building big goes hand-in-hand with building safely

At DOT, we’re all about building big--while building safely.  And today, I met with representatives from the Common Ground Alliance (CGA) in Las Vegas to discuss how to make America’s transportation projects safer before even breaking ground.

Damage to natural gas pipelines from digging has caused 19 fatalities in the past 5 years. That’s why I remain so concerned about the dangers of damage while digging, which causes one out of every five serious pipeline accidents. Even our nation’s contractors and excavators don’t always know exactly where our pipelines are located.

It’s easy to understand why. America’s energy transportation network is enormous. There are more than 2.5 million miles of pipe--enough to circle the earth 100 times--and much of it was installed at least 50 years ago.

That’s why we’ve teamed up with CGA to spread the word for National Safe Digging Month in April. As we say, you’ve got to “know what’s below” and call 811 before you dig. The number is universal and works across the country. It’s a good idea in both construction and for private homeowners. Some of these gas service lines are installed just 12 inches below the surface.

While I was in Las Vegas, I also took our safety message to the Associated General Contractors (AGC) of America Annual Convention and CONEXPO-CON/AGG trade show. 

I reminded them to always put safety first on the job site--especially since these contractors are working on many of the most critical road and bridge projects around the country.

This includes projects like the Hoover Dam bridge, which was built almost entirely by members of the AGC and their employees. The bridge, which creates a faster and more efficient route between Phoenix and Las Vegas, is the longest of its kind in the Western Hemisphere and rests on the tallest precast concrete columns ever constructed. It’s a wonder of engineering, and proof that American innovation is still hard at work.

That’s why the Obama Administration is committed to investing in the roadways, runways, and railways that will help keep America competitive in the global economy. 

We know American businesses and American workers are ready to build the 21st century transportation system we all need and deserve.  As I toured the CONEXPO-CON/AGG trade show, I saw firsthand the ingenuity on display by leading American manufacturers like John Deere, Caterpillar, and Case Construction.

And these investments will have far-reaching effects.  Just last week, Volvo announced it would invest $100 million in upgrades and expansions to their Shippensburg, Pennsylvania factory, allowing them to ramp up production of three different types of construction equipment and provide new economic opportunities to skilled American workers.

Together, we can and will make our nation’s transportation system the envy of the world once again. And we will do it as safely as possible.

Comments

[Donald Tisthammer]

This official blog of the DOT has 14 posts before there is a comment, then there are 8 comments about high speed rail FL turned down because the Gov knws they can't afford to maintain it if put in.

How does the DOT, Dept of Tiger Grants explain the fact they can't give away $2.4 billion dollar sand post no comments when there are likes, but many people like myself post likes out of mercy because it woul dbe sad to have 312 million people in a nation, none comment, or none comment in a positive way so as the Dot of Tiger Grants would post?

[Djvazquez]

How many and which ports in Florida have experience with the Maersk E-Class container ships? Which ports in the USA dock the Maersk E-Class container ships? The ChinaMax ships are not container ships and are being built in China for a billionaire Brazilian iron ore magnate who ships to China. Is Miami a bulk goods shipping port (iron ore, coal, soy beans, steel etc.)? Brazil does not have a port on the Pacific and there are only 7 ports in the world (4 in Asia and 1 in the UK) that can handle either ChinaMax or Maersk G-class ships but Brazil is building a new port especially for these ships in Acu. Based on the life cycle (when built and scrapped) of the longest/largest supertankers ever built, which ports in the USA can best be converted to handle the draughts, turning radius', cargo, dispalement etc for these ChinaMax ships? I would greatly appreciate your feedback if you are able to answer these questions for me.

[Construction Material Suppliers]

This is also great news for the economy. Lets talk up the future now instaed of talking it down. We are coming out of the depression and need to look forward. It is great to see technology being put to such good use, and on these large projects not only is the forefront of technology used but new ideas come out of these projects to, can't wait to get it going.