Road project using stimulus $$ under way

An Ogden-based concrete company has started work on the first Utah road project being funded by federal government stimulus money.

The Utah Department of Transportation awarded Multiple Concrete Enterprises Inc. a $769,609 contract for roadwork at the Knudsen's Corner area of I-215 near Holladay. The company, which submitted the lowest bid for the project, began on April 8 to rehabilitate the pavement on both sides of the freeway from roughly 2000 East to 5400 South, said UDOT spokesman Adan Carrillo.

In February, Congress passed the $878 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to stimulate the country's economy, which many believe is in the biggest downturn since the Great Depression.

Utah will receive $1.7 billion from the stimulus act, with $213 million for transportation projects. Other stimulus funds will be spent on education and children's programs, Medicaid, crime and justice programs and unemployment insurance.

The project on I-215 involves leveling the pavement by grinding down higher portions of the concrete. Holes in the road will be replaced with new pavement. In some places, the crew will cut into the concrete and install bars to strengthen the "joints" in the road, UDOT engineer John Montoya said.

The project will result in "restoration that will extend the life of these pavements up to 20 years," said Var Stephens, owner of Multiple Concrete Enterprises.

Lately, Stephens has had to send crews to surrounding states for projects. He said he's happy to have a local project, with employees who will spend the money locally.

Fifteen employees, plus some subcontractors, are working on the job, which will last through the end of May. About half of the employees are full-time. The other half are seasonal and were called back after being laid off for the winter, Stephens said.

Utah's unemployment in February was 5.1 percent, according to the Utah Department of Workforce Services. The majority of the unemployed were in the construction industry, with 14,000 people looking for construction work.

Issac Heathcote of Ogden was one of the laid-off Multiple Concrete Enterprises employees called back to work.

During the winter, Heathcote sells electronics to support his wife and three children, ages 5-9. He says most seasonal concrete construction workers have side jobs to make ends meet.

"Without that stimulus money, there might have been a hold on the work this year because of the economy," Heathcote said.

Another 34 stimulus road projects have been advertised, and UDOT is accepting bids. Twelve projects have been awarded but not yet started; and seven projects are under contract and under way, UDOT spokesman Nile Easton said.

E-MAIL: lhancock@desnews.com