Post by Admin on Aug 8, 2004 12:29:30 GMT -5
Cement shortage is felt in Phoenix
Officials order early to avoid disruption
Alia Beard Rau
The Arizona Republic
Aug. 7, 2004 12:00 AM
A nationwide cement shortage has hit the Valley, forcing Phoenix officials to order cement weeks in advance, instead of just days, as they did in the past.
Phoenix deputy city engineer Wylie Bearup said that if the shortage goes on long enough, it could affect the $600 million expansion of Phoenix Civic Plaza. But he is confident it won't because the city has done everything it can to prepare, including hiring one of the larger cement contractors and a large allocation of cement.
"It will be so long before we get concrete for the center that hopefully (the) shortage will have resolved itself by then," Bearup said.
He said they will start ordering concrete for the expansion early next year.
Cement is the powder that is mixed with water to make the paste that binds concrete. The shortage, which started in the Southeast and moved west, is being blamed primarily on growth and 2008 Olympics-related construction in China, along with a shortage of ships to haul cement to the United States.
Deborah Ostreicher, a spokeswoman for Sky Harbor International Airport, said the shortage has not affected construction of new rental car facilities and the new Terminal 4 concourse.
About a dozen Maricopa County projects, including the human services campus in downtown Phoenix and public health buildings, have been affected because of the cement shortage and rising steel prices. Although overall budgets and schedules haven't felt the squeeze, officials have had to resequence construction while waiting for cement, which has been about a week to two weeks late.
"We are accommodating it right now," said Heidi Birch, director of Capital Facilities Department. "But it hasn't been adverse as far as stopping any projects or affecting any final completion dates."
Elsewhere in the Valley, the Mesa Arts Center has been on cement rations. The city is now putting escalation clauses in its project bids to control cement prices.
"We're having to think ahead and recognize that it's something that's going on all over," Mesa purchasing director Sharon Seekins said. "We're being told China is buying up all the cement we used to import, so we're having to rely on domestic suppliers."
Pinal County Manager Stanley Griffis said the increased prices of cement, lumber and steel will raise the cost of a $39 million jail expansion by as much as 20 percent.
"The prices are getting a little higher than we anticipated and we had to rebudget for it," Griffis said.
He predicted the shortage will get a lot worse before it gets better.
"Either you adjust for it or you don't build it," he said. "Right now, we're adjusting. But if it gets worse, things are going to change."
Contractors on the Tempe Center for the Arts under construction have been able to get only limited amounts of cement each week.
"So far this has not become a major scheduling impact," Tempe deputy public works manager Andy Goh said. "But only because our contractor has been real careful about scheduling their work and we have not reached a stage where we will be doing a major concrete pour."
Construction of the Santan Freeway in the southeast Valley is at risk for delays, Arizona Department of Transportation spokesman Matt Burthingy said.
"Because of the cement shortage, our contractors have been limited in terms of the quantity of cement they can get," he said. "They get a certain amount and then divide it amongst the various projects."
_________________________________________
As you know from previous posts, the world-wide cement shortage is really a sand shortage. I can't help but smile when I think of the tremendous in-ground reserve of feldspathic sand AZMN has. Go to azco.com and learn just how much sand
Granted, what we have is "specialty sand" not your more common, cement type sand. Specialty sand commands a much higher premium. Unless somebody creates some more "common sand" I can't help but wonder how much more valuable our reserves will become. Remember, in some coastal towns in Florida, they have resorted to grinding up glass to put on the beaches. The residents aren't very happy.
Can you say "Hello" Azco?
_________________________________________
A scientist approached God and said "We won't be needing you anymore."
God lifted his eyebrow and said "Huh?"
"That's right" the scientist replied, "We've figured out how to create life in the laboratory. And we do it the same way you did."
God said "O.K., if this is true, I will leave. Show me what you've got."
Grinning from ear to ear the proud scientist reached down to scoop up a handful of dirt the same way God did many years ago when he created Adam. The scientist suddenly felt a very heavy hand on his shoulder.
"Excuse me" God said, "Go get your own dirt."
Officials order early to avoid disruption
Alia Beard Rau
The Arizona Republic
Aug. 7, 2004 12:00 AM
A nationwide cement shortage has hit the Valley, forcing Phoenix officials to order cement weeks in advance, instead of just days, as they did in the past.
Phoenix deputy city engineer Wylie Bearup said that if the shortage goes on long enough, it could affect the $600 million expansion of Phoenix Civic Plaza. But he is confident it won't because the city has done everything it can to prepare, including hiring one of the larger cement contractors and a large allocation of cement.
"It will be so long before we get concrete for the center that hopefully (the) shortage will have resolved itself by then," Bearup said.
He said they will start ordering concrete for the expansion early next year.
Cement is the powder that is mixed with water to make the paste that binds concrete. The shortage, which started in the Southeast and moved west, is being blamed primarily on growth and 2008 Olympics-related construction in China, along with a shortage of ships to haul cement to the United States.
Deborah Ostreicher, a spokeswoman for Sky Harbor International Airport, said the shortage has not affected construction of new rental car facilities and the new Terminal 4 concourse.
About a dozen Maricopa County projects, including the human services campus in downtown Phoenix and public health buildings, have been affected because of the cement shortage and rising steel prices. Although overall budgets and schedules haven't felt the squeeze, officials have had to resequence construction while waiting for cement, which has been about a week to two weeks late.
"We are accommodating it right now," said Heidi Birch, director of Capital Facilities Department. "But it hasn't been adverse as far as stopping any projects or affecting any final completion dates."
Elsewhere in the Valley, the Mesa Arts Center has been on cement rations. The city is now putting escalation clauses in its project bids to control cement prices.
"We're having to think ahead and recognize that it's something that's going on all over," Mesa purchasing director Sharon Seekins said. "We're being told China is buying up all the cement we used to import, so we're having to rely on domestic suppliers."
Pinal County Manager Stanley Griffis said the increased prices of cement, lumber and steel will raise the cost of a $39 million jail expansion by as much as 20 percent.
"The prices are getting a little higher than we anticipated and we had to rebudget for it," Griffis said.
He predicted the shortage will get a lot worse before it gets better.
"Either you adjust for it or you don't build it," he said. "Right now, we're adjusting. But if it gets worse, things are going to change."
Contractors on the Tempe Center for the Arts under construction have been able to get only limited amounts of cement each week.
"So far this has not become a major scheduling impact," Tempe deputy public works manager Andy Goh said. "But only because our contractor has been real careful about scheduling their work and we have not reached a stage where we will be doing a major concrete pour."
Construction of the Santan Freeway in the southeast Valley is at risk for delays, Arizona Department of Transportation spokesman Matt Burthingy said.
"Because of the cement shortage, our contractors have been limited in terms of the quantity of cement they can get," he said. "They get a certain amount and then divide it amongst the various projects."
_________________________________________
As you know from previous posts, the world-wide cement shortage is really a sand shortage. I can't help but smile when I think of the tremendous in-ground reserve of feldspathic sand AZMN has. Go to azco.com and learn just how much sand
Granted, what we have is "specialty sand" not your more common, cement type sand. Specialty sand commands a much higher premium. Unless somebody creates some more "common sand" I can't help but wonder how much more valuable our reserves will become. Remember, in some coastal towns in Florida, they have resorted to grinding up glass to put on the beaches. The residents aren't very happy.
Can you say "Hello" Azco?
_________________________________________
A scientist approached God and said "We won't be needing you anymore."
God lifted his eyebrow and said "Huh?"
"That's right" the scientist replied, "We've figured out how to create life in the laboratory. And we do it the same way you did."
God said "O.K., if this is true, I will leave. Show me what you've got."
Grinning from ear to ear the proud scientist reached down to scoop up a handful of dirt the same way God did many years ago when he created Adam. The scientist suddenly felt a very heavy hand on his shoulder.
"Excuse me" God said, "Go get your own dirt."