33-Mile Line to Link to Metra's North Line to Chicago

Mike Fabishak, the CEO of the Associated General Contractors of Greater Milwaukee, was recently appointed to serve on the board of directors of TransitNOW, an organization to accelerate the Kenosha, Racine, Milwaukee (KRM) commuter rail project.

TransitNOW plans to provide community outreach, forums, presentations and organization, including regional mayors, county executives village and town presidents and major corporations in the corridor.

The KRM rail project is a 33-mile commuter rail service between Milwaukee and Kenosha that would connect with the existing Metra commuter line between Kenosha and Chicago.

KRM will use upgraded existing rail right-of-way, with stops in Kenosha, Somers, Racine, Caledonia, Oak Creek, South Milwaukee, Cudahy/St. Francis and terminating at the Intermodal Transfer Facility in Milwaukee. The train is projected to carry 1.1 million passengers a year.

Kahl to Lead New Indiana Construction Group

Charles Kahl was named president of the Indiana Construction Association, the group formed from the consolidation of the Associated General Contractors of Indiana Inc. and Indiana Constructors Inc.

Kahl previously served 17 years as the head of Indiana Constructors Inc., an organization representing Indiana highway contractors. Prior to ICI, Kahl owned a bridge construction company.

Shaughnessy to Lead St. Louis Contractors

Paul Shaughnessy was named chairman of the board of the Associated General Contractors of St. Louis. He is the president of St. Louis-based BSI Constructors.

Also elected is Chair Elect Tracy Hart, president of Tarlton Corp.; Vice Chair of the Board Scott Wilson, president of S.M. Wilson & Co.; Treasurer Robert Fritz, assistant vice president of labor relations with Clayco; and Secretary Kenneth Knobbe Jr., president of McGraw & Associates Inc.

Representing contractor members on the board are Paul Hartwig, senior vice president of McCarthy Building Cos.; Thomas Heeger, president with Acme Erectors & Riggers; Doug Jones, president of KCI Construction Co.; and Thomas Kuhn, president and CEO of Millstone Bangert Inc.

Also on the board are Rich Ledbetter, chief operating officer with Castle Contracting; P. Joseph McKee III, president/CEO of Paric Corp. Michael Perry, president of H.B.D. Contracting Inc.; and Todd Weaver, president of Legacy Building Group.

Roadway Work Zone Safety Agreement Signed

Improving the safety of workers and motorists in roadway construction zones are key objectives of a new alliance among the Washington, D.C.-based American Road & Transportation Builders Association and its construction industry allies, organized labor and the federal government.

Through the alliance, a number of public and private groups will develop hazard awareness training and education programs aimed at training workers, educating the roadway construction industry, and reaching out to non-English construction workers about safe practices in roadway work zones.

Alliance members will also share research findings with the construction industry so that the interventions and best practices described in training and outreach activities are based upon the most accurate scientific data.