Reforming Japan's Public Works
Japan's public works bidding system has traditionally been dominated by money politics and industry collusion, which has served to keep out small Japanese companies as well...
Light at the End of the Chunnel
While the construction of the Channel tunnel was an engineering triumph, the project also had its share of cost overruns, inadequately prepared contract documents, and disputes over safety...
Sharing the Risk
In infrastructure privatization, arranging financing is as much an art as a science. At a recent conference in Washington, D.C., speakers discussed the opening of the public capital markets...
World Bank Update: In Deep Water
The World Bank has announced a dramatic shift in water policy that will nearly quadruple its spending in this area while it shifts the emphasis toward sustainable development. Instead...
Hong Kong: The US$10 Billion Dollar Question
Connections, deep pockets and perseverance were important in the awarding of contracts for Hong Kong's US$10.5 billion airport megaproject. The author notes many of the firms...
The Inflation Equation
The authors, a Brazilian and an American involved in a US$1 billion-plus project to build schools in the state of Rio de Janeiro, discuss how they managed despite monthly inflation of...
The Key is Constructability
Construction generally involves the collective efforts of owners, designers, contractors and suppliers. During the design phase, the engineer should be mindful of such critical elements...
Planes, Trains and the Games
Olympics-related construction in Atlanta isn't limited to sports facilities. The city is also gearing up for the 1996 Summer Games by accomplishing some major transportation infrastructure...
The New Clark Bridge: Saddle-Draped Cables
The new $85 million, 108 ft wide Clark-Bridge replaces a 20 ft wide 1928 truss bridge at Alton, Ill., carrying US 67 over the Mississippi about one mile above the recently completed Lock...
Precepts of Project Management
Considering the importance of project management to the practice of consulting engineering and the fact that most engineers are expected to be able to manage projects at some point in...
The Engineer As Preservationist
Engineers in the U.S. have been involved in historic preservation at least since 1966, the year ASCE's Committee on the History and Heritage of Civil Engineering designated...
Offshore Rescue
Restoration of wastewater ocean outfalls can be difficult, dangerous and environmentally challenging. Two recent projects, however, serve as examples of innovative outfall rehab. The first...
Constructing Around Contamination
When soil and ground water contamination are found at a construction site, completing the project on time and within budget is always a challenge. Typical problems include constraints...
ISTEA Enhances Transportation
The aim of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) of 1991 was to integrate communities with transportation programs. Engineering professionals now have the responsibility...
Escaping the Niche
In today's business climate of increasing competition and shrinking markets, your company must get the most out of its marketing energy and budget. Finding new clients is...
Vietnam: Firsthand Feedback
Impressions and advice on doing business in Vietnam. Black & Veatch was the first U.S. engineering firm in Vietnam. Wayne West, BV's man in Hanoi, and James Patton,...
The Mexican Migration
The North American Free Trade Agreement has made Mexico an attractive market for U.S. firms, particularly in the environmental field. At the same time, privatization (as with toll roads...
Argentina: Back in Business
Having achieved democracy and stabilized its economy, Argentina is working to improve its transport, telephone and power systems and to ease its housing shortage; the local construction...
Water on Stone
Schal Bovis, a Chicago construction-services firm, has shown that Japan is not entirely a closed market. With more than a dozen major Japanese projects under its belt, it has broken through...
Building the Urban Environment
Experts from the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank offer tips for architects and others taking their first plunge into international markets. The hottest market, they...
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