UNM Science and Math Center Breaks Ground

The new building on the main Albuquerque campus will seek LEED silver certification.

McCarthy Begins Construction on UNM Science and Math Center

McCarthy Building Cos. Southwest broke ground on a $14-million Science and Math Learning Center at the University of New Mexico main campus in Albuquerque.

The new $14.4-million Sciene and Math Learning Center will be located on the main Albuquerque campus at the University of New Mexico. (Courtesy Van H. Gilbert P.C./Shepley Bulfinch)

The center includes a 200-seat auditorium, visualization lab, classrooms, science labs, offices and study areas will be designed to promote freshmen-level integration between four departments, including mathematics, chemistry, biology and earth and planetary sciences. In addition, the project will be designed with long distance learning capabilities. Construction of the center is slated for completion in the fall of 2010. The building will consist of three floors above grade and one below.

Van H. Gilbert Architect P.C. and Shepley Bulfinch designed the project, which will be constructed to meet LEED silver certification. The project will also include specialized laboratory mechanical systems, structural steel framing, laboratory casework, acoustical lay-in ceilings, HVAC and special systems work; site work improvements to pedestrian circulation; and site work infrastructure, including major relocations of sewer, telecommunications and electrical services.

New Solar Power System Unveiled at Sandia

Stirling Energy Systems and Tessera Solar recently unveiled four newly designed solar power collection dishes at Sandia National Laboratories’ National Solar Thermal Test Facility. Called SunCatchers™, the new dishes will be used in commercial-scale deployments of the units beginning in 2010.

The modular unit is about 5,000 lbs lighter than the original and is round instead of rectangular for a more efficient use of steel.

“They have the lowest water use of any thermal electric generating technology, require minimal grading and trenching, require no excavation for foundations and will not produce greenhouse gas emissions while converting sunlight into electricity,” says Chuck Andraka, the lead Sandia project engineer.

Tessera Solaris is planning a 60-unit plant generating 1.5 MW by the end of the year in either Arizona or California.

NMDOT Breaks Ground on New U.S. 491 Project

Work began on the construction of two additional lanes along U.S. 491, from Newcomb to Little Water.

The $18.3-million project, originally part of Governor Richardson’s Investment Partnership, qualified for funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and is scheduled for completion in fall 2010. This is the second ARRA funded project along U.S. 491.

The contract was awarded to Skanska USA Civil West Rocky Mountain Region Construction based out of Cortez, Colo. The project includes new roadway construction of the northbound lanes of US 491, making this segment a four-lane highway.

Las Cruces Airport Runway Begins Reconstruction

A $10.9 million ARRA-funded project broke ground that will help reconstruct runway 12-30 at the Las Cruces International Airport. The three-runway airport serves general aviation traffic in addition to providing a base for a National Guard unit and an air ambulance service. JAR Concrete is the contractor on the project, which is expected to be completed by spring 2010.

NMDOT also awarded two other stimulus-funded aviation projects. A $5.2-million reconstruction project at Double Eagle Airport in Albuquerque was awarded to Mountain States Constructors Inc., and Salls Brothers Construction was awarded the contract for approximately $900,000 to reconstruct runway 2-20 at Santa Fe Municipal Airport.

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