Construction firms in Maine are likely to take a bit of a hit in 2012, as the state is planning to cut funding significantly for new road and bridge work in the new year, reports the Bangor Daily News.
The state of Maine spent $582.9 million in road and bridge work over the past two years, but the projections for 2012 and 2013 are significantly leaner. Spending is expected to be cut by nearly one-third, a loss of $200 million for the construction companies that would normally undertake such projects.
"The DOT in Maine is focused on doing what they can with the money they have, but we’re probably looking at volume down, employment down pretty well across board," said Tim Ouellette of CPM Contractors in Freeport.
Companies that expect hard times ahead will have to keep costs down wherever possible, but that doesn't necessarily mean cutting corners. The auction site IronPlanet offers a broad selection of used construction equipment - everything from cranes to excavators and dump trucks. While the equipment on IronPlanet typically sells for a fraction of the price of new vehicles, bidders do not have to compromise on quality thanks to the IronClad Assurance program, which offers buyers a point-by-point inspection report on
all equipment that has the IronClad symbol on its page.
