Railway & Underground Railway Construction in the UK Industry Market Research Report Now Updated by IBISWorld

The impetus from the landmark rail projects like Crossrail and Thameslink, other publicly funded capacity enhancement initiatives and stable maintenance spending have more than doubled the annual level of railway construction since the mid-2000s with the value of construction expected to climb by an annualised 21.4% over the five years through 2012-13. Over the next five years, the industry is expected to endure a moderate slowdown, reflecting the stage completion on landmark rail projects (notably Crossrail) and consequently, industry revenue is projected to contract over the five years through 2017-18.

London, United Kingdom (PRWEB) January 10, 2013
A century ago money was being poured into railway construction to reduce commuting time and open up new trade links. Today, public authorities and private companies are investing in landmark generational projects to increase passenger and freight capacity and boost the economy. London's rail transport system is undergoing the largest transformation in generations, involving the construction of Crossrail (£15.9 billion) and Thameslink (£5.5 billion). According to IBISWorld industry analyst Anthony Kelly, “the impetus from the landmark rail projects, other publicly funded capacity enhancement initiatives and stable maintenance spending have more than doubled the annual level of railway construction since the mid-2000s”. The value of construction is expected to climb by an annualised 21.4% over the five years through 2012-13.
The Railway & Underground Railway Construction industry captures a significant share of the total work in this market, and the balance is performed by professional consultants, trade subcontractors and bridge and tunnelling companies. Industry revenue is expected to climb by an annualised 8.0% over the five years through 2012-13 to total £3.3 billion, up 10% on the previous year. Kelly adds, “over the next five years, the industry is expected to endure a moderate slowdown, reflecting the stage completion on landmark rail projects (notably Crossrail)”. Subsequently, industry revenue is projected to contract over the five years through 2017-18.
The level of market share concentration in the Railway & Underground Railway Construction industry is medium, despite the large number of very small-scale contracting firms. The industry is characterised by its many small-scale, geographically dispersed contractors, principally working on maintenance and repair activities for existing rail infrastructure. Relatively few large-scale, multi-disciplined firms compete for the lead contractor role on major railway construction projects, and the four largest contractors contribute about 27% of annual industry revenue. These are multi-disciplined global construction firms Balfour Beatty, Colas, Morgan Sindall and Babcock International Group.
For more information on the Railway & Underground Railway Construction industry, including latest industry trends, statistics, analysis and market share information, purchase the full report from IBISWorld, the nation’s largest publisher of industry research.
IBISWorld industry Report Key Topics
This industry includes contractors undertaking work in the construction of railway and underground railway infrastructure, including site preparation, rail track placement, and the construction of associated structures (bridges, tunnels and platforms). Construction activity includes new work, repair, additions and maintenance on existing infrastructure. Portions of the work can be subcontracted out and the firms can operate as construction manager on railway projects.
Industry Performance

Executive Summary

Key External Drivers

Current Performance

Industry Outlook

Industry Life Cycle

Products & Markets

Supply Chain

Products & Services

Major Markets

Globalisation & Trade

Business Locations

Competitive Landscape

Market Share Concentration

Key Success Factors

Cost Structure Benchmarks

Barriers to Entry

Major Companies

Operating Conditions

Capital Intensity

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Annual Change

Key Ratios
About IBISWorld

Recognised as the nation’s most trusted independent source of industry and market research, IBISWorld offers a comprehensive database of unique information and analysis on many UK industries. With an extensive online portfolio, valued for its depth and scope, the company equips clients with the insight necessary to make better business decisions. Headquartered in London, IBISWorld serves a range of business, professional service and government organisations through more than 10 locations worldwide. For more information, visit http://www.ibisworld.co.uk or call (020) 3008 6568.

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Russ Hoover Presents A New Understanding of the Human Mind Unknown to Experts

While author-psychologist L. Russel Hoover refers to his new book “Demand Healing” as “first and foremost a crucial new look at treatment in mental health,” the read is packed with a wealth of first edition insights other practitioners will soon want to say they had discovered. Stunningly written and well worth the price of admission, this book puts readers one up on experts.

Kirksville, MO (PRWEB) January 10, 2013
Author-Psychologist Russ Hoover draws on extensive clinical experience and scientific acumen bringing a master’s touch to a new form of treatment. In section one for instance, he defines obsessions as “intrusive morbid fixations that certified head jockey’s endlessly attempt to cure deadened to the fact obsession does not cause itself… Hence their mantra ‘Stop thinking about it so much’ is akin to jumping off a plane and exhorting the person not to fall under conditions where falling is imminent,’ adding, ‘all the while expecting those words should have some effect on preempting the person’s downward movement. Cute…’” Bridging the gap between science and humor, the narrative essays an understanding of the complex world of human feelings by operationally defining easy to comprehend associated precepts. Demand Healing: The Advanced Study of Mood and Ego Remission is intriguing for the persuasive style in which it is written providing a tour de force critique of one of the most trusted institutions. Readers should not miss it.
Quick review of the book’s contents finds the work expertly sketched in three stages each spiced up with numerous clinical illustrations guaranteed to fire up readers’ interest. In stage one, the author, a specialized master therapist, produces an exposé of inefficiencies that abound in current treatment methods; what he refers to “absurdities” and “abominations,” as a means of showing why core changes are needed. Stage two yields an accurate in-depth inspection of what occurs in the troubled mind and various heretofore unknown laws that govern that kind of reaction. Finally, stage three de-encrypts what might be called the barest requisites of mental therapy while expounding upon its systematic application. The book is comprehensive and offers high-end discussion on an important subject.
Eye opening and practical, Demand Healing is formidable and a richly layered addition to the bookshelves of those searching for a good reading whether they are in or outside the genre.
For more information on this book, interested parties may log on to http://www.Xlibris.com.
About the Author

Author, teacher, lecture, and therapist, L. Russel Hoover began his distinguished career as a faculty member at Andrew Tailor Still Medical College. In that position he was to teach medical externs, interns, and psychiatric residents the ins and outs of various schools of psychotherapy, especially as it relates to medical treatment. However, he spent the majority of his reign there in the hospital’s clinics performing diagnostics and treatment. It was there, “down in the trenches” Hooves began developing what he called the NonCognitive approach to therapy ultimately publishing his first book under the name, NonCognitive Psychotherapy.

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Heroes Juggle School Life and World-Saving in Book IV of Epic Series

Author David R. Mastbergen releases “The Marvels of the Healer: The Senior Year”

Rushmore, MN (PRWEB) January 10, 2013
David R. Mastbergen, prolific author of The Marvels of the Healer series, accomplishes a rare and amazing feat by releasing his fourth book in just four months. Mastbergen’s newly published book, The Marvels of the Healer: The Senior Year, comes after the successive and successful releases of the opening trilogy: Book I: The Marvels of the Healer; Book II: The Marvels of the Healer and the Sisters of Radiance; and Book III: The Marvels of the Healer & the Calm of the Healer.
“Today’s religious sectors and the world itself are lost and a new healer is needed to bring reality to a new belief. A hero continues his quest to find and fulfill his destiny against many odds,” shares Mastbergen when asked about the relevance and appeal of his books. “It is fast paced and is written to be like a TV series where each chapter builds upon the next…If they like the series then they will want to continue with the saga.”
This fourth installment to the adrenaline-pumping epic saga, about a family with extraordinary abilities to fight the evils of the world, follows The Healer, David Knight, as a senior in high school while he continues his marvels. The other stars in the series continue with David as they prove to be a powerful force and David’s most important protectors against his archenemies.
Readers are reintroduced to other familiar characters: Jasmine Parker, The Calm; Nikki Knight, the Healer’s twin sister; Adela and Amada (twins), Jasmine’s little sisters; Julian Welsh, David’s mother; Vicky Miller, David’s aunt; and Kate Knight, David’s aunt. They will also meet new friends in the characters of Sissy Holmberg and Barb Knight, and new foes in Dr. Whitwell, the appalling adversary.
With its exciting new plot, new intriguing characters, and new surprises, no doubt that The Marvels of the Healer: The Senior Year will once again captivate fiction fantasy fans from the opening scene till the end. Mastbergen has clearly outdone himself this time. However, showing no signs of resting on his laurels, he is already working on his fifth installment to the series—Book V: The Marvels of the Healer: The Darkness.
For more information on this book, interested parties may log on to http://www.Xlibris.com.
About the Author

David R. Mastbergen was born in Worthington, Minnesota. He was raised in Worthington until he enlisted into the United States Navy and spent the next twenty plus years servicing his country. Upon retiring from the navy as a chief warrant officer, he spent nine plus years working for the state of Minnesota. He has a Master of Arts degree in management from the College of St. Scholastica and a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science from Coleman College.

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FACTBOX-Soccer-African Nations Cup finalists Cape Verde Islands

Jan 9 (Reuters) - Factbox on African Nations Cup finalists Cape Verde Islands ahead of this year's tournament in South Africa from Jan. 19 to Feb. 10:
Previous appearances in African Nations Cup finals: none
FIFA world ranking Dec. 2012: 69th
Coach: Lucio Antunes has won himself near-mythical status in his homeland for guiding the Cape Verdians to the Nations Cup. The 46-year-old worked his way up through the federation ranks as a coach of the national youth teams before being appointed in 2010 to take over the senior side. He previously won the national championship with Academica Sal.
Key players:
Heldon (Maritimo). Age: 24 Pos: Forward
Scorer of vital goals in the qualifying competition which ensured the island archipelago's progress to the Nations Cup finals. He moved to Portugal in 2007 and worked his way up through the amateur ranks to sign for Maritimo in 2010. He played and scored for the Madeira-based club in the Europa League this season.
Ryan Mendes (Lille). Age: 23 Pos: Forward
Pacey player who likes to run at defenders and has made a successful transition to Ligue 1 with former champions Lille from Le Havre this season. He was regarded as one of the best players in Ligue 2 over the last three seasons after Le Havre spotted him as an 18-year-old participating in a youth tournament.
Fernando Varela (FC Vaslui). Age: 25 Pos: Defender
Lisbon-born defender, who has been relegated twice from the top flight of Portuguese football with Trofense and Feirense. Moved to Romania at the start of the season to join an enclave of African players at FC Vaslui, who were third in the standings going into the winter break.
Prospects:
The Cape Verdians have made a fairytale run to the finals, becoming the smallest country (population just over 500,000) to compete at the Nations Cup and taking the scalp of the mighty Cameroon in the process. They will be a unknown quantity but face the daunting prospect of playing against hosts South Africa in the opening game on Jan. 19 in front of a partisan crowd of some 90,000.

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South African morale dented by loss ahead of Nations Cup

CAPE TOWN (Reuters) - African Nations Cup hosts South Africa suffered a morale-deflating 1-0 defeat at home to a young Norway side on Tuesday in their penultimate warm-up international.
Norway, with a team of inexperienced home-based players, scored the only goal from captain Tarik Elyounoussi four minutes before half-time.
Elyounoussi took advantage of some slopping defending to net from close range in the only real attack of the first half for the visitors, who are using their off-season to expose younger players to international football.
The result will not help the crisis of confidence affecting Bafana Bafana, who were hoping for a change in fortunes but failed to deliver on pre-match promises of attacking play and flair from their coach Gordon Igesund.
Instead they were stymied by a well-organised Norway side and after a show of poor finishing they will have more to contemplate some 10 days before the Nations Cup kick off.
It will also leave the home public sceptical about the team's chances at the 16-team tournament, which South Africa kick off against Cape Verde Islands at Soccer City in Johannesburg on January 19 (1600 GMT).
"I'm disappointed we lost the game, but we created a lot of good chances. We have to work now on using the possession better and not overelaborating so much on the ball," said Igesund.
South Africa conclude their preparations against fellow finalists Algeria in Soweto on Saturday. Norway play Nations Cup holders Zambia in Ndola, also on Saturday, in the last game of their brief African trip.

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Togo president persuades Adebayor to play in Cup

LOME (Reuters) - Emmanuel Adebayor will play in the African Nations Cup after being persuaded to go back on his decision to boycott the tournament by Togo's president Faure Gnassingbe in meetings over the last two days, a government spokesman said on Tuesday.
"Adebayor was received yesterday in Accra by the head of state," Cleo Petchezi, director of communications for the presidency, told Reuters.
"Discussions continued this morning in Lome. Following them Adebayor has said he will return to his club and join the national team in a week."
The Tottenham Hotspur striker had previously said he was boycotting the tournament in South Africa, which starts on January 19, because of a row over bonuses for the players.
The developments open the likelihood that Adebayor will play for his club in the Premier League away against Queens Park Rangers on Saturday before joining his teammates one week ahead of the tournament kick off.
Adebayor, who has now made three returns after self-imposed 'retirements' from the national side, has missed Togo's pre-tournament preparations, including international warm-up games in Oman and Niger over the last 10 days.
The 28-year-old is at the centre of yet another row over bonus payments to the squad following their qualification to the finals.
The Togolese side has been in constant turmoil over money with Adebayor using his status in the small west African country to force the issue.
On Tuesday, Togo press reports said coach Didier Six was also seeking to be paid outstanding wages and had not joined up with the team, who are preparing for the tournament in neighbouring Ghana.
The absence of the French-born coach from the team training camp in Accra was confirmed by Herve Agbodan, communications officer of the Togolese Football Federation (TFF), but he said Six would return to work on Wednesday.
Agbodan told Reuters on Tuesday the dispute over money was not being handled by the TFF but instead by the government.
The state has stepped in before to pay money over to the team, notably ahead of the 2006 World Cup in Germany when Adebayor and team mates refused to train for several days before receiving promised qualification bonuses.
Togo's opening game at the Nations Cup is in Rustenburg against the tournament favourites Ivory Coast on January 22.

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GLOBODOX, the enterprise document management company, is a happy place as they complete fourteen successful years in document management. The software is set to have much more in store and has made big plans for 2013 according to the sources at ITAZ Technologies, the makers of GLOBODOX. (PRWEB) January 08, 2013 GLOBODOX, the enterprise document management company, is a happy place as they complete fourteen successful years in document management. The software is set to have much more in store and has made big plans for 2013 according to the sources at ITAZ Technologies, the makers of GLOBODOX. Shiraz Ahmed, CEO of ITAZ had much to say about the occasion. He said “Looking back through the years, it feels amazing to know where we have reached. This is definitely an important landmark. It makes me happier to think that we are already in process of looking ahead with our plans for next year.” Shiraz also spoke about challenges in information management for companies in the upcoming years. He said “We are looking ahead at the most daunting challenges in information management. With the improved environmental understanding, most companies are aiming at environment friendly options for processes. So I think, one challenge for companies in 2013 would be to get more out of their investment in document management software by spreading its use to other departments. Not only will they get more bang for the buck but they will also significantly reduce the use of paper within the organization.” Shiraz also spoke at length about the Information Explosion and challenges to protect private information. He explained “Businesses need to work harder to deal with additional devices. It is not difficult to block access to a device once it is reported lost or stolen. But only having a product with a strong audit trail will tell you what was viewed, modified or deleted till the time access was blocked.” The last but perhaps the most important challenge according to Shiraz however, seems to be the Uniform Information Access. Elaborating the same, Shiraz says “Today it would not be uncommon for the user to have a Windows Desktop machine, an Apple MacBook, an iPad tablet and an Android smartphone. The challenge is to make information accessible from all such devices. This means having a uniform method of information access across devices. At ITAZ we will be concentrating on this challenge in 2013. “ About ITAZ Technologies ITAZ Technologies designs easy to use document management software for businesses of all sizes. Globodox is ITAZ's enterprise document management solution. ITAZ was founded in 1999 and has customers in GLOBODOX, the enterprise document management company, is a happy place as they complete fourteen successful years in document management. The software is set to have much more in store and has made big plans for 2013 according to the sources at ITAZ Technologies, the makers of GLOBODOX. (PRWEB) January 08, 2013 GLOBODOX, the enterprise document management company, is a happy place as they complete fourteen successful years in document management. The software is set to have much more in store and has made big plans for 2013 according to the sources at ITAZ Technologies, the makers of GLOBODOX. Shiraz Ahmed, CEO of ITAZ had much to say about the occasion. He said “Looking back through the years, it feels amazing to know where we have reached. This is definitely an important landmark. It makes me happier to think that we are already in process of looking ahead with our plans for next year.” Shiraz also spoke about challenges in information management for companies in the upcoming years. He said “We are looking ahead at the most daunting challenges in information management. With the improved environmental understanding, most companies are aiming at environment friendly options for processes. So I think, one challenge for companies in 2013 would be to get more out of their investment in document management software by spreading its use to other departments. Not only will they get more bang for the buck but they will also significantly reduce the use of paper within the organization.” Shiraz also spoke at length about the Information Explosion and challenges to protect private information. He explained “Businesses need to work harder to deal with additional devices. It is not difficult to block access to a device once it is reported lost or stolen. But only having a product with a strong audit trail will tell you what was viewed, modified or deleted till the time access was blocked.” The last but perhaps the most important challenge according to Shiraz however, seems to be the Uniform Information Access. Elaborating the same, Shiraz says “Today it would not be uncommon for the user to have a Windows Desktop machine, an Apple MacBook, an iPad tablet and an Android smartphone. The challenge is to make information accessible from all such devices. This means having a uniform method of information access across devices. At ITAZ we will be concentrating on this challenge in 2013. “ About ITAZ Technologies ITAZ Technologies designs easy to use document management software for businesses of all sizes. Globodox is ITAZ's enterprise document management solution. ITAZ was founded in 1999 and has customers in over 50 countries across the globe.Picaboo Yearbook Provides the Ideal Business Opportunity for Women Re-Entering the Workforce over 50 countries across the globe.

Picaboo Yearbooks is helping women with a strong sales background, and who are re-entering the workforce, to start their own business with an exclusive dealership opportunity based in their community.

(PRWEB) January 08, 2013
Women looking to re-enter the workforce – but want to steer clear of MLM, affiliate marketing, and aspire to own their own business in which they can build equity – are finding that a new and unique business opportunity with Picaboo Yearbooks is an ideal fit.
“This is the ideal opportunity for women with a strong sales background who are looking to re-enter the workforce and like getting out and meeting with people,” commented Bryan Payne, President of Picaboo Yearbooks. “And since the majority of our customers are schools, the workday window leaves them time to spend with family.”
Members of Picaboo Yearbooks’ nationwide network of locally-based Dealership Owners are awarded an exclusive and protected sales territory, and are empowered to introduce the company’s groundbreaking yearbook product to schools and other groups within their communities. They also enjoy the perks of being their own boss, which includes the freedom to schedule presentations and appointments around their other important commitments. In addition, they can also build equity in their business, and can sell the business if they decide to pursue other opportunities.
Payne also noted that interest to join his company’s nationwide network has far exceeded expectations.
“In the past three months we’ve sold over 100 of the 500 total territories available across Canada and the United States,” added Payne. “We’re thrilled and well ahead of schedule. We anticipate all 500 dealership territories to be sold by the end of 2013, especially with an average investment of only $5000 - $10,000.
The response we’ve received from women across the country has been overwhelmingly positive. Dealership Owners are telling us that they decided to purchase their territory because our business model is revolutionizing the yearbook industry, and it’s inspiring to sell something unique and in-demand. They’re also impressed by our world-class training and marketing support.”
Since launching in September, 2012, many of Picaboo Yearbooks’ Dealership Owners have experienced rapid success, and over 500 schools and organizations nationwide have already started creating a yearbook – which is well ahead of the company’s predicted pace.
Prospective Dealership Owners who want to learn more about joining Picaboo Yearbooks’ nationwide network, and discover the rewards of being part of a customer-focused revolution in the yearbook industry, can learn more at http://yearbooks.picaboo.com/dealers/ or email info(at)picabooyearbooks(dot)com.
About Picaboo Yearbooks
Picaboo Yearbooks, which launched September, 2012, is a division of Picaboo: a premier provider of photo books. Picaboo Yearbooks believes that every school and student deserves a great yearbook, and is revolutionizing the yearbook industry through easy-to-use web app technology that empowers customers to: easily collaborate and create a personalized yearbook in no time; order as few or as many yearbooks as they need for the same affordable price; and have their top quality yearbooks shipped within three weeks. Schools and other customers can also create a professional, feature-filled eYearbook at no-cost, and easily setup a storefront to sell and manage yearbook sales online. Learn more at http://yearbooks.picaboo.com/.

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GLOBODOX Celebrates Completion of 14 Years in Document Management

GLOBODOX, the enterprise document management company, is a happy place as they complete fourteen successful years in document management. The software is set to have much more in store and has made big plans for 2013 according to the sources at ITAZ Technologies, the makers of GLOBODOX.

(PRWEB) January 08, 2013
GLOBODOX, the enterprise document management company, is a happy place as they complete fourteen successful years in document management. The software is set to have much more in store and has made big plans for 2013 according to the sources at ITAZ Technologies, the makers of GLOBODOX.
Shiraz Ahmed, CEO of ITAZ had much to say about the occasion. He said “Looking back through the years, it feels amazing to know where we have reached. This is definitely an important landmark. It makes me happier to think that we are already in process of looking ahead with our plans for next year.”
Shiraz also spoke about challenges in information management for companies in the upcoming years. He said “We are looking ahead at the most daunting challenges in information management. With the improved environmental understanding, most companies are aiming at environment friendly options for processes. So I think, one challenge for companies in 2013 would be to get more out of their investment in document management software by spreading its use to other departments. Not only will they get more bang for the buck but they will also significantly reduce the use of paper within the organization.”
Shiraz also spoke at length about the Information Explosion and challenges to protect private information. He explained “Businesses need to work harder to deal with additional devices. It is not difficult to block access to a device once it is reported lost or stolen. But only having a product with a strong audit trail will tell you what was viewed, modified or deleted till the time access was blocked.”
The last but perhaps the most important challenge according to Shiraz however, seems to be the Uniform Information Access. Elaborating the same, Shiraz says “Today it would not be uncommon for the user to have a Windows Desktop machine, an Apple MacBook, an iPad tablet and an Android smartphone. The challenge is to make information accessible from all such devices. This means having a uniform method of information access across devices. At ITAZ we will be concentrating on this challenge in 2013. “
About ITAZ Technologies

ITAZ Technologies designs easy to use document management software for businesses of all sizes. Globodox is ITAZ's enterprise document management solution. ITAZ was founded in 1999 and has customers in over 50 countries across the globe.

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Robert Mulhearn, CFA Joins Smart Devine as Senior Manager in Their Business Valuation Practice

Smart Devine (http://www.smartdevine), the full-service accounting, tax and advisory firm, announces today that it has hired Robert Mulhearn as Senior Manager in their Business Valuation Practice. Bob will assist both public and private companies to address the complexities that come with valuation needs in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, goodwill and intangible asset impairment testing, gift and estate tax, ESOPs, succession planning, and business disruption.

Philadelphia, PA (PRWEB) January 08, 2013
Smart Devine (http://www.smartdevine), the full-service accounting, tax and advisory firm, announces today that it has hired Robert Mulhearn as Senior Manager in their Business Valuation Practice. Bob will assist both public and private companies to address the complexities that come with valuation needs in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, goodwill and intangible asset impairment testing, gift and estate tax, ESOPs, succession planning, and business disruption.
Bob is a senior valuation professional with extensive experience performing detailed financial analysis and appraisals including those involving worldwide business enterprises. His expertise includes valuations involving allocation of purchase price, impairment studies for financial reporting, mergers and acquisitions, stock or business valuations, solution of special appraisal problems, valuations of intangible assets for both tax and accounting purposes (ASC 805 and ASC 350), creating budgets and business plans and solvency and fairness opinions.
Bob’s Industry experience includes manufacturing, telecommunications, internet firms, health care/pharmaceuticals, software providers, security monitoring, education, retail steel, electric power, financial services, gaming and others.
Prior to joining Smart Devine, Bob was President of Providence Valuation LLC and was a Vice President and Director at Marshall & Stevens Inc.
“Bob brings excellent senior advisor valuation credentials to Smart Devine’s business valuation practice. His knowledge in valuation across a broad range of industries offers a valuable resource to company leaders,” said Jim Smart, CEO of Smart Devine.
Bob earned his MBA in Finance from St. Joseph’s University and holds a BA in Psychology from Villanova University. Bob is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and a member of the CFA Institute and the Philopatrian Literary Institute.
Smart Devine, is headquartered in Philadelphia and provides a full range of accounting, advisory, tax and investigative forensic accounting services to companies across a variety of industries.

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US pushes to finish Afghan dam as challenges mount

KAJAKI, Afghanistan (AP) — In the approaching twilight of its war in Afghanistan, the U.S. is forging ahead with a giant infrastructure project long criticized as too costly in both blood and money.
It's a $500 million effort to refurbish the massive Kajaki dam and hydro-electric power system with an extensive network of power lines and transmission substations. It is supposed to bring electricity to 332,000 people in southern Afghanistan, increase crop yields and build up a cohort of trained Afghan laborers in a region badly in need of them.
But completion, which originally was envisaged for 2005, now is projected for some time in 2015, the year after most combat troops will have left the country. And there are some crucial ifs:
If a convoy carrying 900 tons of concrete can make it up a dangerous road to the dam site without being attacked by the Taliban. If the Afghan army can hold out in an area that took thousands of U.S. Marines to secure. If the Afghan government can take on the management of the dam.
"It's a long-term bet. I've said to people: We have to be patient and we have to persevere," said Ken Yamashita, the head of USAID in Afghanistan.
The desire to succeed is understandable. The Kajaki dam on the Helmand River symbolizes for both the Afghans and their American backers what they had hoped the infusion of U.S. troops and cash would produce nationwide: an Afghan government that can provide for its people and in turn count on its support against the Taliban insurgency.
The U.S. has spent $22.34 billion on governance and development in Afghanistan since it invaded the country following the Sept. 11 attacks, much of that on projects to build roads, schools, power plants and irrigation systems. In the past two years alone, $800 million was earmarked for infrastructure projects.
Kajaki is also a symbol of the American presence in Afghanistan dating back to the 1950s and the Cold War. That was when the U.S. built the original dam, with a powerhouse added in the 1970s. But before the three turbines could be installed, the Soviets invaded and construction stopped. The dam was still squeezing out a bit of power in 2001 when the U.S. attacked and, ironically enough, bombed the dam's power transmission line.
In the latest phase of the Kajaki saga, fighting as well as limited oversight of spending has led to huge delays and cost overruns. Now Helmand province, home of the dam, is seeing the first and largest wave of U.S. troop reductions, with 10,000 of 17,000 U.S. Marines already gone. That means most of the Kajaki project is going forward with Afghan forces providing nearly all the security in an area that was a Taliban stronghold until a year ago.
Afghans here are already hedging their bets.
The number of workers on a U.S.-funded construction project next to Kajaki has dwindled from 200 to 20 since last fall, and those remaining say workers feel the risk isn't worth the $6 daily paycheck.
"They can't come here because all the routes to the district are controlled by the Taliban," said Abdul Razziq, a 28-year-old villager working on construction of a new district government center next to the dam.
His family supports the government, so he at least doesn't have to lie to keep his place of work secret. Not so Timur Shah, who spends a couple of months at a time working at Kajaki. "My immediate family knows I am here. But if anyone else asks they will make something up," he said.
Shah said security improved when U.S. Marines flooded the province, but is deteriorating as the Marines leave.
"Just at the time the American forces started leaving here, the Taliban started to appear again, in the whole area," Shah said.
Cellphone service also stopped working in Kajaki district in late fall. It is common for insurgents to disrupt service in areas they control, though the construction workers say they're just as ready to believe to say the Americans blocked calls.
U.S. officials say the wariness is to be expected at a time of transition. They point out that Afghan security forces have increased their presence around the dam and that attacks, while still regular, appear to be decreasing.
"There's an ebb and flow," said Marine Capt. Glen Baker, one of a small group of Marines who continue to hold an outpost in Kajaki and advise Afghan forces in the area. "There was an increase when the Marines pulled out and there has been a decrease subsequently."
The company working on building the dam has also been able this year to send supplies via road — four convoys of trucks have made the trip without incident. Previously, equipment was being helicoptered in at enormous cost.
The core of the project is the installation of a third power-generating turbine at the dam, an effort that planned since 2002. The installation was originally budgeted at $18 million. Now it is getting another $85 million and is scheduled to be installed in March, after being delayed by efforts to weed out subcontracting applicants suspected of having Taliban ties.
But many in Afghanistan have already given up on Kajaki.
"It is 10 years now that Kajaki dam has been as it is. Too much money has been spent there in the name of reconstruction ... all of that money wasted," President Hamid Karzai said in a speech in December.
Shah, the construction worker, echoed the complaint.
"When the international forces first came here they told us, 'In one year you will have the dam, you will have power, you will have roads.' But that didn't happen. ... and we are still waiting," he said.
Even if the project now overcomes the security and logistical barriers, there are questions about whether it's worth the cost.
The dam can't provide enough power to sustain the main city in the region — Kandahar — and the price tag is steep for the extra irrigation it brings to the Helmand River valley.
And there are also signs of the difficulties the Afghan government may face when it takes over the management of the dam.
One area already controlled by the Afghans is the management of irrigation water. The water has to hold to a certain level through the winter to keep electricity flowing, but last year the manager in charge of irrigation yielded to pressure from farmers and kept the water valve open.
"He ignored the need to close it in September. So the level of water was reduced," said Shaqib Nassar, the utility's chief operations officer, which oversees the dam. As a result the dam can only produce 24 megawatts, rather than 33 megawatts, he explained.
And the Special Inspector General for Afghan Reconstruction, the U.S. government watchdog for spending in the country, said in a report in December that $12.8 million in electricity distribution equipment provided to the Afghan energy utility in Kandahar was sitting unused because the Afghan staff "lacked the technical and operational capacity to properly install and manage it." The Kandahar utility also oversees Kajaki dam.
As recently as mid-2012 the U.S. was considering scrapping the whole project and switching the money to less unwieldy projects. Then it doubled down.
"Several months back we had a lot of discussion about whether continued investment in this would be worthwhile ... There are certainly voices that say, 'We've invested this much, let's finish it,' and there are others that say, 'We've invested this much, however the additional investment just won't get us there,'" said Yamashita, the USAID official.
"In the end, the discussion and the conclusion was that the output of electricity plus the development programs in the Helmand valley, plus the security it brings, equals a risk worth taking."
From the air, the Helmand River is a narrow turquoise ribbon through the desert. The dam is a stacked concrete wall that bisects the river, creating a reservoir ringed with trees — a few spots of green in a vast field of brown.
The helicopters that fly to the dam are owned by a U.S. contractor and depart from a U.S. military base. As resources and Americans become fewer, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and USAID say they expect oversight to depend increasingly on Afghan partners. Everyone says they are committed to finishing the project; they'll just have to manage much of it from afar.
Sayed Rasoul is an Afghan engineer with decades spent in the management of Kajaki as well as the Kandahar and Helmand power grid. He says he's confident the dam will be completed and deliver the riches promised.
He also says he's certain that the Americans will be in Kajaki long after the last of the combat troops leave.
"Maybe the American forces will leave here," he said, "but the engineers will be with us.

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