The Latest
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AGC launches program to diversify construction workforce
By targeting more high school students with construction-related career and technical training opportunities, the association says it hopes to pull more minorities and women into the industry.
Commercial Building -
Group files third lawsuit against Maryland's Purple Line
The advocacy group was successful in delaying the $5.6 billion, 16-mile light-rail line for almost a year with a previous lawsuit.
UPDATED: Jan. 18, 2019 at 9:32 a.m.
Infrastructure -
Memphis, Tennessee, saw $1.3B of new construction permits in 2018
As is trending in many U.S. metros, residents' demand for a live-work-play environment is drawing business and keeping contractors busy.
Commercial Building -
Deep DiveWhat can be gleaned from 2018's highest-profile construction bankruptcies?
Causes of last year's significant bankruptcies varied, and though some were beyond contractors' control, there are lessons to be learned.
Legal/Regulation -
Katerra's valuation could hit $4B following a rumored $700M SoftBank funding round
SoftBank's Vision Fund is a big investor in construction- and real estate-related companies, having led a massive round for Katerra in 2018.
Commercial Building -
Deep DiveFor Generation Z, the value of a construction career is a no-brainer
Trades training is an attractive alternative to student loans for frugal Gen Zers, who seek financial success and entrepreneurial opportunities at a young age.
Commercial Building -
Caltrans awards Granite projects worth $520M
Granite plans to pursue more than $4 billion of construction manager and general contractor work in 2019, with $1 billion of that in California.
Infrastructure -
Suffolk hiring outside of industry to fill executive spots
The general contractor is increasing its focus on tech with recent hires from E-Trade and General Electric and the absence of "Construction" from its name in marketing materials.
Commercial Building -
Cedar Rapids, Iowa, region sees $1.6B of construction since 2016
Linn County has seen 125 projects valued at $1 million or more, offering testament to the trend of big development booms happening in small pockets outside the country's major metros.
Economy -
Google driving San Jose, California, development boom
The "Google Effect" has seen the city's plans for housing, retail and office projects explode to support as many as 20,000 employees working in or near downtown within the next decade or so.
Commercial Building -
Trux launches free 'dump trucks on demand' platform
The cloud-based product — which will begin its national rollout in Los Angeles — connects contractors with third-party drivers and offers automated dispatching, real-time driver tracking and more.
Commercial Building -
Scaffold law, inefficiencies to blame for higher New York construction costs
The General Contractors Association of New York said the state's law, which makes employers and owners 100% liable for falls, significantly increases insurance costs.
Commercial Building -
More employees entering workforce equipped with tech skills
Confidence in new graduates' ability to help digitize companies through artificial intelligence, robotics and other tech is on the rise among construction and other business leaders.
Technology -
Work on majorly disruptive, $800M Miami bridge underway
The I-395 project, awarded to design-build joint venture Archer Western-de Moya Group after a contentious bidding process, will take four years.
Infrastructure -
Repairing Puerto Rico's schools post-Maria will cost $11B, take 7 years
The money the U.S. territory is counting on could be diverted to pay for wall construction along the U.S.-Mexico border if the president declares a national emergency.
Commercial Building -
Deep Dive7 trends that will shape commercial construction in 2019
Automation, drone use, hyperloops and more are among the trends that will make the biggest impact on the industry this year.
Commercial Building -
Pentagon eyes military construction budget for border wall
If the president declares a national emergency, the Department of Defense could reportedly tap up to $23 billion of unallocated construction funds.
Infrastructure -
Audit: Poor management of $9B Honolulu light rail caused price spike, 6-year delay
A premature contract award to Kiewit and misinformation from HART eroded oversight and public confidence in the 20-mile rail, a state report found.
Infrastructure -
$1B Arkansas bridge corridor estimate busts $535M budget
Kiewit-Massman Constructors, which recently won the design-build project through Little Rock, will spend the next six months crunching numbers.
Infrastructure -
Canadian officials recover CA$1.5M of wages as a result of jobsite inspections
More than 55% of the employers the Ontario Ministry of Labor inspected had underpaid their employees.
Legal/Regulation -
ColumnModern Materials: Bendable concrete, 'knitted' concrete shells and more
Plus, ceramic particles make cladding fireproof, microscopic wood pieces strengthen concrete by 15% and old clothing is used to make building panels.
Technology -
Federal shutdown threatening some infrastructure projects
States are holding off on cementing plans for 2019 surface transportation projects since much of their funding has been cut off.
Infrastructure -
OSHA cites contractor in NYC mini-crane accident, proposes $155K fine
St. Louis-based Western Waterproofing allegedly put employees at risk by allowing untrained workers to operate the equipment on a Manhattan site.
Legal/Regulation -
NYC councilman proposes prevailing wage for all city-subsidized construction projects
Ben Kallos' proposal won praise from the city's trade unions but has been challenged by industry groups like the Associated Builders and Contractors.
Legal/Regulation -
Exoskeleton suit allows construction workers to lift 200 lbs
Sarcos Robotics' Guardian XO Max full-body exoskeleton robotic system is controlled by sensors that respond to human movement within milliseconds.
Technology