This week in construction news, a major, embattled project took a big step forward.

The $16 billion Hudson Tunnel project in New Jersey held a ceremony to mark the beginning of boring work on Monday. Also making headlines were a Fluor-JCG JV that won a $15 billion LNG contract in British Columbia and a $677 million Texas highway project that reached completion.  

But those weren’t the only developments in the construction world this week. Read on for other news executives should know about.

Genentech breaks ground on $750M Oregon project

San Francisco-based biotechnology company Genentech broke ground Monday on a $750 million expansion of its manufacturing campus in Hillsboro, Oregon, according to a news release.

A member of the pharmaceutical company Roche Group, Genentech plans to begin commercial operations at the new facility in 2031. The 211,000-square-foot addition will double the size of the existing site, according to the release.

Once operational, the expanded facility will increase capacity for advanced drug delivery devices and will strengthen the company’s U.S. manufacturing capabilities. The project forms part of the investment push of Genentech and Roche in U.S. manufacturing, including other milestones in Holly Springs, North Carolina, and Boston.

Genentech did not disclose the general contractor on the build.

—Sebastian Obando

Nvidia selects Jacobs for data center digital twin

Jacobs will deploy its data center digital twin at a large-scale Nvidia research and development facility in the U.S., according to a Wednesday news release.

Nvidia tapped Jacobs under a three-year software-as-a-service agreement to improve operational planning and facility performance. The digital twin platform helps operators simulate scenarios, giving them greater visibility into infrastructure management, said Amer Battikhi, executive vice president at Jacobs, in the release.

The digital twin solution supports dynamic power load balancing, energy forecasting, liquid coolant leak detection, predictive maintenance and operator training, according to Jacobs.

—Sebastian Obando

Turner delivers $29M substance abuse center

Turner Construction and community partners marked the ribbon cutting of the $29 million Substance Use Residential & Treatment Services center in National City, California, according to a Tuesday news release. 

The facility houses 73 residential treatment beds and 16 recuperative care beds to integrate while integrating substance use treatment and recuperative care services under one roof, according to the release. San Diego-based Platt/Whitelaw Architects partnered on the project. 

The project transformed a previously vacant county building with upgraded mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems plus modernized kitchen, laundry, dormitory and office areas, per an update from the County of San Diego. The center uses all‑electric systems. 

The SURTS center is expected to serve approximately 500 people annually through residential treatment and another 167 people through recuperative care, according to the Turner release. 

—Joe Bousquin

CMAA picks new CEO

The Construction Management Association of America has a new leader.

CMAA, which creates educational materials and programming for construction pros leading large capital projects, has picked Kevin Watkins as its next president and CEO, according to a Wednesday announcement. Watkins’ appointment is effective Nov. 16.

Watkins joins CMAA from the American Institute of Architects, where he currently serves as chief operating officer, according to the announcement. At AIA, he has helped the association reach record membership growth.

As part of his responsibilities, Watkins will lead CMAA’s work to complete and implement its new strategic plan, strengthen chapters, expand recognition of its credentials and advocate for CMAA at the government and industry levels.

—Matthew Thibault

Black & White Engineering expands to US

Black & White Engineering, a British engineering firm with locations around the world, has opened two U.S. offices in Tampa, Florida, and Arlington, Virginia, according to a Monday release. 

The move coincides with its push to grow its U.S. operations, per the announcement. The company aims to grow its North America team to approximately 200 people by 2029, and it also plans to open another office in Texas. It will hire workers across disciplines that include technical engineering, electrical, mechanical, BIM and project and design management roles.

In particular, Black & White spotlighted its Virginia office as a strong location for the business, which sits near the heart of one of the strongest data center development markets in the U.S.

“For 19 years, we have built our reputation, technical capability, and culture across some of the world’s most important markets,” said Mick Cairns, the company’s chairman and CEO, in the announcement. “North America is the final piece of the jigsaw.” 

—Matthew Thibault