A building collapse next to a jobsite in Brooklyn that killed eight people dominated headlines this week. Other construction news included Tutor Perini highlighting $200 billion in bidding opportunities outside of data centers while a Jacobs, WSP and Millstone Weber joint venture won a $583 million interstate job in Missouri. 

But there was other news still worthy of construction execs’ attention.   

Fortis expands into the Lone Star State

Fortis Construction opened a new office in Austin, Texas, according to a Tuesday news release.

The company’s Texas business unit will focus on the commercial, education, life sciences and healthcare sectors, the release said. John Ingram, a former vice president at Trammell Crow, according to his LinkedIn profile, will helm the unit.

Portland, Oregon-based Fortis also recently opened an office in Utah in 2024 and launched its industrial business unit, per the release.

—Sebastian Obando

FlatironDragados-Stacy Witbeck JV continues work on LA bus project

Valley Transit Partners, a joint venture of builders FlatironDragados and Stacy Witbeck alongside Modern Railway Systems, has reached several milestones on the $668 million G Line bus rapid transit corridor for the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transit Authority in California’s San Fernando Valley, according to a Tuesday announcement.

The construction team completed a storm drain connection at Sepulveda Boulevard and poured concrete for the forthcoming bridge’s underside and girders, per the announcement. The construction team is also at work on the Mechanically Stabilized Earth walls underway at both the Sepulveda and Van Nuys bridges.

Meanwhile, at the Van Nuys section, the team is continuing work on the future aerial installation and targets the canopy next. It also began the first stage of a bike path detour near Canoga Avenue. Next, the team aims to pour the Sepulveda Boulevard bridge deck and add the second stage of the bike path detour near White Oak Avenue.

The project is estimated to be complete in 2027, per LA Metro.

—Matthew Thibault

Manhattan Construction Co. names new exec

A Tulsa, Oklahoma-based contractor has promoted a 26-year company veteran to a new executive role, according to a Wednesday news release shared with Construction Dive.

Manhattan Construction Co. named Ryan Haynie as senior vice president, a role in which he will provide executive oversight of the company’s Dallas-area operations on top of his existing leadership of Tulsa operations and the mission critical market sector.

Haynie joined Manhattan as an intern, and has since served in field operations, project management and operational leadership roles. He also leads a key initiative for the firm's strategy to advance growth in targeted market sectors, the contractor said. 

—Zachary Phillips

Rosie the Riveter 2026 awards kick off

Get out your headscarves. The Rosie the Riveter Trust has opened its certification awards, which recognize California-based construction firms demonstrating a commitment to workplace equity, according to a Nov. 5 news release. 

The award evaluates employers across hiring, retention, workplace environment and workplace benefits practices supporting gender equity. With only 4.3% of construction trade workers being women, according to the release, the program recognizes companies that promote gender diversity, equity and inclusion. 

“Rosie Certification gives contractors a credible way to show current and future clients, public agencies, and recruits that their commitment to equity is backed by measurable practices, not just intent,” said Sarah Pritchard, executive director of the Rosie the Riveter Trust.

Skanska USA, Teichert and Nova Group have all been past recipients of the award. The deadline to submit applications is Jan. 15. 

—Joe Bousquin

DBIA names Hensel Phelps build project of the year

San Francisco International Airport's Harvey Milk Terminal 1 has earned the Design-Build Institute of America's 2026 National Design-Build Project of the Year, according to a Tuesday release shared with Construction Dive. DBIA presented the award during an annual ceremony, held this year on Nov. 5 in Cleveland.

Delivered through progressive design-build by a team of Hensel Phelps and Gensler, the project involved demolishing and rebuilding a major airport terminal while keeping the facility operational. The team used co-location and lean construction practices to coordinate phases and resolve challenges.

Named for civil rights leader Harvey Milk, the terminal incorporates accessible passenger amenities, and it achieved LEED v4 Platinum certification, according to DBIA. 

More than 80 projects competed for the top honor, per the announcement. An independent jury of industry experts selected 32 Merit Award winners across 10 market sectors, awarding nine projects with National Awards of Excellence. 

—Zachary Phillips