Construction Dive’s Friday Punch List is a series dedicated to sharing major building headlines that contractors may have missed from the week.
It was another big week for construction news. Skanska announced it won a $1 billion rail bridge job in Massachusetts and Bechtel partnered with NABTU to modernize apprenticeships for energy builds.
Read on for other news from the week builders should know about.
Shawmut names new exec to pursue Florida work
Boston-based Shawmut Design and Construction is expanding its presence in the Sunshine State. The firm has hired project executive Ruben Bravo to deliver projects in the public sector in South Florida, Shawmut announced Wednesday.
The contractor has a 25-year presence in South Florida, with ambitions to grow its $2.3 billion construction management business to $5 billion.
“As an established construction manager in South Florida, we recognize the significant opportunities across public sector work, with increasing investment in aging infrastructure and sustained demand driven by population growth and international tourism,” Alexis Leal, Shawmut's head of Florida, said in the release.
Bravo has previously worked in South Florida for Miami-based MCM Construction as well as Greeley, Colorado-based Hensel Phelps, per his LinkedIn. With more than 30 years in the industry, Bravo has experience in public-private partnerships, aviation and design-build projects, the release said. At Shawmut, he will focus on airport, seaport and transportation pursuits in Miami-Dade County and South Florida at large.
—Zachary Phillips
DeWalt awards $200K in trades education scholarships
DeWalt, the Towson, Maryland-based construction tool provider, has awarded $200,000 in scholarships for 40 students in the U.S. and Canada, the company announced Wednesday.
The annual initiative is part of DeWalt's goal to aid in closing the skills gap through its Grow the Trades program, which represents a $60 million investment in trades education by 2030, the release said.
"As the demand for skilled tradespeople continues to rise, it's essential to invest in the next generation of professionals who will build our communities and drive progress," James Oh, president and general manager of DeWalt said in the release.
As part of the announcement, DeWalt highlighted individuals to whom it provided the scholarship funds. For example, Jacob Davis, a current student at Laurel Technical Institute in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, is pursuing a career as an electrical technician.
"Trade school fits my strengths and gives me a clear direction for my future. I am motivated to finish strong, graduate, and start building a career I can be proud of," Davis said in the release.
—Zachary Phillips
Warfel Construction turns 115
East Petersburg, Pennsylvania-based Warfel Construction launched its “115 Years of Gratitude” campaign in recognition of the firm’s 1911 founding, according to a Wednesday release.
In a video, the firm offers thanks to employees, clients, trade partners and community members that have played a part in the firm’s century-plus story.
And the firm has been growing. In 2019 it added an office in Paoli, Pennsylvania, followed by one in Winchester, Virginia, in 2022 and State College, Pennsylvania, in 2024. The newer offices helped the firm expand its offerings in the mid-Atlantic region, per the release.
“While we’re proud of where we’ve been, we’re even more excited about where we’re going,” Matt Hartzler, CEO of Warfel, said in the release. “This campaign is ultimately about gratitude — and about continuing to build meaningful relationships for generations to come.”
—Zachary Phillips
Rudolph and Sletten wins Sutter Health build
Tutor Perini subsidiary Rudolph and Sletten cemented a contract for Sutter Health’s Advanced Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Care Complex in Sacramento, California, according to a company release.
The scope of work includes converting an existing structure to a new, 120,000-square-foot ambulatory surgical center and medical office building. The facility will comprise exam rooms, concussion clinics, a performance lab, physical therapy and research space as well as five operating rooms, sterile processing and advanced imaging areas.
Rudolph and Sletten will conduct structural upgrades to the existing, cast-in-place post-tensioned building to meet current seismic requirements and install new mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems.
Preconstruction started last spring, with active construction beginning earlier this year. The firm expects the project to finish in fall of 2027.
—Joe Bousquin
