Commercial Building

Managing a coronavirus-related project shutdown

Contractors and subcontractors need to take several steps to secure their jobsites before stopping work under new county, city and state orders.

By Kim Slowey • March 27, 2020

Penn Medicine speeds up construction of $1.5B Philly hospital by 15 months during coronavirus crisis

Part of the Pavilion, if wrapped up in mid-April, will be open more than a year ahead of schedule to take patients with COVID-19, a spokesperson said.

By Zachary Phillips • March 27, 2020

A new coronavirus threat: sidelined subcontractors

Confusion about mandates, safety and family concerns are pulling already sparse specialized trades from sites. GCs need to maintain strict standards so subs will actually work if they are permitted to do so, an expert says.

By Jenn Goodman • March 26, 2020

Mailbag: Construction attorneys answer readers' coronavirus legal questions

U.S. contractors are facing uncertainty around issues like health threats to workers, government stoppages and supply chain delays. Here, construction attorneys break down some of the legal ramifications.

By Jenn Goodman • March 26, 2020

Washington state bans construction, Boston extends moratorium

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee's clarification updated Monday's mandate that appeared to exempt construction while Boston Mayor Martin Walsh extended his construction ban despite calls from his governor to lift it.

By Jenn Goodman • March 26, 2020

Remote control: Contech firms pitch ways to progress projects during social distancing

Tech and software firms offer solutions for managing on-site work while maintaining social distancing guidelines.

By Zachary Phillips • March 25, 2020

Australian collaborative that includes Lendlease working to inject tech into the construction process

Building 4.0 CRC recently received $16 million in funding to update the construction life cycle for the “fourth industrial age.”

By Zachary Phillips • March 25, 2020

Healthcare expert: Open-space workplaces are relatively low risk for coronavirus

An American Society of Safety Professionals representative said that spaces where workers are regularly 6 feet apart and wearing gloves don't necessitate the acquisition of extra masks for prevention of COVID-19.

By Zachary Phillips • March 25, 2020

Swinerton, Katerra, WSP and others make executive moves for future growth

With the uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus outbreak, leading construction companies need the right people in top positions now more than ever.

By Kim Slowey • March 25, 2020

How Swinerton employs robots, apps and 3D to communicate with clients, jobsites

Operations Manager Paul Nielsen walks us through how important tech is to the contractor's construction process, from an image-capturing robotic dog to its custom app that makes “napkin sketches” reality.

By Zachary Phillips • March 25, 2020

'Virtual town hall' on coronavirus offers contractors tips amid uncertainty

A Fieldwire-hosted webinar touched on several coronavirus-related issues, including future cash flow and the best ways to help employees keep a safe distance from each other while on the job.

By Kim Slowey • March 25, 2020

Denver airport settles with fired Great Hall P3 partner

Construction continues at Denver International Airport, with new contractor Hensel Phelps taking health and safety precautions due to the coronavirus pandemic.

By Kim Slowey • March 24, 2020

Opinion

Shut down all nonessential jobsites to protect construction workers from COVID-19: A superintendent's perspective

By continuing construction on sites that aren't critical for a community's wellbeing, companies are putting their people at risk in favor of schedule and profit, writes New York-based superintendent James Lang.

By James Lang • March 24, 2020

Deep Dive

5 things to know about the new coronavirus paid leave law

A number of small businesses are "despondent," a legal expert said. But there's hope the federal government could soften the law's impact.

By Ryan Golden • March 23, 2020

Construction can continue in New York, California and Illinois amid shutdown orders. In other regions, it's banned

The three state mandates exempt construction but with caution and caveats. Meanwhile, Pennsylvania's and some Massachusetts cities' orders effectively stop construction.

By Jenn Goodman • March 23, 2020

Bechtel reports 14.5% dip in total revenue in 2019

The multinational energy contracting giant, considered the largest U.S. construction firm in terms of revenue, also reported decreases in backlog and new projects, while it's also experienced coronavirus-related setbacks in 2020.

By Jenn Goodman • March 20, 2020

Trump signs emergency coronavirus bill granting paid leave opposed by construction group

The bill contains two key provisions covering workers employed by private entities and individuals that employ fewer than 500 employees.

By Ryan Golden , Jean Dimeo • March 19, 2020

Governors, senators urge Trump to help states expand hospitals for anticipated coronavirus patients

Lawmakers such as Andrew Cuomo and Elizabeth Warren say most states do not have the resources to build the necessary healthcare facilities and need federal and private-sector assistance.

By Kim Slowey • March 19, 2020

Tutor Perini, developer fight over lien, claims of defective work at Florida hotel

The owner of the Dalmar Hotel in Fort Lauderdale claims it's due $12 million in damages from the general contractor over defective work, including malfunctioning elevators and water leaks. 

By Kim Slowey • March 19, 2020

How contractors are responding to the COVID-19 crisis

Despite paralyzing levels of uncertainty brought on by the rapidly changing effects of the coronavirus pandemic, contractors like Bechtel, DPR, Layton and Suffolk are trying to prepare for whatever might come next.

By Jenn Goodman • March 19, 2020

In most US cities, construction work continues as shutdowns loom

Pennsylvania's ban on nonessential travel effectively stops construction, while it's unclear how California's measure will impact new and existing work. As more jurisdictions follow, Trump is being urged to set federal definitions on whether functions such as jobsites can operate.

By Jenn Goodman • UPDATED: March 20, 2020 at 10:14 a.m.

Remote control: What construction companies are doing to keep work going

Amid the coronavirus response and workers increasingly being advised to work remotely, some firms shared with Construction Dive their response to teleworking in an industry where in-person jobsite work is essential. 

By Zachary Phillips • March 18, 2020

Hotel construction pipeline ends 2019 with record high

Though there were a record number of hotels planned and underway as of the close of the year, Lodging Econometrics' results and forecast do not include the potential impact of the coronavirus.

By Kim Slowey • March 18, 2020

BigRentz acquires Illinois equipment rental company en route to potential IPO

The largest heavy equipment rental firm in the U.S. merged with Lizzy Lift and has plans to acquire more companies like it.

By Zachary Phillips • March 18, 2020

Boston 1st major US city to order halt on all construction

Mayor Martin Walsh's announcement calls into question whether other jurisdictions will follow suit and enact construction site shutdowns. Some city leaders seem to be considering it while others are not.

By Jenn Goodman • March 17, 2020