Lumber prices soar due to shutdowns, higher demand

Although the price of lumber is at an all-time high, commercial construction’s lack of reliance on the material means the impact will fall largely on residential, according to an expert.

By Zachary Phillips • Aug. 21, 2020

Racism saps safety and profits from construction, owners say

Executives from Microsoft and Compass Datacenters issued a call to action to stamp out hate in the construction industry, saying it stifles productivity and keeps talented workers away.

By Joe Bousquin • Aug. 21, 2020

Explore the Trendline➔

Preconstruction

Careful collaboration before shovels hit dirt is key to a successful project, experts say.

By Construction Dive staff

Marriott trims US hotel plans, cancels development meeting

The hotel giant's shrinking pipeline is due to "a lackluster lending environment and owner uncertainty,” according to CEO Arne Sorenson.

By Joe Bousquin • Aug. 20, 2020

Drone video shows rapid progress at Austin, Texas, Tesla site

The area has been cleared and foundation prep work is underway for Tesla's $1.1 billion Cybertruck factory.

By Zachary Phillips • Updated Sept. 9, 2020

Readers Respond: Construction faces a 'racism pandemic'

In the latest Construction Dive survey, 65% of respondents said they had witnessed a racist incident on a jobsite, from outward symbols like nooses to more subtle discrimination such as failing to share knowledge or opportunities.

By Jennifer Goodman • Aug. 20, 2020

Why construction documentation matters more than ever during COVID-19

The pandemic has forced contractors to quickly shift to solutions such as artificial intelligence, virtual reality, virtual tours and project management software, says the head of contech firm StructionSite.

By Matt Daly • Aug. 19, 2020

Feds look to high-tech towers to complement border wall construction

The Trump administration has reportedly awarded a multimillion-dollar contract to a California-based tech startup to provide hundreds of "autonomous surveillance towers" along the U.S.-Mexico border. 

By Jennifer Goodman • Aug. 19, 2020

Orange County Convention Center joins hospitality projects halted by COVID-19

The $600 million expansion project was set to begin construction in Florida later this year, but now Mayor Jerry Demings has canceled all contracts, including the contract with PCL Construction.

By Zachary Phillips • Updated Sept. 1, 2020

Infrastructure starts plummet 31% in July, other sectors make small gains

Nonresidential building gained 3%, providing some evidence that a recovery may be underway, according to Dodge Data & Analytics. Another construction analyst was more bearish on the results. 

By Joe Bousquin • Aug. 19, 2020

NYC announces new PLAs, community hiring initiative

Mayor Bill de Blasio's administration entered into new Project Labor Agreements with trade unions and has proposed state legislation requiring contractors to hire low-income New Yorkers.

By Kim Slowey • Aug. 18, 2020

As overdose deaths rise, Boston contractor broadens substance abuse support program

Commodore Builders has expanded coverage from its employees and families to all workers on its jobsites.

By Zachary Phillips • Aug. 18, 2020

Lendlease reports pandemic-driven loss for second half of its fiscal year

Despite the effects of the coronavirus, the company's core business development backlog saw a 48% increase year over year.

By Kim Slowey • Aug. 17, 2020

Fabric, fit more important than face covering style

Don't throw away that neck gaiter just yet: It may not be as ineffective for limiting coronavirus spread as recent news reports claim, according to new research.

By Jennifer Goodman • Updated Aug. 19, 2020

Building a factory during a pandemic: an owner's perspective

Designing and constructing a 42,500-square-foot processing plant during the COVID-19 outbreak required patience, technology and a dedicated team, said Gathered Foods founder Chris Kerr.

By Megan Poinski • Aug. 14, 2020

Give us your feedback about racism on jobsites

Construction Dive wants to know how prevalent racism is on construction projects across the country — and when racist incidents occur, what should leaders do to address them?

By Jennifer Goodman • Aug. 14, 2020

Balfour Beatty reports half-year loss amid plunge in UK construction market

Despite the downturn, CEO Leo Quinn said that the company expects to recover quickly, pointing to potential government infrastructure investment.

By Jennifer Goodman • Aug. 13, 2020

Readers Respond: 44% of respondents had a co-worker test positive for COVID-19

How people react to their own or a co-worker's illness varies by the severity of symptoms they experience, witness or hear about, according to the latest Construction Dive survey.

By Joe Bousquin • Aug. 13, 2020

USC launches master's degree in construction tech

The University of Southern California's Viterbi School of Engineering is offering a new master's program in Advanced Design and Construction Technology.

By Jennifer Goodman • Aug. 12, 2020

Architectural billings continue to decline

The AIA Billings Index fell again in July, albeit at a slower pace than earlier this year when the index dropped to an historic low.

By Joe Bousquin • Updated Aug. 24, 2020

Study finds COVID-19 protocols led to a 7% loss on construction projects

Based on data that has ramifications for the entire industry, a new report from a subcontractor association also said that its members have taken a nearly 18% hit to productivity since the coronavirus outbreak began.

By Joe Bousquin • Aug. 11, 2020

Another bird-friendly building mandate for the East Coast

Howard County, Maryland, is the latest jurisdiction to mandate construction standards that lessen fatal bird collisions with buildings, following similar laws in New York City and San Francisco.

By Amanda Loudin • Aug. 11, 2020

Appeals court upholds $687K builders risk exclusion on Balfour Beatty project

The court found that the risk policy for a Houston office building did not cover damage to the windows caused by slag from welding operations by subcontractor Milestone Metals. 

By Kim Slowey • Aug. 10, 2020

Turner Construction suspends work at $1.7B Facebook site in Ohio due to racist incident

The shutdown at the data center construction site near Columbus, Ohio, follows a similar incident at Turner's FC Cincinnati stadium site.

By Kim Slowey • Updated Aug. 10, 2020

Maryland judge says contractors can walk away from Purple Line transit project

After years spent negotiating millions of dollars in cost overruns with Maryland agencies, Purple Line Transit Partners has received permission to leave the $5.6 billion project.

By Zachary Phillips , Kim Slowey • Updated Sept. 11, 2020

Question of the week: Have you had COVID-19?

With construction workers reporting to jobsites throughout the coronavirus pandemic, Construction Dive editors want to know what your personal experiences have been with COVID-19.

By Joe Bousquin • Aug. 7, 2020