In coronavirus crisis, US construction firms begin turning to layoffs, furloughs

After years of not having enough labor, more construction employers are going to start having to turn job seekers away on a large scale, says Associated Builders and Contractors' chief economist.

By Jennifer Goodman • Updated April 14, 2020

After a coronavirus-related project suspension, take these steps to protect your rights

A force majeure clause should not discourage contractors from taking the steps necessary to preserve their claims, writes attorney Roscoe Green.

By Roscoe Green • April 9, 2020

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Top 5 stories from Construction Dive

Construction Dive editors curate some of the industry’s top stories from this year.

By Construction Dive staff

Trump administration clarifies that paycheck protection loan program applies to all small construction firms

The Treasury Department released new guidance regarding its small business stimulus loans yesterday after the Associated General Contractors of America raised concerns that many small contractors appeared to be excluded.

By Jennifer Goodman • April 8, 2020

Immersive virtual meeting platform allows AECOM to host public project discussions

Developed in response to the need for social distancing, the tool allows clients to remotely host live public discussions on community construction projects with interactive elements.

By Jennifer Goodman • April 8, 2020

Post-coronavirus contingency planning for contractors, owners

When U.S. construction reboots, contractors will face new short-term and long-term challenges. An expert from Turner & Townsend offers ways to prepare.

By Kim Slowey • April 8, 2020

Turner, Rosendin transform Coachella Valley, California, facilities into coronavirus treatment centers

The fast-tracked retrofit of two 1940s-era auditoriums into state-of-the-art medical facilities required a team approach and all-hands-on-deck mentality, Rosendin officials say.

By Jennifer Goodman • April 7, 2020

OSHA cites engineer, 10 contractors in deadly Hard Rock New Orleans collapse

OSHA imposed a total of more than $315,000 in fines for project safety violations, including a willful citation of $154,000 to Heaslip Engineering.

By Kim Slowey • April 7, 2020

AECOM cuts executive and board pay by 20%, CEO Burke remains for now

The company's reported merger talks with Canada-based WSP have also likely stalled due to the coronavirus crisis.

By Jennifer Goodman • April 6, 2020

Analysts predict a temporary coronavirus-related halt to commercial lending

Large transactions will be challenging to consummate now, but the outbreak's impact on U.S. commercial lending will be more like that of 9/11 than the Great Recession, a RCLCO Real Estate Advisors​ official told Construction Dive.

By Jennifer Goodman • April 3, 2020

The right contract provisions can protect construction firms from coronavirus-related shutdown costs

Attorney Roscoe Green says contractors can be on the hook for damages and delays even if a project is suspended for reasons out of their control. 

By Roscoe Green • April 2, 2020

Consultant predicts a post-coronavirus 'construction tsunami'

Contractors should look to predictive models to help plan for getting back to work after the COVID-19 crisis abates, which could be in just over a month, according to a presenter at a recent DBIA webinar.

By Jennifer Goodman • April 2, 2020

Construction Dive survey: Tell us your tech practices during the coronavirus shutdown

We want to hear from more contractors about how they're continuing work during shutdowns. 

By Construction Dive Editors • April 1, 2020

AI app debuted to track jobsite social distancing practices

Using cameras onsite, contractors can enact a virtual safety net to document when workers are moving within 6 feet of each other, Smartvid.io's CEO said.

By Zachary Phillips • April 1, 2020

Tech 101: Digital use cases

The approach involves defining a problem that technology could solve and is one of the main ways that construction companies can increase success with tech, experts say.

By Zachary Phillips • April 1, 2020

European contractors lobby EU to declare force majeure for coronavirus-impacted projects

The European Construction Industry Federation​ is asking for a force majeure declaration from the European Union, but U.S. groups making a similar blanket plea stateside is unlikely, construction lawyers say. 

By Zachary Phillips • April 1, 2020

Essential or not, all construction requires enhanced safety protocols

Can construction continue safely within CDC guidelines? In some instances, it can’t, but in many cases, it can — and it should, writes Associated Builders and Contractors' Greg Sizemore.

By Greg Sizemore • April 1, 2020

Skanska, Balfour Beatty, Jacobs Engineering freeze or cut executive pay

In response to coronavirus-related economic turmoil, public construction firms are also delaying dividends and Fluor is preparing to ward off any hostile takeover bids.

By Jennifer Goodman • April 1, 2020

Hawaii releases RFQ for P3 Aloha Stadium redevelopment

The state is investing $350 million but its P3 partner will also provide financing for construction of the new venue and ancillary mixed-use development.

By Kim Slowey • March 31, 2020

$2T COVID-19 package prioritizes relief for workers, small businesses

Among other things, the CARES Act includes a payroll tax credit for certain employers.

By Sheryl Estrada • March 31, 2020

5 noteworthy megaprojects still under construction during the outbreak

Amid ever-changing mandates and guidelines, projects such as Amazon HQ2, a bullet train line, an airport and professional sports stadiums have continued work, even though some of these sites have had confirmed cases.

By Zachary Phillips • March 30, 2020

Construction workers express concerns about coronavirus, question their rights

Readers wrote to Construction Dive that laborers are faced with making individual decisions during the coronavirus pandemic — stay home or risk being exposed at work.

By Kim Slowey • March 30, 2020

Architects report reduced demand, expected revenue loss and signs of future slowing of starts

Construction industry surveys also show project cancellations and slowdowns as the coronavirus outbreak spreads nationwide and state and local governments stop most or some construction work.

By Kim Slowey • March 30, 2020

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's $1.5B Philadelphia hospital opens doors months ahead of schedule

After speeding up the construction schedule last month, the space has opened with 120 beds serving as overflow for non-COVID-19 patients. 

By Zachary Phillips • Updated April 29, 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 Jennifer Goodman • March 26, 2020