Infrastructure

DOT awards $1.5B for 91 projects across 49 states and DC

The Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) program weighed a record 851 submissions based on safety, state of repair, innovation and other criteria.

By Kim Slowey • Dec. 13, 2018

Q&A

The 50 States of Construction: Fast-growing North Carolina rebounds from Hurricane Florence

Faced with an influx of residents, the state is resuming its frantic pace of building and infrastructure construction —​ but creative strategies to recruit more young people to the industry will be essential.

By Kim Slowey • Dec. 13, 2018

Mountain Valley Pipeline sued, Atlantic Coast Pipeline halted

Virginia alleged the $4.6 billion Mountain Valley project repeatedly violated environmental laws and permit talks for the $7 billion Atlantic Coast line stalled.

By Kim Slowey • Dec. 12, 2018

Minneapolis' $2B Southwest rail attracting $1B in mixed-use development near stations

Despite Metro Transit's report, some developers say construction near the light-rail line's 16 planned stops would have boomed regardless.

By Kim Slowey • Dec. 12, 2018

Connecticut DOT unveils 5-year, $12B infrastructure plan

The capital construction program is a near $5-billion increase from the last cycle, but state lawmakers have yet to settle on a source of funding.

By Kim Slowey • Dec. 12, 2018

Tariffs driving up infrastructure construction costs, analysis shows

President Donald Trump's steel and aluminum tariffs have increased the cost of several public works projects and could limit the scope of future initiatives, Bloomberg reports.

By Kim Slowey • Dec. 11, 2018

Ohio landowners sue contractors, owner of $2.1B pipeline

The landowners claim that pipeline construction damaged their property and want owner Nexus Gas Transmission and contractors to pay for it. 

By Kim Slowey • Dec. 11, 2018

Trump: US-Mexico border wall could be built for $15B or less

President Donald Trump added that construction of a "proper wall" to stop the flow of heroin across the border, which cost the U.S. $238 billion in 2016, would quickly pay for itself.

By Kim Slowey • Dec. 11, 2018

Michigan lawmakers advance $350M to $500M pipeline tunnel

Critics of the project have accused Gov. Rick Snyder of trying to push the project through before he leaves office in January.

By Kim Slowey • Dec. 10, 2018

Chapel Hill, North Carolina, approves $2.5B light-rail project

The agreement is one of several that the regional transportation authority must secure before the state moves ahead with design and construction of the 17-mile line between Durham and Chapel Hill.

By Kim Slowey • Dec. 10, 2018

Trump planning another pass at $1T infrastructure package

A massive program of infrastructure construction and rehabilitation was one of the linchpins of President Donald Trump's 2016 campaign but the initiative has not yet come to fruition.

By Kim Slowey • Dec. 07, 2018

Queens calls on Amazon to help fund $2.7B Brooklyn-Queens Connector

Borough of Queens President Melinda Katz said Amazon support for the streetcar project, which will be the only direct connection between the two New York City boroughs, would be a "fair investment."

By Laurie Cowin • Dec. 07, 2018

$136B North Texas transportation plan clears key environmental hurdle

DOT determined that the Mobility 2045 plan — which is funding rail, bus and highway systems to accommodate an estimated 51% regional population increase — meets federal air quality requirements.

By Kim Slowey • Dec. 06, 2018

Musk's Boring Co. switches Los Angeles tunnel focus to Dodgers stadium

The tunneling firm reportedly has abandoned plans for a high-speed transit tunnel in Westside in favor of one that will serve the MLB park.

By Kim Slowey • Dec. 05, 2018

Construction begins on Texas border gates

Gideon Contracting was awarded a $5.7 million contract for the first phase of the project, which will see construction crews build seven gates with an option for four more. 

By Kim Slowey • Dec. 04, 2018

Dive Awards

Project of the Year: Golden Gate Bridge Suicide Barrier

The $211 million Physical Suicide Deterrent System and Wind Retrofit Project, being built by Shimmick Construction and Danny's Construction, stands out for the magnitude and difficulty of the net installation and its potential to save lives.

By Kim Slowey • Dec. 03, 2018

Trump open to 'next steps' on $13B Gateway Program

Until recently the administration hesitated to agree to finance reconstruction of the New Jersey to New York tunnel despite claims that a deal was finalized with former President Obama.

By Kim Slowey • Dec. 03, 2018

Brightline wins key approval for Tampa-Orlando high-speed rail service

The Florida DOT cleared the rail company to negotiate land leases for the project, which is expected to create 16,500 construction jobs from 2021 to 2024 for an estimated economic impact of $2.4 billion on the region.

By Kim Slowey • Nov. 30, 2018

Federal judge allows preconstruction on stalled XL Pipeline

Lawyers for TransCanada Corp. said that certain planning activities for the pipeline would not violate the essence of the current injunction, which they say threatens 700 jobs and almost $950 million of earnings.

By Kim Slowey • Nov. 29, 2018

Catch-all: The ongoing saga of the most famous US bridge's suicide barrier

Nearly 100 years after engineers built a net under the Golden Gate Bridge to catch workers that fell, officials are supporting the installation of a permanent steel net to help deter what would be fatal leaps.

By Kim Slowey • Nov. 28, 2018

Politicians support up to $21B Boston North-South Rail, while critics recall Big Dig program failures

The North-South Link could ease rail congestion in the region and provide new economic opportunities, according to former Massachusetts governors William Weld and Michael Dukakis, but critics say the project will cost too much.

By Kim Slowey • Nov. 28, 2018

FDOT, P3 nix deadline for I-4 $100M overrun, delay claims

Skanska, John Laing and SGL Constructors now have an indefinite amount of time to address costs and delays stemming from two drilled shaft failures during construction of a bridge foundation.

By Kim Slowey • Nov. 27, 2018

Federal government agrees to $1.2B Seattle light-rail grant

Although the Federal Transit Administration will fund a significant portion of the $3.2 billion Lynnwood Link Extension light-rail project, the deal must still receive congressional approval. 

By Kim Slowey • Nov. 26, 2018

Orange County, California, officials approve $43B transportation plan

Planned construction includes high-occupancy vehicle lanes, regular lanes, express lanes, interchanges and toll roads, the exploration of highways for autonomous vehicles and more.

By Kim Slowey • Nov. 26, 2018

Maryland could split $7.6B toll lane initiative into several P3s

The MDOT says it is looking for "shockingly innovative approaches" to carrying out public-private partnerships for the expansions of Interstates 495 and 270.

By Kim Slowey • Nov. 21, 2018