Breaking new ground: How to crack open the federal contracting world

Crossing over into the government construction sector can be lucrative, yet complicated. Here's what you need to know.

By Kim Slowey • Feb. 11, 2016

Obama's 2017 budget slashes several federal construction programs — but 'clean transportation' gets a big win

If the proposed transportation plan doesn't end up scoring approval by Congress, as many expect, the total construction allocation would be nearly unchanged from the previous year. 

By Emily Peiffer , Kim Slowey • Feb. 10, 2016

UPDATE: NCDOT claims highway contractor in default after leaving projects

An official with the North Carolina Department of Transportation said the agency wants a new contractor to take over by the end of March.

By Kim Slowey • Feb. 8, 2016

'Clear the books': States eager for disbursement of $2.1B in unused federal highway funds

The 2016 omnibus bill called for the release of unused Federal Highway Administration funds set aside for projects originally authorized as far back as 10 years ago.

By Kim Slowey • Feb. 2, 2016

USDOT Secretary: US should 'lean in' to Elon Musk's Hyperloop concept

The team from MIT won the competition for overall best pod design and will now build it for testing on the Hyperloop track under construction.

By Kim Slowey • Feb. 2, 2016

CA bullet train officials: Project likely to see longer build time, lower costs

The chairman of an independent peer review committee testified that the rail authority needs "significantly closer oversight by a well-funded and long-term branch of the state government."

By Kim Slowey • Jan. 29, 2016

Tutor Perini wins 2 NYC East Side Access contracts totaling $742M

The massive tunnel under Grand Central Terminal will cost an estimated $1 million per foot, one of the most expensive transit projects in U.S. history.

By Kim Slowey • Jan. 29, 2016

AECOM selected to build SpaceX Hyperloop test track

The winner of a Hyperloop pod design contest held later this month will have the chance to build and test the winning design on the new track this summer.

By Kim Slowey • Jan. 27, 2016

CA bullet train's 1st segment could move north to speed up construction, draw investors

However, the move by the State Rail Authority could see some major political pushback from officials in the southern part of California.

By Kim Slowey • Jan. 26, 2016

MassDOT vows 'brutal' cutbacks to $3B Green Line

Costs have soared to $1 billion over the MBTA's original estimate, and MassDOT has ordered the project redesigned in an effort to get back some of the overruns.

By Kim Slowey • Jan. 22, 2016

With mounting bullet train concerns, CA lawmakers plan hearings

Hearings into the project were proposed after a Los Angeles Times investigation raised doubts about the California High Speed Rail Authority's transparency regarding cost overruns, delays and overall feasibility.

By Kim Slowey • Jan. 22, 2016

Survey: Mayors say infrastructure their biggest challenge

If given enough funding, 66% of mayors say roads would be their top public works projects. If given unlimited funds, 22% say they would invest it in mass transit.

By Kim Slowey • Jan. 21, 2016

NH Gov's $3.7B transportation plan follows early 2016 trend

Maggie Hassan is the latest in an expanding line of governors introducing major infrastructure plans since the start of the year.

By Kim Slowey • Jan. 20, 2016

NY Gov. proposes $100B infrastructure plan, $20B for housing

The governor's secretary said the infrastructure plan will create 250,000 jobs and utilize public-private partnerships.

By Kim Slowey • Jan. 14, 2016

Ferrovial named 'apparent' winner of $348M contract for 22-mile segment of CA light rail

The project has been the source of controversy over costs for months, and some lawmakers have called for an investigation into whether rail authority officials were upfront about the project’s true price tag.

By Kim Slowey • Jan. 7, 2016

Managing megaprojects: How joint ventures help companies share the risk and reward

Experts agree that as long as construction costs continue to rise, the trend toward more JV contracts will also grow.

By Kim Slowey • Jan. 7, 2016

Cost of 'grossly overpriced' Boston Green Line extension could reach $642M per mile

The beleagured project is on pace to cost more per mile than any other Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority rail project in the last 35 years.

By Kim Slowey • Jan. 5, 2016

Fluor-led consortium wins $1.9B AZ highway P3 contract

"Following a public-private partnership path for the first time was an appropriate tool for the South Mountain Freeway," ADOT Director John Halikowski said of the agreement.

By Kim Slowey • Dec. 30, 2015

Minneapolis approves $1.5B light-rail extension

The project's new estimated costs have increased by nearly 50% since planning began, and funding is not fully finalized.

By Kim Slowey • Dec. 14, 2015

White-Skanska-Kiewit ousted from over-budget Boston Green Line extension project

The MBTA is rebidding the remainder of the work, but WSK and the other three lead firms with canceled contracts will finish their work in progress.

By Kim Slowey • Dec. 11, 2015

Firm pursuing Elon Musk's futuristic Hyperloop system to build testing facility in NV

If the idea comes to fruition, the fully operational transportation system could cut the 400-mile trip between San Francisco and Los Angeles to less than one hour.

By Kim Slowey • Dec. 10, 2015

UPDATE: Obama signs 5-year, $305B highway bill

The bill marks the first long-term transportation spending measure in a decade. 

By Emily Peiffer , Kim Slowey • Dec. 6, 2015

Contractor consortium chosen for $1.8B P3 Canadian light rail

The Valley Line LRT is Edmonton's largest infrastructure project to date and its first public-private partnership.

By Kim Slowey • Dec. 1, 2015

Bechtel president on US infrastructure needs: 'The time has come for a change'

Brendan Bechtel suggested that the government encourage public-private partnerships, with Canada’s Infrastructure Ontario as a model.

By Kim Slowey • Nov. 30, 2015

UPDATE: Obama approves stopgap highway funding measure

The short-term bill, which extends funds through Dec. 4, now heads to President Obama.

By Emily Peiffer • Nov. 20, 2015