2021 outlook: 6 trends that will influence construction this year

Several factors – some positive, some less so – are poised to shape the industry in the new year.

By Joe Bousquin • Jan. 4, 2021

Biden halts US-Mexico border wall construction

President Joe Biden's proclamation, made just hours after his swearing in, directs private contractors to stop work as soon as possible.

By Kim Slowey • Updated Jan. 21, 2021

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 stories from Construction Dive

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

By Construction Dive staff

Can the pandemic's construction lessons help Biden boost infrastructure?

Public projects that have been rolled out with lightning speed during the coronavirus provide a potential roadmap for how to kick off President-elect Joe Biden's Build Back Better campaign, industry leaders say.

By Joe Bousquin • Dec. 21, 2020

Employing artificial intelligence to spot infrastructure issues

Suffolk County's Public Works Department in New York is using technology to compare past and present photos of 74 bridges to find emerging concerns before they become bigger problems.  

By Joe Bousquin • Dec. 16, 2020

Pensacola Bay Bridge reopens as repair work winds down

The state is withholding $35,000 per day from Skanska USA Civil Southeast's payments until all four lanes of the bridge are open.

By Kim Slowey , Zachary Phillips • Updated June 3, 2021

What Pete Buttigieg will bring to the Transportation Department

While the former mayor has limited political experience, construction groups said they see promise in President-elect Joe Biden's nominee for DOT secretary.

By S.L. Fuller , Jennifer Goodman • Dec. 15, 2020

Can Biden get an infrastructure deal done despite Capitol Hill gridlock?

Although the country faces deep political divides, the time may be right for the president-elect to deliver on infrastructure initiatives that his predecessors did not, industry experts and political insiders say.

By Joe Bousquin • Dec. 3, 2020

Brightline, Disney strike deal to build high-speed rail station near Orlando, Florida

The proposed Disney Springs rail station will provide a connection from Walt Disney World to other Florida locations and Orlando International Airport. 

By Kim Slowey • Dec. 1, 2020

Replacing Twin Peaks tunnel ballast could cost San Francisco 'tens of millions of dollars'

The ballast replacement and other work in the tunnel will take approximately three months.

By Kim Slowey • Nov. 30, 2020

Maryland to pay Purple Line contractors $100M by year-end

In a move expected to be approved this week, the Maryland Department of Transportation will pay the first installment in a $250 million settlement agreement.

By Jennifer Goodman • Updated Dec. 14, 2020

Lawsuits against Skanska over Florida barge damage reach 25

The contractor told Construction Dive that it has been responsive to those who have been affected and that its insurers are in the process of reviewing claims.

By Kim Slowey • Nov. 18, 2020

Biden unveils DOT transition team

Phillip Washington, CEO of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, will lead the president-elect's team of experts focused on the Department of Transportation.

By Jennifer Goodman • Nov. 16, 2020

San Francisco International Airport delays $1B expansion plans indefinitely

The Terminal 3 West project was put on hold in April and again in October, and now is on hold indefinitely due to decreased revenue from lack of travel.

By Joe Bousquin , Zachary Phillips • Updated March 3, 2021

Virgin Hyperloop successfully tests human travel

The 107-mph test in Las Vegas represents a major step forward for the high-tech transit option, according to co-founder and CTO Josh Giegel.

By Chris Teale • Nov. 10, 2020

Skanska USA sued by local businesses for economic losses from Florida bridge shutdown

The law firm representing the five Pensacola, Florida-area businesses says it expects to file more lawsuits against the contractor.

By Kim Slowey • Nov. 9, 2020

What's in store for contractors under a Biden presidency?

From infrastructure spending and union support to immigration, taxes and regulations, the construction industry will face a new set of challenges and opportunities under a Biden administration.

By Joe Bousquin , Kim Slowey • Nov. 7, 2020

Tutor Perini posts $1.4B Q3 revenue, highest in more than a decade

The COVID-19 pandemic has not significantly affected the company's operations, according to chairman and CEO Ron Tutor.

By Kim Slowey • Nov. 5, 2020

Pursuing a better balance of risk for P3 projects

Public-private partnerships shouldn't be risk-free for contractors, just risk-appropriate, according to panelists at the Design-Build Institute of America's online conference.

By Kim Slowey • Nov. 3, 2020

Border wall breakup: What would happen if Biden becomes president

If Joe Biden wins and makes good on his promise to stop the construction of the U.S.-Mexico border wall, the contractors involved won't have options other than packing up and going home.

By Kim Slowey • Oct. 29, 2020

The gas tax that funds infrastructure projects is broken. The pandemic could end it.

As states and cities face budget crunches with gas tax revenues down, some are considering alternative ways to secure funding for infrastructure projects.

By Jason Plautz • Oct. 28, 2020

Disasters waiting to happen: 5 major infrastructure projects in need of repair

From aging dams and deteriorating tunnels to deficient bridges and lead-filled drinking water lines, the U.S. has plenty of work to do when it comes to the quality of its infrastructure.

By Kim Slowey • Oct. 27, 2020

A look at the actual dollars each state gets from the highway bill. (It's less than you think.)

While the recent FAST Act extension infused $13.6 billion into the Highway Trust Fund, it failed to provide clear-cut visibility that road builders can take to the bank for 2021.

By Joe Bousquin • Oct. 22, 2020

New York City MTA inspector general wants reform of agency's contractor evaluation system

Carolyn Pokorny said that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's current contractor evaluation system allows subpar performance to be overrated.

By Kim Slowey • Oct. 16, 2020

Houston Ship Channel Bridge officials hire new engineer

The Harris County Commissioners Court voted to move forward with COWI North America for $24.9 million as the replacement for FIGG Bridge Engineers, which was fired from the project in August.

By Kim Slowey • Oct. 15, 2020

Honolulu transit officials reveal reason for canceled P3 procurement

The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation said the two bids it received would have made the project too expensive.

By Kim Slowey • Updated Dec. 17, 2020