Top infrastructure stories of 2023

From airport expansions and dam removals to federal funding and legal wranglings, here are the articles that were most popular with our readers.

By Julie Strupp • Dec. 19, 2023

The Dotted Line: 2023’s top legal issues

Construction Dive’s award-winning column examined the major legal topics facing contractors this year, including new regulations, avoiding disputes and the burgeoning role of artificial intelligence.

By Joe Bousquin , Julie Strupp • Dec. 19, 2023

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

Biden mandates PLAs on large federal contracts

The White House announced on Monday the implementation of an executive order to require project labor agreements on federal construction jobs above $35 million.

By Zachary Phillips • Dec. 19, 2023

California doles out $1.1B in infrastructure, resiliency funds

The money includes more than $300 million for projects to make the state’s roads more climate adaptable.

By Joe Bousquin • Dec. 18, 2023

Infrastructure nudges backlog higher as other sectors struggle

A growing number of contractors face difficulties in securing new work, according to Associated Builders and Contractors.

By Sebastian Obando • Dec. 13, 2023

2 Flatiron JVs win Virginia rail projects

The Virginia Passenger Rail Authority announced two projects to advance transit and freight pathways in the state.

By Zachary Phillips • Dec. 12, 2023

10 rail projects nab $8.2B from IIJA

The largest grants will go to Brightline West, the California High-Speed Rail and a portion of the Raleigh to Richmond rail program on the East Coast.

By Julie Strupp • Dec. 12, 2023

$2.6B airport project tops out after anti-bias training pause

A Turner-Flatiron JV is building San Diego’s Terminal 1, which remains on track to finish in 2025 despite the discovery of racist graffiti.

By Joe Bousquin • Dec. 12, 2023

Balfour Beatty backlog, revenue inch up in year-end update

The company expects marginal gains driven by its work on Phase 1 of Britain’s HS2 rail project and increased airport construction activity in Hong Kong.

By Matthew Thibault • Dec. 11, 2023

Minneapolis Fed sees pain in residential, commercial construction

A survey by the bank highlighted the divide between hard-hit private projects and booming industrial and infrastructure markets.

By Joe Bousquin • Dec. 11, 2023

US solar installations hit record in Q3, but slowdown expected starting in 2026: report

As supply constraints ease, the Solar Energy Industries Association and Wood Mackenzie project that limited availability of other components will hamper installation growth. 

By Diana DiGangi • Dec. 11, 2023

Granite buys 2 Memphis asphalt firms for $278M

The move makes good on the California road builder’s promise to expand its aggregates and materials business in new markets. 

By Joe Bousquin • Dec. 7, 2023

Detroit unveils wireless EV charging roadway

The quarter-mile stretch, which recharges vehicles as they drive or park on the street, was designed at Michigan Central, a subsidiary of Ford Motor Company.

By Kalena Thomhave • Dec. 7, 2023

House Republicans support high-speed rail, but not California’s project

In a recent hearing, Transportation and Infrastructure Committee members were split along party lines on the $128 billion bullet train, but largely in favor of such efforts.  

By Dan Zukowski • Dec. 5, 2023

White House proposes nationwide lead pipe replacement

The EPA rule would update 9 million lines over 10 years and could cost up to $30 billion.

By Julie Strupp • Dec. 5, 2023

Hensel Phelps shortlisted for $1.4B San Antonio airport expansion

The city council is expected to vote this month on the contractor selection to build the new 17-gate terminal.

By Julie Strupp • Dec. 4, 2023

Pavement design: Why physical geosynthetic properties don’t matter

In recent decades, research projects have studied the correlation between geogrids' physical properties and performance. To date, no correlation between physical properties and performance has been documented.

By Bryan Gee, P.E. • Dec. 4, 2023

Construction spending inches higher

Manufacturing and infrastructure investments fueled a 0.1% uptick in October, but warehouse and distribution center outlays tumbled.

By Sebastian Obando • Dec. 1, 2023

The future of infrastructure is green, AECOM exec says

Public policy and new tech, including AI, are driving resilience projects in Southern California, said Los Angeles Metro Executive and Strategy + Growth Leader Jill Kurth.

By Julie Strupp • Nov. 30, 2023

November 2023 wins: Contractors report their latest awards

Construction Dive rounds up the newest project wins from some of the country’s biggest builders.

By Construction Dive Staff • Nov. 29, 2023

Feds award $34M for digital construction tech

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding will go to projects that emphasize data collection and management on construction work across 10 states.

By Matthew Thibault • Nov. 29, 2023

7 airport expansions to watch

From St. Louis to Denver, Houston and Des Moines, Iowa, aviation projects are taking off, boosted by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

By Julie Strupp , Matthew Thibault • Nov. 28, 2023

Empire Wind offshore project near NY receives approval

The U.S. offshore wind industry remains financially troubled, but industry groups are hopeful about recent moves forward for major projects.

By Diana DiGangi • Nov. 28, 2023

The Dotted Line: Change orders often spark conflict, but they don’t have to

While disputes between contractors and design teams are growing, planning and communication can mitigate this friction, legal experts say.

By Julie Strupp • Nov. 28, 2023

Profits fall for many public firms, partly due to inflation

Amid soaring costs, several construction industry giants reported lower gains in recent earnings reports.

By Construction Dive Staff • Nov. 28, 2023