The Dotted Line: What builders need to know about the Brazilian plywood 'ban'

Will the material be the next Chinese drywall, or are American manufacturers trying to exclude a cheaper alternative from the market?

By Joe Bousquin • June 28, 2022

YIMBYs add new twist to local zoning, development battles

Groups dedicated to pushing for affordable housing policies are coming into their own.

By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • June 21, 2022

NABTU offers $200K reward in noose case at $6.5B federal construction site

The trades organization condemned the incident as an act of violence and racist behavior.

By Joe Bousquin • Updated June 23, 2022

How SEC ESG disclosure rules will impact private companies

Once finalized, the environmental reporting requirements will sweep in a broader range of companies than many might realize.

By Robert Freedman • June 10, 2022

Biden issues executive orders to spur clean energy construction

The actions include a two-year pause on key tariffs to support domestic solar energy builds.

By Julie Strupp • June 7, 2022

The Dotted Line: Virginia bans 'pay-if-paid' contract language

The new prohibition, which goes into effect next year, puts the onus on contractors to pay subs even when owners default.

By Joe Bousquin • May 31, 2022

Feds release grim reminder: Threat actors prey on basic security mishaps

Federal authorities and U.S. allies admonished companies to tighten weak controls and configurations.

By David Jones • May 25, 2022

The 8 largest OSHA fines of Q1 2022

For trench safety, fall protection and other violations, the agency doled out hefty fines to contractors across the country, including one for $1.2 million.

By Matthew Thibault • May 19, 2022

How the Colonial Pipeline attack instilled urgency in cybersecurity

The federal government and private sector are still coming to terms with how to protect operational technology in an increasingly volatile threat environment.

By David Jones • May 18, 2022

Citing $1.2T infrastructure act, EEOC probes racism, sexism in construction

Hateful episodes on jobsites draw feds' attention as IIJA money works its way to states.

By Joe Bousquin • May 18, 2022

Arizona utility asks regulators to reconsider gas plant expansion

The Arizona Corporation Commission's April rejection of an 820-MW gas plant expansion means Salt River Project "will lack critical generation from quick-start turbines," the utility said.

By Robert Walton • May 17, 2022

TRU secures $100 million of wood frame builder's risk capacity

Technical Risk Underwriters (TRU), Ryan Specialty's construction focused MGU, announces its new offering.

By Chris Burns, President of Technical Risk Underwriters • May 16, 2022

White House vows to speed up environmental review for federal projects

The new action plan will help streamline permitting and accelerate projects, Biden administration officials said last week.

By Julie Strupp • May 12, 2022

Lessons from California: Tips to keep transit projects on time, on budget

A new study from UC Berkeley highlights common pitfalls and potential solutions for complicated builds.

By Julie Strupp • April 26, 2022

Biden restores stronger environmental review for federal projects

The updated National Environmental Policy Act could slow approvals for certain infrastructure projects, but help them resist lawsuits later on.

By Julie Strupp • April 26, 2022

The Dotted Line: New Texas lien laws streamline process, but hurdles remain

Extending lien rights to all tiers of subcontractors is a broader trend that affects other states as well.

By Sebastian Obando • April 26, 2022

Texas' first state-funded border wall section 'essentially complete'

The 1.7-mile-long structure between Mexico and Texas was built with surplus wall panels from the federal government.

By Matthew Thibault • April 25, 2022

Government backlogs delay apartment construction

Although approvals are jammed up in zoning and planning offices, local governments like Phoenix are seeking new ways to provide services.

By Leslie Shaver • April 25, 2022

Construction attorney: Compliance 'weakest part' of supplier diversity efforts

Paula Finch says diversity goals are designed to help lift all contractors, but enforcement programs are often under-resourced. 

By Joe Bousquin • April 25, 2022

Illinois suspends requirement for in-state workers on public projects

The Illinois Preference Act is no longer in effect, as the state's unemployment rate has fallen below 5% for the first time since July 2020.

By Sebastian Obando • April 19, 2022

Biden administration mandates US iron, steel for infrastructure projects

A construction association executive questioned whether the rules will add to already soaring construction costs and high inflation.

By Sebastian Obando • April 19, 2022

What contractors that work in Russia need to know

The invasion of Ukraine has set off multiple crises. How should U.S. construction firms that work in Russia deal with these issues?

By Anazette Ray and Michael Vardaro • April 18, 2022

'Especially concerning' potential code violations found at site of Amazon warehouse destroyed by tornado

The local fire marshal reported that none of the facility's columns were ripped or torn at the base, suggesting they hadn't been secured to the foundation to prevent uplift from wind loads.

By Matthew Thibault • Updated April 15, 2022

Towers stand tall on $4.5B Gordie Howe Bridge

ACS Infrastructure, Fluor and Aecon are building the long-awaited megaproject, which aims to alleviate congestion at a critical U.S.-Canada border crossing. 

By George Kevin Jordan • April 12, 2022

NY contractors pay $1.3M to settle supplier diversity allegations

The New York attorney general announced a $125,000 settlement with the Pike Co., the last of 10 firms that paid for allegedly making false minority participation claims on a major schools project.   

By Joe Bousquin • April 8, 2022