Contractors sue NYC's MTA over new debarment rules

A coalition of New York City contractors' groups finds fault with the transit authority's controversial debarment regulations designed to keep projects on time and on budget.

By Kim Slowey • Jan. 7, 2020

Texas construction company owners fined $3M in undocumented worker case

Two of those involved in the concrete firm's scheme also face up to five years in federal prison and three others up to six months.

By Kim Slowey • Updated Jan. 30, 2020

NY approves $51B MTA capital plan, its largest ever

Kicking off the massive program, the transit agency announced that it is seeking qualified design-build firms for work on 23 subway and rail stations.

By Kim Slowey • Jan. 2, 2020

Gov. Cuomo signs NYC design-build legislation

City officials have long claimed that using design-build for public works and other projects could save the city time and money.

By Kim Slowey • Jan. 2, 2020

Union accuses Amazon contractors of wage-related violations in Virginia

An Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters' report focuses on drywall subcontractors and the lower-tier subcontractors they reportedly hired to perform work on six projects involving four owners at sites near HQ2.

By Kim Slowey • Dec. 20, 2019

Takeaways from the year's construction calamities

This year, and this fall in particular, saw a number of high-profile accidents on U.S. jobsites. Here is a look back at some of the construction calamities from 2091 and the fallout that followed. 

Dec. 20, 2019

Levelset draws $30M of investment, including funds from Darren Bechtel of Brick & Mortar

The New Orleans-based tech firm that helps smooth out the contractor payment process has now collected $47 million of outside funding.

By Kim Slowey • Dec. 20, 2019

Tutor Perini will take $119M charge, still appeal breach of contract verdict in $2B Washington DOT project litigation

Tutor Perini said it would take the charge in the fourth quarter after a state court jury awarded the Washington State DOT $57.2 million in a lawsuit centered on the SR 99 Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement project on which the GC worked with Dragados USA.

By Kim Slowey • Updated Dec. 20, 2019

Atlanta transit authority approves $27B regional plan

The plan includes 192 projects, with $21 billion earmarked for the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority.

By Kim Slowey • Dec. 17, 2019

Federal judge blocks Trump from using $3.6B of military funds for border wall

Though the Texas judge has issued a permanent injunction, the Supreme Court overturned a similar move issued by a federal judge in California earlier this year.

By Kim Slowey • Dec. 12, 2019

Contractor gets jail sentence for worker trench deaths

A judge in Boston found that Kevin Otto and Atlantic Drain Services "knowingly and willfully" put the victims of the 2016 incident in extreme danger by not using required cave-in protection methods.

By Kim Slowey • Dec. 11, 2019

Regulation of bird-friendly glass windows set for all new NYC construction

The new rule would require that 90% of the external building envelope for the first 75 feet of new construction and major alterations be made of bird-safe materials.

By Kim Slowey • Updated Dec. 11, 2019

Tutor Perini owes $8M to prior owners of its MEP subsidiary

The contractor went to court over potential payout held up in holdback provisions during its 2011 acqusition of wholly-owned subcontracting firm Greenstar.

By Kim Slowey • Dec. 9, 2019

Hard Rock New Orleans developer extends demolition timeline to end of year

The owner said it's working with city engineers on a solution, but New Orleans Fire Chief Tim McConnell clarified this week that "It's the ownership's responsibility to make this right, to fix this problem."

By Kim Slowey • Updated Jan. 8, 2020

Report: Scope of work changes top cause of construction disputes

Consultancy HKA said contractors could use technology as a way to reduce the number of disputes, but it is not a sure solution for human error.

By Kim Slowey • Dec. 4, 2019

Nashville sports authority must reapprove MLS stadium contract

The authority’s contract with Mortenson and Messer is void because a public meeting for its approval was not properly noticed, a judge has ruled.

By Kim Slowey , Zachary Phillips • Updated June 30, 2020

The Dotted Line: Everything you need to know about construction contracts

Contracts are crucial components of the construction process, but they can be among the most complicated and controversial aspects as well. As the industry shifts to increasingly collaborative project delivery methods and adopts new materials and technologies, construction professionals need to s...

Updated April 30, 2024

The Dotted Line: What happens when a bonding company is called in

Making a claim against a performance bond is complicated, a legal expert explains, and it's critical to understand that the bonding company has four main options, outlined here.

By Kim Slowey • Nov. 26, 2019

Work resumes after building in Cincinnati under construction by Turner partially collapses, killing worker

Eight days after the deadly incident, structural engineer Thornton Tomasetti has deemed it safe to continue working on some sections of the mixed-use development.

By Joe Beeton • Updated Dec. 3, 2019

Tappan Zee Constructors sues New York to prove it's owed $900M in bridge construction change orders

The construction consortium claims that the NY State Thruway Authority is dragging its feet on providing documents that show the drastic change orders made during construction of the new Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge. 

By Kim Slowey • Nov. 26, 2019

Surprise inspectors stop work at more than 2K NYC construction sites and counting

Despite pushback from developers, a team of 38 has randomly inspected more than 20,000 major construction projects in the city, saying it's resulted in safer working conditions, and that number is set to increase.

By Kim Slowey • Nov. 25, 2019

Moving your inspections online: Four surprising things you'll learn once you make the leap

Are your competitors winning more work because of their processes? Surprisingly yes. And here’s why.

Nov. 21, 2019

HVAC sub claims Skanska owes it $4M in change orders for New York medical center project

A lawyer for Dynamic Systems said there's no ostensible reason for the GC to withhold pay unless it's in a dispute with the owner.

By Kim Slowey • Nov. 19, 2019

OSHA: Faulty wiring at Universal Orlando caused electric shocks to employees, guests

The theme park was not fined for the incident, but one legal expert says the company and contractors that built the park could be sued by individuals who were injured.

By Kim Slowey • Nov. 14, 2019

AIA updates construction management contract documents

The AIA's revisions address the larger industry trend of early collaboration in preconstruction and integrated project delivery methods.

By Kim Slowey • Nov. 14, 2019