Cal/OSHA cites Shimmick, Con-Quest $65K in tunnel death

The accident led the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency to require bidding contractors to submit more detailed safety plans.

By Kim Slowey • Feb. 21, 2019

Trump administration to kill $929M grant for California bullet train

The USDOT's move comes after the California High-Speed Rail Authority said it would reduce the $77 billion project to just its $10 billion Central Valley section.

By Kim Slowey • Feb. 20, 2019

Amazon may sign PLA for Virginia HQ2

With the tech giant nixing its New York plans, Arlington officials may push harder to give local construction unions pre-hire bargaining rights.

By Kim Slowey • Feb. 19, 2019

Trump declares national emergency in goal of getting $8B for wall

Congress' offer of $1.4 billion meant to avoid a shutdown is just a fraction of the $5.7 billion requested for border wall construction, and Democrats have vowed to fight Trump's move.

By Kim Slowey • Feb. 15, 2019

High stakes: State cannabis laws make contractors' obligations hazy

Laws permitting medical and sometimes recreational marijuana present challenges for employers — not the least of which is finding workers who can pass a hiring or post-accident/incident drug test. 

By Kim Slowey • Feb. 14, 2019

State cites sub for $12M of wage theft violations

The California Labor Commissioner's Office claims that RDV Construction bounced paychecks and illegally deducted up to 25% from employees' pay.

By Kim Slowey • Feb. 13, 2019

Federal lawmakers propose $1.4B for border wall

President Trump has not said whether he will agree to the deal, which will cover only 55 miles of new barrier construction.

By Kim Slowey • Feb. 13, 2019

Feds sue New Jersey contractor for $679K to resolve delinquent OSHA fines

Frame Q owes $473,178 from eight jobsite inspections dating back to March 2014, along with government penalties, interest and fees.

By Kim Slowey • Feb. 12, 2019

2 contractors settle SBA 8(a) fraud allegations for $3.6M

The VMJ Construction/Vigil Contracting case is an example of how costly penalties can be for procurement fraud under the federal program.

By Kim Slowey • Feb. 8, 2019

Related wins TIF approval for $7B mixed-use Chicago riverfront project

The subsidy could generate as much as $551 million for infrastructure on the 62-acre plan dubbed The 78, which could receive the go-ahead next month.

By Kim Slowey • Feb. 8, 2019

Study: Difficult to control respirable silica levels during chipping, crushing

The findings suggested that workers performing demolition and related activities would be best protected by respiratory gear, even when dust control measures are in place.

By Kim Slowey • Feb. 7, 2019

Indictments cast shadow on Philadelphia construction industry

The charges against Local 98 IBEW union leader John Dougherty and others range from bribery to fraud, forcing some to consider how much undue influence the city's unions have over the local industry.

By Kim Slowey • Feb. 7, 2019

FAA spec update includes precast concrete for first time

With the Federal Aviation Administration's new specifications, precast suppliers and contractors are poised to get a bigger piece of construction and renovation projects at the more than 19,000 airports in the U.S. 

By Kim Slowey • Feb. 6, 2019

Trump light on trade, infrastructure details in State of the Union address

Though the White House spent much of 2018 attempting to steer the national conversation toward infrastructure, the topic received just two sentences with no specific appropriations mentioned.

By Emma Cosgrove • Feb. 6, 2019

Minnesota groups push for state to allow teens to work on construction sites

Some in the state's construction industry want regulation to echo federal law that allows 16- and 17-year-olds to work on jobsites.

By Kim Slowey • Feb. 6, 2019

Details emerge of prevailing wage deal between union, NYC on housing projects

This revelation echoes a proposal currently on the table that would require prevailing wages on many city construction projects receiving financial assistance from a local agency.

By Kim Slowey • Feb. 6, 2019

Trump executive order extends Buy American policy

The directive asks federal agencies to encourage contractors on infrastructure projects to buy iron, aluminum, steel, cement and other goods domestically.

By Kim Slowey • Feb. 5, 2019

Construction fatalities up in New York state, down in NYC

While the rate of jobsite deaths across the state increased 39% between 2013 and 2017, the city saw a 23% decrease, according to a report on the most recent Department of Labor data.

By Kim Slowey • Feb. 5, 2019

Miami-Dade approves zoning change to encourage TODs

The county's new zoning allows for higher density residential construction along six transit corridors.

By Kim Slowey • Feb. 4, 2019

Subs on $1.5B Philadelphia Comcast Technology Center file millions in liens

Multiple mechanic's liens were filed on the downtown high-rise project, alleging general contractor L.F. Driscoll, affiliates of developer Liberty Property Trust and others withheld payment.

By Kim Slowey • Feb. 4, 2019

DOJ settles with Washington, DC, Metro's Silver Line concrete supplier for $1M

The agreement settles allegations that Universal Concrete Products falsified test records for concrete panels used in the extension of the Metrorail line.

By Kim Slowey • Jan. 31, 2019

New Jersey lawmakers keep pressure on feds to help fund $13B Hudson River tunnel

The tunnel sustained significant damage from Superstorm Sandy in 2012 and could fail in the next 10 to 15 years.

By Kim Slowey • Jan. 31, 2019

California wage deal could boost housing development

Proposed legislation could offer regulatory relief to residential developers in exchange for guaranteed wages for workers and other benefits.

By Kim Slowey • Jan. 31, 2019

The biggest Q4 OSHA contractor fines

The agency proposed hefty penalties for several construction companies, including one for more than $420,000.

By Kim Slowey • Jan. 30, 2019

21-story timber building in Wisconsin, tallest in US, advances

Milwaukee Common Council's approval means the residential structure must now pass fire safety specs and paves the way for its developer to propose a 7-story wood office building as well.

By Kim Slowey • Updated March 1, 2019