Construction unions: Headed for extinction or poised for a resurgence?

The ongoing industry debate centers around greater guarantees of high-quality work vs. the possible drain on construction company profits.

By Kim Slowey • March 31, 2016

No criminal charges in deadly Berkeley balcony collapse

Prosecutors said they have found no cause to bring charges against the construction company, building owner, or anyone else potentially involved with the collapse last June that killed six people.

By Kim Slowey • March 30, 2016

Report: CA bullet train's 1st phase could face $400M in change orders

The project has been under a legislative magnifying glass since an LA Times investigation suggested that rail authority officials had not been upfront about its viability or cost.

By Kim Slowey • March 30, 2016

PA paving contractor barred from working in state, fined $76K

The Pennsylvania Bureau of Consumer Protection said contractor Daniel Fry performed shoddy or incomplete work for several customers.

By Kim Slowey • March 29, 2016

Sacramento, CA, weighs funding options for $3.6B infrastructure plan

City officials said they’ll need local assistance for a list of transportation improvements — as state and federal funding has failed to keep up with demand.

By Kim Slowey • March 29, 2016

CT contractor ordered to pay workers $3.4M in racial discrimination suit

The lawsuit against contractor Safety Marking Inc. alleged that two workers were subjected to discrimination and a hostile work environment for years.

By Kim Slowey • March 28, 2016

Wage dispute sparks union protest at Apple 'spaceship' campus

UA Local 393 alleged that Preston Pipelines is not paying its plumbers the prevailing wage rate, but Preston officials denied the claim and said the matter is in litigation.

By Kim Slowey • March 28, 2016

OSHA issues final silica rule

The construction industry has been one of the biggest opponents to the rule since it was first proposed in 2013, as an industry coalition predicted it will lead to the loss of more than 33,000 full-time jobs.

By Emily Peiffer • March 24, 2016

MA contractor fined $54K for prevailing wage violations

The Massachusetts Attorney General's office alleged that I.W. Harding Construction Company did not pay employees the prevailing wage rate on 11 state projects.

By Kim Slowey • March 24, 2016

NYC mayor's affordable housing plan scores major win with City Council approval

Mayor Bill de Blasio's plan includes mandatory developer set-asides ranging from 20% to 30%, depending on the residents' income levels.

By Kim Slowey • March 24, 2016

VA Dept.: No one left to punish in CO hospital debacle

The Aurora, CO, hospital is more than four years behind schedule, and costs have skyrocketed to $1.7 billion — more than three times the original price tag.

By Kim Slowey • March 24, 2016

UPDATE: Worker's 53-story fall on Turner Construction Los Angeles site ruled a suicide

Turner said that Cal/OSHA and the Los Angeles Police Department determined the fall was not work-related and that the agency could find no fall protection violations.

By Kim Slowey • March 24, 2016

P3s: A growing alternative with potential to capitalize on 'privatized innovation'

Regulatory issues and a lack of education about public-private partnerships are some of the challenges facing the model, according to experts.

By Kim Slowey • March 23, 2016

Trial underway over TX construction worker's drowning death

The case has raised larger questions of whether the worker, who was wearing a safety harness, should have been 100% tied off while working over water.

By Kim Slowey • March 23, 2016

NAHB urges Congress to reduce 'regulatory burden' on residential construction

The association said regulatory costs from permitting, land development and construction codes can add up to 25% to a single-family home's cost.

By Kim Slowey • March 23, 2016

KS construction industry reps blame state officials for lost jobs

Kansas Contractors Association officials said that $2.1 billion of road and bridge funds has been diverted to other state uses over the last six years.

By Kim Slowey • March 22, 2016

Skanska-Hunt sues to block hiring of new Seattle convention center contractor

Representatives from the joint venture, which was removed from the project earlier this month, said officials have refused to meet with them and that there were no performance complaints prior to termination.

By Kim Slowey • March 21, 2016

Don't Sky-walk away: Chicago officials request lift on Lucas museum construction ban

City officials are in danger of missing a lease agreement deadline that would allow George Lucas to walk away from the Chicago museum deal.

By Kim Slowey • March 21, 2016

Authorities: AZ contractor fined $1.2M for 'ongoing conspiracy'

Arizona state licensing officials said Ronald Dew operated without a license while targeting older customers with unnecessary repairs and training his employees to do the same.

By Kim Slowey • March 18, 2016

NC voters approve $2B infrastructure bond package

North Carolina construction companies said the most significant problem ahead will be finding enough skilled labor to staff the major projects.

By Kim Slowey • March 18, 2016

Worker's forklift death prompts $105K OSHA fine for WI contractor

Due to what OSHA called its "dismal" safety record, Lunda Construction is now in the agency's Severe Violator Enforcement Program.

By Kim Slowey • March 17, 2016

NY construction company pays $5M settlement in disabled veteran contract fraud case

Prosecutors alleged that Hayner Hoyt executives installed a service-disabled veteran as head of a company in order to compete for set-aside contracts.

By Kim Slowey • March 16, 2016

NCDOT replaces contractor declared in default on road project

The North Carolina Department of Transportation is relying on Devere Construction's performance bond to cover any additional costs related to the company's replacement.

By Kim Slowey • March 16, 2016

Report: San Francisco housing crisis driven by zoning practices, severe lack of building

CityLab reported that wealthier residents of San Francisco are using the city's land use policies to prevent developers from building in their neighborhoods.

By Kim Slowey • March 15, 2016

IN approves $1B in highway, bridge funding

Indiana is the latest in a string of states to unveil major infrastructure plans since the start of 2016.

By Kim Slowey • March 15, 2016