MassDOT vows 'brutal' cutbacks to $3B Green Line

Costs have soared to $1 billion over the MBTA's original estimate, and MassDOT has ordered the project redesigned in an effort to get back some of the overruns.

By Kim Slowey • Jan. 22, 2016

With mounting bullet train concerns, CA lawmakers plan hearings

Hearings into the project were proposed after a Los Angeles Times investigation raised doubts about the California High Speed Rail Authority's transparency regarding cost overruns, delays and overall feasibility.

By Kim Slowey • Jan. 22, 2016

Are high school career tech training programs the answer to the skilled labor shortage?

Despite a growing interest in career and technical training programs, federal funding has been on the decline in recent years.

By Kim Slowey • Jan. 21, 2016

MBTA ignored higher cost estimates for Green Line, says report

The Berkeley report said the MBTA ignored general contractor White-Skanska-Kiewit's higher estimate and set their own estimate for the total project, including non-construction costs, at $1.99 billion based on HDR/Gilbane's lower number. 

By Kim Slowey • Jan. 19, 2016

FL county demands $34M from Tutor Perini JV, cites airport delays

In an effort to recoup the $34 million Broward County says the Tutor Perini-led joint venture owes, the county said it intends on withholding retainage payments as well as future partial payments.

By Kim Slowey • Jan. 19, 2016

NYC unions, developers reach stalemate; 421-a tax credit on last legs

The credit offered a tax break to multi-unit residential developers who agreed to include affordable units in their projects and was worth an estimated $1.5 billion.

By Kim Slowey • Jan. 19, 2016

UPDATE: Ousted Turner returning to troubled CA hospital project with reported $85M contract

The deal would bring the construction company's total contract for the project to $466 million and include a 14-month schedule for completion, sources told the Silicon Valley Business Journal.

By Emily Peiffer , Kim Slowey • Jan. 15, 2016

Skanska-Trident files multimillion-dollar lawsuit against architects of SC Gaillard Center for negligence

The general contractor claims that incomplete documents from the three firms led to delays and cost overruns on the renovation and expansion project.

By Kim Slowey • Jan. 15, 2016

Report: Prevailing wages could add $2.8B to cost of NYC affordable housing plan

Union leaders and developers must come to an agreement on the ongoing issue before Jan. 15 or risk losing the 421-a tax break.

By Kim Slowey • Jan. 13, 2016

ABC backs bill preventing government-mandated PLAs

The bill, recently reported out of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform as favorable, would prevent federal agencies from requiring contractors to sign PLAs as a condition of winning federally funded contracts. 

By Kim Slowey • Jan. 13, 2016

Project manager sentenced to 3-1/2 years in prison for worker deaths

The Ontario Federation of Labour launched a "Kill a Worker, Go to Jail" campaign after the Toronto incident.

By Kim Slowey • Jan. 12, 2016

The Dotted Line: How GMP contracts keep projects from endless 'costs and costs and costs'

In the first installment of our monthly series, we asked legal and industry experts about the best times to use cost-plus-fee with a guaranteed maximum price contracts, what factors to consider, and what owners and contractors need to know.

By Kim Slowey • Jan. 12, 2016

Contractors sentenced to prison in deadly Philadelphia wall collapse

A judge called demolition contractor Griffin Campbell a danger to the community for ignoring conditions that led to the 2013 collapse resulting in six fatalities.

By Kim Slowey • Jan. 11, 2016

Carly Fiorina to industry: Government needs to 'hack through the regulatory thicket'

During a Teleforum event, the presidential candidate emphasized her business experience and distinction from the lifetime politicians in the race.

By Emily Peiffer • Jan. 7, 2016

WI contractor fined $3M for sidestepping 'Buy America' requirements

In addition to the lawsuit settlements, Novum is now banned from working on federally funded projects.

By Kim Slowey • Jan. 7, 2016

NJ Watershed official, contractor plead guilty to kickback scheme

The former project manager involved faces up to 20 years in prison and a $500,000 fine.

By Kim Slowey • Jan. 7, 2016

FAA warns Seattle developers planned 101-story tower could be too tall

The consulting engineer said such a notice is standard for very tall buildings, and results satisfactory to developers and the FAA can usually be reached during the negotiation process.

By Kim Slowey • Jan. 7, 2016

TX contractor disputes allegations of shoddy construction in tornado-damaged school

Ratcliff Constructors pushed back against an engineer's claims of "rampant irresponsibleness" and said Shields Elementary's damage was due to high wind, not construction problems.

By Kim Slowey • Jan. 6, 2016

OSHA fines PA contractor $140K after trench collapse death

The agency said bridge contractor Susquehanna Supply Company has an "extensive history" of safety violations dating back to the 1970s.

By Kim Slowey • Jan. 5, 2016

Seattle gives developer in blackmail scandal 60 days to transfer contract for city plaza

Triad Capital Partners lost the $400 million project in October after one of the executives was implicated in a political blackmail scheme.

By Kim Slowey • Jan. 4, 2016

TX engineer: Tornado aftermath reveals 'rampant irresponsibleness' in construction

Timothy Marshall told local news outlets that the tornado damage showed substandard construction in homes and other structures, including an elementary school.

By Kim Slowey • Jan. 4, 2016

PA contractor contests OSHA violations in bridge collapse injuring 2 workers

The agency contends that Palo used a flawed engineering process and should not have parked heavy equipment on the 103-year-old bridge.

By Kim Slowey • Dec. 30, 2015

Construction financial experts: Inside the growing fair payment initiatives across the globe

Fair payment plans are becoming more prevalent in many countries and industries. While most agree fair payment is a worthy cause, what fair payment looks like is another question. 

By Scott Wolfe Jr. and Danny Garfield • Dec. 23, 2015

OSHA fines IL contractor another $162K for new case of fall protection violations

Don Bosco was previously cited for fall protection violations and fined $102,000 in that case.

By Kim Slowey • Dec. 23, 2015

CO contractor charged with theft, forgery for allegedly not paying subs

Prosecutors say Roddy Reef, owner of R2 Construction, stole more than $470,000 from clients and subcontractors on approximately 10 different projects.

By Kim Slowey • Dec. 22, 2015