IL budget debacle stalls $700M in construction projects

The situation for Illinois contractors right now "is both frustrating and costly," an industry spokesman said.

By Emily Peiffer • Nov. 9, 2015

Obama rejects Keystone XL pipeline construction

Although proponents of the pipeline cited construction employment benefits as one of the main selling points, a State Department analysis found only 35 permanent jobs would be created.

By Emily Peiffer • Nov. 6, 2015

OSHA fines PA contractor $62K for 3rd serious violation

The agency has placed Rockvale Construction into its Severe Violator Enforcement Program for repeated infractions.

By Kim Slowey • Nov. 6, 2015

Construction industry cheers House passage of $325B highway bill

But they also caution that the measure, which still must be reconciled with the Senate's, lays out spending policy for six years but only has funding for three.

By Kim Slowey • Nov. 6, 2015

A quiet bombshell: OSHA fines for workplace safety violations to rise for 1st time in 25 years

The measure was slipped into the federal budget bill — to the surprise of industry experts.

By Emily Peiffer • Nov. 5, 2015

OSHA slaps ND contractor with $105K fine for fall protection violations

Falls are the leading cause of fatalities in construction, consisting of approximately one-third of all job site deaths in the industry. 

By Kim Slowey • Nov. 4, 2015

DC bill proposes tiny house developments for millennials

Although the tiny house trend has been picking up steam, critics of Vincent Orange's plan have noted the age requirement is likely illegal and said the bill has very little chance of passing.

By Kim Slowey • Nov. 4, 2015

Reports: GOP banking additions to highway bill could jeopardize chances of passage

Controversy over the long-awaited, multiyear bill has created a climate of uncertainty for construction companies under federal contract.

By Kim Slowey • Nov. 4, 2015

'Image-conscious' Miami real estate industry rocked by legal battle

Kevin Tomlinson, who currently faces extortion charges, claims two high-profile rivals purposely manipulated Multiple Listing Service data to hide their expiring listings.

By Kim Slowey • Nov. 3, 2015

Why are DBEs MIA? Overcoming the disadvantaged business enterprise shortage

Legal experts say there aren't nearly enough DBE contractors in the construction industry that can benefit from billions of federal spending.

By Kim Slowey • Nov. 3, 2015

CA legislators demand investigation into over-budget high-speed rail project

California Assemblyman Jim Patterson alleged that the California High-Speed Rail Authority hid a report warning of cost overruns from the state legislature.

By Kim Slowey • Nov. 3, 2015

KY contractor fined $42K for trench collapse causing worker's death

KYOSH charged the contractor with eight violations as a result of the collapse, including not providing a ladder exit from the trench.

By Kim Slowey • Nov. 2, 2015

CA tribes sue transportation departments for alleged destruction of sacred sites

The Round Valley Indian Tribes and the Coyote Valley Band of Pomo Indians claim Caltrans work crews found and destroyed more than 30 historic and sacred sites over the last two years.

By Kim Slowey • Nov. 2, 2015

UPDATE: Obama signs 3-week patch for transportation funding

Federal transportation spending is now extended until Nov. 20.

By Emily Peiffer , Kim Slowey • Oct. 30, 2015

Chicago council votes 'yes' on 'Star Wars' museum

However, there is opposition from a nonprofit which has filed a lawsuit to stop the development.

By Kim Slowey • Oct. 30, 2015

Do contract types determine a project's fate?

Some critics chalk up Boston's $1 billion Green Line debacle to the guaranteed maximum price contract used for the project. But is the contract to blame?

By Kim Slowey • Oct. 29, 2015

Contractor in Dallas parking garage collapse admits 'unacceptable error'

The Colorado-based contractor, which was working on a pool remodel, admitted it had not yet secured a permit for the job.

By Kim Slowey • Oct. 29, 2015

Los Angeles officials approve $100M annual investment in affordable housing

Proponents hope the new fund will significantly reduce the city's homeless population.

By Kim Slowey • Oct. 29, 2015

Prosecutors: NY contractor offered bribes for faster payments

The owner of AMA Construction/NY, Inc., faces six counts of third-degree bribery and a potential sentence of seven years in prison if he is convicted.

By Kim Slowey • Oct. 28, 2015

Analyst: Baltimore's contract process 'incentivizes contractors to intentionally bid too low'

Cristie Cole, of the Abell Foundation, also said the city's data about infrastructure projects was incomplete due to a lack of transparency in records.

By Kim Slowey • Oct. 28, 2015

CA school district to issue developer 'report cards'

The Fulton Unified School District is over capacity and wants developers to chip in more to accommodate the influx of students that comes with their new housing projects.

By Kim Slowey • Oct. 27, 2015

UPDATE: Judge grants temporary injunction in Oklahoma stadium contract dispute

University officials said they will appeal the ruling, as the failure to have the stadium ready for next year's football season could cost them millions of dollars in damages.

By Emily Peiffer , Kim Slowey • Oct. 26, 2015

Vikings US Bank Stadium project surpasses minority hiring goals

Efforts by Mortenson Construction and the Minnesota Stadium Facilities Authority removed "every potential obstacle and excuse from anybody who has created an obstacle for minorities, veterans, women alike to get into the construction industry," one official said.

By Emily Peiffer • Oct. 26, 2015

Los Angeles mayor seeks developer fee to pay for affordable housing

Eric Garcetti said an extra developer's fee will help hit his goal of adding 100,000 more affordable housing units by 2021.

By Kim Slowey • Oct. 26, 2015

Court sides with Tappan Zee Bridge contractor in union dispute

A federal appeals court will not force Tappan Zee Constructors to use a more expensive class of union workers on the $4 billion project.

By Kim Slowey • Oct. 26, 2015