Construction methods

Construction Week: Starts Slip in Sept.; Beam Fall Halts NY-NJ Bridge Job

By Tim Grogan, Tom Sawyer, Jeff Rubenstone, Deputy Editor, News and Technology

Construction Starts Slip in Sept.

The value of new construction starts in September dropped 5% from the previous month but show an annual gain of 12%, according to Dodge Data & Analytics. Decreased activity was reported for both non-residential buildings and housing, while non-building construction managed a modest rebound after declining in August.

Accident

Beam Fall Halts NY-NJ Bridge Job Construction of the $1.5-billion Goethals Bridge replacement linking New Jersey and New York City halted on Oct. 16, after a girder fell 50 ft from the top of a pair of columns. The 220,000-lb, 170-ftlong support beam caused minor damage, said the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey. The bridge’s early 2017 completion date is now under review.

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Tim Grogan is formerly Senior Editor

Consulting Editor Tom Sawyer began his journalism career at the Atlantic City Press, in N.J. The former ENR editor expanded technology coverage and devised ENR's popular annual photo contest. Tom has also written memorable special reports from disaster and war zones, often taking the lead when earthquakes and hurricanes strike. His technology, disaster and war-related reporting has involved trips to Iraq, Haiti, Japan and other countries.

Jeff Rubenstone is Deputy Editor for News and Technology at the Engineering News-Record. As news director of ENR he oversees the publication's news coverage, and also covers emerging technologies and innovations in the construction space. With well over a decade of experience reporting on the industry, Jeff has a broad background in engineering and construction journalism. He is based in New York City.

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