Overall construction materials prices increased 0.4% in April and are up 1.5% year over year, according to the May 14 Producer Price Index released by the U.S. Dept. of Labor. Nonresidential construction material prices were up 0.5% for the month and are 1.4% higher than the same time last year. “Construction materials prices have increased for five consecutive months, the longest streak in more than two years,” said Associated Builders and Contractors Chief Economist Anirban Basu. “While some may interpret this increase as the onset of a period associated with significantly higher inflation, it seems more likely that the consistent
Arizona State University Athletic Director Ray Anderson revealed some new details about renovations to Sun Devil Stadium at the Tempe Historical Museum in mid-April, including that previous renderings had been withdrawn as the university seeks to make the new facility a 365-day a year attraction. By Jason Fifield Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz., under construction in Mid-April. “We believe that a refurbished renewed facility will be a shining light,” Anderson says.Anderson says the university is in the process of selecting a design firm and getting feedback but from all stakeholders to determine exactly what attractions will be added while
The world’s tallest observation wheel took its inaugural spin on March 31 on the Las Vegas Strip. By John Guzzon The Linq observation wheel is now open in Las Vegas. The 550-ft-tall, 28-cabin “Las Vegas High Roller” anchors Caesar Entertainment’s recently opened $550-million, 200,000-sq-ft. Linq entertainment complex. The 520-ft-dia., 1,120-passenger wheel is taller than the London Eye and 9-ft. higher than the former record holder, Singapore Flyer. American Bridge Co., Coraopolis, Penn., was the general contractor, with the San Francisco office of Arup as engineer-of-record.However, an observation wheel planned for the northeast side of Staten Island could soon wrest title
Alvin C. Dominguez has joined Wilson and Co., where he will be responsible for developing and sustaining client relationships in southern New Mexico. Dominguez is a Native American with 28 years of engineering leadership experience. He was formerly a technical support engineer for the New Mexico Dept. of Transportation and is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers. Related Links: Engineering News Record Architectural Record Lawrence Pobuda has been hired as senior vice president and general manager of Opus Development Co. in Phoenix. The firm works in such sectors as office, industrial and residential real estate. Pobuda had
Bohannan Huston is a regionally focused firm cemented in New Mexico. But the firm, which performs civil, structural, construction, mechanical and electrical engineering services, has recently extended its reach throughout the Southwest. The firm puts an emphasis on advanced technologies and the ability to perform a variety of engineering and design services, ranging from surveying and mapping to preconstruction and on through to the end of the job. Related Links: Engineering News Record Architectural Record Serving in a variety of capacities on a variety of project types, Bohannan Huston's most high-profile start in 2013 was the $450-million El Cabo wind
Thousands of people will celebrate the May 9 grand opening of the exterior renovation of Denver Union Station into a sprawling $500-million multimodal transportation hub for the Mountain West. Union Station’s transit component includes an underground regional bus facility with 22 bays, an eight-track commuter rail hall with five platforms covered by a sweeping canopy and significant landscaping and improvements to surrounding streets.The Union Station design-build project stretches over 40 acres in downtown Denver’s Central Platte Valley and was done under the aegis of the Denver Union Station Project Authority (DUSPA) as owner. The redevelopment is part of metro Denver’s
The unemployment rate in construction dropped to the lowest April level in seven years as contractors added 32,000 workers to payrolls. The increase lifted industry employment to 6 million, the highest level since June 2009, according to a recent analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of America. “It is heartening that all categories of construction employers added workers, not only in April but over the past 12 months,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Moreover, contractors have been adding to workers’ hours as well as hiring more employees.”Construction employment totaled 6 million in April, a
Total construction spending remained in a holding pattern in March as strong gains in apartment construction and modest growth in homebuilding and private nonresidential activity offset falling public outlays, according to a recent analysis of new Census Bureau data by the Associated General Contractors of America. “Overall construction spending has increased from a year ago but has stayed in a narrow range since December,” said Ken Simonson, the association's chief economist. “It is encouraging that spending remained level despite severe winter weather that may have delayed some projects, and the totals are likely to grow moving into spring.”Construction put in
At a press conference during halftime of the Kansas State Wildcats’ Spring Football Game in Manhattan, Kan., representatives from K-State Athletics and Kansas State University announced plans for the new Vanier Football Complex (VFC) and North Endzone Project at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. Rendering by Populous, courtesy of GE Johnson The $65-million VFC will encompass 132,000 sq ft of enclosed space as well as new north end zone seating. The project marks the third phase of the Bill Snyder Family Stadium master plan. Situated along the north end zone of the stadium, the state-of-the-art facility will serve all K-State student
The Colorado Dept. of Transportation reports that work is “progressing well” on a project to improve safety at the S.H. 172 intersection at Oxford in La Plata County. The county is managing the project at county roads 311 and 513, which began in mid-February. Map courtesy of CDOT The project reconstructs and improves the S.H. 172 intersection at Oxford in La Plata County, Colo. The project is expected to extend through November and will reconstruct the intersection by adding acceleration and deceleration lanes on S.H. 172, realigning County Road 311 with County Road and improving drainage and irrigation.The cost of
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