Researchers reported results of two key studies—one on using real-time technology to reduce the danger of working around construction equipment and another on the impact of project-site leadership on safety—to the Construction Industry Institute’s annual conference held Aug. 4-5 in Orlando, Fla. Photo: Courtesy Of Georgia Institute Of Technology Warning device worn by a worker (below) approaching a danger zone emits a signal picked up by a device in the equipment’s cab (above). . Photo: Courtesy Of Georgia Institute Of Technology Several safety-related topics were discussed at the event, including technology-based safety, which members and academics are researching in an
Turner Construction Co., New York City, is looking to put $333 million back on its books after it won a bid protest over a new 745,000-sq-ft hospital planned for Fort Benning, Ga. Photo: Fort Benning, Ga. Army site’s hospital project was focus of contract protest. . On Aug. 5, the Savannah District of the Army Corps of Engineers reinstated the design-build contract, which had been terminated in March over charges of organizational conflicts of interest. The job re-award follows a July claims court ruling that agreed with Turner’s appeal of a decision by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) against
Florida’s three broad categories of construction contract activity declined by double-digit percentage points in June, resulting in a 21% overall decline, according to McGraw-Hill Construction, publisher of Southeast Construction. During June, the state experienced nearly $1.8 billion in new contracts for future construction. The nonresidential market fell by 22% during June to tally approximately $716.3 million. That compared to the $919.7 million of a year ago. The value of new residential starts slipped as well, dropping by 12% for a monthly total of approximately $696.8 million. A year ago, the residential sector delivered nearly $794.1 million in new projects. Falling
The value of new construction contracts in the state of Georgia fell by 13% overall in June, according to McGraw-Hill Construction, publisher of Southeast Construction. During the month, the state of Georgia experienced roughly $795.6 million in new contracts for future construction activity, down from last June’s $917.7-million tally. The nonresidential market fell by 35% during June to tally approximately $302.2 million for the month.That compared to the $464.9 million recorded a year ago. The value of new residential projects climbed by 17%, however, for a monthly total of nearly $320.4 million. That compares to last June’s $274.1 million figure.
North Carolina contractors saw continued declines in the state’s nonresidential market in June, leading to a 36% overall drop in the value of new contracts, according to McGraw-Hill Construction, publisher of Southeast Construction. The overall value of new June contracts totaled just over $1 billion, down from $1.6 billion a year ago. Related Links: S.C. Contracts: 20% Up at 2010’s Midpoint The value of nonresidential contracts fell 66% compared to a year ago for a $266.1-million total. The nonbuilding category—which includes infrastructure projects—declined 33% in June to tally $173.8 million. The residential sector improved yet again, increasing by 5% for
The value of June’s South Carolina contracts was flat compared to a year ago, according to McGraw-Hill Construction. The overall value of new contracts signed for future construction was $733.8 million, compared to last June’s $731 million. Related Links: N.C. Contracts: 36% Drop in June Nonbuilding construction was the only positive category for the month. It soared by 75% over last June’s pace to total $232.5 million. Nonresidential was down again, though, this time by 30% to tally $194.8 million. The residential category fell 4% to total $306.5 million. For the year-to-date, South Carolina’s new contracts total roughly $3.7 billion,
Peoria, Ill.-based heavy equipment giant Caterpillar Inc. announced July 30 that it will build an 850,000-sq-ft mining equipment plant in Winston-Salem, N.C. Construction of the facility, where the company will machine, assemble, test and paint axle assemblies for its mining trucks, is set to begin in November, with production scheduled to start in early 2012. “Caterpillar has worked hard with many local partners in North Carolina, and we thank them for their assistance during the site selection process,” says Hans Haefeli, vice president for advanced components and systems. “We look forward to establishing our new lower powertrain facility in Winston-Salem,
Canada-based design firm Stantec announced July 20 that it has signed a letter of intent to acquire WilsonMiller Inc., a planning, design and engineering firm headquartered in Naples, Fla., with more than 265 employees and 10 offices throughout the state. “We believe that WilsonMiller will be a catalyst for future growth of Stantec in Florida, which despite the current difficult economic climate, still remains one of the largest markets in the country,” Bob Gomes, Stantec president and CEO, said in a press statement announcing the acquisition. This year, Edmondton, Alberta, Canada-based Stantec Inc. ranked No. 24 on the Engineering News-Record’s
The U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Wetlands Reserve Program has agreed to pay approximately $89 million to acquire permanent easements on nearly 26,000 contiguous acres in Florida’s Northern Everglades Watershed. Photo: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture The U.S. Dept. of Agriculture has acquired permanent easements for 26,000 acres in the Northern Everglades Watershed. “The Northern Everglades is one of the last frontiers for large-scale land conservation in Florida, so we are excited about this,” says Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan. “The $89 million the federal government is investing in this project this year will do wondrous things.” In
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has expanded the list of organizations whose crane-operator certification programs it formally recognizes, with an agreement with the National Center for Construction Education and Research, Gainesville, Fla. Related Links: PBS&J Wins ARTBA ‘Globe Award’ for S.R. 408 Design OSHA chief David Michaels, assistant secretary of labor for occupational safety and health, and NCCER President Don Whyte signed the voluntary agreement on May 17 at the Dept. of Labor headquarters in Washington, D.C. In March, OSHA finalized an agreement with The Crane Institute of America Certification Inc. OSHA also has an agreement with the Operating
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