Denver International Airport is starting two projects aimed at improving its heavily used runways. The two projects are located on Runways 7-25 and 8-26 and total $25 million. Photo courtesy of DIA The two projects are located on Runways 7-25 and 8-26 and total $25 million. On July 1 at 4:00 a.m., DIA closed Runway 7-25 and started work on a $10.3-million reconstruction project. Runway 7-25 is one of DIA’s east-west runways located on the west side of the airfield. During the project, workers will replace approximately 400 concrete slabs that are showing signs of deterioration. The project is part
The landscape of alternative construction project delivery, such as design-build and public-private partnerships (P3s) in the freight and rail transportation industries is rapidly evolving as alternatives to the traditional design-bid-build delivery method.
Overall construction materials prices increased by 0.1% in June and are up 1.9% year over year, according to the July 16 producer price index release by the U.S. Dept. of Labor. Nonresidential construction materials prices also expanded 0.1% for the month and are 1.4% higher than one year ago. “Prices for inputs to construction industries have now risen in five of the year’s first six months,” said Associated Builders and Contractors Chief Economist Anirban Basu. “This marks a significant departure from the previous year’s remarkable stability. Recent monthly gains have been modest—0.1% in June and unchanged in May; however, the
The buffalo-shaped swimming pool at the University of Colorado Boulder’s recently opened Student Recreation Center has drawn a lot of attention. But less has been said about how the pool utilizes sustainable design elements included in the $63-million expansion and renovation project. Photo courtesy of Davis Partnership The student gym is lit by skylights, LED lights and an extensive glass curtain wall that allows spectacular views of the foothills along with ample natural light. In keeping with the campus’ goal of being one of the most sustainable higher education institutions in the country, the CU Boulder Recreation Center strives to
The Colorado economy continues to outperform the U.S. economy and grow at a magnitude that slightly exceeds previous expectations, according to the midyear economic outlook recently released by the University of Colorado Boulder’s Leeds School of Business. Colorado’s employment is up by 3% year-over-year from May 2013 to May 2014. A total gain of 68,000 jobs in Colorado is expected for 2014—an upward revision to a December estimate of 61,300 jobs for the year.The midyear outlook projects growth in all of the state’s sectors except for information, which includes publishing and telecommunications.“The growth for Colorado that we are forecasting for 2014
Total construction spending edged higher for the third straight month in May, as solid increases in private nonresidential and public construction outweighed a downturn in residential projects, according to an analysis of new Census Bureau data. “The May figures show that construction activity continues to expand, but with lots of variability by month and project type,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “These uneven patterns seem likely to continue for the rest of the year.”Construction put in place totaled $956 billion in May, 0.1% above the upwardly revised April total and 6.6% higher than in May 2013. For the
A new and improved half-mile stretch of East 40th Avenue in Denver that reopened in late June features the Regional Transportation District’s East Rail Line tracks but also brings community improvements that RTD officials say will provide safety and better quality of life. Photo courtesy of RTD Denver's 40th Avenue looking east from High Street, before reconstruction. Photo courtesy of RTD Denver's 40th Avenue looking east from High Street after reconstruction and installation of the East Line commuter rail to DIA. The segment of East 40th Avenue between Blake and York streets was closed for 19 months due to construction.
The critical connection between a healthy building environment and patient health is often missed by the one group of professionals who may matter most—physicians—according to a new SmartMarket report by McGraw Hill Construction. The study was sponsored by the American Institute of Architects, United Technologies Corp. and other partners. “It’s becoming clear from this initial research that doctors and other health professionals must engage with architects and the design community in a major way if we are to be successful in improving public health through design,” said AIA CEO Robert Ivy. “We look forward to furthering that dialogue with physicians
At a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $513.4 billion, new construction starts in May dropped 5% from the previous month, according to McGraw Hill Construction, a division of McGraw Hill Financial. The reduced pace for total construction starts reflected a moderate loss of momentum for nonresidential building and housing, while the nonbuilding construction sector eased back slightly.The total construction decline followed two months of strengthening activity, although May’s level was still above the lackluster volume registered at the outset of 2014. For the first five months of 2014, total construction starts on an unadjusted basis were $201.5 billion, down 1%
Construction firms added jobs in 40 states and the District of Columbia over the past 12 months and in 30 states and D.C. between April and May, according to a recent analysis of Labor Dept. data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said the employment gains help, but that construction employment remains below peak levels in every state and the District of Columbia, except North Dakota. “With demand for construction growing in most states, many firms are slowly rebuilding their depleted payrolls,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, the association’s chief executive officer. “But if overall economic growth slows,
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