As we have already seen this spring, Mother Nature delays construction. The issue, though, is whether weather delays are severe enough for contractors to legitimately and successfully seek a contractual time extension. Several events can secure extensions for weather-related delays—which typically are not compensable, but they can grant relief from liquidated damages. However, not just any bad weather justifies a contractual time extension. Rather, the delay must be caused by exceptionally inclement weather—historically bad weather comparable to record events maintained by the National Weather Service.So, your first step: visit the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (www.weather.gov) and examine records to
The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index, which had increased in February, pulled back slightly in March. The index now stands at 70.2 (1985=100), down from 71.6 in February. The Present Situation Index, however, increased to 51.0 from 46.4. The Expectations Index declined to 83.0 from 88.4 in February. Consumers’ appraisal of current conditions improved in March. Those claiming business conditions are “good” increased 14.3% from 13.7%. However, those claiming business conditions are “bad” also increased, to 32.7% from 31.7%. Consumers’ assessment of the job market was mixed. Those saying jobs are “plentiful” increased to 9.4% from 7.0%, while those stating
Construction employment increased in 171 out of 337 metropolitan areas between February 2011 and February 2012, decreased in 119 and stayed level in 47, according to a new analysis of federal employment data recently released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said employment was increasing in many metro areas thanks in large part to growing private sector demand for construction. “It is encouraging that the number of metro areas experiencing construction job gains outpaced the number of areas with losses,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “The increases would be even more widespread if not for
The steel shell for the first RTD FasTracks commuter rail car underwent a compression “squeeze” test for structural integrity at the Hyundai Rotem plant in Changwon, South Korea, on Feb. 28. The car body was subjected to 800,000 lb of pressure, and preliminary data indicates the car’s structure performed well within Federal Railroad Administration limits. Courtesy of RTD The train car body was subjected to 800,000 lb of pressure, and preliminary data indicates the cars structure performed well within Federal Railroad Administration limits. The commuter rail cars will run on several new FasTracks lines, including the one currently under construction
The U.S. Green Building Council recently announced that the 12,000th commercial project has earned LEED certification. Since its launch in 2000, the LEED green-building program has been transforming the way built environments are designed, constructed, operated and maintained. “Twelve years after the first 12 projects earned LEED certification, the green-building community has reached a significant milestone,” said Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO & founding chair, USGBC. “The momentum for green buildings is rippling around the globe, enhancing the built environment for generations to come.”The 12,000th project is the LEED-Gold Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge. Paid for by the Recovery Act and rebuilt
he construction industry lost 7,000 jobs between February and March, following a similar decline of 6,000 the month before but extended a pattern of modest year-over-year job increases, according to a recent analysis of new federal employment data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said that lack of long-term federal highway and transit funding threatens to hold down future job gains. “Both the small monthly change and the March-to-March gain of 55,000 jobs, or 1%, is consistent with the uneven, tentative recovery that contractors have been reporting nationwide,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist.He noted that
Four Colorado firms were honored at the 12th annual National Construction Safety Excellence Awards (CSEA) competition was held at the AGC National Convention in Hawaii the week of March 12. Winners were announced during an awards breakfast on March 15 attended by over 900 people. AGC of Colorado was represented by four member companies, all of which won first place in their respective categories. The four companies are PCL Construction Services Inc., Calcon Constructors Inc., Sturgeon Electric Co. Inc. and L.P.R. Construction Co.In addition, AGC of America also presents a grand award that signifies the best in construction safety excellence
The American Council of Engineering Cos. of Colorado, with support of the American Public Works Association, awarded $29,000 in scholarships to 10 Colorado college students who are actively pursuing engineering degrees at Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology-accredited Colorado engineering programs. Courtesy of ACEC/CO ACEC/CO Scholarship Committee member Les Botham (left), and ACEC/CO President Eric Young (far right), congratulated 2012 ACEC/CO scholarship recipients (from left) Rachel Sobke, University of Colorado; Andrea Fasan, Colorado State University; Hannah Cooling, Colorado School of Mines; John Wolfe, Colorado State University; and Meral Sarper. At a reception honoring the scholars, ACEC/CO President Eric Young thanked
After a year of construction, Adolfson & Peterson Construction wrapped up the renovation of Aurora’s only full-service recreation center—Beck Recreation Center. A&P helped the city with its grand opening celebration week by sponsoring tours and a barbeque dinner on March 21. Aurora families celebrated for the week of March 19 through March 24 by taking advantage of several free classes and events. Courtesy of A and P A and P helped the city with its grand opening celebration week by sponsoring tours and a barbeque dinner on March 21. The overhaul of the recreation center included an addition to the
The Colorado Dept. of Transportation and its contractor, SEMA Construction, began work March 26 on a new interchange west of Parachute on I-70 at approximately Milepost 72. The new interchange will offer on- and off-ramps in both east and west directions and will utilize an existing overpass on U.S. 6. The new interchange will offer efficient, full-service traffic movements in the rapidly growing area. The interchange project involves construction of on- and off-ramps, two roundabouts on the north and south sides of the existing overpass on U.S. 6, and an asphalt overlay on U.S. 6. Several safety improvements will also
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