Courtesy of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada U.S. Trade Rep. Kirk (left) and Canada's International Trade Minister Fast sign an extension of their countries' 2006 lumber trade agreement. Related Links: U.S.-Canada Timber Pricing Dispute Heats Up (2011) U.S-Canada Lumber Pact Goes Into Effect (2006) The U.S. and Canada have agreed to a two-year extension of a 2006 trade pact that governs pricing and export volumes for softwood lumber, a key material in housing construction.The extension, which top trade officials from the two countries signed in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 23, carries the lumber agreement through Oct. 12, 2015, but
After more than four years of short-term funding, a multiyear aviation bill seems to be finally on its way to passage. Senate and House leaders on Jan. 20 resolved a thorny labor issue that had blocked a multiyear authorization for Federal Aviation Administration programs, including its Airport Improvement Program, or AIP, grants, which fund runways and other projects.Those programs have been operating under a long series of stopgap bills since September 2007, when the last long-term FAA law expired. The 22nd extension is slated to lapse on Jan. 31.Some issues remain to be worked out. One item is believed to
Construction groups and other organizations have launched a lobbying drive, aiming to nudge Congress to pass a new multiyear highway and transit bill. They see a window of opportunity—if not necessity—between now and March 31, when the current stopgap authorization runs out.To be sure, industry officials have been campaigning for a new bill for a long time, beginning even before the last major surface transportation measure lapsed in September 2009. But now they are turning up the intensity. They know November's elections will keep the 2012 congressional session short, and if there's little progress toward a long-term transportation bill in
Related Links: No FAA Bill Deal Yet, Another Extension Likely FAA Contractors Resume Work After Stopgap Extension Passes Aviation Bill Fight Shuts Down Airport Grants Senate and House leaders have reached agreement on a thorny labor issue, clearing the way for a final deal on a multiyear Federal Aviation Administration authorization, which is more than four years overdue.FAA programs, including the agency's airport construction grants, have been operating under a long series of stopgap measures since September 2007, when the last long-term aviation bill expired. The latest stopgap, the 22rd in that series, lapses on Jan. 31.The agreement, between Senate
The latest in a long line of stopgap authorizations for Federal Aviation Administration programs is due to expire on Jan. 31. With Congress in session for only a few days before that date and no deal yet on a multiyear measure, it looks as if at least one more extension is in the cards.For construction, the key issue is how much will be authorized—and when—for FAA's Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grants, which finance work on runways, taxiways and other infrastructure.The current stopgap is the 23rd since September 2007, when the last long-term aviation bill lapsed. Jane Calderwood, Airports Council International-North
Amtrak's 2012 construction program has a heavy emphasis on the Northeast Corridor, with several new and continuing projects. In a move that could assist longer-range plans, the White House on Jan. 13 announced a pilot program to expedite environmental reviews for future high-speed-rail projects on the Washington, D.C.-to-Boston line.
Amtrak’s 2012 capital-spending plan includes work on several major Northeast Corridor infrastructure projects, as well as facility upgrades in other parts of the country, says Joseph Boardman, the railroad’s president.
Related Links: Text of the legislation NTSB San Bruno Explosion Report Centers on Pipeline Seam Welds PG&E Faces Blast Aftermath Under a newly enacted pipeline safety bill, oil and gas pipeline companies could face additional safety requirements, and pipeline operators that violate federal rules will have to pay stiffer fines. But the legislation’s impact on safety and industry won’t be clear for many months because its implementation deadlines for key regulations are not until 2013 or 2014. Further, the law gives the U.S. Dept. of Transportation substantial leeway to consider the economic impact of the new rules.Other provisions call for federal
Related Links: Bureau of Labor Statistics release, with data tables Associated Builders and Contractors analysis Associated General Contractors analysis As construction’s winter slowdown began, the industry’s unemployment rate worsened in December to 16% from 13.1% in November. But the industry did add 17,000 jobs last month, and its December rate was much improved over the December 2011 mark of 20.7%, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported.Those BLS industry-specific rates are not adjusted for seasonal swings. Jobless rates for the highly seasonal construction industry tend to climb in winter months, when the volume of projects dips.Construction economists said seasonal factors may
Related Links: Text of the bill State Dept.'s Dec. 12 statement on Keystone XL pipeline Resolving a heated dispute, the House and Senate have cleared a bill to extend, through February, the current payroll tax cut for individuals and require the Obama administration to decide soon whether to let the controversial Keystone XL crude-oil pipeline move ahead.The stopgap measure, which the chambers approved in brief morning sessions on Dec. 23, was signed the same day by President Obama. Other provisions extend, through February, unemployment insurance benefits and prevent a cut in Medicare payments to doctors. Brian Turmail, a spokesman for the Associated
