Applications are in for the first batch of federal high-speed-rail grants financed largely by $8 billion in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds. An unofficial round-one tally shows states are seeking about $6.6 billion. That is far below the $102.5 billion in “pre-applications” states filed in July, but it reflects the first round’s emphasis on individual projects that are ready to start. Moreover, with the construction industry struggling, the new applications represent a substantial amount of potential infrastructure work, including bright possibilities for engineering firms. The dollars are expected to be even larger in the next round of applications, which
Congressional appropriators are making headway on fiscal year 2010 spending bills, raising hopes that a few of the 12 annual funding measures may be wrapped up before fiscal 2010 starts on Oct. 1. That would be a welcome change from the past few years, when stopgap “continuing resolutions” were the norm. In results so far, the big construction program winner is Environmental Protection Agency water infrastructure, which is heading for a major boost. In the transportation sector, small increases seem likely, except for the high-speed rail area, which could rise sharply. The House has approved all 12 of the appropriations
The number of construction workplace deaths and the industry’s fatality rate declined in 2008, but construction continues to have the most deaths among all industries, according to the U.S. Labor Dept.’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. BLS also confirms what many knew: 2008 had the most crane accidents in years. Slide Show The latest annual BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, released on Aug. 20, shows construction had 969 fatalities in 2008. It is the largest total among U.S. industries, but the number was down 20% from construction’s 2007 total. One possible factor contributing to the sharp 2008 downturn in fatalities
The number of construction workplace deaths and the industry's fatality rate declined in 2008, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. But the construction sector continues to have the highest number of jobsite deaths among U.S. industries. The 2008 BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, released on Aug. 20, shows that construction had 969 fatalities in 2008, down 20% from the previous year's total. The 969 total is the largest among industries. Transportation and warehousing ranks second, with 762 deaths. The 2008 numbers are preliminary, and will be updated in April. One likely factor behind the steep decrease in construction deaths
The Senate on Aug. 7 confirmed longtime Senate staffer Jo-Ellen Darcy as assistant secretary of the Army for civil works. In that post, she will oversee the Corps of Engineers’ non-military programs. Darcy was nominated on April 2 and was through committee in June, but floor action was delayed. An industry source says there was concern in Alabama’s congressional delegation about a multistate dispute over water rights from Georgia’s Lake Lanier. The Corps operates Buford Dam, which forms the lake. After meeting with Darcy on July 13, Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) said she committed to “an honest and fair adjudication
A projected August Highway Trust Fund shortfall has been averted, at least for now. President Obama signed a bill on Aug. 7 adding $7 billion to the trust fund�s ailing highway account. The new money, transferred from the general fund, is expected to keep the account solvent through Sept. 30 or maybe a bit longer. When Congress returns after Labor Day, debate is likely to heat up over reauthorizing highway and transit programs.
As Robert A. Peck returns to the headquarters of the General Services Administration as Public Buildings Service commissioner, he may have some déjà vu moments. Peck, whose new appointment as PBS chief was announced on Aug. 10, held that job from 1995 to 2001. Once again, he will be in charge of design, construction and management for the 354 million sq ft of offices, courthouses and other facilities Uncle Sam owns or leases. He says it’s “the best job in real estate.” But the situation is very different from that of a decade ago. The recession has hit construction hard,
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has re-opened the door for developing a standard for perchlorate in drinking water. Perchlorate is a naturally occurring substance and also a man-made chemical used as an oxidizer in rocket fuel and fireworks. In October 2008, EPA published a preliminary determination not to regulate the substance. But the agency said on Aug. 5 it wanted to reassess perchlorate’s impact on public health. In large doses, it can affect the thyroid gland. Alan Roberson, the American Water Works Association’s director of security and regulatory affairs, says a drinking-water standard for perchlorate probably would require utilities to
Construction’s stubbornly high unemployment rate bounced upward in July to 18.2%, from 17.4% in June, says the U.S. Labor Dept.’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. The industry’s jobless rate was more than 10 percentage points higher than July 2008’s level. In its latest monthly employment report, released on Aug. 7, BLS says construction lost another 76,000 jobs in July, adjusted for seasonal variations, compared with average losses of 73,000 during the past three months. The industry has shed more than 1.3 million jobs since the recession began. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Construction’s unemployment rate has jumped to 18.2%. BLS’s report
State highway agencies have taken the term “shovel-ready” to heart, so far devoting nearly half of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act dollars to pavement improvements, according to a recent report from the U.S Government Accountability Office. That information has drawn a mixed response in Congress. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman James Oberstar (D-Minn.) says the focus on such projects was expected. But Rep. John Mica (Fla.), the committee’s top Republican, wants to see more stimulus funds used for large projects. Source: GAO analysis of FHWA data Highway obligations by project type In another stimulus development, the U.S. Dept.
