Three years ago, when Coastal Construction Group CEO and Chairman Tom Murphy Jr. predicted to ENR Southeast readers that an "unprecedented" building boom was coming to Miami, skeptics scoffed. "Everybody laughed," says Dan Whiteman, Coastal president. Related Links: 2014 Southeast Top Contractors Ranking 2011: Coastal Construction CEO Says Miami is Set to Boom Again Whiteman—who adds that Murphy "has a stronger sense of the market than any individual I have ever met"—is exaggerating slightly about the reaction. After all, contractors who know the well-connected Murphy would be reluctant to dismiss his insider perspective.Still, back then there was reason for skepticism,
Photo courtesy of Tampa Bay Water Design-builders overhauled the eight-year-old reservoir's embankment structure. Photo courtesy of Tampa Bay Water According to Tampa Bay Water, the reservoir continued to experience significant cracking, which had been a focus of a lengthy legal battle. Related Links: 'Robust' Rebuild Designed to Deliver Reservoir 2.0 Concerns Over Sinkholes Scuttle Tampa Bay's Reservoir Expansion Two years after a federal jury denied Tampa Bay Water (TBW) damages for cracks at its then-six-year-old, Lithia, Fla., reservoir, the regional water supplier is eyeing better days as a $129-million renovation nears completion.While Kiewit Infrastructure Group is targeting a November completion,
The Southeast's long-anticipated construction revival has arrived for some firms but remains a mere promise for others. According to McGraw Hill Construction, the four-state region of Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas saw an estimated $10-billion decline in the value of new contracts in 2013. Even so, ENR Southeast's annual Top Contractors survey and ranking reveals some continued regional momentum. Photo courtesy of Balfour Beatty Construction Georgia firms are seeing signs of life, such as the $1-billion Buckhead Atlanta project being built by Balfour Beatty. Related Links: Southeast Top Starts Ranking Reveals Stop-and-Go Recovery Altogether, firms participating in this year's survey
The Florida Dept. of Transportation is seeking reimbursement from the U.S. Navy and federal subcontractors for $4.1 million in costs related to the state agency's emergency repairs to Jacksonville’s Mathews Bridge.
The 15 winners of ENR Northwest's second-annual Top Young Professionals competition distinguished themselves by their mastery of such technology as building information modeling (BIM) and editing and design software as well as their use of social media and smart tablets in the field.
Duke Energy's efforts to remove a portion of an estimated 39,000 tons of coal ash spilled in February into the Dan River could signal the start of new responsibilities for North Carolina utilities in managing waste from coal-fired powerplants. Photo courtesy of Duke Energy Contractor Phillips & Jordan is performing vacuum dredging of the Dan River near Danville, Va. Related Links: Subpoenas Issued in North Carolina Coal Ash Spill Duke signed an "enforceable" agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on May 22 to clean up affected sites in the state and in Virginia about two weeks after its cleanup
Photo courtesy SRS Watch The $7.7-billion MIxed Oxide Fuel Fabrication Facility project has experienced a nearly $3-billion increase in construction costs, and is estimated to be three years behind its original schedule. Related Links: DOE Audit Report: Cost and Schedule of the Mixed Oxide Fuel Fabrication Facility at the Savannah River Site Senate Appropriators Question Pause in MOX Project Construction, Operational Challenges Endanger $7.7B MOX Project The federal agency overseeing the $7.7-billion Mixed-Oxide Fuel Fabrication Facility in Aiken, S.C., violated a "basic principle" when it approved the plutonium disposal facility for construction despite its "immature" design, according to a U.S.
Photo courtesy Duke Energy Image courtesy Duke Energy A diagram of the coal-ash basin at the Dan River powerplant, where the spill occurred. Related Links: With Coal Ash Leak Plugged, Focus Turns to Remediation Subpoenas Issued in Dan River Coal Ash Spill Concrete Firm Exec Tells N.C. Legislature That Industry Wants to Buy Coal Ash Duke Energy's efforts to remove a portion of an estimated 39,000 tons of coal ash spilled in February into the Dan River could signal the start of new responsibilities for North Carolina utilities in managing waste from coal-fired powerplants.Duke signed an "enforceable" agreement with the
Photo courtesy of AGC of America Workers get a briefing on fall-protection equipment during a safety "stand-down" at a Washington, D.C., job site. Related Links: OSHA safety 'stand-down' Web page The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration and construction industry and union groups are teaming up to raise awareness about jobsite protection against falls from height, the leading cause of construction fatalities.OSHA has launched a program of “Safety Stand-Downs,” to take place during the week of June 2-6, in which companies halt work on projects around the U.S., to get briefings and reminders about proper equipment and jobsite steps recommended
Related Links: Bidding for $1.6B Miami-Dade Sewer-Repairs Contract Gets Messy In Miami-Dade Sewers Dispute, CH2M Hill's Claims Didn't Add Up for Inspector General After months of delay from protests by both bidders and subsequent investigations into the numerous claims, Miami-Dade County on May 20 awarded the program and construction-management contract for a $1.6-billion, federally mandated sewer-system repair project to AECOM Technical Services. The award came nearly 11 months after AECOM and sole competitor CH2M Hill submitted their proposals—and more than eight months after the county first moved to hire CH2M Hill.The claims and counterclaims started when AECOM alleged CH2M Hill
