Across-the-board improvement in all three of McGraw-Hill Construction’s main construction categories pushed North Carolina’s contracts total 33% higher than a year ago, according to the company. The jump represented nearly $1.6 billion in new contracts moving forward during the month. Photo courtesy Hermosa Construction Group Hermosa Construction Group recently completed its Blue Ridge Community Health Center project in Hendersonville, N.C. Related Links: North Carolina's Nonresidential Slump Continues in April In North Carolina and Florida, Talk of Toll Roads Heats Up The nonbuilding sector, which includes infrastructure projects, showed the biggest relative gain, recording nearly $325.3 million in new contracts during
A 70% surge in new residential projects overcame downturns in the other sectors to boost the overall value of Florida’s May construction contracts to nearly $2.2 billion, according to McGraw-Hill Construction. The total was a 19% improvement over the same period of a year ago. Image courtesy Plaza Construction Group Florida Plaza Construction of Miami recently started work expanding the Dadeland Mall, a project the contractor reports is valued at more than $100 million. Related Links: Florida Contracts Keep Building Momentum in April Funding Makes Long-Planned Wekiva Parkway Project a Reality For the month of May, McGraw-Hill recorded just over
An elevated Tampa toll road with 23 spans, a tangle of flyovers and unexpected foundation issues is challenging the project team, while it is also revealing the limitations of contractor-obtained financing. The 65%-complete job, currently estimated at $412 million, instead of the original $389 million, is now expected to finish up next fall, or about six months later than originally planned. Related Links: Interstate 4/Selmon Connector Moves Ahead With Stimulus Funds PCL: ENR Southeast's 2011 Contractor of the Year Designed to boost the Port of Tampa, the 12-lane Tampa Interstate 4/Selmon Expressway Connector involves constructing a 1.1-mile north-south toll road
Numerous construction markets began to show signs of rebirth during 2011, and a considerable number of opportunistic and well-positioned Southeast contractors were able to start clawing back revenue previously lost during the recession. But it wasn't all good news, as ENR Southeast's annual Top Contractors ranking also reveals that while the seeds of recovery may have been sown for some in the past year, a broad-based resurgence remains elusive. Rendering courtesy of Hardin Construction Co. Housing markets are coming back in Florida. In Tampa, Hardin Construction is preparing to begin work on the Ella @ Encore apartment complex, part of
An ongoing public dispute between the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs and general contractor Brasfield & Gorrie over design changes and delays at a $616-million Orlando hospital project escalated recently when the agency notified the firm it had 10 days to deliver a new work plan or face termination. The contractor has been contending that the VA has been unrealistic about schedule in light of the extensive design revisions, but submitted a new project work plan. Photo courtesy Brasfield & Gorrie Veterans Affairs is reviewing a new project work plan submitted by general contractor Brasfield & Gorrie. Related Links: Health
Instead of focusing on merely surviving the Southeast's vicious downturn, Skanska USA's Southeast operation has used the slower times to improve its capabilities and people. It has been adopting new approaches to construction, accelerating field adoption of emerging technology and diversifying and deepening its talent pool. It is even expanding into new geographic markets. Related Links: Skanska USA Named "Contractor of the Year" ENR Southeast: Features on Firms It is a strategy borne of necessity that has turned into a survival tactic, says Scott MacLeod, co-chief operating officer for the Southeast in Skanska USA's Raleigh office. "We were concerned about
Photo courtesy of Construction Financial Management Association Economist Anirban Basu told the Construction Financial Management Association that Europe's financial turmoil will likely hamper the U.S. economy into 2013. Related Links: Deal Reached on Long-Term Transportation Bill Survived the Recession? Beware Recovery Risks Economic headwinds resulting from the ongoing financial crisis in Europe will remain one of the major factors buffeting the U.S. construction economy through the rest of the year and into 2013, economist Anirban Basu told an annual gathering of the Construction Financial Management Association in Orlando in late June.The industry economist admitted that his projection that Europe's economy
Citing the "substantial likelihood" that Odebrecht Construction Inc. would prevail in its court action against the state of Florida's new law barring the awarding of contracts to firms with business ties to Cuba, U.S. District Judge K. Michael Moore on June 25 issued a preliminary injunction preventing the measure from going into effect on July 1. Image courtesy Odebrecht Construction Odebrecht Construction is moving forward on its $800-million Airport City development project at Miami International Airport. Related Links: Odebrecht Sues State of Florida Over Anti-Cuba Law Anti-Cuba Law Poses Business Challenge for Odebrecht Gov. Scott's Signing of Anti-Cuba Law Ends
Photo courtesy Brasfield & Gorrie Veterans Affairs is reviewing the new plan for the delayed Orlando project. Related Links: Brasfield & Gorrie Snags $260M VA Med Center Contract Illegal Workers Found Hidden at Federal Construction Site An ongoing dispute between the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs and general contractor Brasfield & Gorrie over design changes and delays at a $616-million Orlando hospital project escalated on June 15 when the agency notified the firm it had 10 days to deliver a new work plan or face termination. But the contractor contends that the VA has been unrealistic about schedule in light
Image courtesy Fla. Dept. of Transportation Odebrecht Construction states that the new law would prevent the firm from further pursuing the $2.1-billion Interstate 4 reconstruction project planned for Orlando. Photo courtesy Odebrecht USA Odebrecht says the final completion for its $1.1-billion North Terminal contract at Miami International Airport is set for February 2013. Related Links: Florida's Anti-Cuba Law Could Be Trouble for Odebrecht Gov. Scott's Signing of Anti-Cuba Legislation Ends With Curious Twists Odebrecht Construction on June 5 filed a federal lawsuit against the state of Florida over its new law that bars the awarding of public contracts to firms