Odebrecht Construction of Coral Gables, Fla., has completed repairs at Haiti�s Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Port-au-Prince, enabling commercial carriers to resume service to and from Haiti�s capital beginning Feb. 19. Slide Show Photo courtesy Odebrecht Construction Odebrecht Construction of Coral Gables, Fla., oversaw repairs to the Port-au-Prince airport. Representatives of Dallas-based American Airlines and Odebrecht toured the devastated city four days after the Jan. 12 earthquake. According to Odebrecht, the contractor immediately assembled a team to repair and rebuild the airport’s commercial terminal. The contractor is currently performing more than $1 billion in construction at Miami International Airport’s North
On Jan. 28, officials with the Obama administration unveiled grants totaling $545 million for the state of North Carolina to use to fund rail improvements. A grant totaling $520 million will fund nearly 30 interrelated projects aimed at increasing top train speeds and doubling the number of round trips on the Raleigh-Charlotte corridor. These funds will provide for the purchase and rehabilitation of locomotives and cars, track upgrades and station security improvements. A separate $25-million grant will fund "congestion mitigation" between Raleigh and Richmond, Va. Lisa P. Jackson, administrator with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, made the announcement Jan. 28
Florida’s transition to more efficient and clean energy production hit a speed bump in January when Juno Beach, Fla.-based FPL Group said it would immediately halt work on approved nuclear and modernization projects that collectively totaled as much as $20 billion. The sudden move came on the heels of the state Public Service Commission rejecting FPL’s requests for rate hikes totaling more than $1 billion. FPL Group Chairman and CEO Lew Hay cited the decision as evidence of a deteriorating regulatory climate in Florida that “is increasingly hostile to investment.” The largest projects are two additional nuclear units at the
Florida’s transition to more efficient and clean energy production hit a speed bump last month when Juno Beach, Fla.-based FPL Group said it would immediately halt work on approved nuclear and modernization projects that collectively totaled as much as $20 billion. The sudden move came on the heels of the state Public Service Commission rejecting FPL’s requests for rate hikes totaling more than $1 billion. FPL Group Chairman and CEO Lew Hay cited the decision as evidence of a deteriorating regulatory climate in Florida that “is increasingly hostile to investment.” The largest projects are two additional nuclear units at the
Florida is looking to the private sector to bankroll high-speed rail. The state’s proposal for federal funding anticipates that private-sector funding would cover all operations and maintenance expenses for a planned line between Orlando and Tampa. State transportation planners aren’t committing any state funding to the system for the foreseeable future. Despite widespread enthusiasm for the project, the president of the Florida Transportation Builders Association is worried about high-speed rail’s long-term impact on state transportation funding, especially since the state has no dedicated funding source for a rail system. “There doesn’t appear to be any recognition at all of the
Florida is looking to the private sector to bankroll high-speed rail. The state’s proposal for federal funding anticipates that private-sector funding would cover all operations and maintenance expenses for a planned line between Orlando and Tampa. State transportation planners aren’t committing any state funding to the system for the foreseeable future. Despite widespread enthusiasm for the project, the president of the Florida Transportation Builders Association is worried about high-speed rail’s long-term impact on state transportation funding, especially since the state has no dedicated funding source for a rail system. “There doesn’t appear to be any recognition at all of the
Snapshot January 5, 2010 Our editors are everywhere�at all the industry events that matter most. When They're not speaking on panels, they're busy taking notes�and snapping photos�so they can inform their readers about what was said and who was there. The restoration of the Coweta County Courthouse in Newnan, Ga. The restoration of the Coweta County Courthouse in Newnan, Ga., included a complete replacement of the dome’s copper cladding to match historical details, says the architect, Lord, Aeck & Sargent, Atlanta. The courtroom was also restored to its original colors and finishes. Selective demolition helped reveal many of the building’s
Georgia: Peachy Again? There’s no doubt that 2009 was a tough year for Georgia contractors and design firms. McGraw-Hill Construction estimates the value of new 2009 contracts tallied just $12.2 billion, or 30% lower than 2008’s $17.5 billion—and less than half the amount generated during 2007. Related Links: 2010 Southeast Construction Outlook Florida 2010 Outlook North Carolina 2010 Outlook South Carolina 2010 Outlook The coming construction season should offer some relief. According to McGraw-Hill Construction, the total value of new Georgia construction contracts should jump by 24% overall and tally $15.2 billion. That’s still a historically modest figure, but likely
North Carolina: Mild Upturn The past year wasn’t anything to celebrate in the Tar Heel State, either. By McGraw-Hill Construction’s estimates, the value of new contracts fell 26% for a 2009 total of almost $14.2 billion, with residential (-39%) and nonbuilding (-27%) the most impacted construction types. Related Links: 2010 Southeast Construction Outlook Florida 2010 Outlook Georgia 2010 Outlook South Carolina 2010 Outlook An expected 5% uptick should equate to nearly $14.9 billion in new 2010 contracts in North Carolina, says McGraw-Hill Construction. As elsewhere, 2010 will be a mix of good news and bad news for North Carolina firms.
South Carolina: Surging? Boeing’s selection of South Carolina for its new final assembly plant for the 787 Dreamliner has this state feeling positive. Related Links: 2010 Southeast Construction Outlook Florida 2010 Outlook Georgia 2010 Outlook North Carolina 2010 Outlook McGraw-Hill Construction expects that to continue in 2010, as it predicts South Carolina to have the second-strongest percentage improvement in new contracts for states in the Southeast Construction region. The company forecasts a 16% overall increase, for a total value of about $8.4 billion for 2010. Again, however, that increase will only partially offset last year’s larger decline of about 30%.