AP Photo One of the bolts may have sheared, causing beams and metal decking to collapse at the site of the seven-story Science Education and Research Center. A failed beam connector may have caused the collapse of part of a steel frame at a building under construction at Temple University in Philadelphia. One worker was injured.Ironworkers were working on the fifth floor of the seven-story Science Education and Research Center on July 11, when beams and portions of the corrugated metal deck fell to the floor below, according to Michael Richey, battalion chief at the Philadelphia Fire Dept.“Initial indications are
With 48 years in construction, Torcon is a strong player in the tristate region with a track record of going after highly complex projects in R&D and health care.
Related Links: Inspector in Deadly Philadelphia Collapse Kills Self Engineer Cited in Fatal Ontario Mall Rooftop-Garage Collapse Has May 15 Court Date Philadelphia officials are grappling with possible new procedures for demolition and inspections following a June 5 building collapse that killed six people and injured 13 in Center City, all while grieving the loss of one of their own inspectors.Philadelphia Licenses & Inspections staffer Ronald Wagenhoffer was found dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound on June 12. On May 14, Wagenhoffer, 52, was the last city official to inspect the site, following a complaint. He reported no violations.Deputy
Seven months after last October's Superstorm Sandy drowned low-lying zones in the New York metropolitan area and hobbled different parts of the region for days, weeks or months, government advisers and industry groups continue to clamor for a pan-regional "resiliency czar" to coordinate efforts—at all levels of government—to boost the region's disaster resistance. Related Links: New York Building Congress AIANY The groups are promoting grand and small plans to harden, replace or construct communities to better weather floods. Most of their recommended changes are not new concepts. The simpler ones are happening."The good news is that there is no lack
Related Links: Link to archived webcast of Environment and Public Works Committee meeting Link to GOP News Release on Vote Boycott The nominations of Gina McCarthy, President Obama's pick to head the Environmental Protection Agency, and Tom Perez, Obama's nominee to serve as the next Labor Dept. secretary, could be in trouble.Senate committee votes scheduled for May 8 and May 9 were postponed after Republicans on the Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW) boycotted McCarthy's nomination hearing, and labor committee Republicans used a procedural maneuver to delay the vote on Perez. MCCARTHYSenate EPW committee Republicans continue to push for a
Fueled by fresh ideas and a renewed vision, RS&H emerged from the recession with strong momentum for future growth. It's been a transformative period for the Jacksonville, Fla.-based A/E firm, marked by significant changes within its senior ranks. Last year, the firm responded by tallying near-record revenue across its 35 offices nationwide. In light of its strong results, its mix of notable regional projects and its aggressive outlook to build market share, ENR Southeast has named RS&H as its Design Firm of the Year. Related Links: P3 Delivery Drives Speed on Florida's I-595 Project Engineering News Record In the hard-hit
Related Links: Bipartisan Group of Senators Outline Plans for Immigration Reform Text of the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act (PDF) The introduction of a comprehensive immigration reform bill has received lukewarm support from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle as well as from industry and some labor groups. Even the bill's authors acknowledge the bill is the first step in the legislative process and that there is room for improvement.The "Gang of Eight" senators, led by Sens. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and John McCain (R-Ariz.), introduced the Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act on April
Related Links: Unions Ramp up Direct Marketing to Owners on PLAs Sean McGarvey, president of the Building and Construction Trades Dept. of the AFL-CIO, believes it is time for organized labor to rethink how the BCTD delivers its message to politicians and industry. The moment could be at hand, with Capitol Hill debating immigration and lingering concerns about nationwide construction jobs.McGarvey warmed to the task during his keynote address at the Building Trades 2013 National Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C., on April 22-24.During the 2012 election cycle, McGarvey claimed, the building trades—along with the carpenters and operating engineers—were the No.
