Sept 28, 2020

Florida Dept. of Transportation investigators are assessing damage to the Pensacola Bay Bridge, which sustained multiple impacts from two construction barges unmoored by Hurricane Sally’s storm-driven waves on Sept. 15.

Skanska Will Work With Florida on Barge-Caused Damage to Pensacola Bay Bridge

Jim Parsons

September 20, 2020

No Comments

Contractor for recent $430-million upgrade of span says its hurricane-caused eastward shift was "unprecedented and entirely unexpected."

Construction Accidents

16 Hospitalized After Crane Collision in Austin, Texas

Louise Poirier

September 16, 2020

One Comment

Despite a number of injuries, no fatalities or life-threatening injuries have been reported after two cranes collided above an Austin job site on Wednesday morning.

Transportation Infrastructure

US DOT Awards $1B in Latest Round of BUILD Grants

Tom Ichniowski

September 16, 2020

No Comments

Road and bridge projects were the big winners, accounting for 54 of the 70 projects selected.

$1B NYC Google Hub Project Takes Cues From Bridge Building

Tom Stabile

September 14, 2020

One Comment

Precast concrete panels with Lego-style connections form the building core for team's fast-track rehab of a 4-story Manhattan freight terminal into the tech giant's 12-story NYC headquarters.

Construction Safety

Few Details Known So Far About Atlanta Parking Deck Partial Collapse

Richard Korman

September 16, 2020

No Comments

Structure's integrity is being evaluated after two precast deck accidents that injured workers.

Hurricane Sally Knocks Out Pensacola Bay Bridge

Other impacts include widespread power outages and localized flooding

September 16, 2020

An evaluation of the damage may occur as early as Thursday, Sept. 17.

Maryland Presses On With Purple Line As P3 Team Files New $100M Lawsuit

Jim Parsons

September 16, 2020

No Comments

State will start 'short term' construction plan in mid-October for disrupted $2B rail job, claiming new contractor interest to take over wotk; developer suit seeks delay payment.

Manufacturing

Ford Begins Construction on $700-Million Rouge Center Expansion to Add Electric F-150 Production Line

Company says new manufacturing facility will add 300 production jobs

Jeff Yoders

September 17, 2020

No Comments

Ford Motor Co. and contractor Devin Industrial Group have already begun construction on a $700-million, 500,000-sq-ft gas-electric hybrid Ford F-150 manufacturing plant at the company's 100-year-old Rouge Center in Dearborn, Mich. The first trucks are expected to come off the line by late 2021.

Water Infrastructure

Salt Lake City Lands $349M Federal WIFIA Loan for Water Reclamation Plant

Brian Fryer

September 17, 2020

No Comments

A facility under construction will treat the same amount of wastewater but has upgrades for better seismic and flooding resilience.

U.K. Nuclear Fleet Plans Evaporating Amid Economic, Political Problems

Peter Reina

September 20, 2020

No Comments

Japan's Hitachi is backing out of a proposed major project in Wales.

Transportation

Chicago Debt Document Says $8.5B O'Hare Revamp May Be Delayed

City says the reconstruction, new terminal project will continue

Jeff Yoders

September 20, 2020

No Comments

An document filed by Chicago says the $8.5-billion revamp of O'Hare International Airport may be delayed as airline revenue, a key funding source, has been decimated by the pandemic, but the Chicago Dept. of Aviation says the new Studio-Gang-designed global terminal, the centerpiece of the revamp, will stay on track.

Associations

AIA Chicago Members, Board Boost Battle Over Ousted Leader

Supporters of former EVP Zurich Esposito seek more board transparency

Jeff Yoders

September 21, 2020

No Comments

Petitioners seeking rehire of veteran chief Zurich Esposito set Sept. 25 chapter vote on the issue, but board claims outcome will be advisory only.

Texas High-Speed Rail Proposal Receives Two Key Federal Approvals

Jim Parsons

September 21, 2020

No Comments

Railroad agency signoffs provide some momentum for private developer, which earlier this year paused plans for $20B effort due to coronavirus pandemic’s impact on global financial markets.

Transportation Infrastructure

UPDATE: House Passes Stopgap Spending Bill, With 1-Year Highway-Transit Extension

Tom Ichniowski

September 22, 2020

No Comments

Pelosi, White House strike deal clearing path to enactment that would keep funds flowing through Dec. 11.

Jim Parsons

September 21, 2020

No Comments

Damage to three-mile-long north Florida crossing occurred after Hurricane Sally caused multiple construction barges to become unmoored.

Construction Accidents

Kiewit and Two Ex-Managers Face Canada Jobsite Fatality Criminal Trial

Scott Van Voorhis

September 22, 2020

No Comments

Trial date will be set on Sept. 30 in case stemming from 2009 death of field employee in British Columbia hydro project rockfall accident.

VDOT OKs Start of $3.8B Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel Expansion

Jim Parsons

September 22, 2020

No Comments

The Virginia Dept. of Transportation has given the go-ahead for work to begin on the $3.8-billion Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel Expansion project.

FERC Talks Technology, But Clean Energy Innovators Say Actions Hurt Sector

Mary B. Powers

September 22, 2020

No Comments

Firms charge in U.S. lawsuit that recent agency rules and rulings keep renewable power producers from being part of U.S. power grid, despite outreach to new technologies.