March 29, 2021

Scott Van Voorhis Bruce Buckley

A drug company’s new building may indicate growing support for design-phase hazard mitigation

New COVID-19 Tests, Rules Ramp Up in North America

March 24, 2021

At pandemic anniversary, Canada rolls out mandated rapid antigen tests as U.S. weighs federal OSHA emergency standard to curb further virus spread

Construction Workforce

Labor Dept. Seeks to Cancel Two Trump Administration Rules

March 11, 2021

Agency targets employee-classification and joint-employer rules.

Architect of the Capitol Backs 'Targeted' Fencing for Iconic Building

Justin Rice

March 11, 2021

J. Brett Blanton told Congress he seeks a $67-million budget increase to maintain and secure the Capitol complex.

Obituary: Stephen D. Bechtel Jr., 95, Giant Builder Who Set Trends

Debra K. Rubin

March 15, 2021

Low-key but business-savvy heir to Bechtel mantle was CEO for three decades in a period of extensive global growth and started, at 32, what became a $1B+ philanthropy operation.

Highway Infrastructure

FHWA Awards $18.7M for Road-Use Fee Tests

March 22, 2021

Congress also is weighing a 50-state vehicle-miles-traveled pilot program in the coming highway bill.

At ENR BuildTech Conference, Fresh Lessons From a Long Year

Jeff Rubenstone

Jeff Yoders

March 15, 2021

Harsh lessons and hopeful developments were the top line ideas at the BuildTech virtual conference, ENR’s annual look at the state of construction technology and management.

Construction Fatality

State Probes Contractor Worker's Deadly Fall at LA Water Plant

Greg Aragon

March 13, 2021

Jose Perez, a union laborer employed by contractor Murray Co. fell March 8 while securing tank lid at the Hyperion treatment facility

Transportation Vet Porcari Joins STV Board; Webcor Exec Shifts to Rosendin

March 25, 2021

ERM operations leader joins PE platform as COO; Texas A&M engineering chief will be university president, effective June 1.

Companies

Canada's SNC-Lavalin Looks Abroad for Better Risk and Return

Scott Van Voorhis

March 21, 2021

As Montreal firm pushes to finish lump-sum construction in Canada, U.S. and U.K. projects show new appeal to reverse 2020 results declines.

Feds, County Seek Delay in Houston $7B Road Widening Over Community Impact

Mary B. Powers

March 14, 2021

Harris County sues state DOT, claiming it failed to consider alternatives; U.S. DOT will review federal civil rights violation claims linked to homes, businesses set to be eliminated

Pennsylvania Bill Aims to Curb Major P3 Bridge Plan

Jim Parsons

March 18, 2021

Lawmakers are considering a measure to rein in the state DOT's recently announced plan to use public-private partnerships and new tolls for major bridge construction projects.

Harris County, Texas, Pivots To Close $1.4B Gap in Flood Control Funding

Autumn Cafiero Giusti

March 17, 2021

County officials are exploring alternative funding opportunities to avoid construction delays.

$1B Gas Pipeline State Land Seizure Battle Gets High Court Review

Mary B. Powers

March 10, 2021

Despite appeals court denial, Justice Dept. says U.S. has authority to take land for PennEast and other pipe projects; NJ decision will have national implications.

Feasibility Study for $3.6B Energy Storage Project Gets Feds' Nod

Thomas F. Armistead

March 10, 2021

FERC permit starts clock on proposed 2.2-GW project on Lake Powell near Page, Ariz.

Bentley Deploys HoloLens for Virtual Bridge Inspections

Jeff Rubenstone

March 24, 2021

Collins Engineering is working with the Minnesota Dept. of Transportation on the restoration of the James J. Hill Stone Arch Bridge in Minneapolis.

1Q Cost Report: Industry Executives See the Market Stabilizing in 2021

Jonathan Keller

March 24, 2021

Challenges remain, but the effects of the pandemic may be less severe than feared, they say

1Q Cost Report: Single Family Starts Continue to Lead Economic Recovery

Alisa Zevin

March 24, 2021

High material prices are expected to drop as supply catches up with demand in 2021

Construction Cost Report

What's Behind The Materials Price Spikes?

Jeff Yoders

March 24, 2021

Industry groups are lobbying for an end to tariffs, but without shipping certainty, it may not be enough.

1Q Cost Report-Exec Compensation

Need for Top Talent Keeps Pandemic Pay Hit Brief

Bruce Buckley

March 25, 2021

Experts predict more stability in 2021, with most increases relatively conservative

March 24, 2021

As reports fly in Washington about White House plans for a $3-trillion economic recovery package, including a big infrastructure component, congressional committees are taking a more targeted approach.

Walsh Confirmed as U.S. Labor Secretary

Bruce Buckley

March 22, 2021

The confirmation, 68-29, comes as a bill protecting the right for workers to organize has cleared the House.

Infrastructure Funding

Utah’s Budget Surplus Will Give State Transportation Projects $1B Boost

Brian Fryer

March 12, 2021

From highways to rail lines to new parks, Utah legislators offer state projects one-time cash infusions from a robust budget surplus.

Georgia Awards $229M JV Contract to Rebuild Macon Interchange

Scott Judy

March 21, 2021

Ferrovial subsidiary Webber and United Infrastructure Group will update 21 bridges and reconstruct the I-16/I-75 interchange.

Georgia Power Expects Vogtle Delay Due to Remediation Work

March 24, 2021

On March 19, Southern Co. reported that the Plant Vogtle nuclear expansion project team has identified the need for additional construction remediation work at the Georgia construction site.

Higher Education

Major Facelift Underway at UMass Boston

$150-million makeover overhauls big brick-and-concrete campus

Scott Van Voorhis

March 22, 2021

Mostly brick and concrete campus built in the 1970s has embarked on a $150-million makeover

Transit Tunnels

More Than 20 TBMs Will Work on Four New Lines in Paris Metro Expansion

Peter Reina

March 17, 2021

The $42.6B project, with $8B of civil engineering contracts awarded, will add nearly 180 km to the system by 2030.

Pulse: Project News for the Week of March 29, 2021

March 24, 2021

GenRev Properties is planning to construct the Canopy at Oak Mountain, a mixed-use development in Pelham.

Industry Leads for the Week of March 29, 2021

March 24, 2021

EarthRenew Inc. is planning to construct an organic fertilizer plant at the Diamond Feeders LLC cattle feedlot in Eaton.

Construction Economics for March 29, 2021

March 24, 2021