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Through contacts with Silicon Valley firms, Volpatt Construction is embracing a major technology upgrade. Is it a sign of industry-wide changes?

Industry Leads for the Week of November 1, 2021

October 27, 2021

Information is derived from Industrial Reports, a market intelligence firm specializing in industrial construction.

Pulse: Project News for the Week of November 1, 2021

October 27, 2021

Project news from Dodge Data & Analytics.

Construction Methods

Project Team Installs 'Sky Mat' in Boston Tower

Winthrop Center recently became the first tower in the city to include a concrete transfer mat halfway up the building

Scott Van Voorhis

October 19, 2021

Winthrop Center recently became the first tower in the city to insert an unusual concrete foundation known as a “sky mat.”

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Federal Buildings

State Dept. Picks Caddell to Build New US Consulate in Milan

Tom Ichniowski

October 14, 2021

Contract has a total value of $209.9 million.

Useful Surprises Abound in the 2022 Toyota Tundra Pickup

Alan Rider

October 27, 2021

When it comes to the life of a contractor, surprises are not always a good thing. But the 2022 Toyota Tundra is a notable exception.

Construction Logistics

E-Ticketing Materials Tracking App Gains Amid Industry Push

Aileen Cho

October 27, 2021

An e-ticketing system that keeps track of trucks delivering materials to construction sites is gaining popularity among contractors and owners for its potential to speed up invoice processes, increase safety and eliminate paper.

Labor Relations

As Nationwide Strike Loomed, 900,000 German Workers Settle With Construction Employers

Michael Dumiak

October 18, 2021

Wage adjustments in settlement, subject to final union and employer approval, would balance disparities between country's east and west regions; giant contractor Hochtief negotiates independent deal with workers

Labor Relations

More Than 10,000 UAW Workers Strike at 14 Deere Equipment Plants

Jeff Rubenstone

October 15, 2021

With negotiations at impasse over raises and pension benefits in a new contract, employees at the construction equipment manufacturer's U.S. facilities went on strike at midnight on Oct. 14.

Workplace Safety

PCL Cited in Welder's Death During NC Bridge Demolition

October 19, 2021

OSHA has proposed $23,210 in penalties against PCL Civil Constructors Inc. for two serious federal safety violations in the April death of Jose Armando Maqueda Mejia when a bridge section collapsed.

Skanska/Traylor JV Tapped for $1.6B NJ Bridge Replacement

Jim Parsons

October 13, 2021

Team chosen from four shortlisted will replace the 110-year-old Portal swing bridge with a fixed-span structure.

Researchers Hope Plastic Additive Adds Life to Asphalt

October 28, 2021

Researchers in Missouri are deploying an additive derived from plastic straws, bags and bottles into a test road in hopes of increasing asphalt pavement life and environmental benefits.

Resilience

Dutch Dike Being Raised, Reinforced to Handle Sea Level Rise

90-year-old structure was in need of upgrade

Peter Reina

October 19, 2021

New technology is being used to reinforce the 90-year old Afsluitdijk dike, which has been delayed by miscalculations in water level and wave data provided to the contractor.

EPA administrator stands at an outdoor podium with water flowing in the background

Stricter Regulation, Faster Cleanup Anchor EPA Plan To Tackle PFAS Pollution

Corinne Grinapol

October 18, 2021

Agency plan for so-called forever chemicals include regulation under the federal Safe Water Drinking Act and under the Superfund law

Climate Adaptation

Engineers' Coalition Will Release Infrastructure Resilience Resource at COP26

October 14, 2021

"Infrastructure Pathways," to debut at Oct. 31-Nov. 12 UN global climate change conference, is an online reference for construction industry professionals and others to boost best practices.

ASCE Survey: Engineers' Salary Gaps Remain, Amid Overall Rise

Alisa Zevin

October 17, 2021

Civil engineering salaries have risen despite the pandemic, but white males still outearn women, Blacks, Asians and Hispanics

Bechtel, Hatch Win Leads on Australia-Singapore Power Megaproject

Debra K. Rubin

October 20, 2021

Estimated $22.5B solar generation, battery storage and high-voltage transmission will deliver renewable energy from Australia's Northern Territory to Singapore, with construction set to begin in late 2023.

Project Permit

Tribes Want Corps Consultant Drafting Dakota Access Pipeline EIS Fired As Biased

October 19, 2021

Chiefs cite evidence of ERM North America opposition to their position and want court-ordered environmental review of oil line water crossing restarted; Corps spokesperson declines comment on any status change

Energy Construction

Power Sector Weighs In on How to Build the Future US Grid

October 20, 2021

Some 225 trade groups, utilities, contractors, activists and others commented as federal energy regulator starts process to transform U.S. transmission design and expansion, including how best to connect new sources of cleaner energy.

Texas, Missouri Sue Feds Over Cancelled Border Wall Contracts

Debra K. Rubin

October 23, 2021

2 Comments

States and U.S. agencies dispute other border uses for appropriated barrier funds, as Texas awards its first state wall program contract to Michael Baker and Huitt Zollars.

Coastal Resilience

Army Corps Tackles Long Island Coastal Risk Projects at Key Milestone

October 25, 2021

At the nine-year anniversary of Hurricane Sandy hitting the Northeast, the agency is executing and planning numerous greenlit projects from Coney Island to Montauk Point, and beyond.

Sports and Entertainment Venues

Seattle's Climate Pledge Arena Substantially Complete Two Weeks Early

Nadine M. Post

October 18, 2021

After successfully completing the mind-boggling top-down expansion of the 932,000-sq-ft facility, with its 45-million-lb landmark roof shored safely overhead, the Mortenson-led building team overcame myriad supply chain disruptions caused by COVID-19.

Sustainability

Major Colorado Solar Project Will Power EVRAZ Steel Mill

October 22, 2021

Lightsource BP's 750,000-panel, 300-MW Bighorn Solar project will be fully online in November as a clean fuel source for the expanded plant.

Legal

Contractor Navillus Ex-Execs Convicted in Union Embezzlement Scheme

October 25, 2021

Former president, comptroller and payroll administrator were found guilty on 11 counts following a three-week trial.

Worker Safety

Georgia Worker Killed in Bridge Demolition Partial Collapse, 2 Others Hurt

October 21, 2021

Subcontractor B&D Concrete Cutting identified Demario Battle as the employee who died during demolition work southeast of Atlanta.

Global Design Acquisition

Giant Stantec Will Buy Big Chunk of Consultant Cardno for $500M

Debra K. Rubin

October 27, 2021

Global engineer intends to boost its environmental and public sector niches with proposed acquisition of the Queensland, Australia-based consultant's Asia and North America practices.

Agencies' Climate Plans Draw Industry Scrutiny

Pam McFarland

October 27, 2021

In response to a January executive order from President Joe Biden, federal agencies have released plans to move climate change and resiliency front and center in their focus and decision-making processes moving forward.

An ENR Pioneer Wins Recognition

California utility names its accounting system after ENR economics pioneer Elsie Eaves—a look back at Elsie and an update on the big year for current economics editor Alisa Zevin

Janice L. Tuchman

October 28, 2021

California utility names its accounting system after ENR economics pioneer Elsie Eaves—a look back at Elsie and an update on the big year for current economics editor Alisa Zevin.

Critical Assets

Industry Labors to Fill Growing Workplace Gaps

October 27, 2021

Will changing workforce trends and new challenges push turnover higher? Employers deploy and debate approaches to boost engagement and retention in meeting demands of a recovering economy and the big federal infrastructure spend ahead

Managing in a Pandemic

Viewpoint: Vaccine Mandates Can Cost Money

Sam Barakat John Jozwick

October 15, 2021

Consider the costs of an all-vaccinated workforce.

Construction Economics for November 1, 2021

October 13, 2021