Midwest Construction News

Obama Center Opens The Doors as Subcontractors Say Invoices Remain Unpaid

yodersj@enr.com (Jeff Yoders) — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 16:47:54 -0400

Several union trade contractors say they have not been paid for their work on the project.

$400M, 30-Mile Illinois Water Pipeline Moves Forward

manniona@enr.com (Annemarie Mannion) — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 15:53:34 -0400

Pipeline to bring Lake Michigan water to Chicago's far-west suburbs passes critical milestone.

Early-Season Heat Puts Focus on Worker Acclimatization Across Construction Sites

gottliebb@enr.com (Bryan Gottlieb) — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 09:36:22 -0400

As a heat wave pushes heat index values toward 100°F, contractors say the biggest risk may not be the temperature itself.

Minneapolis Launches $15.1M Revamp of George Floyd Square

manniona@enr.com (Annemarie Mannion) — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 14:24:38 -0400

What are the plans for rehabilitation of George Floyd Square in Minneapolis?

Boeing Plans $1B Investment in New Buildings and Renovations in Wichita, Kan.

manniona@enr.com (Annemarie Mannion) — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 12:00:00 -0400

Boeing's planned $1-billion investment comes after its recent return to manufacturing operations in Wichita, Kan.

Buffered by Steel, Concrete and Collaboration, a Railroad Bridge Becomes a Kansas City Public Gathering Space

choa@enr.com (Aileen Cho) — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 21:54:16 -0400

$16-million Rock Island Bridge reuse could be emulated on other abandoned structures, say advocates.

Judge's Order Halts Google Data Center Project in Minnesota

manniona@enr.com (Annemarie Mannion) — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 17:28:16 -0400

Why did a Minnesota judge issue a temporary restraining order?

Ill. Governor Pauses Data Center Incentives as NY Lawmakers Pass One-Year Moratorium

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 18:26:12 -0400

Illinois' pause on tax credits takes effect July 1 while the New York bill awaits the governor's signature—as concerns surrounding data center construction grow at the state and local level.

Chicago Bears Advance Planned Move to Indiana for New Football Stadium

manniona@enr.com (Annemarie Mannion) — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 16:15:56 -0400

NFL team signals that it intends to relocate to northwest Indiana to a proposed multibillion-dollar domed stadium.

Coal Energy Projects Get New Trump Boost With $850M Federal Funding Injection

rubind@enr.com (Debra K. Rubin) — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 12:25:43 -0400

But will added taxpayer funds for new, reopened and upgraded coal power plants be enough to meet growing energy demand, attract private investors and users and reinvigorate a long ailing segment?

Capital-CMT Chosen for $471M Missouri I-44 Freight Corridor Upgrade

gottliebb@enr.com (Bryan Gottlieb) — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 12:10:57 -0400

Design-build project will include major interchange reconstructions, highway widening, bridge work and pavement upgrades on a freight corridor.

Chicago Launches $7B Plan to Transform Sports Arena Neighborhood

manniona@enr.com (Annemarie Mannion) — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 11:29:00 -0400

What firms are part of the construction team tapped for the United Center-area redevelopment project expected to transform 55 acres over the next 15 years?

Record $16B Data Center Project Advances in Michigan

manniona@enr.com (Annemarie Mannion) — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 12:32:46 -0400

What did Sam Altman, founder and CEO of OpenAI, say about the future of AI and a controversial $16-billion data campus under construction in Michigan?

Illinois Tollway Worker Dies, Two Others Injured in May 30 Vehicle Crash

manniona@enr.com (Annemarie Mannion) — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 11:38:00 -0400

Workers performing pothole repairs were struck by an SUV early in the morning on Interstate 294 near Des Plaines, Ill.

Taking Fire Over Ballooning Costs, Ohio Gov. Pauses Tax Incentives for Data Centers

manniona@enr.com (Annemarie Mannion) — Fri, 29 May 2026 11:16:55 -0400

Why is Ohio hitting the pause button on tax exemptions for data centers?

Ideal Contracting Named ENR Midwest Contractor of the Year

Thu, 28 May 2026 18:52:25 -0400

Learn why Detroit-based Ideal Contracting is ENR Midwest's Contractor of the Year.

Gray Construction Makes $2M Donation to Eastern Kentucky University CM Program

manniona@enr.com (Annemarie Mannion) — Wed, 27 May 2026 12:44:45 -0400

Gift will create an endowed professorship in a construction management program that has seen a spike in enrollment in recent years.

Chicago Bears Rule Out Chicago as Domed Stadium Site

manniona@enr.com (Annemarie Mannion) — Fri, 22 May 2026 13:11:51 -0400

Will a new stadium for the Chicago Bears be in suburban Chicago or Northwest Indiana? The team promises a selection by late spring or early summer.

Black & Veatch Plans $1.34B Headquarters and Mixed-Use District in Kansas

manniona@enr.com (Annemarie Mannion) — Fri, 22 May 2026 12:28:30 -0400

Black & Veatch plans a new $500-million global headquarters in Overland Park, Kansas and a surrounding mixed-use district that would be developed over 10 years.

James P. Roubal, DLR Group Co-Founder and Integrated Design Firm Pioneer, Dies at 94

manniona@enr.com (Annemarie Mannion) — Thu, 21 May 2026 17:25:00 -0400

Founded in a basement in Omaha by the engineer and two architects, DLR Group has grown to have 1,800 employees in 36 offices worldwide.

Deere Faces Right-to-Repair Lawsuit from Chicago Site Work Contractor

yodersj@enr.com (Jeff Yoders) — Thu, 21 May 2026 15:04:01 -0400

Class action lawsuit asserts contractor's right to repair its own skid steers, compact loaders and excavators without going through Deere or its dealer network.

Chicago's Water Tower Place Slated for $170M Makeover

manniona@enr.com (Annemarie Mannion) — Tue, 19 May 2026 10:00:00 -0400

Will the planned renovation of the city's downtown mall, which opened in 1975, bring shoppers and new users back to the landmark building?

ENR Midwest Publishes Preliminary 2026 Top Contractors List

manniona@enr.com (Annemarie Mannion) — Mon, 18 May 2026 09:59:41 -0400

ENR Midwest will publish a full list of 2026 Top Contractors in the region on July 6.

Wall-Climbing Robot Makes Bridge Inspections Easier and Safer

manniona@enr.com (Annemarie Mannion) — Fri, 15 May 2026 11:46:39 -0400

Consulting engineering firm Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates uses crawling robot to inspect hard-to-reach places.

Grid Operator PJM Interconnection Aims Changes to Speed New Capacity Adds

Thu, 14 May 2026 16:15:00 -0400

Power grid operator announced that its reopened queue of proposed new interconnections includes applications from 811 projects totaling 220 GW.

Subcontractors Ordered to Pay Record $1.28M in Minnesota Wage Theft Case

manniona@enr.com (Annemarie Mannion) — Wed, 13 May 2026 15:43:36 -0400

Two subcontractors have been ordered to pay $1.3-million in back wages to 26 workers in Minnesota.

$4B Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Megaproject Breaks Ground

gottliebb@enr.com (Bryan Gottlieb) — Mon, 11 May 2026 13:30:39 -0400

Construction has begun on the $4-billion Brent Spence Bridge Corridor megaproject, launching a cable-stayed interstate overhaul targeting one of America’s busiest freight bottlenecks.

Western Kentucky U., With Gilbane, Launches $350M Residential Housing Transformation

manniona@enr.com (Annemarie Mannion) — Mon, 11 May 2026 11:00:00 -0400

University in Bowling Green, Ky., plans to break ground this fall on project to transform all student residential living spaces, the largest residential investment in its history.

Design Firms Report Strong 2025 and Are Optimistic for 2026

manniona@enr.com (Annemarie Mannion) — Mon, 04 May 2026 12:00:00 -0400

Infrastructure and private-sector growth helped boost revenue for Midwestern design firms, but they see financing pressures continuing.

Chicago Towers Will Alter Skyline And Mitigate Wind Impacts

manniona@enr.com (Annemarie Mannion) — Mon, 04 May 2026 12:00:00 -0400

On the long-vacant site in Chicago, two towers have been designed and engineered to combat the power of the wind.