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HEADLINES ADDED: July 31, 2008
Olympic stadium and aquatic centre hit by delays
The London 2012 Olympic stadium and aquatics centre have had their completion dates pushed back after being hit by delays.... Read More
Locals to oppose £110m nuclear waste dump construction
Local residents are set to oppose the construction of a propsed £110m nuclear waste treatment next to the Dounreay power plant in Scotland.... Read More
Preparations begin for removal of buried Ontario crane
McNally Construction and Aecon Group, working as a joint venture, have begun preparations to remove the $5-million tunnel boring machine that has been trapped underground.... Read More
EPE Power Station Expansion Creates Construction Jobs
About 200 construction jobs are expected to be created in coming months for the first phase of the $217 million-dollar addition to El Paso, Texas-based El Paso Electric’s (EPE) Newman Power Generating Station... Read More
New Energy Standards Approved in California
The California Energy Commission recently approved dozens of new energy-efficiency building standards for new construction.... Read More
A Construction Manager For Pre-construction Services
The construction manager's role is changing. Clients and architects are using pre-construction services more than ever before. If brought in at the right point of ...... Read More
Economic crime hits 40% of construction firms
Economic crime is hitting construction companies harder, with 40% suffering from some form of theft, embezzlement, corruption, bribery, money-laundering and intellectual property infringment.... Read More
Construction jobs fall 70% in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland’s construction workforce has plummeted by 70% in the past 12 months, according to a new survey.... Read More
Wales plans £170m refurbishment of 10,000 homes
A housing association will spend £170m refurbishing more than 10,000 homes in south Wales using local workers.... Read More
State of the Infrastructure
Probably the most pressing issues facing the heavy/highway construction industry have to deal with the need for increased funding for America’s infrastructure. If finances are not made available many upcoming projects will be delayed or even canceled all-together. Despite having a diverse impact on our road builders, this could have a crippling effect on our nation’s economic health. In the latest edition of this podcast series, Brian Moore discusses the shifting trends of the industry and how it will reshape the industry.... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: July 30, 2008
Lean & 5S's in Construction - July 08 #36
Just Start Doing It In May of this year, Mike King attended my presentation at the ASQ World Quality Conference in Houston. Michael works for Duro-Last Roofing, Inc in Saginaw, Michigan. He took the 5S’s back to his operations and has already reported some success. He writes: Hi Dennis, read more... Read More
Reconstructing I-64 In St. Louis
The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) is in the middle of a very busy construction season, with many key highway and bridge projects under way across the state. But none is bigger than the $535-million new I-64 Project — the reconstruction of Interstate 64/U.S. 40, a major, six-lane, east-west arterial in the St.... Read More
CBI: BSF delays are damaging economy and construction
The government's "inadequate leadership" on the £45bn Building Schools for the Future programme is causing short- and long-term damage to the economy, a CBI has warned.... Read More
Confidence jump will boost construction demand
As expected, consumer confidence picked up with falling gasoline pump prices. The Michigan Confidence Index jumped to 61.2 in late July from 56.6 in early July and June average of 56.4. The recession level of consumer confidence has been the major restraint on the economy for many months. If the turnabout is sustained, as assumed in our forecast, the volume of construction spending will resume expanding by yearend.... Read More
Ashford Construction wins £12m-worth of deals
Birmingham-based Ashford Construction has taken a £7m deal to build a 7,377m2 environmentally-friendly headquarters for Punch Taverns in Burton-upon-Trent, Staffordshire.... Read More
Surveying: Principles and Applications, 8th Edtiion
By Barry F. Kavanagh. Prentice Hall PTR. Price: $112. Publish Date: 07/2008... Read More
Royal Haskoning to bridge Dubai's Palm Islands - PHOTO
The firm behind London’s futuristic Canary Wharf Station has won the contract to build a spectacular “hovering” bridge in Dubai.... Read More
Housing crisis to persist up to 2010
Housebuilders are urging the government to speed up a solution to end the housing crisis, in the wake of a report that says the market will suffer until 2010.... Read More
Design and Construction of Beach Redesign and Restoration Project, Trinidad
The Tourism Development Company Limited (TDC) invites qualified and experienced contractors/ firms to submit tenders for the Design and Construction of the Maracas Beach Redesign and Restoration Project at Maracas Bay,Trinidad. The Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, through the Ministry of Tourism, has embarked on a programme to improve the beach tourism infrastructure of Trinidad and Tobago to international standards.The current project to be undertaken is the redesign and restoration of the Maracas Bay Beach Facility. Skill and Experience of Tenderer Tenderers are expected to have... Read More
Home Price Drop Is Good for Builders
Today the S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Index came out and showed a 15.8% decrease in May home prices compared to a year ago. The index is m...... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: July 29, 2008
OSHA Fines Concrete Contractor $870,000
Pay attention: OSHA has fined Broadway Concrete for 15 willful violations involving fall protection and unprotected rebar on a 50-story NYC building. Let's not let it happen again. © 2008 Hal, Reforming Project Management. | Permalink | No comments Add to del.icio.us. | Search blogs linking this post with Technorati Want more on these topics? Browse other posts tagged safety, construction.... Read More
Four Victims Identified from Crane Collapse at Houston Refinery
A large crane fell onto a smaller one Friday at the LyondellBasell Houston Refining facility. OSHA began its investigation this morning as the crane's owner identified four employees who died as a result.... Read More
Construction spending will plunge if weak GDP outlook is correct
GDP growth was expected to be near 0.0% in the first half of the year according to the consensus outlook early in the year, then rise to 2% in the second half and rise further in 2009. The stall in the first half did not happen; GDP growth will be 1.5%+. Now there is no consensus on what happens next. Forecasts are split between a delayed stall later in the year with 1.0-1.5%% GDP growth next year and a progressive, if slow, recovery with GDP growth at a near... Read More
16 Hurt in Second Jerusalem Construction Vehicle Attack This Month
... Read More
Oil price decline set to trim construction inflation
The future price (first month) of crude oil fell more than $20/bbl.to under $126/bbl. over the last three weeks after tripling over the previous three and a half years. This is the new trend for oil prices for the next few years. Contractors and their suppliers will begin to see reduced materials cost yet this year and an associated boost in space and facility demand next year. This change in the oil price trend was generally incorporated in the Reed Construction Data construction spending forecast.... Read More
Democrats Seek Tougher Crane Safety Standard as Deaths Mount
... Read More
Crane Falls in Oklahoma, Kills One
... Read More
Boris will not oppose £200m Doon Street tower
London Mayor Boris Johnson will not object to the construction of a £200m skyscraper on the South Bank.... Read More
Locals to oppose £110m nuclear waste dump construction
Local residents are set to oppose the construction of a propsed £110m nuclear waste treatment next to the Dounreay power plant in Scotland.... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: July 28, 2008
Time for JCT to embrace sustainability
As sustainability continues to move up the business agenda and with around 70% of construction contracts let on JCT standard agreements, contractors are seeking clearer guidance on green issues. Paul Howard discusses sustainability contracts.... Read More
Failing to Protect: Saving America's Crumbling Infrastructure
Miles of Midwest land under 10 feet of water, a major bridge collapsing to the ground, a flood-ravaged New Orleans – these are all images we won't soon forget. But how can we keep history from repeating itself yet again?... Read More
Hanley Grange eco-town scaled back
Developers have scaled back plans for a proposed eco-town in South Cambridgeshire after a medical charity refused to sell its land.... Read More
ASSE to Host Webinar on New Construction Safety Standard
A10 Committee members will lead the discussion and answer questions during the event, designed to introduce components of the new standard and how it can be implemented in construction and demolition operations. Last week, NAHB President Sandy Dunn said the standard, in it present form, "will be useless for the construction industry."... Read More
Green Construction Institute Established
To further the cause of green building, the Mechanical Contractors Association (MCA) of Chicago has established the Green Construction Institute, dedicated to the advancement of sustainable practices in the construction industry. The Green Construction Institute offers educational opportunities to keep the association's member contractors up-to-date with the latest green building technology.... Read More
Lean & 5S's in Construction - July 08 #36
Just Start Doing It In May of this year, Mike King attended my presentation at the ASQ World Quality Conference in Houston. Michael works for Duro-Last Roofing, Inc in Saginaw, Michigan. He took the 5S’s back to his operations and has already reported some success. He writes: Hi Dennis, read more... Read More
CBI: BSF delays are damaging economy and construction
The government's "inadequate leadership" on the £45bn Building Schools for the Future programme is causing short- and long-term damage to the economy, a CBI has warned.... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: July 26, 2008
Kier's housebuilding division: 350 jobs go as 4 offices shut
Kier has embarked on a major shake-up of its residential housebuilding operation with the loss of 350 jobs.... Read More
Four Killed As Huge Crane Collapses at Houston Refinery
... Read More
Concrete Technology Restores Historic Bridges
As our nation's bridges come under increasing scrutiny, New Jersey agencies are taking action. At issue was bridge safety for two deteriorating spans in high traffic areas. The challenge was to maintain the historic character of the two bridges while updating them to current safety standards. The engineering firm of French & Parrello in Wall, NJ, met this challenge head on with advanced con...... Read More
Construction Spending Will Plunge If Weak GDP Outlook Is Correct
GDP growth was expected to be near 0.0% in the first half of the year according to the consensus outlook early in the year, then rise to 2% in the second half and rise further in 2009. The stall in the first half did not happen; GDP growth will be 1.5%+. Now there is no consensus on what happens next. Forecasts are split between a delayed stall later in the year with 1.0-1.5%% GDP growth next year and a progressive, if slow, recovery with GDP growth at a near... Read More
Galliford Try and Kier among 5 up for £21m Construction College revamp
Five contractors have made it onto the shortlist for a £21m deal to revamp the National Construction College (NCC) at its flagship campus at Bircham Newton, Norfolk.... Read More
Conlon Construction pre-tax profit falls 30%
Conlon Construction has seen its pre-tax profit drop 30% to £639,000 for the year ended 30 April 2008.... Read More
Construction College development plans rejected again
The National Construction College (NCC) East will not be able to refurbish an ageing swimming pool at its Bircham Newton base, after the Planning Inspectorate this week refused an appeal to build 24 homes on the site .... Read More
Acret's California Construction Law Manual 2008: Contractor's Edition
By William D. Locher. Building News, Inc.. Price: $89. Publish Date: 01/2008... Read More
Graybar Electric Joins U.S. Green Building Council
Graybar Electric Co., St. Louis, is now a member of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), Washington, D.C.... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: July 25, 2008
Conlon Construction pre-tax profit falls 30%
Conlon Construction has seen its pre-tax profit drop 30% to £639,000 for the year ended 30 April 2008.... Read More
Welsh housebuilder Ballantyne calls in administrators
South Wales-based Ballantyne Homes has called in administrators from Deloitte, leaving two building projects unfinished.... Read More
Preliminary design for Strathcona Dam upgrade proposes underwater seismic isolation
The design calls for the use of a method known as seismic isolation of a structure that is partially underwater, says John Sherstobitoff of Sandwell Engineering Inc.... Read More
Docklands 'twisty tower' given go-ahead
Planners have given to go-ahead to a 45-storey tower of private flats to be built on the former site of the London Arena in London's Docklands.... Read More
Refurbishment firm fined £7,000 after employee falls 4.5m
A refurbishment firm has been fined £7,000 after a worker fell 4.5m through a roof and onto a concrete floor.... Read More
Supreme Court sides with owners in three construction contract disputes
Glenn W. Ackerley, a partner with legal firm WeirFoulds LLP of Toronto, says three recent cases stand to have an impact on Canadian construction contract law: Double N Earthmovers Ltd. v. Edmonton (City); Design Services Ltd. v. Canada; and Tercon Contractors Ltd. v. British Columbia (Transportation and Highways).... Read More
Lawyers warn eco-town approvals could be unlawful
Government plans to push through eco-towns could be unlawful, lawyers have warned ministers.... Read More
California Buildings Go Green
... Read More
CECA accident rates drop 20%
Accident rates among memebers of the Civil Engineering Contractors Assocation (CECA) fell 20% last year - the third successive annual drop.... Read More
Galliford Try and Kier among 5 up for £21m Construction College revamp
Five contractors have made it onto the shortlist for a £21m deal to revamp the National Construction College (NCC) at its flagship campus at Bircham Newton, Norfolk.... Read More
OSHA Dispatches Extra Inspectors to NYC to Investigate Construction Safety
For two weeks beginning July 23, OSHA will bring a dozen additional inspectors into New York City to conduct proactive inspections of high-rise construction sites, cranes and other locations to combat the rise in the city’s construction fatalities. Twenty employees have died in construction-related accidents in New York City since January.... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: July 24, 2008
Construction boom helps portable restroom businesses “clean up”
Canada’s hot construction market is affecting an essential construction industry service — portable restroom operators.... Read More
TransCanada Corp. begins construction plans for $320-million Kibby wind-power project
TransCanada Corporation announced on July 9, 2008, that the $320 million Kibby Wind Power Project has received final development plan approval from Maine’s Land Use Regulation Commission (LURC).... Read More
California Construction Midyear Update
In our January 2008 Construction Forecast, we wrote: It may not become the "perfect storm," but three "bad weather fronts" are headed toward California's construction industry in 2008 ...... Read More
FXFOWLE Designs World’s Largest Spanning Arch Bridge for Dubai
... Read More
Olympic stadium and aquatic centre hit by delays
The London 2012 Olympic stadium and aquatics centre have had their completion dates pushed back after being hit by delays.... Read More
NYC Proposes More Regulations to Improve Construction Safety
... Read More
Tightened eco-town rules 'toughest ever'
Housing minister Caroline Flint has tightened the rules for eco-towns amid public opposition and the failure of key proposals.... Read More
CECA accident rates drop 20%
Accident rates among memebers of the Civil Engineering Contractors Assocation (CECA) fell 20% last year - the third successive annual drop.... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: July 23, 2008
Building scam artist gets seven years jail after £120,000 con
A scammer who worked with bogus builders to con a pensioner out of his life savings has been jailed for seven years.... Read More
Government contractors told to support unions
Companies bidding for government contracts will be told they must promote trade union membership to win jobs.... Read More
Business & Enterprise report: CC welcomes chief construction officer plan
The Construction Confederation has welcomed a plan to create a "chief construction officer", floated in the Business & Enterprise Committee's report into the construction sector.... Read More
Construction firms in administration soar
The number of construction and property firms falling into insolvency has risen 50% over the past 12 months.... Read More
Houston Crane Collapse Kills 4
A massive crane collapsed at a Houston oil refinery July 18, killing four workers and injuring seven others.... Read More
TransCanada Corp. begins construction plans for $320-million Kibby wind-power project
TransCanada Corporation announced on July 9, 2008, that the $320 million Kibby Wind Power Project has received final development plan approval from Maine’s Land Use Regulation Commission (LURC).... Read More
Lawyers warn eco-town approvals could be unlawful
Government plans to push through eco-towns could be unlawful, lawyers have warned ministers.... Read More
Construction spending will plunge if weak GDP outlook is correct
GDP growth was expected to be near 0.0% in the first half of the year according to the consensus outlook early in the year, then rise to 2% in the second half and rise further in 2009. The stall in the first half did not happen; GDP growth will be 1.5%+. Now there is no consensus on what happens next. Forecasts are split between a delayed stall later in the year with 1.0-1.5%% GDP growth next year and a progressive, if slow, recovery with GDP growth at a near... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: July 22, 2008
Billion of Remodeling Dropped from Census Construction Spending Estimates
The Census Bureau has dropped approximately $50 billion/year of private residential remodeling spending for vacant, rental and second homes from its monthly estimates beginning in May. This is an acknowledgement that the estimates were of questionable reliability. But it is a problem for those who need measurement of the total market for construction materials, labor or equipment.... Read More
Liberal “Green Shift” plan fails to address transit woes, industry officials say
Liberal leader Stéphane Dion’s Green Shift plan does not address the woes plaguing Canadian transit and infrastructure, say some industry officials.... Read More
Housing Starts Down 36%, Numbers Show
Total housing starts are down 36 percent, according to figures released by the U.S. Department of Commerce. There is, however, a glimmer of hope.... Read More
Builder jailed after conning pensioner out of life savings
A builder has been jailed after conning a pensioner out of over £120,000 of his life savings.... Read More
'Desperate' builders switch to letting
Builders are being forced into letting properties instead of selling.... Read More
Can Construction Be Carbon Neutral?
In an environment where “global warming” and “climate change” are words appearing in almost every newspaper, magazine and television ad, the question becomes whether construction can become carbon neutral. Despite recent emphasis on China and India, the U.S. construction industry is still the largest in the world. Moreover future construction in the U.S. is enormous. The American Society of Civil Engineers estimates close to $2 trillion needed for America’s Infrastructure. The industry is faced with other issues: increasing material costs, labor shortages, sustainability and carbon emissions. It is still uncertain... Read More
100th Verifier Accredited for National Green Building Certification
Those trained by the NAHB Research Center are authorized to conduct inspections to verify whether a home meets the national certification criteria based on the NAHB Model Green Home Building Guidelines.... Read More
Upgrading Stephenson Highway
Reconstruction and rehabilitation of an approximately 2-mile section of Stephenson Highway from 14 Mile Road to Interstate 75 in Troy is under way. Stephenson Highway is a four-lane divided road. The project is a joint venture between Six-S Inc., of Waterford Township and C & G Myers Construction LLC, of Milford.... Read More
Reconstructing 28th Street
An approximately half-mile section of 28th Street between Division Street and US-131 in Grand Rapids and Wyoming is being reconstructed with full-depth concrete. Work on the five-lane road includes storm drainage improvements and signal upgrades. The project began in April and it will be completed in August.... Read More
Boring Technology Takes On Rock
Fayetteville, located in mid-southern Tennessee, sits right along U.S. Highway 64. This community of 7,000 has been in the midst of a major highway reconstruction project for the past two years. Back in the mid 1980s, the Tennessee Department of Transportation began an initiative to widen this primary east-west route serving southern Tennessee.... Read More
Construction firms in administration soar
The number of construction and property firms falling into insolvency has risen 50% over the past 12 months.... Read More
Dewalt Building Code Reference Based on the IRC 2006 International Residential Code
By ACES. Delmar Publishers. Price: $24.95. Publish Date: 07/2008... Read More
Bosa Construction builds high-rise Claremont condo in Westwood Village
A high-rise condominium tower is under construction in Westwood Village, a development located in the heart of Coquitlam.... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: July 19, 2008
Housing and the Economic Backlash
The most recent report from the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University finds that the housing downturn has been putting unprecedented pressure on the overall economy, and has exacerbated the stress of housing affordability. Take a look at the details from the Joint Center’s report.... Read More
CC warns firms to pay CIS returns on time
The Construction Confederation (CC) has warned contractors that they risk losing their gross payment status if they do not submit their monthly returns on time.... Read More
SUEZ energy to build two £90m Olympic energy centres
SUEZ Energy Services has won a £90m contract to build and operate two energy centres and community energy networks at Olympic Park.... Read More
30,000 contractors hit with 800,000 tax fines
Around 30,000 building contractors have been hit with more than 800,000 fines since November for not filing tax returns on time.... Read More
Insurers Worry About Green-Building Risks
Sustainability-market euphoria masks subtle liability issues unique to green building.... Read More
Government considers expansion into green belt
Thousands of homes will be built on green belt land over the next 20 years under government plans to ramp up housing in the south east.... Read More
House builder market may lose 75% of its value
Construction industry worries continue to gather pace. Plimsoll Analysis reports about a further 15,000 job losses and MTW Research says the house builder market may lose more than 75% of its value over a period to 2009. However self build and renovation experts BuildStore think that the credit crunch is having less of an [...]... Read More
Construction Outlook
The latest edition of the Construction Equipment Owner’s Podcast takes a look at the construction industry forecast for the remainder of 2008 and into 2009. Heather Jones, construction economist for FMIs Research Services, shares the findings of FMI’s Second Quarter 2008 Construction Outlook that points to construction for 2008 remaining much the same with the outlook for 2009 being revised down slightly because. Listen as Heather shares the indicators behind the forecast and provides some additional insights in to the non-residential segment. If you would like to receive the... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: July 18, 2008
Eight arrested in crackdown on rouge site security firms
Eight people connected with a security firm that manned construction sites in Glasgow have been arrested on suspicion of working illegally.... Read More
Sustainable Construction Goes To School
A charter grade school in Palm Bay, FL – which recently achieved the U.S. Government’s Energy Star rating for high performance buildings – is serving as a model for new sustainable school building in the state.... Read More
Bid rigging: CC blasts OFT over 'unsubstantiated claims'
The Construction Confederation has fired a fresh broadside at the Office of Fair Trading over its investigation of the industry.... Read More
Track worker killed on West Coast Main Line
A contractor has been killed while working on the upgrade of the West Coast Main Line in Warwickshire.... Read More
MPs propose change to building regulations
MPs have called for changes to building regulations to force developers to make office buildings and shops more energy efficient.... Read More
Docklands 'twisty tower' given go-ahead
Planners have given to go-ahead to a 45-storey tower of private flats to be built on the former site of the London Arena in London's Docklands.... Read More
Workers on £1.6bn Westfield development to double to 5,000
The number of construction workers on the £1.6bn Westfield London project is set to double to 5,000 by the end of the month as work on the site hits its peak.... Read More
'Desperate' builders switch to letting
Builders are being forced into letting properties instead of selling.... Read More
Government considers expansion into green belt
Thousands of homes will be built on green belt land over the next 20 years under government plans to ramp up housing in the south east.... Read More
New Britain, Conn., Contractor Faces Fines for Fall Hazards
BMA General Contractors LLC is facing $140,000 in OSHA fines for fall hazards at two Connecticut work sites. The company was cited for similar hazards in 2006 and 2007.... Read More
Construction industry worries continue to gather pace
Construction industry worries continue to gather pace. Plimsoll Analysis reports about a further 15,000 job losses and MTW Research says the house builder market may lose more than 75% of its value over a period to 2009. However self build and renovation experts BuildStore think that the credit crunch is having less of an [...]... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: July 17, 2008
4Projects enjoys surge in demand for IT software
4Projects, the IT group offering construction project collaboration software via the extranet, has lifted its turnover by more than a third to £4.4m.... Read More
New Construction Guidelines Drafted To Stop Accidents
... Read More
MPs propose change to building regulations
MPs have called for changes to building regulations to force developers to make office buildings and shops more energy efficient.... Read More
Builder jailed after conning pensioner out of life savings
A builder has been jailed after conning a pensioner out of over £120,000 of his life savings.... Read More
BIM for Products- Robert Weygant
Specifications and BIM Integration Consultant Robert Weygant explains how product manufacturers can save time and money with BIM. buildingSMART Alliance :: File Download (9:58 min / 9 MB)... Read More
Construction Scheduling: Principles and Practices, 2nd Edition
By Jay S. Newitt. Prentice Hall PTR. Price: $106.67. Publish Date: 07/2008... Read More
Excavator operator strikes gas line at Vancouver job site
Construction workers were temporarily evacuated at the site of the Stella condominium development when an excavator operator accidentally struck a gas line.... Read More
Non-Residential Construction Expected To Weaken in 2009
... Read More
Workers on £1.6bn Westfield development to double to 5,000
The number of construction workers on the £1.6bn Westfield London project is set to double to 5,000 by the end of the month as work on the site hits its peak.... Read More
Construction Accounting and Financial Management, 2nd Edition
By Steven J. Peterson. Prentice Hall PTR. Price: $102.67. Publish Date: 07/2008... Read More
Personal Liability Affirmed in Maryland Construction Trust Law Case
The Maryland Court of Special Appeals affirmed for the first time the personal liability of an individual for not paying subcontractors under the Maryland Construction Trust Law, only four weeks after issuing an opinion reversing a finding of personal liability on behalf of a managing agent who received money from a general contractor but failed to pay his supplier. See Wednesday, May 21, 2008 Blog Entry entitled “Maryland’s Construction Trust Laws Limited by Court of Special Appeals.” In the most recent case, the Court found that the subcontractor met... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: July 16, 2008
Highway Corridor Reconstruction Builds Road To Future
The result of the labor will long outlive the workers who brought it forth. And the designers, transporters and installers of the concrete construction materials going into the extensive network of bridges and transportation structures in central Wisconsin couldn't be more proud. Zenith Tech Inc., of Waukesha and Rothschild, and Lunda Construction, of Black River Falls, two of the largest bridg...... Read More
CC warns firms to pay CIS returns on time
The Construction Confederation (CC) has warned contractors that they risk losing their gross payment status if they do not submit their monthly returns on time.... Read More
SUEZ energy to build two £90m Olympic energy centres
SUEZ Energy Services has won a £90m contract to build and operate two energy centres and community energy networks at Olympic Park.... Read More
Brightman Street Bridge Replacement Project
Cianbro and Middlesex: The two have their work cut out for them as they team up 50/50 to complete the massive Brightman Street Bridge Replacement Project in Fall River, MA. The project is the largest Massachusetts Highway project in the state — a more than $300-million project from start to finish.... Read More
Construction Starts Increase in June
... Read More
'Greening' existing buildings better than 250,000 transatlantic flights
Improving the energy efficiency of existing buildings could save the same amount of carbon as 250,000 flights between London and New York.... Read More
Housing Depression Drops Total Construction Starts by 14%
Through the first five months of this year, the dollar value of total new construction starts dropped 14% below the same period a year ago, according to McGraw-Hill Construction’s latest report.... Read More
Bid rigging: CC blasts OFT over 'unsubstantiated claims'
The Construction Confederation has fired a fresh broadside at the Office of Fair Trading over its investigation of the industry.... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: July 15, 2008
Building Schools for the Future awards launched
Schools contractors could be up for a prize in the first ever Building Schools for the Future (BSF) awards.... Read More
NY Buildings Department Ups Construction Site Shutdowns
... Read More
Italian Architect Poised To Build 80-Story Tower With Revolving Floors Powered By Wind Turbines
It looks like Dubai will get yet another amazing feat of construction if David Fisher has his way. The Italian architect recently announced "the launch of a revolutionary skyscraper in Dubai dubbed as the 'world's first building in motion,' an 80-story tower with revolving floors that give it an ever-shifting shape." Fisher and his backers plan to offer apartments ranging from 1,330 square feet (at about $4 million) to a 12,900-square-foot villa (for almost $39 million,) as reported by a CBS affiliate. Although Fisher "is not well known, has... Read More
CEFGA CareerExpo And SkillsUSA Championships Draw Record Attendance
The 2008 Construction Education Foundation of Georgia (CEFGA) CareerExpo and SkillsUSA Championships was held recently on a Thursday and Friday at the Gwinnett County Fairgrounds in Lawrenceville, GA.... Read More
Code for Sustainable Buildings to be developed by 2009
The UK Green Building Council (UK GBC) has begun talks to develop a Code for Sustainable Buildings.... Read More
30,000 contractors hit with 800,000 tax fines
Around 30,000 building contractors have been hit with more than 800,000 fines since November for not filing tax returns on time.... Read More
Eight arrested in crackdown on rouge site security firms
Eight people connected with a security firm that manned construction sites in Glasgow have been arrested on suspicion of working illegally.... Read More
Building scam artist gets seven years jail after £120,000 con
A scammer who worked with bogus builders to con a pensioner out of his life savings has been jailed for seven years.... Read More
The Shift in Legal Issues Affecting Construction Contractors
Fred Jacoby, Vice Chairman of Cozen OConnor, shares his experiences on the recent shift in legal issues he views to be having a significant affect on contractors. To follow up on these or other construction-related law items, you can e-mail Fred at fjacoby@cozen.com... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: July 14, 2008
Code for Sustainable Buildings to be developed by 2009
The UK Green Building Council (UK GBC) has begun talks to develop a Code for Sustainable Buildings.... Read More
Executive Group shows fine form at The Parc condominium project
Patrick Cotter Architect Inc. designed The Parc building for owner/builder Executive Group of Companies. The 17-storey development will include 66 condominium units and 30 townhouses.... Read More
Georgia Branch, AGC Receives National Chapter Of The Year Honors
Georgia Branch, AGC was recently honored as the recipient of AGC of America’s Chapter of the Year award. The award was presented earlier this year at AGC’s national convention in Las Vegas – and it happens to coincide with the chapter’s 80th anniversary celebration.... Read More
Saco River Gets New Bridge
It will take two years to replace the 230-foot-long bridge that runs over the Saco River on a section of Route 302 in Bartlett, New Hampshire. According to job superintendent, Lester Downey, from R.M. Piper of Plymouth, N.H., the project started in the fall of 2006 and will be completed in the fall of 2008 at a cost of about $11 million.... Read More
Massachusetts Construction Career Days
More than 1,800 Bay State high school students attended the 6th Annual Massachusetts Construction Career Days (MassCCD) in May to learn about job opportunities in the industry, including construction, engineering and environmental fields with both union and open-shop companies. New England Laborers Training hosted the event in Hopkinton, MA, that was created to educate high school students abou...... Read More
Cleveland's New Fulton Road Bridge
Cleveland's new Fulton Road Bridge, an open spandrel deck arch bridge, is quickly taking shape over the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. The $45.9-million project has been propelled by a strong partnering effort from a variety of the groups, most notably Cuyahoga County, Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), the designer of record — Michael Baker Jr.... Read More
London Revs Up Construction for 2012 Summer Olympics
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'Greening' existing buildings better than 250,000 transatlantic flights
Improving the energy efficiency of existing buildings could save the same amount of carbon as 250,000 flights between London and New York.... Read More
What makes a home ‘healthy’?
“Green building” is a popular buzz phrase these days, but does anyone really know what it means? I think of it as a broad term, encompassing many different definitions depending on the context in which it’s used. Generally it refers to a building process that lessens the impact construction can have on the environment. For instance, it may mean designing a building to maximize daylighting to reduce electricity needs; or it maymean choosing sustainable flooring materials such as bamboo or cork in placeof hardwoods; or it may simply mean... Read More
Fannie/Freddie Crisis Threatens Construction Spending Forecast
Mortgage giants Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, who hold more than 70% of the mortgages in the country, may be technically insolvent and have experienced a nearly 50% plunge in the share price in the last week. Their debt is on the same order as the national public debt so their failure would be a disaster for the housing market with the inevitable spillover to the rest of construction and the broader economy. This will be a busy weekend for financial regulators in Washington.... Read More
ATCO wins contract to build massive worker village in United Arab Emirates
ATCO Ltd. has signed a contract to build a construction village to house workers in the United Arab Emirates. The workforce housing project is the largest in the 60-year old company’s history.... Read More
Royal Architectural Institute of Canada launches wiki on carbon-neutral building
The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) has launched a wiki site to enable architects to exchange information on making buildings carbon-neutral by 2030.... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: July 08, 2008
Reconstructing Farm Lane
A major reconstruction project on Farm Lane on the campus of Michigan State University in East Lansing is under way. The approximately 1.2-mile project began in the fall of 2007 and it is expected to be completed in November 2009. The project is a joint partnership between the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and Michigan State University.... Read More
Benicia-Martinez Bridge Rehab Challenges
California taxpayers are getting their money's worth on the Benicia-Martinez Bridge work, east of San Francisco, with minimal traffic disruption. The $37-million rehabilitation is a joint venture between Top Grade Construction and American Civil Constructors (ACC) for this Caltrans project. The work will ease traffic congestion on the existing southbound I-680.... Read More
51 road projects blow their £1.33bn budget by £671m
More than 50 road construction and upgrade schemes have run over budget to the tune of £671m, according to the Department for Transport (DfT).... Read More
Builders Go for Green Education
Home builders have been busy pursuing the Certified Green Professional™ designation from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). Here's a look at exactly what it takes to become a certified green builder. ... Read More
Contractors need to be up to speed on LEED, says expert
So you think “green buildings” are something only architects and engineers have to really understand? Dan Roberts begs to differ and he explained why during an intensive four-hour introductory course at the Vancouver Regional Construction Association.... Read More
UK one step closer to VAT cut
The UK construction industry is one step closer to a reduction in VAT for refurbishment works, after Europe announced possible tax cuts.... Read More
Morgan Ashurst clinches £28m Heathrow T3 deal
Morgan Ashurst has won a deal to deliver a £28m package of pre-construction services at Heathrow Airport's Terminal 3 for BAA.... Read More
Gleeson Homes consortium scraps eco-town bid
The government’s eco-town project has suffered yet another setback with a second developer pulling out of the scheme.... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: July 07, 2008
Durkan confirms £22.6m contract win
Durkan has confirmed a £22.6m contract win to build 167 homes for the Metropolitan Housing Trust.... Read More
Housing revival programme criticised for leaving a legacy of demolition sites
A government programme to revive housing in depressed areas has been more successful at demolishing homes than building new ones.... Read More
2,300 construction jobs slashed in two days
Almost 2,300 jobs have been lost in the construction industry in two days, as the housing downturn hits hard.... Read More
Are structural engineers driving the move to BIM?
Chris Hobbs of CADline has written an interesting article about the industry take-up of Building Information Modelling (BIM) technology. BIM’s integrated project delivery brings together architectural, structural and building services design and data in a single model environment. Chris maintains that though the total BIM vision may be still some way off, the structural engineering [...]... Read More
Bridge Project Sails Smoothly
Zenith Tech, Inc., Waukesha, WI, is the general contractor constructing two parallel bridges, each 2,545 feet long, over the Wisconsin River for the Wisconsin Dept. of Transportation (WisDOT) just north of Stevens Point, WI. Each bridge will each carry two lanes of U.S. Hwy. 10 over the river. In addition to constructing those long bridges, the project also includes building two parallel 415-fo...... Read More
Twin Bridges
Parsons RCI Inc. is building two nearly identical bridges in Port Angeles, WA, this year as the project team works toward completion of the 8th Street Bridges Replacement Project. The Port Angeles City Council awarded the base bid on the 8th Street Bridges Replacement Project to Parsons RCI, of Sumner, WA, in April 2007.... Read More
Replacing The Main Street Bridge
Replacement of the Main Street Bridge over Mill Creek near the village of Dexter in Scio Township is under way. The project includes the staged removal of the Mill Creek Dam in Scio Township and the village of Dexter. MacKenzie is the prime contractor for the project. The approximately $2.5-million project began in the spring and is expected to be completed in 2009.... Read More
Challenging Bridge Construction In Cloudland Canyon
Bridge construction always brings challenges — and it's not always the biggest bridges that offer the biggest challenges. A good case in point is the recently completed bridge over Daniels Creek in Cloudland Canyon State Park in northwestern Georgia, a project that involved everything from unbelievably rugged terrain to the necessity of placing beams by helicopter.... Read More
Our New 6-1/2 Hour CD Set - Turn Your Truck Into a Classroom
Our 6+ Hour Audio Series, The Business of Construction Contracting is perfect for busy construction professionals who have "Windshield Time" These inclusive CD's contain management insights and worksmart thinking in the areas of 1) The Business of Construction Contracting - Business, Strategic and Economic Issues and Insights 2) Work Acquisition - Estimating, Bidding, Priciing, and Selling 3) Building Work - Project Control, Project Management and Labor Productivity 4) Keeping Track - Financial and Adminstrative Practices 5) People - Management, Recruitment and Training of Your Most Valuable Asset 6) Miscellaneous... Read More
Being a Leader in a Construction Firm
The era of leadership is past its peak. The surge has worked and we now have a very settled definition of leadership. There is little mystery of the right approach to leading a combat brigade, a religious organization or a construction firm. We have filtered through many significant works from some very accomplished men and women. Each of who have proven leadership skills and have written their approach to it. They have contributed to our management thinking in a great way. It was the missing link to improving productivity,... Read More
51 road projects blow their £1.33bn budget by £671m
More than 50 road construction and upgrade schemes have run over budget to the tune of £671m, according to the Department for Transport (DfT).... Read More
Donovan reaches for downtown Vancouver sky
The 152-unit Donovan condominium tower was designed by Rafii Architects Inc. for owner/general contractor Cressey Development Corp.... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: July 05, 2008
3 Killed As Wall Falls at Indianapolis Construction Site
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10 keys to a more streamlined homebuilding company
Homebuilders need a streamlined operation that can grow easily. Here are 10 ways to build that business.... Read More
101 construction firms caught up in World Trade Centre delay
Construction of skyscrapers and underground transport to replace the World Trade Centre towers destroyed in the September 11 terror attacks are behind schedule and over budget.... Read More
Kier Western preferred bidder for new Bristol civic offices
Kier Western is preferred contractor for the design and build of new civic offices in Bristol for South Gloucestershire Council.... Read More
FMB proposes 'eco-fication' in opposition to eco-towns
The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) has proposed a patchwork of towns across England be eco-fied as an alternative to the government’s eco-town plans.... Read More
House prices plunge another 0.9%
House prices fell by a further 0.9% on average in June, according to Nationwide.... Read More