Responding to Opioids’ Impact on Construction Workers 

The construction industry has been hit particularly hard by opioids, with state-level studies finding that construction workers are 6-7 times more likely to die of an opioid overdose than workers in other professions. CPWR is playing a leading role in helping the industry respond to this danger, including two new resources: Training program, intended to be used by experienced NABTU instructors, that is designed to increase awareness of opioids and decrease stigma associated with opioid use. The training program is available now, launched in a beta version that is under evaluation. CPWR anticipates this program will be refined in the … Read more

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4 Steps to Designing, Building More Resilient Infrastructure

Every year, natural disasters threaten infrastructure and human life. The greatest damage (measured in repair dollars) is caused by storms. It is not only the high winds of thunderstorms, but rain and hail that cause the damage. Hurricanes and flooding are the second and third most destructive natural event, respectively. “Seven of the top 10 costliest disasters in U.S. history are hurricanes,” says Lionel Lemay, executive vice president, National Ready Mixed Concrete Association. The Northridge Earthquake in 1994 ($77 billion), the drought of 1988 ($44 billion) and 1993’s Midwest flooding ($37 billion) are the only non-storm disasters to be included in … Read more

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One Cardinal Way at Busch Stadium Tops Out

The topping out of One Cardinal Way, the new luxury, mixed-use residential tower in Ballpark Village, occurred at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri. Former St. Louis Cardinal Ozzie Smith, St. Louis Cardinals President Bill DeWitt II, The Cordish Companies Vice President Nick Benjamin, PARIC President Keith Wolkoff and St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson were among the speakers at the event. At 29 stories, One Cardinal Way offers unprecedented views of Busch Stadium and downtown St. Louis, offering an urban living experience almost completely immersed in the game experience. Not only that, phase 2 of Ballpark Village continues to draw … Read more

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Gestamp Alabama Plant Remains Operational throughout 8-Month Expansion Project

A 140,000-square-foot expansion at Gestamp Alabama, just two years after the plant originally opened in McCalla, Alabama, has recently been completed by Hoar Construction. The $12.5-million Design-Build project will allow Gestamp to increase the number of metal automotive components it manufactures for the growing automotive industry around the state. “Through a detailed preconstruction and design review, we were able to keep the plant operational throughout construction and ensure Gestamp could deliver on commitments to their customers without interruption,” said Project Manager Casey Cobern. Hoar started working on the project in the fall of 2018, collaborating with the client and plant … Read more

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Mercy Hospital Northwest Arkansas Patient Tower Expands Capacity to Serve Patients in Fast-Growing Metro Area

Construction has wrapped up on a new eight-story patient tower on the campus of Mercy Hospital Northwest Arkansas in Rogers, Arkansas. The $147-million project expands Mercy’s capacity to serve patients in one of the nation’s fastest-growing metro areas. McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. served as the project’s construction manager and general contractor. The 275,000-square-foot new tower has added 68 new patient beds, including 17 neonatal unit beds. The project also included full renovation of the hospital’s core support services departments: materials management, central sterile, environmental services, lab and pharmacy. In addition, a two-story vertical expansion above the existing emergency department added … Read more

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