U.S. Commercial Construction Index Finds High Optimism

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Commercial construction is in high demand across the country and contractors remain optimistic about the current and forward-looking health of the sector, according to the Q3 USG Corporation + U.S. Chamber of Commerce Commercial Construction Index (‘Index’), released recently. Nearly all contractors surveyed this summer (95 percent) expect revenues to grow or remain stable over the next 12 months compared to the prior 12 months, nearly the same percentage as in the Q2 2017 survey. Most contractors (93 percent) also expect to see profit margins stay the same or increase in the next 12 months, reflecting healthy … Read more

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National Survey Reveals 70% of Contractors Struggle to Find Qualified Craft Workers

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Seventy percent of construction firms report they are having a hard time filling hourly craft positions that represent the bulk of the construction workforce, according to the results of an industry-wide survey recently released by Autodesk and the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said that many firms are changing the way they operate, recruit and compensate, but cautioned that chronic labor shortages could have significant economic impacts absent greater investments in career and technical education. “In the short-term, fewer firms will be able to bid on construction projects if they are concerned they will not have enough workers … Read more

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Design-Build Team Selected for San Ysidro Public Library Project

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SAN DIEGO, Calif. – Turner Construction Company and SVA Architects, Inc. have unveiled the design of the new $10.3-million San Ysidro Public Library located in San Diego, California. The new library will become a cultural beacon for the neighborhood and a source of pride for the local community. Situated on 1.6 acres, the 15,000-square-foot San Ysidro Public Library will be a transit-friendly development. Located two blocks from the Beyer Boulevard Trolley Station, the project will feature designated areas for children, teens and adults; an event space and a 1,000-square-foot outdoor patio/terrace. It will also showcase artwork by local artists, brothers … Read more

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Re: Silica Dust – Are You Ready for OSHA’s Sept. 23 Deadline?

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Industry expert Joe Nasvik summarizes ins and outs of updated regulations The U.S Department of Labor will begin to enforce its new concrete silica dust ruling on Sept. 23. It’s important to be up-to-date on all the new changes regarding these new OSHA standards. To help ease the transition, Bosch Power Tools partnered with industry expert Joe Nasvik to outline everything contractors and superintendents need to know prior to the Sept. 23 deadline. (Q): What is the new silica dust regulation and why is it happening? When the U.S. Department of Labor issued its ruling aimed at better protecting workers … Read more

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Printing Starts for World’s First 3-D Printed Cycle Bridge in Netherlands

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On June 16, BAM Infra, one of Royal BAM Group’s operating companies in the Netherlands, began to 3-D print the world’s first fully structurally pre-stressed concrete cycle bridge. This cycle bridge has been developed by BAM Infra in cooperation with TU Eindhoven and is part of Gemert Noord-Om, a project being carried out for the Dutch province of Noord-Brabant. Gemert Noord-Om is a northern ring road that links Boekelseweg road (N605) and the N272 road which runs to the southeast of Gemert. Less waste, fewer scarce raw materials The bridge will be eight meters long and, by using 3-D printing, … Read more

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