Survey Says: Most Contractors Report Significant Flaws with Nation’s 811 Utility Location System

  • Posted on

There are significant flaws with the current 811 utility location system according to a new survey of construction firms that perform any kind of underground excavation released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Most contractors say that calling 811 often leads to inaccurate line marking and that utility firms are often very slow in coming out to even do locate and mark their underground lines. “Construction firms are doing their part to avoid hitting utility lines, but the current 811 system appears to be badly flawed,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, the association’s CEO. “Fixing the 811 system will go … Read more

Filed under: SafetyTagged with: , ,

ABC’s Construction Backlog Rebounds in October, Contractor Confidence Falls

  • Posted on

Associated Builders and Contractors reports that its Construction Backlog Indicator rose to 8.1 months in October, according to an ABC member survey conducted from Oct. 20 to Nov. 2. The reading is up 0.5 months from September 2021 and 0.4 months from October 2020. However, ABC’s Construction Confidence Index readings for sales and profit margins declined in October, while the index for staffing rose slightly. The sales and staffing readings are still above the threshold of 50, indicating expectations of growth over the next six months. The index for profit margins fell below that threshold, pointing to expectations of decline. … Read more

Filed under: Economic NewsTagged with: ,

Common Ground Alliance, Gold Shovel Association Explore Efforts to Take Damage Prevention to Next Level

  • Posted on

Common Ground Alliance and the Gold Shovel Association will explore establishing a new arm of CGA that will integrate GSA into the organization in a continued and combined effort to reduce damages to critical underground infrastructure, as well as protect those who work and live near these important assets. The collective industry commitment of both associations is expected to further the ongoing, common focus on lowering damages, and will provide an opportunity to take damage prevention to the next level. Building on CGA’s Best Practices and foundational Damage Information Reporting Tool data, and GSA’s metrics development, this newly created branch … Read more

Filed under: NewsTagged with: , , ,

Recent Data Bulletin Focuses on Safety Management During Pandemic

  • Posted on

The November 2021 issue of the CPWR Data Bulletin examines construction safety management during the COVID-19 pandemic. The new Data Bulletin summarizes impacts of COVID-19 on businesses and on safety and health priorities, including plans, practices and policies to prevent viral spread. It analyzes data from Census Bureau’s weekly Small Business Pulse Surveys and from the 2021 Construction Safety Management Survey by Dodge Data & Analytics with support from CPWR. The Bulletin’s key findings show that nearly two-thirds of construction businesses reported a moderate to large negative effect of COVID-19 and that unionized and larger firms were more likely than … Read more

Filed under: SafetyTagged with: , , ,

Construction Complete on New Eight-Acre Life Plan Community in Fairfield, California

  • Posted on

Construction is complete on The Ridge at Paradise Valley Estates, a new eight-acre life plan community located in Fairfield, California. Sundt Construction, Inc. served as the general contractor. The Ridge features a mix of 70 cottages and villas. The private cottages have two bedrooms and attached garages, and the villas are either one bedroom or two bedrooms with under-building parking. In addition to the amenities of the larger Paradise Valley Estates 76-acre community, residents can access the Ridge’s dining facility and outdoor amenities such as a learning center and outdoor café. This is Sundt’s second project at the life plan … Read more

Filed under: ProjectsTagged with: