Construction Spending Declines 2.1%, Private Work Outweighs Public Pickup, Says AGC

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Construction spending declined for the third month in a row in May as a sharp slowdown in private projects more than offset a rise in public work, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of government data. Association officials warned that the pickup in public projects is likely to reverse soon unless the federal government acts quickly to invest in needed infrastructure and shore up crumbling state and local budgets.   “Three short-lived factors may have boosted construction spending in May: emergency healthcare projects, acceleration of highway work to make use of the drop in road … Read more

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ABC Cancels Convention 2020

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Associated Builders and Contractors has cancelled the ABC Convention 2020, which was scheduled for Aug. 17-19 in Nashville, Tenn. The event, which includes the National Craft Championships, Construction Management Competition and National Excellence in Construction Awards, was previously postponed from March due to the coronavirus pandemic. “While it was disappointing to cancel the ABC Convention 2020, the health and safety of our members, staff and partners amid the COVID-19 outbreak is our utmost priority,” said Michael Bellaman, ABC’s president and CEO. “Due to the conditions of Nashville’s phased reopening schedule and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations, we … Read more

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Safe + Sound Week Aug. 10-16

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Sound safety practices such as management leadership, worker participation and finding and fixing hazards are now more critical than ever. As construction companies continue or restart work during the ongoing pandemic, having a strong workplace safety and health program in place can help contractors and workers address jobsite hazards, including those related to COVID-19. CPWR is an organizing partner in OSHA’S Safe + Sound Campaign — a year-round, nationwide effort to raise awareness of the value of workplace safety and health programs. While the campaign is ongoing, one week is set aside each year to draw attention to this topic. This year’s … Read more

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New AGC, HCSS Survey Catalogs Work Zone Risks for Motorists, Workers as Construction Activity Increases

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Construction employment increased in 329 out of 358 metro areas between April and May as a new survey finds that two-thirds of highway construction firms had at least one crash in the past year at highway work zones they operate. Officials with the Associated General Contractors of America and HCSS, which conducted the survey, urged drivers to slow down and be aware while driving through highway work zones during their summer travels.   “As industry employment increases, it is safe to assume that more people are working in highway work zones that are typically close to moving traffic,” said Ken … Read more

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Virtual Mock-Ups, VR Lead Way to Delivery of Medical Examiner Facility

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Construction has been completed on a new 32,000-square-foot, single-story medical examiner facility, located in Olathe, Kansas. The building was designed to increase autopsy rates to meet appropriate national benchmarks, create a high-functioning facility that can be known for excellence and leadership, facilitate National Association of Medical Examiners accreditation by meeting scientific requirements and provide reliable data for public health to identify trends and emerging diseases. The project team included construction manager McCarthy Building Companies, Inc., PGAV Architects, SmithGroup JJR, Henderson Engineering, McClure Engineering and Confluence. The facility will have a staff of eight, including toxicologists, a medical death investigator, autopsy … Read more

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