Construction Group Uses Mobile Tech to Make Highway Work Zones Safer

Fifty-four percent of highway contractors reported that motor vehicles had crashed into their construction work zones during the past year, according to the results of a new highway work zone study conducted by the Associated General Contractors of America. In response, association officials have launched a new mobile advertising campaign urging drivers who routinely pass through certain work zones to slow down and be alert. “There are simply too many cars crashing into too many work zones, putting too many lives at risk,” said Spokesman Ken Kubacki, chairman of AGC’s Highway and Transportation Division;  Western Region Projects executive, Granite Construction … Read more

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Construction Employment Rises in 38 States & D.C. Year-Over-Year, 29 States Add Construction Jobs in April

Thirty-eight states and the District of Columbia added construction jobs between April 2017 and April 2018, while 29 states added construction jobs between March and April, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of Labor Department data. Association officials said the employment growth likely would have been higher if firms could find more qualified workers to hire. “Firms in many parts of the country are working to keep pace with growing demand for construction services,” said chief economist Ken Simonson. “Many of those firms are having a hard time finding and hiring enough qualified workers as … Read more

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Mortenson Earns General Contractor of the Year Award

CHICAGO, Ill. – The Hispanic American Construction Industry Association has named Mortenson as its General Contractor of the Year. This honor recognizes Mortenson’s commitment to inclusion and diversity in construction and the efforts of Mortenson’s Chicago, Illinois office, in particular, to advancing these goals. One contractor that Mortenson met through HACIA is Escarpita Construction Co., which specializes in drywall and ceiling systems. Escarpita has worked on such Mortenson projects as the Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox, Illinois, The University of Chicago Jeanne Gang-designed Campus North Residential Commons and the Northwestern Welsh Ryan Arena renovations. Mortenson works with subcontractors to … Read more

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JE Dunn to Renovate Atlanta Middle School Building

ATLANTA, Ga. – Atlanta Public Schools has selected JE Dunn Construction to convert an existing middle school to a new elementary school—Harper-Archer Elementary— for the school system’s Douglass Cluster of geographically close elementary, middle and high schools. The $7.8-million renovation will cover approximately 140,000 square feet. Improvements will include reconfigurations of select classrooms to support elementary instructional programs, select upgrades to interior finishes and modifications to HVAC, electrical and plumbing systems. Portions of the building will remain occupied during of the second phase of construction during 2018-2019. The project is scheduled to be completed for the start of the 2019-2020 … Read more

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Groundbreaking Held for Brethen Tower

DAYTON, Ohio — A groundbreaking ceremony was recently held for Brethen Tower at Carillon Historical Park in Dayton, Ohio. The tower will be more than 100 feet tall and hold the historic Callahan clock, which dates to 1892. Woolpert is providing the civil and structural engineering for the tower, Roll & Associates is providing the code review and architectural support services and Brackett Builders is the contractor. Woolpert Project Manager Frank Monastra said the tower will be located on the park’s west end, strategically distanced from the Deeds Carillon bell tower, and will be visible from Interstate 75. “The observation … Read more

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