Dodge Momentum Index Recovers in October

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NEW YORK, N. Y. – The Dodge Momentum Index rose in October, climbing 13.2 percent to 130.9 (2000=100) from the revised September reading of 115.6. The momentum index is a monthly measure of the first (or initial) report for nonresidential building projects in planning, which have been shown to lead construction spending for nonresidential buildings by a full year. The move higher in October nearly reversed the erosion of the past four months (including September’s 7.9 percent decline), with October posting healthy gains in both sectors. From September to October the commercial portion of the momentum index advanced 16.8 percent, … Read more

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3 Mega Projects Propel ConstructConnect’s September Starts Higher by Nearly One-Third

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ConstructConnect recently announced that September’s volume of construction starts, excluding residential activity, was $42.8 billion. The month-to-month percentage change versus August was an outsized +31.5 percent (or plus nearly one-third). The big improvement in the latest period was thanks to go-aheads for three mega projects combining for a total of $17 billion. The three extraordinary projects were an Exxon Mobil petrochemical plant in Texas ($10 billion categorized as industrial); the new Delta Airlines Terminal at LaGuardia Airport in New York ($4 billion categorized as civil/engineering) and the Atlantic Sunrise natural gas pipeline in Pennsylvania ($3 billion, also in the civil/engineering … Read more

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Modjeski and Masters Wins Sub-Consulting Contract from Federal Highway Administration

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MECHANICSBURG, Pa. – Modjeski and Masters has been selected as a sub-consultant to Collins Engineers, Inc. for the Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity Contract from the Eastern Federal Lands Highway Division of the Federal Highway Administration. As a sub-consultant on this contract, Modjeski and Masters will perform bridge and tunnel inspections, load ratings and non-destructive testing. This selection continues Modjeski and Masters’ work with Collins Engineers, Inc. which has been ongoing for over a decade. As part of the contract, Modjeski and Masters will provide these services to multiple locations within the Eastern Federal Lands Highway Division bridge portfolio. This contract … Read more

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ABC Highlights Construction Worker Shortage during National Apprenticeship Week

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Associated Builders and Contractors commends the U.S. Department of Labor for declaring Nov. 13-19 National Apprenticeship Week. It’s the third consecutive year that business, labor, government, education and other partners are highlighting the tremendous job opportunities apprenticeships provide and the need for an infusion of Americans to pursue a skilled trade. “The construction industry has a critical shortage of skilled workers,” said ABC President and CEO Michael Bellaman, who this week participated in his first meeting as an appointee of the Trump administration’s newly created Task Force on Apprenticeship Expansion. “ABC is thankful for the Department of … Read more

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Construction Spending Up in September, Down on YOY Basis

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Nonresidential construction spending rose .5 percent in September, totaling $698.1 billion on a seasonally adjusted basis, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data from the U.S. Census Bureau. However, nonresidential construction spending is down 2.9 percent on a year-over-year basis, with construction spending related to manufacturing down 20.3 percent since September 2016. August and July nonresidential spending totals were revised upwards by a collective $11 billion, however. “There is a lot of positive news about the U.S. economy right now,” said ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu. “The nation has added nearly 1.8 million net … Read more

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