ABC Predicts Continued Growth for the Construction Industry in 2016

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Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) forecasts a continued steady economic recovery for the U.S. commercial and industrial construction industries in 2016. Despite a weak global economy, the industry’s solid economic recovery in 2015 should continue in 2016, led by strong consumer spending. “As the mid-phase of the economic recovery continues, ABC forecasts growth in nonresidential construction spending of 7.4 percent next year along with growth in employment and backlog,” said ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu. “The mid-phase of the recovery is typically the lengthiest part and ultimately gives way to the late phase, when the economy overheats. The current recovery … Read more

Filed under: Economic News, Organizations

McCarthy Awarded Wharf 2 at Port of Houston

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McCarthy was recently awarded the contract for the $38.7-million upgrade of Wharf 2 at the Port of Houston Authority’s Barbours Cut Terminal located in Morgan’s Point, Texas. Barbours Cut is considered to be one of the premier container handling facilities in the country. The project will upgrade the existing Wharf 2 to support larger wharf cranes that can accommodate post-panamax vessels. McCarthy will upgrade 1,000 linear feet of wharf, installing new foundations and crane rails, and construct a new stevedore support building, high mast poles and the electrical infrastructure required for three new 100-foot gauge electric dock cranes. Wharf 2 … Read more

Filed under: Projects

November Construction Slides 5 Percent

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NEW YORK, N.Y. — At a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $563.3 billion, new construction starts in November fell 5 percent from the previous month, according to Dodge Data & Analytics. The decline represented a partial pullback after the 13 percent increase reported for total construction in October, as nonresidential building lost some momentum following its improved October pace. Decreased activity was also reported for housing in November, while the nonbuilding construction sector (public works and electric utilities/gas plants) held steady. During the first eleven months of 2015, total construction starts on an unadjusted basis were $597.9 billion, up 8 percent … Read more

Filed under: Economic News

Construction Employment Posts Widespread Growth in November

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Strong demand for construction projects fueled job growth in November in 38 states compared to October and in all but six states over the past 12 months, according to an analysis of Labor Department data recently released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said, however, that the shortage of available workers was likely keeping firms from expanding headcounts even more rapidly in many parts of the country. “In nearly every state, contractors are busier now than a year ago,” said Ken Simonson, chief economist for the association. “Employment is up, but the industry would be expanding even … Read more

Filed under: Economic News

Balfour Beatty Awarded $28M Contract for New California Detention Facility

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SAN DIEGO, Calif. — The Imperial County Board of Supervisors in California has selected Balfour Beatty Construction to design and build its new $28-million Oren R. Fox Detention Facility. The conditional award of the Design-Build contract was approved by the Imperial County Board of Supervisors on Dec. 8. The two-level project will be built west of the central portion of the existing jail facility located in El Centro, California and will expand inmate capacity by 228 beds. The project scope includes a teaching kitchen, laundry facility, print shop, video visitation center, in addition to associated site, parking and utility improvements. … Read more

Filed under: Projects