NEW YORK, N.Y. — Construction activities are forecasted to grow at 6 percent through 2015, up from the previous forecast of 5 percent in Q2, according to the Q3 FMI Construction Outlook recently released. Construction growth is not only predicted to rise this year, but is also expected to climb to 7 percent, reaching $1.09 billion in 2016, the highest total since 2008, unadjusted for inflation. However, as construction gets busier, productivity improvement becomes more of a challenge. The Q3 FMI Construction Outlook forecasts growth for 17 sectors, across residential, non-residential and non-building groups. Manufacturing continues to be the fastest-growing … Read more

In celebration of Energy Action Month, EarthCam released its time-lapse of Sempra Energy's new headquarters in San Diego, California. Although construction of the 300,000-square-foot, 16-story building was documented for two years, you can watch the project from start to finish in just one minute. October marks Energy Action Month, created to focus on reducing energy consumption. Sempra Energy had a similar goal in mind when designing its headquarters, which is LEED Gold certified. Watch construction of the eco-friendly building with EarthCam's time-lapse. Click here to watch EarthCam's construction time-lapse of Sempra Energy's new HQ. Time-Lapse Courtesy of Earthcam: www.earthcam.net.

West Georgia Technical College and Crane Industry Services, LLC created a partnership through the College's Economic Development Division to provide a new series of Skills Development Training Courses essential to construction, utilities, power generation, manufacturing, mining and refining. Custom courses and open enrollment options are available at the new Centered on Safety Training Center on the WGTC Murphy Campus in Waco, Georgia. The partnership between CIS, which provides crane and rigging training nationally and internationally, and WGTC is the result of an initiative to support workforce development needs. Courses delivered by CIS instructors initially will include basic and advanced rigging; … Read more

Skanska recently signed a $38.8-million contract with its existing client, the Edmonds School District, to build the new Alderwood Middle School in Lynnwood, Washington. The architect of record is Integrus Architecture. Construction is under way on the project, which will be completed in January 2017 utilizing the GC/CM delivery method. The new school's design concept, budget and schedule are based on the school district's recent project at Meadowdale Middle School, which Skanska also constructed. The new Alderwood facility will be approximately 114,000 square feet with a two-story main classroom and library building adjacent to a one-story gymnasium and commons area. … Read more