Skanska Executes Unusual Concrete Pour

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In Miami, Florida, Skanska recently executed one of the world's most unusual concrete pours: creating a martini glass-shaped, 500,000-gallon seawater aquarium tank through a non-stop 25-hour, 1,200-cubic-yard placement. The stakes were very high for this aspect of Skanska's new $101-million Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science project: The tank can"t have any cracks large enough to let water pass through, which essentially means no cracks at all, and certainly not any construction joints. When the science museum opens as expected in summer 2016, visitors will be able to walk below the suspended, conical tank and view sharks and other … Read more

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Construction Industry Growth Rate Expected to Double in 2015, Says Report

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PHOENIX, Ariz. —   Rider Levett Bucknall reports the estimated growth rate for U.S. construction is expected to rise approximately 10 percent, nearly double the estimated growth rate for 2014. Strong commercial building and residential markets are contributing to this projected increase, according to the firm's findings, which were published in its newly released Fourth Quarter 2014 USA Construction Cost Report. The firm's research indicates that improved construction financing and investment, along with stronger commercial building and residential markets, are driving continued growth within the industry. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, construction put-in-place during October 2014 was estimated … Read more

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Construction Employment Increases Between October, November

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Construction firms added jobs in 38 states and the District of Columbia between November 2013 and November 2014 while construction employment increased in 26 states and D.C. between October and November, according to a recent analysis of Labor Department data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted that the list of states gaining jobs has varied significantly from month to month as the market remains extremely variable. “Construction job growth remains positive overall but volatile,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Although more than three-quarters of states have added construction jobs from year-earlier levels throughout 2014, … Read more

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Demand Softens, Outlook for Architecture Billings Index Remains Positive

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Buoyed by sustained demand for apartments and condominiums, coupled with state and local governments moving ahead with delayed public projects, the Architecture Billings Index has been positive for seven consecutive months. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate 9-12-month lead time between architecture billings and construction spending. The American Institute of Architects reported the November ABI score was 50.9, down from a mark of 53.7 in October. This score reflects a slight increase in design activity (any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings). The new projects inquiry index was … Read more

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2015 Economic Outlook Forecasts 6% Growth in Equipment, Software Investment

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Investment in equipment and software is expected to grow 6 percent in 2015, driven by a steadily improving economy, according to the Annual 2015 Equipment Leasing & Finance U.S. Economic Outlook recently released by the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation. Overall in 2015, the outlook for 12 individual equipment and software verticals tracked in the report is mixed, with some sectors outperforming others. The Foundation's report, which is focused on the $903-billion equipment leasing and finance industry, forecasts 2015 equipment investment and capital spending in the United States and evaluates the effects of various industry and external … Read more

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