WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Design-Build Institute of America recently announced the winners of its National Design-Build Project Awards. The 2012 awards program was the most competitive to date and this year's submissions were rigorously judged by a distinguished panel composed exclusively of owners and DBIAâ„¢ professionals. The awards competition recognizes the achievements of owners and design-build teams in 10 categories, including the healthcare sector. To be considered for a prize, a project must have been completed on time and on budget. The jury examined each submission for demonstrated use of DBIA best practices. DBIA best practices include flexibility in blending … Read more

The Associated General Contractors of America will continue to provide fall protection safety training next year thanks to a federal safety grant the association is being awarded. The association will use the $120,000 Susan Harwood Training Grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to offer the fall protection safety training designed to prevent potentially fatal falls among construction workers, officials said. “Nothing is more important to our members than the safety of every construction worker,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, the association's chief executive officer. “The expanded program will help give construction workers the training they need to remain safe on … Read more

SEATTLE, Wash. —The new federal courthouse in Billings, Mont. is open for business following 27 months of design and construction. According to the U.S. General Services Administration, which manages real estate and property for the federal government, the design-build project team of Mortenson Construction and NBBJ established a new benchmark for the fastest delivery of a modern federal courthouse. The formal building opening and dedication is scheduled for September 18. “The successful design and construction process of the Billings courthouse underscores the value and efficiency of our lean design-build process,” said Jim Yowan, Vice President, Mortenson Construction. The expedited design … Read more

The cost of key construction materials increased in August and year-to-year, resuming a trend that has forced contractors to pay more for materials even as competitive pressures restrain prices for finished projects, according to an analysis of federal figures released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. The producer price index for inputs to construction—covering materials that go into every type of project, plus items consumed by contractors such as diesel fuel—increased 0.9 percent in August and 1.0 percent from a year earlier, Sandherr noted. The price increases resume a longer-term trend that is forcing contractors to pay more … Read more