Decreased demand for building and increased trade contractor competition continues to deflate construction pricing New York, N.Y., — Turner Construction Company announced that the Fourth Quarter 2009 Turner Building Cost Index, which measures non-residential building construction costs in the United States, has decreased by 2.07% from the Third Quarter, continuing the decline which began in the First Quarter of this year. Construction costs have decreased by 12.62% since the beginning of the year. The Turner Building Cost Index number for Fourth Quarter 2009 is 803. Karl F. Almstead, the Turner vice president responsible for the Turner Building Cost Index said, … Read more

Skanska is establishing a new global unit charged with supporting the Group’s worldwide operations in the rapid dispersal and commercialization of technology, solutions and business models for green construction. The venture is an extension of Skanska’s intensive work in recent years to map and develop various global solutions, methods and pilot projects to create buildings that are energy-efficient and have low environmental impact. The new unit for green business will be called Skanska Green Business and will be headed from Stockholm but will have employees throughout Skanska’s operations in Europe and the United States. Cecilia Fasth will head the new … Read more

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today issued a final rule to help reduce water pollution from construction sites. The agency believes this rule, which takes effect in February 2010 and will be phased in over four years, will significantly improve the quality of water nationwide. Construction activities like clearing, excavating and grading significantly disturb soil and sediment. If that soil is not managed properly it can easily be washed off of the construction site during storms and pollute nearby water bodies. The final rule requires construction site owners and operators that disturb one or more acres to … Read more

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) today congratulated ABC member companies and chapters for receiving top honors in the Construction Users Roundtable's (CURT) Construction Industry Safety Excellence (CISE) Awards and the Workforce Development Awards at CURT's national conference held Nov. 17 in Orlando, Fla.   “ABC is proud of its members that received this national recognition by the Construction Users Roundtable in the Constructor Safety Awards and Workforce Development Awards,” said ABC President and CEO Kirk Pickerel. “These accomplishments are a testament to the tremendous commitment that ABC members make to improving workplace safety and promoting workforce development.” … Read more