��ż���

Keeping workers safe is a growing challenge in a rapidly warming world. The 10 hottest years on record have all occurred since 2013, with 2023 breaking thermometers as the hottest year ever, according to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Phoenix suffered 31 straight days of 110 degrees or higher in 2023, shattering the old record by 13 days; some projections show the Arizona city facing 102 days a year of extreme heat by 2050.

For workers, searing temperatures can increase the risk of conditions such as heat rash, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heat stroke and dehydration. Heat-related illnesses can lead to a higher risk of hospitalization for heart disease, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 

Want to test your heat expertise? Take this true/false quiz.

The construction industry had 339,000 job openings on the last day of May, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey. JOLTS defines a job opening as any unfilled position for which an employer is actively recruiting. Industry job openings increased by 2,000 last month but are down by 38,000 from the same time last year.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recently announced a National Definition of a Zero Emissions Building to advance public and private sector efforts to decarbonize the buildings sector, which is responsible for more than one-third of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. The definition is intended to provide industry guidance to support new and existing commercial and residential buildings to move towards zero emissions across the entire sector. A standardized definition for zero emissions buildings will help advance next-generation clean energy solutions, drive innovation, and tackle the climate crisis, while supporting workforce development. 

Total construction starts rose 10% in May to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1.24 trillion, according to Dodge Construction Network. Nonbuilding starts gained an impressive 49% during the month, driven by the start of an offshore wind project and an LNG facility, while residential starts lost 7% and nonresidential building starts were down 2%. On a year-to-date basis through May, total construction starts were up 11% from the first five months of 2023. Residential starts were up 16%, while nonbuilding starts gained 17%, and nonresidential building starts rose 3%.

The construction industry added 21,000 jobs on net in May, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. On a year-over-year basis, industry employment has increased by 251,000 jobs, an increase of 3.1%.

Nonresidential construction employment increased by 17,100 positions on net in May, with growth registered in all three major subcategories. Nonresidential specialty trade added the most jobs, with employment increasing by 13,000 positions. Nonresidential building and heavy and civil engineering added 3,000 and 1,100 jobs, respectively.

The National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) Board of Directors is proud to announce the selection of Dr. George K. Guszcza, CCM, as the new President and CEO. Dr. Guszcza officially joins NIBS on July 1, 2024 and brings more than 25 years of experience in the built environment spanning the public, private, and non-profit sectors in the U.S., UK, Europe, Middle East, and Africa.

McKissack & McKissack, one of the nation's leading Black- and woman-owned architecture, engineering, and construction management (AEC) companies, announced that Carmelo Torrisi, an AEC industry leader, has been appointed as the new president. Torrisi will focus on guiding McKissack & McKissack’s continued growth strategy across multiple markets and regions. 

The U.S. Department of Transportation is accepting applications for stage 1 of the Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation grants program, which supports advanced smart community technologies and systems that improve transportation safety and efficiency. The $500 million, five-year program, funded by the 2021 infrastructure law, is in its third year, with $148 million having been awarded in the first two rounds to 93 projects in 39 states, D.C., and Puerto Rico.

Federal infrastructure money is keeping the country’s infrastructure woes from getting worse, but that progress will be lost when that funding ends, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) said in a report entitled “Bridging the Gap.” ASCE releases the economic study every four years leading up to the release of its national Report Card for America’s Infrastructure.

The U.S. Department of Commerce announced the Million Women in Construction Community Pledge to bring more women into the construction workforce -- as well as several leading construction companies that have signed on to the Pledge. These companies are making an industry-wide call for more companies, unions, and training organizations to sign on to the Pledge. By signing on to the Million Women in Construction Community Pledge, leaders in the industry are demonstrating an ongoing commitment to increase women’s access to training, jobs, and leadership opportunities. 

Associated Builders and Contractors reported today that its Construction Backlog Indicator increased to 8.2 months in March from 8.1 months in February, according to an ABC member survey conducted March 20 to April 3. The reading is down 0.5 months from March 2023.

Over the past couple years, the pandemic has created chaos on supply chains around the world. Building materials are in short supply and prices have spiked. As a result, we are witnessing increased project and building costs that are affecting contractors, consumers and insurers alike. This article from will share the risks and rewards of using alternative or green building materials in these times. 

Despite construction industry association objections, a new rule will take effect May 31 that will allow union representatives to accompany federal safety inspectors on non-union employers’ jobsites. The rule, issued by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, is designed to clarify workers’ and employers’ rights to have representation during OSHA inspections on all jobsites, whether they are union or non-union. It says workers may authorize another employee to serve as their representative or select a non-employee third party. That third-party representative has been expanded to include a representative of a labor union, an attorney or someone else of the employee’s choosing.

Federal regulators have enacted a nationwide ban on new noncompete agreements. The Federal Trade Commission voted 3-to-2 to approve the new rule, which will ban noncompetes for all workers when the regulations take effect in 120 days. For senior executives, existing noncompetes can remain in force. For all other employees, existing noncompetes are not enforceable.

The construction industry added 39,000 jobs on net in March, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. On a year-over-year basis, industry employment has expanded by 270,000 jobs, an increase of 3.4%. 

Total construction starts fell 8% in February to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1.07 trillion, according to Dodge Construction Network. Nonresidential building starts dropped 16%, while nonbuilding starts lost 3%, and residential starts fell by 2%. For the 12 months ending February 2024, total construction starts were up 2% from the 12 months ending February 2023. Nonresidential building starts were down 2% while residential starts were 4% lower, and nonbuilding starts up 19% on a 12-month rolling sum basis.

Rates for insurance covering construction projects are showing signs of stabilization after a prolonged hard market cycle, according to a recent report on Q1 trends by WTW. However, the industry will continue to confront rate pressures due to inflation and interest rate uncertainty, exacerbated by a record year of natural catastrophe losses in 2023 and rising claims costs.

Construction input prices increased 1.4% in February compared to the previous month, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) analysis of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Producer Price Index data. Nonresidential construction input prices increased 1.3% for the month. Overall construction input prices are 1.5% higher than a year ago, while nonresidential construction input prices are 1.8% higher.

Associated Builders and Contractors reported that its Construction Backlog Indicator declined to 8.1 months in February, according to an ABC member survey conducted Feb. 20 to March 5. The reading is down 1.1 months from February 2023. Backlog fell for every size of contractor except for those with under $30 million in annual revenues in February. Over the past year, however, the largest contractors - those with greater than $50 million in revenues - have experienced the greatest decline in backlog.

Total construction starts grew 1% in January to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1.16 trillion, according to Dodge Construction Network. Nonbuilding starts rose 9% during the month, while nonresidential building starts fell 2% and residential starts were flat.

A federal district court has delayed the new National Labor Relations Board rule on joint employers, the second time the start date has been pushed back. 

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce asked the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas to block the rule. The court held a hearing on that motion Feb. 13, and said it will issue an opinion soon. 

For now, the way the NLRB determines if companies are joint employers will go into effect March 11, instead of Feb. 26. 

When it opens to residents this spring, the 44-story tower at 505 State Street in Brooklyn will be a vision of future buildings to come. The skyscraper will be powered fully by electricity and burn no fossil fuels on site, making it the first tower in New York City to do so. In a world where gas burning stoves remain commonplace and gas furnaces still heat most homes, it’s a climate-conscious approach to building design that feels years, if not decades, ahead of its time.

The Dodge Momentum Index (DMI), issued by Dodge Construction Network (DCN), rose 0.1% in January to 184.1 from the revised December reading of 183.9. Over the month, commercial planning fell 1.0% and institutional planning improved 2.1%.

Associated Builders and Contractors reported recently that its Construction Backlog Indicator increased to 8.6 months in December from 8.5 months in November, according to an ABC member survey conducted Dec. 20 to Jan. 4. The reading is down 0.6 months from December 2022.

More than $4.9 billion in funding was recently announced by President Biden and U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. The funding will go to 37 projects through two major discretionary grant programs, the National Infrastructure Project Assistance (Mega) grant program and the Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) grant program.

The Mega program, which was created by the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and provides $5 billion in funding through 2026, is focused on projects that are uniquely large, complex and difficult to fund under traditional grant programs.

In a highly anticipated ruling, the DOL on January 9 announced  a final rule to help employers and workers better understand when a worker qualifies as an employee and when they may be considered an independent contractor under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

The rule provides guidance on proper classification and seeks to combat employee misclassification, a serious problem that impacts workers’ rights to minimum wage and overtime pay, facilitates wage theft, allows some employers to undercut their law-abiding competition and hurts the economy at-large. 

The Dodge Momentum Index (DMI), issued by Dodge Construction Network, rose 3% in December to 186.6 from the revised November reading of 181.5. Over the month, commercial planning grew 1.0% and institutional planning improved 6.1%.

The construction industry had 459,000 job openings on the last day of November, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey. JOLTS defines a job opening as any unfilled position for which an employer is actively recruiting. Industry job openings increased by 43,000 last month and are up by 111,000 from the same time last year.

The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (“IRA”) makes several clean energy tax credits available to businesses.

Khaled Naja last year embarked on two new gigs after serving as executive vice president at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), where he received an ENR Newsmaker award for spearheading a massive modular move never done before in North America. Now CEO of Cruise Terminals International, he also recently became board of directors chair of the Construction Management Association of America (��ż���). Naja previously served as board treasurer and chair of the group's audit and investment advisory committees. He s a member of the ��ż��� North Texas Chapter, where he first became active in the association.

ENR Transportation Editor Aileen Cho chatted with Naja about his new ventures. 

The Dodge Momentum Index (DMI), issued by Dodge Construction Network (DCN), decreased 1% in November to 179.2 (2000=100) from the revised October reading of 181.7. Over the month, the commercial and institutional components both fell 1%.

The U.S. Department of Transportation opened applications for $1.5 billion in discretionary grants for road, rail, transit, and port projects under the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity program.

RAISE grants are open to a wider range of applicants than many other DOT programs, enabling project backers to obtain funding for projects that may not otherwise be eligible.

Funding will be split equally to projects in urban and rural areas, and at least $15 million will be designated to projects located in areas of persistent poverty or historically disadvantaged communities.

National nonresidential construction spending increased 0.1% in October, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data published by the U.S. Census Bureau. On a seasonally adjusted annualized basis, nonresidential spending totaled $1.1 trillion.

The DOT awarded $653 million in grants to upgrade 41 water-based ports around the country. The funding is through the Port Infrastructure Development Program, which provides planning support, capital funding and project management assistance, and comes from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

Battling back from the Great Depression, the Hoover administration passed the “Buy American Act” in 1933. The basic premise of the law was to revive and bolster the economy by requiring U.S.-sourced iron and steel mined or produced in the U.S. to be used in projects for the federal government. 

In 1982 Congress passed the “Buy America Act,” which expanded the requirement that contractors utilize only U.S.-sourced iron and steel on state transportation projects receiving federal funding. The Buy America Act also expanded the items that must be U.S.-sourced to include manufactured items. 

More recently, a further expansion, called the “Build America, Buy America Act” (BABA), was passed in 2021 as part of the Infrastructure and Investment Jobs Act (IIJA). Contractors need to be aware of how the law has changed and how it could affect their businesses in new ways. 

The Biden administration said it will invest $2 billion in 150 federal building projects across 39 states that use materials that minimize carbon emissions, its latest effort to tackle climate change through government purchasing power.

The General Services Administration will prioritize the purchase of asphalt, concrete, glass and steel produced and disposed of with lower levels of associated greenhouse gas emissions that meet a standard for environmental products.

Construction input prices increased 0.2% in September compared to the previous month, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Producer Price Index data. Nonresidential construction input prices increased 0.2% for the month as well.

The U.S. Department of Energy recently announced nearly $3.5 billion in awards under its Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships program, known as GRIP, to support 58 projects in 44 states. When matched with private and local investment, officials said the awards will support a total of $8 billion to expand and strengthen the nation’s electric system.

Associated Builders and Contractors reported that its Construction Backlog Indicator declined to 9.0 months in September, according to an ABC member survey conducted Sept. 20 to Oct. 4. The reading is equivalent to one year ago. 

Construction counted 350,000 job openings on the last day of August, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The number of jobs dropped less than 1% from July, but was up about 1.5% year over year.

The rate of jobs for which employers in construction are actively recruiting has remained largely unchanged this summer: From May to August the rate has decreased slightly from 4.6% to 4.2%. 

We spoke with Andrea S. Rutledge, president and CEO of the Construction Management Association of America, about the value trained and educated program and construction managers bring to projects, and how hiring the right pros can help improve U.S. infrastructure.

The Dodge Momentum Index (DMI), issued by Dodge Construction Network, declined 6.5% in August to 178.0 from the revised July reading of 190.3. Over the month, the commercial component of the DMI fell 1.6%, while the institutional component fell 14.8%.

Laland Baptiste is thrilled to welcome Paul Koopman to the firm as Vice President / Operations Manager – Western New York. Mr. Koopman will be assisting with the company’s expansion, with a focus on the upstate New York region. This role signals a significant stride in Laland Baptiste’s commitment to expanding its presence in the upstate New York region. Laland Baptiste is a certified Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise offering professional Construction Management and Civil Engineering services with expertise in transportation, infrastructure, and institutional facilities.

The International Code Council has introduced a new program to support the enforcement and implementation of building codes, according to a news release. Known as Building Capacity for Resilient and Sustainable Buildings, the initiative intends to help communities strengthen the resilience of buildings to climate change impacts and meet decarbonization goals. The ICC said this endeavor is part of Buildings Breakthrough, which seeks to expedite the journey toward achieving near-zero emissions by 2030.

In a revival of an OSHA recordkeeping rule originally implemented under the Obama administration in 2016 and "rolled back" by the Trump administration in 2019, OSHA issued a final rule on July 21, 2023, requiring certain establishments in high-hazard industries to submit additional injury and illness data electronically to OSHA. The  is found at 29 CFR 1904 and goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2024.

Total construction starts rose 17% in July to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1.2 trillion, according to Dodge Construction Network. Nonbuilding starts drove the increase, rising 38%, due to the start of a singular large LNG facility. Residential starts rose 20%, while nonresidential building starts lost 6%.

The U.S. Department of Labor announced recently that it will offer online compliance seminars in September for contracting agencies, contractors, unions, workers and other stakeholders to provide information on recent updates to regulations governing employment practices for federally funded contracts.

Associated Builders and Contractors reported today that its Construction Backlog Indicator increased to 9.3 months in July, according to an ABC member survey conducted July 20 to Aug. 4. The reading is up by 0.6 months since July 2022.

The Department of Labor has made public its final ruleupdating Davis-Bacon prevailing wage regulations. The 716-page document says that the rule will be published in the Federal Register on Aug. 23, and will be effective 60 days from then, Oct. 23. It notes that the updates will apply to contracts entered after this date but, with limited exceptions, will not affect contracts entered into before then. 

Total construction starts fell 9% in June to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1 trillion, according to Dodge Construction Network. Nonresidential starts led the downturn, falling 14%. Nonbuilding starts fell 9%, and residential starts lost 4%.

MOCA Systems, Inc. (MSI), a leading provider of solutions for complex construction management, is pleased to announce that Tim Negris, previously marketing head for AI innovator Spell, Inc. until its acquisition by Reddit, has joined MSI’s executive team as Chief Marketing Officer. In this role, Negris will lead marketing to increase global visibility and demand for MSI’s award-winning services and software solutions.

Massive heat waves have hit large swaths of the U.S. this summer, breaking records for high temperatures across the country. For construction workers, the sweltering conditions mean an additional jobsite hazard. But there is no enforceable standard for protecting workers during extreme heat that contractors can look to for guidance.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced recently that the Department of Transportation (DOT) is now taking applications for the Reconnecting Communities and Neighbors Program.

The streamlined program, which combines two key grant programs created in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act, will ease the process of applying and increase opportunity for communities seeking funding for projects that address harm from past infrastructure planning decisions, accelerate equitable community revitalization, and improve access to everyday destinations.

National nonresidential construction spending decreased 0.2% in May, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data published by the U.S. Census Bureau. On a seasonally adjusted annualized basis, nonresidential spending totaled $1.06 trillion.

Milo Riverso, Ph.D., PE, CCM, F��ż���, has been elected by the Board of Trustees as Manhattan College’s 21st president. With a compelling record of leadership at large and complex organizations; a thorough understanding of the current higher education landscape; and nearly four decades of unwavering service to Manhattan, Dr. Riverso is exceptionally qualified to lead the College during a time of both unique challenges and promising opportunities.

Construction of the initial turbines in the first major U.S. offshore wind farm began recently south of Martha’s Vineyard off the coast of Massachusetts, following a years-long legal battle and a series of federal slow-downs over the controversial project - part of the Biden Administration’s push for green energy and the first in a wall of offshore wind projects off the East Coast.

The National Institute of Building Sciences has released its 2023 Built Environment Workforce Survey. The new report, which was completed in partnership with Avenue M Group, takes the pulse on where things stand, with regard to diversity, equity, and inclusion. It covers more ground, including a breakdown of the definition of diversity. More than seven in 10 respondents included race (75%), ethnicity (74%), gender (73%), and age (71%) in their definition of diversity within the context of the built environment.

The rollercoaster ride of construction material prices is lining up to throw contractors for another loop. 

Although prices for key input commodities should continue to fall in 2023 and 2024, according to a report from Oxford Economics, the level still remains greatly elevated compared to pre-pandemic. 

About 82.5% of construction materials experienced a significant cost increase since 2020, with an average jump of 19%, according to a construction materials report from construction cost data tracking firm Gordian.

Ensuring their organization remains successful and inspires generations to come, OCMI, Inc. has named Neil Murphy as their newest President. Justin Peterson, who has served in the role over the last 11 years, will take over as Chief Financial Officer with Ciaran O’Connor continuing as Chief Executive Officer.

The construction industry had 341,000 job openings in March, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey. JOLTS defines a job opening as any unfilled position for which an employer is actively recruiting. Industry job openings decreased by 63,000 last month and are down by 72,000 from the same time last year.

Wendy Cohen, CCM, was recently named President and CEO of Kitchell Corporation, assuming leadership of one of the largest employee-owned building companies in the Southwest. Wendy is only the fifth CEO in the company’s 73-year history and the first female in the role. Cohen moves into the role vacated by Jim Swanson, who retires from Kitchell after 15 years in the President & CEO role. 

National nonresidential construction spending increased by 0.7% in March, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data published by the U.S. Census Bureau. On a seasonally adjusted annualized basis, nonresidential spending totaled $997.1 billion for the month. Spending increased on a monthly basis in 8 of the 16 nonresidential subcategories. Private nonresidential spending rose 1.0%, while public nonresidential construction spending increased 0.2% in March.

The Department of Commerce has recommended $562 million in funding for nearly 150 projects across 30 states and territories focused on climate change resiliency projects. Announced recently, the awards will be made under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate-Ready Coasts Initiative with funds from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act.

Rivian Automotive, Inc. today announced it has hired Anthony Sanger, CCM, as the first Vice President of Facilities for its planned manufacturing facility at Stanton Springs North in Georgia. Sanger brings with him a wealth of experience, having worked in the program and construction management industry for more than 35 years. Sanger joins Rivian after six years with Turner & Townsend. Prior to this, he worked at AECOM for more than 20 years.

The overall number of construction cranes at work in major North American cities grew 7% in the first three months of 2023 compared to the third quarter of 2022, although cranes on commercial projects were down 20% for that same period, according to the most recent crane index from Rider Levett Bucknall.

The Dodge Momentum Index (DMI), issued by Dodge Construction Network, slipped 8.6% in March to 183.7 from the revised February reading of 201.0. In March, the commercial component of the DMI fell 6.6%, and the institutional component decreased 12.9%.

Associated Builders and Contractors reported that its Construction Backlog Indicator declined to 8.7 months in March, according to an ABC member survey conducted March 20 to April 3. The reading is 0.4 months higher than in March 2022.

The construction industry supported 412,000 job openings in February, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey. JOLTS defines a job opening as any unfilled position for which an employer is actively recruiting. Industry job openings increased by 129,000 last month, but are down 9,000 from the same time last year.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has called out construction for its lack of diversity in its latest proposed strategic enforcement plan, the official operating roadmap that will guide the agency’s enforcement efforts through 2027.

The Dodge Momentum Index (DMI), issued by Dodge Construction Network, advanced 1.9% in February to 203.0 (2000=100) from the revised January reading of 199.3. In February, the commercial component of the DMI rose 1.4%, and the institutional component increased 2.9%.

It’s no secret that construction has a problem recruiting and retaining women. A new survey from the nonprofit National Center for Construction Education & Research highlights the unique benefits women bring to construction, obstacles they encounter getting into and staying in the industry and advice on what contractors can do about it.

National nonresidential construction spending increased by 0.3% in January, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data published by the U.S. Census Bureau. On a seasonally adjusted annualized basis, nonresidential spending totaled $968.7 billion for the month.

The construction industry’s outlook for labor is bleak. In order to meet demand, contractors will need to hire an estimated 546,000 workers in 2023, and that’s in addition to the industry’s normal pace of hiring, according to a new analysis by Associated Builders and Contractors. In 2022, the industry averaged more than 390,000 job openings per month, the highest level on record. Construction’s unemployment rate of 4.6% for 2022 was the second lowest ever, indicating there are few construction workers seeking jobs, and therefore the pool to fill demand is shallow.

The federal and state governments have a range of bills, some already in place, that will govern construction issues in 2023. Workplace safety and employment laws will activate at the national level, along with hiring practices and worksite requirements. At the state level, there is also a range of safety, employment and environmental regulations. Finally, at the county level are zoning ordinances and restrictions on noise.

The White House has released proposed guidance to boost the use of American-made goods in government-funded infrastructure projects. President Joe Biden in his State of the Union earlier this month touted the effort to require that construction materials used in federal infrastructure projects be made in the United States.

Total construction starts closed 2022 on a winning streak, rebounding in December from the previous month to post a 27% gain for a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1.185 trillion.

Construction employment climbed in 30 states and the District of Columbia from November to December and 42 states added construction jobs during the past 12 months, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said demand for many types of commercial construction projects remain strong and that firms would likely have added more people if they could find workers.

Before ending its session and swearing in new members, Congress passed a fiscal year 2023 budget with key provisions for water infrastructure and disaster recovery. That’s in addition to approving legislation that authorizes Army Corps of Engineers projects for flood protection, navigation, and environmental restoration.

Combined, the two bills run to more than 8,000 pages. Water sector advocates, though confounded by how some infrastructure funds are being allocated, were generally pleased with what the bills contain.

The construction industry added 28,000 jobs on net in December, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. On a year-over-year basis, industry employment has risen by 231,000 jobs or 3.1%.

High costs for materials, fuel and labor mean jurisdictions aren’t getting as much of a budget bump as they’d hoped from the federal legislation.

Construction input prices declined 0.9% in November compared to the previous month, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Producer Price Index data. Nonresidential construction input prices fell 0.8% for the month.

The Dodge Momentum Index (DMI), issued by Dodge Construction Network, increased 3.8% in November to 207.2 from the revised October reading of 199.6. During the month, the DMI continued its steady ascent, with the commercial component rising 4.3%, and the institutional component ticking up 2.7%.

Commercial planning experienced a healthy increase in hotel and data center projects and modest growth in stores and office projects. While education and healthcare projects slowed in November, the institutional component remained net-positive alongside a robust increase in planning projects for government administrative buildings and religious facilities. On a year-over-year basis, the DMI was 25% higher than in November 2021, the commercial component was up 28%, and institutional planning was 21% higher.

First-year funding of the historic $1.2 trillion infrastructure law has led to more than 25,000 new highway and bridge projects moving forward in states, according to the American Road & Transportation Builders Association.

To measure the largest investment in the federal highway system since the 1950s, ARTBA sifted through U.S. Treasury Department data through August 31, and it listed the top-20 largest road projects receiving that funding.

Total construction starts rose 8% in October to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1.12 trillion, according to Dodge Construction Network. In October, nonresidential building starts gained 9%, and nonbuilding starts rose 26%; however, residential starts fell by 3%.

Year-to-date, total construction was 16% higher in the first ten months of 2022 compared to the same period of 2021. Nonresidential building starts rose 37% over the year, residential starts remained flat, and nonbuilding starts were up 17%.

Talk of a looming recession has only intensified over the past few months and varying industries have begun to take action to prepare for the impact. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, change has been the only constant for the construction industry and the economy at large.

Overall, the economic forecast for construction is stable because project backlogs are steady and contractors are anticipating rising sales and employment. Of course, all of this can change, especially in an industry that has to react so aggressively to the whims of the global economy. As it stands, contractors have a great opportunity to put themselves in a strong position whether or not the economy recovers or continues staggering. 

This quarter’s edition highlights the persistently high inflation and its continued impact on construction pricing. An old Wall Street maxim states that the best cure for inflation is high prices, and that is bearing out in some corners of the construction economy as owners are beginning to balk. Materials prices are easing, but labor availability and wages are prevailing issues and have become the biggest concern among contractors.

The Dodge Momentum Index (DMI), issued by Dodge Construction Network, improved 9.6% (2000=100) in October to 199.7 from the revised September reading of 182.2. During the month, the DMI continued its steady ascent, with the commercial component rising 13%, and the institutional component ticking up 2.9%.

It is becoming increasingly clear that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is having an active year, perhaps emboldened by an administration increasingly engaged in its long-term institutional goals. Much of the discussion this past year has focused on the agency’s efforts to address the hazards of heat injury and illness on the job.

Thirty-two states added construction jobs between August and September and 47 states boosted construction employment during the past 12 months, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said the job gains were welcome news but that significant labor shortages in the industry likely held back even larger employment gains.

The Dodge Momentum Index (DMI), issued by Dodge Construction Network, improved 5.7% in September to 183.2 from the revised August reading of 173.4. The DMI is a monthly measure of the initial report for nonresidential building projects in planning, shown to lead construction spending for nonresidential buildings by a full year. In September, the commercial component of the Momentum Index rose 2.9%, while the institutional component also increased, seeing a double-digit gain of 11.7%.

Associated Builders and Contractors reports that its Construction Backlog Indicator increased to 9.0 months in September, according to an ABC member survey conducted Sept. 20 to Oct. 5. The reading is 1.4 months higher than in September 2021.

The U.S. Department of Labor recently announced the award of $11,746,992, in grants to support worker and employer education to make workplaces around the nation safer and healthier. Administered by the department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Susan Harwood Training Grant Program is making grants to 90 nonprofit organizations in fiscal year 2022 for education and training on hazard recognition and injury prevention, workers' rights, and employers' legal responsibilities to provide safe and healthful workplaces.

The Department of Labor is updating the criteria for OSHA’s Severe Violator Enforcement Program, expanding it to include violations of all hazards and standards across all industries. Doug Parker, OSHA assistant secretary, said the agency’s past criteria were “unnecessarily artificial and were not reaching employers who were committing repeat willful violations.” OSHA estimates SVEP — which concentrates inspections on employers who have several willful, repeated or failure-to-abate violations —  includes roughly 500 employers currently.

The Dodge Momentum Index (DMI) ticked down by 1.2% in August to 171.9 from the revised July figure of 174.0. The Momentum Index, issued by Dodge Construction Network, is a monthly measure of the initial report for nonresidential building projects in planning, shown to lead construction spending for nonresidential buildings by a full year. In August, the commercial component of the Momentum Index rose 1%, while the institutional component fell 5.6%.

The construction industry added 16,000 jobs on net in August, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data released recently by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. On a year-over-year basis, industry employment has risen by 311,000 jobs or 4.2%.

In a sign that rising interest rates and talk of recession have yet to cool the scorching construction labor market, job openings in the sector increased 22,000 in July from June, up 4.6%, according to an analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics data from Associated Builders and Contractors.

This report on the state of the construction economy highlights the remarkable strength in the nonresidential construction market, even in the face of continually high inflation. Some materials prices are leveling off and even falling, though, and contractors are able to roll high inputs costs into their bids. That is a delicate balance, as profit margins are forecast to fall as owners balk at increasing bid prices. Scarce skilled labor also continues to be an issue.

The Dodge Momentum Index (DMI) increased 2.9% in July to 178.7 from the revised June figure of 173.6. The Momentum Index, issued by Dodge Construction Network, is a monthly measure of the initial report for nonresidential building projects in planning. The index is shown to lead construction spending for nonresidential buildings by a full year. In July, the commercial component of the Momentum Index rose 5.5%, while the institutional component fell 2.0%.

Nonresidential construction input prices fell 1.8% in July, providing evidence that the worst of skyrocketing costs for building materials may be in the rearview mirror. An Associated Builders and Contractors’ analysis of the July producer price index, which measures the selling prices of goods and services, found input costs were down in eight of 11 subcategories for nonresidential construction, with a 27.6% reduction in natural gas costs leading the way.

The not seasonally adjusted national construction unemployment rate plunged 3.8% in June 2022 from June 2021, down from 7.5% to 3.7%. Meanwhile, all 50 states had lower unemployment rates over the same period, according to a state-by-state analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data released by Associated Builders and Contractors. Ten states had an estimated construction unemployment rate under 2%; the highest unemployment rate was 6.5% in New Mexico.

During the first six months of the year, the value of commercial and multifamily construction starts in the top 20 metropolitan areas of the U.S. increased 24% from 2021, according to Dodge Construction Network.

Urban Engineers recognizes the service and contributions of retiring board director, Joseph McAtee, PE, F��ż���. Mr. McAtee is the immediate past executive vice president and chief operating officer of Urban, positions that he stepped away from in 2015. He will continue to serve the company as a senior advisor.

U.S. airports are about to undergo some significant upgrades. Eight months after President Biden signed the infrastructure bill into law, his administration is granting $1 billion to 85 airports across the country to improve terminals, the White House announced recently.

The construction industry added 13,000 jobs on net in June, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. On a year-over-year basis, industry employment has risen by 292,000 jobs, an increase of 4.0%. 

MBP recently announced the introduction of a new organizational structure and operating model designed to support the firm’s innovation, growth, and continued focus on recruiting, developing, and retaining talent in the coming decade.

Associated Builders and Contractors reports that its Construction Backlog Indicator increased to nine months in May from 8.8 months in April, according to an ABC member survey conducted May 17 to June 3. The reading is up one month from May 2021.

The Dodge Momentum Index (DMI) jumped 7% in May to 176.2 (2000=100), up from the revised April reading of 165.2. The Momentum Index, issued by Dodge Construction Network, is a monthly measure of the initial report for nonresidential building projects in planning shown to lead construction spending for nonresidential buildings by a full year. In May, the institutional component of the Momentum Index rose 9%, and the commercial component increased 6%.

Even before the pandemic and the subsequent labor issues it produced, there's been a focus on the longstanding shortage of workers in the construction sectors. According to a 2021 report by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, "A majority (62%) of contractors report high difficulty finding skilled workers, up from 55% who said the same last quarter (and up 20 points year-over-year)." To address the labor shortage, companies across the U.S. have ramped up workforce development programs to increase the number of workers – including women – in construction and other fields.

Total construction starts rose 3% in April to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $945.8 billion, according to Dodge Construction Network. Nonresidential building starts rose 6% and residential starts increased by 4%, while nonbuilding starts fell 4%. Year-to-date, total construction was 6% higher in the first four months of 2022 compared to the same period of 2021.

This is the hub, updated twice a month, for the metrics that matter most to the commercial construction market. Here you can check out the latest construction data and statistics.

Construction input prices increased 0.8% in April compared to the previous month, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Producer Price Index data. Nonresidential construction input prices rose 0.9% for the month.

The latest Crane Index and Quarterly Cost Report (QCR) was released by Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB), an independent global construction and property consultancy providing management and advice throughout the built environment. Together, the two documents provide an on-the-ground picture of construction activity in 14 key North American markets and data-driven insights into the industry.

The construction industry had 396,000 job openings in March 2022, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Industry job openings increased by 13,000 in March and are up 60,000 from the same time last year.

Total construction starts fell 12% in March to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $903.8 billion, according to Dodge Construction Network. Nonresidential building starts lost 29%, in part due to the start of three large manufacturing facilities in the prior month. When those three large projects are removed, nonresidential starts in March would have risen 10%.

Projects funded by the $1.2 trillion infrastructure package must only use iron and steel produced in the U.S., according to a White House memo.

The requirement, which was included in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, means all manufacturing processes for the metals, from the initial melting stage through the application of coatings, must occur in the U.S. starting May 14.  

For the first time, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has launched a National Emphasis Program to protect millions of workers from heat illness and injuries. Through the program, OSHA will conduct heat-related workplace inspections before workers suffer completely preventable injuries, illnesses or, even worse, fatalities.

A proposal to spend $3 billion in freight and highway projects is among the president's requests to Congress.

Associated Builders and Contractors reported recently that its Construction Backlog Indicator remained unchanged at 8.0 months in February, according to an ABC member survey conducted Feb. 21 to March 8. The reading is down 0.2 months from February 2021.

In 2022, women in construction are not only working to build some of the country’s largest and most important projects, they also are leaders in another important area: helping to recruit more women into the industry. Out of more than 650 submissions, these 34 women stand as shining examples of how intuition, dedication, and intelligence are shaping the industry.

Total construction starts rose 9% in February to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1.013 trillion, according to Dodge Construction Network. Nonresidential building starts swelled 32% due to the start of three large manufacturing facilities.

Construction employment climbed by 60,000 jobs between January and February as hourly pay rose at the steepest pace in nearly 40 years, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of government data. Association leaders urged officials in Washington to boost support for career training and education to enable more workers to pursue high-paying construction careers.

WIC Week or Women in Construction Week, March 6-12, 2022, celebrates, educates, and promotes the role of women in the construction industry. The theme for this year's WIC Week is "Envision Equity" which seeks to raise awareness of opportunities for women to enjoy a wide range of roles in the construction industry, from tradeswomen to project managers to administrative positions, and even business ownership.

Associated Builders and Contractors reported today that its Construction Backlog Indicator declined to 8.0 months in January, according to an ABC member survey conducted Jan. 20 to Feb. 4. The reading is down 0.2 months from December 2021, but up 0.5 months from January 2021.

Prices of construction materials jumped more than 20% from January 2021 to January 2022, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) of government data. The association recently posted a new edition of its Construction Inflation Alert, a report to inform project owners, officials, and others about the challenges volatile materials costs, supply chain disruptions, and labor shortages posed for construction firms.

Ports from coast to coast are eyeing improvement projects to help alleviate supply chain issues that have plagued businesses since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The focus on port projects in the recently enacted Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is part of an overall push from the Biden administration to help alleviate the clogged supply chain in the U.S.

The U.S. economy grew at a 6.9% annualized rate in the fourth quarter of 2021, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis.

Total construction starts were flat in December with a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $879.3 billion, according to Dodge Construction Network. Residential construction starts gained 4% in December 2021, while nonresidential building starts improved by 3%.

International property and construction consultancy firm Rider Levett Bucknall has released its new Quarterly Cost Report (QCR) for North America. With data current to mid-fourth-quarter and featuring construction cost information for 14 United States and Canadian markets, the QCR provides a statistical view of the state of the construction industry, detailing indicative construction costs for eight building sectors.

The Dodge Momentum Index fell 3% in December to 166.4, down from the revised November reading of 170.7. The Momentum Index, issued by Dodge Construction Network, is a monthly measure of the initial report for nonresidential building projects in planning, which have been shown to lead construction spending for nonresidential buildings by a full year. In December, commercial planning fell 4%, and institutional planning slipped 1%.

From "excusable" delays for supply chain issues to navigating vaccine mandates, construction firms had to carefully read through contracts to account for last year's challenges.

November Producer Price Index data confirms soaring prices of energy, iron and steel, and double-digit leaps over the past 12 months for many construction necessities such as aluminum, copper, and brass mill shapes and plastic products.

National nonresidential construction spending was up 0.9% in October, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data published today by the U.S. Census Bureau. On a seasonally adjusted annualized basis, nonresidential spending totaled $814.2 billion for the month.

Rebecca Jones, F��ż���, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of SafeworkCM, will transition to the position of Chair on SafeworkCM’s Board of Directors, and current President, Domingo Camarano, will assume the titles of both President and CEO, effective immediately. This planned evolution has been in the works for two years and will provide collaborative executive leadership with a focus on growth and service diversity

The U.S. Department of Labor announced Monday a final rule implementing President Joe Biden’s executive order raising the federal contractor minimum wage from $10.95 to $15 an hour. The final rule retains the Jan. 30, 2022, deadline by which agencies must incorporate the new rate into new contract solicitations.

Rising construction materials prices appear to be starting to drive up the price of construction projects, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of government data. Association officials noted that despite a big jump in what contractors charge for projects, the rise in materials prices is still much higher.

In the following pages, we’ve highlighted nine women who are driving change for women throughout the industry. Outstanding Women in Construction is designed to celebrate that change and recognize those who are pursuing progress. This year’s contest drew nearly 200 nominations from across the U.S. and many sectors of the industry. Finalists were selected based on their expertise, leadership and management, and the exceptional contributions they have made to their companies, construction specialties and communities.

The House passed a $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill late Friday night in a vote of 228-206. That approves the largest transportation spending package in U.S. history.

Forecasters agree that nonresidential construction spending in 2022 will exceed 2021 levels in most categories. Indications are mounting that nonresidential construction activity will soon pick up, although there has been little improvement so far. But a host of threats make the timing and extent of a turnaround uncertain.

Last week, public and private highway, infrastructure, and construction materials industry leaders announced the launch of The National Construction Materials e-Ticketing Task Force (e-Ticketing Task Force). The industry is seeking to promote the use of e-Ticketing and find innovative ways to enhance productivity, reduce environmental impacts and become safer. The e-Ticketing Task Force provides a first in the nation model for how the public and private sector can work together to facilitate the digital transformation of the construction industry.

In 2020, a group of general contractors - Gilbane, DPR, Turner Construction, Mortenson, McCarthy, and Clark Construction Group - created a consortium titled Time for Change with a single purpose: identifying ways to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in construction. Through this effort, Construction Inclusion Week was born. The inaugural Construction Inclusion Week is October 18-22, 2021.

The Dodge Momentum Index gained 11% in September to 164.9 from the revised August reading of 148.0. The Momentum Index, issued by Dodge Construction Network, is a monthly measure of the initial report for nonresidential building projects in planning, which have been shown to lead construction spending for nonresidential buildings by a full year.

To combat the hazards associated with extreme heat exposure – both indoors and outdoors – the White House announced enhanced and expanded efforts the U.S. Department of Labor is taking to address heat-related illnesses.

Mental health issues, including suicide, affect the construction labor force at a much higher rate than most other occupations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention called the suicide rate for construction workers "alarmingly high." With this in mind, executives are seeking to help their employees and change the wider industry, and are framing their pursuits in a way that bypasses the stigma.

There are a number of reports and outlets that help experts and executives keep their finger on the pulse of the construction industry. Curated by the Construction Dive staff, this page centralizes data from those resources and helps visualize it as a one-stop resource about construction industry spending, hiring, starts and billings. This construction industry data page is updated bimonthly.

Construction workers are at risk for exposure to silica, which can cause respiratory injuries in its crystallized form. Respirable crystalline silica particles are created when cutting, grinding, drilling and crushing silica-containing materials. This includes stone, rock, concrete, brick, block and mortar. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), more than
2.3 million workers in the United States are exposed to crystalline silica dust — 90% of which are employed in construction.

The Q2 2021 Construction Monitor results show activity gaining velocity over the quarter, as all sectors continued to grow at the aggregate level following the pandemic. What’s more, forward-looking indicators strengthened again in Q2, with respondents now anticipating greater momentum coming through for private non-residential and commercial workloads alongside solid growth in infrastructure projects.

Construction input prices rose 0.6% in July, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Producer Price Index data. Nonresidential construction input prices increased 0.8% for the month. Construction input prices are 23.1% higher than a year ago, while nonresidential construction input prices increased 23.4% over that span.

The California Energy Commission’s five-member panel recently voted to require solar panels and battery storage in new commercial buildings and certain multifamily residences beginning January 1, 2023. The types of buildings that are included in the proposal are, according to the New York Times, “hotels, offices, medical offices and clinics, retail and grocery stores, restaurants, schools, and civic spaces like theaters, auditoriums, and convention centers.”

KMI International is pleased to announce the retirement of one of its Founders, Mike Kraus, who is stepping down as the company continues its transition to becoming employee-owned through an Employee Stock Ownership (ESOP). Along with John Manning, Kraus founded and built KMI in 1999, delivering success as a project manager, engineer, executive in charge, and business development lead. Kraus will continue to serve on the board to further execute the transition and provide guidance as the company moves along a prescribed path.

In line with these changes, several other organizational changes are also being made. Read the full story for all the information.

The wait is over. After months of delay, Senators unveiled a $1.2 trillion, eight-year infrastructure bill during a rare Sunday session after they worked through the weekend. According to The Hill, the 2,702-page bill, spearheaded by Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH), Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ.), and a larger group of roughly two dozen negotiators, is substantially narrower than the multitrillion-dollar plan envisioned by President Biden earlier this year but the legislation would authorize more than half a trillion dollars in new spending to bolster the country's roads, bridges and other physical infrastructure.

Construction employment declined or stagnated in 101 metro areas between February 2020, the last month before the pandemic, and last month, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) of government employment data released today. Association officials said that labor shortages and supply chain problems were keeping many firms from adding workers in many parts of the country.

Total construction starts lost 7% in June, slipping to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $863.6 billion, according to Dodge Data & Analytics. All three major sectors (residential, nonresidential building, and nonbuilding) pulled back during the month. Single family housing starts are feeling the detrimental effects of rising materials prices. Large projects that broke ground in May were absent in June for nonresidential building and nonbuilding starts, resulting in declines.

Following 6 months of consecutive gains, the Dodge Momentum Index fell to 165.8 in June, down 5% from the revised May reading of 175.1. The Momentum Index, issued by Dodge Data & Analytics, is a monthly measure of the first report for nonresidential building projects in planning, which have been shown to lead construction spending for nonresidential buildings by a full year. 

National nonresidential construction spending declined 0.7% in May, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data published today by the U.S. Census Bureau. On a seasonally adjusted annualized basis, nonresidential spending totaled $784.5 billion for the month.

It’s no longer news to the interior design trade: The global supply chain is a mess. But among the historically long delays and backlogs, there came some brighter headlines recently—lumber prices are falling.

Despite volatile market conditions in the past year, the multifamily sector remained a solid performer, with continued rent growth and steady development activity across the country. While developers experienced some construction delays due to the lack of construction materials and rising costs, multifamily projects continued to break ground.

There are a number of reports and outlets that help experts and executives keep their finger on the pulse of the construction industry. Curated by the Construction Dive staff, this page centralizes data from those resources and helps visualize it as a one-stop resource about construction industry spending, hiring, starts and billings. This construction industry data page is updated bimonthly.

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in $9.8 billion in lost construction activity and 74,000 direct and indirect lost jobs in New York City, according to a report by the Building Trades Employers’ Association. The decline in jobs contributed to a $5.5 billion loss in total wages, the report said.

Construction employment in April remained below the pre-pandemic high set in February 2020 in 36 states and the District of Columbia, despite increases from March to April in 26 states, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of government employment data. Association officials said that the sector’s recovery was being undermined by increases in materials prices, delays in receiving key construction supplies, and labor shortages.

The future of construction in 2022 looks bright, especially in the institutional sector, but contractors will have to overcome a multitude of challenges to enjoy it, based on two recent bellwether construction reports.

Construction input prices increased 1.3% in April compared to the previous month, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Producer Price Index data. Nonresidential construction input prices increased 1.6% for the month.

Road builders will be the biggest winners of any infrastructure spending bill passed this year by Congress, with contractors who work in the environmental public works space sharing in the spoils, too, according to a leading construction economist.Richard Branch, chief economist at Hamilton, New Jersey-based Dodge Data & Analytics, broke down three competing scenarios for infrastructure spending starting at the end of 2021.

Construction employment is holding its own, although it is not back to pre-pandemic levels, according to state-by-state analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data released today by Associated Builders and Contractors for March 2021. These data show that on a year-over-year basis, the not seasonally adjusted construction unemployment rates rose nationally and in 33 states, fell in 15 states and were unchanged in two states, Oklahoma and Washington.

The road to recovery may be longer than you think. As the second quarter of 2021 kicks off, contractor confidence is high, with plenty of optimism that the coming resurgence of re-started projects will lift construction firms from the abyss of COVID-19 to go even beyond their pre-pandemic heights. Just look at the Associated Builders and Contractors' Confidence Index, which is now positive for sales, profit and staffing level expectations for the next six months. 

The construction industry added 110,000 jobs in March, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data released recently by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The industry has added 931,000 jobs since April 2020, recovering 83.6% of the jobs lost during earlier stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Software provider Autodesk released its construction outlook report for 2021 recently, which shows that real-time bidding activity surpassed pre-pandemic levels and reached an all-time high in January 2021.

President Biden released his $2 trillion plan to shore up the nation’s infrastructure and create jobs. The sprawling proposal would be paid for with 15 years of higher taxes on corporations. Read more to see how the spending breaks down.

Continuing the positive momentum of a nearly three-point bump in January, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) reached its first positive mark since February 2020, according to a new report today from The American Institute of Architects (AIA).

As we mark the one-year anniversary of the COVID-19 crisis, Construction Dive looks at five charts that capture the impacts of a tumultuous year in construction and what they portend for the months ahead.

Results of a workforce survey by the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) and Safe Site Check In indicate that job opportunities for women in construction are on the rise. Released in conjunction with Women in Construction week, March 7-13, the survey of more than 700 women actively working in the industry shows 71% of respondents agree that opportunities for women in construction are increasing, while 28% believe they are about the same and only 1% reports the opportunities are decreasing.

According to an Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) analysis of data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the construction industry lost 61,000 jobs net in February. While construction unemployment has risen to 9.6% in February (4.1% higher than last year), unemployment across all industries dropped slightly last month to 6.2% (6.3% in January).

Construction firms received $13.7 billion in loans under the latest version of the Paycheck Protection Program, making the industry second in total loan amounts received after restaurants and hotels, which got $18 billion in funds so far.

Construction input prices increased 2.5% in January 2021 compared to the previous month, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Producer Price Index data. Nonresidential construction input prices rose 2.1% for the month.

Democratic lawmakers reintroduced the PRO Act recently, the sweeping labor rights bill that was passed by the House of Representatives last year. Construction groups representing workers, unions and employers alike say they are watching intently to see how the bill, or parts of it, would affect the industry if it becomes law. 

The Dodge Momentum Index increased 3.1% in January to 139.4 from the revised December reading of 135.2. The Momentum Index, issued by , is a monthly measure of the first (or initial) report for nonresidential building projects in planning, which have been shown to lead construction spending for nonresidential buildings by a full year. The commercial component of the index moved 9.9% higher, offsetting an 11.7% decrease in the institutional component.

A new report details how construction costs have changed across 12 U.S. cities since the coronavirus pandemic began. Broken down by market, all of the U.S. cities in the Rider Levett Bucknall report saw at least small gains, except for Chicago, which experienced a 1.29% decrease in comparative costs from October 2019 to October 2020.

2021 will certainly be an interesting year in commercial construction as trends that had been on the horizon meet the impact of the pandemic. That also means it will be even more important for architects, contractors, engineers and owners to frequently revisit plans as the industry adapts to ongoing changes so that they can better reduce their likelihood of facing litigation.

More contractors are facing a shortage of building materials as the pandemic continues, according to fourth quarter data from the United States Chamber of Commerce Commercial Construction Index (Index). In Q4 2020, 41% of contractors said less availability of building products and materials is a severe consequence of the pandemic, up from just 15% saying the same in Q3.

Spending on U.S. construction projects increased 0.9% in November as strength in home building offset weakness in other parts of the construction industry. The November gain followed a bigger 1.6% rise in October and left construction spending up 4.4% through the first 11 months of 2020 compared to the same period in 2019, according to the Commerce Department.

On behalf of MBP’s Shareholders and Board of Directors, the firm is pleased to announce that Christopher Payne, PE, CCM, has been appointed as the firm’s new President and Chief Executive Officer, and John MacKay, PE, CCM, CFCC, as Chief Operating Officer. This represents a significant milestone in the 31-year history of the firm, as MBP’s Founders, Charles E. Bolyard, Jr., CCM, PSP, CFCC, and Blake V. Peck, PE, CCM, transitioned their ownership to the next generation of leaders.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has launched a new demonstration program to establish infrastructure accelerators that will speed up the process of financing and delivering infrastructure projects, the department said.

Society has been slow to accept the fact that women are just as capable of driving forklifts, swinging hammers and donning hardhats. But, as the gender breakdown of the industry changes, so might the idea of a stereotypical construction worker.

The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics population survey results indicate there are 971,000 women working in construction today, in contrast to the 9,721,000 men working in the industry. What’s being done to close the gap? There is a  growing faction comprised of individuals, associations, and organizations that aims to even up those numbers. Construction Business Owner’s Outstanding Women in Construction is designed to celebrate that change. Here, 10 women are highlighted who are making change happen.

Like most of the economy, construction, and therefore construction employment, was hit hard by the spread of COVID-19 and measures to limit the pandemic. However, construction performed better than many other occupational groups and has been relatively quick to rebound, though not back to its pre-COVID-19 levels, according to a state-by-state analysis of United States Bureau of Labor Statistics data by Associated Builders and Contractors.

Tracking developing industry impacts as COVID-19 forces closures and interrupts global business.

Resilience is the capacity of a business or organization to utilize available resources to respond to, withstand, and recover from adverse situations while maintaining its critical function and structure. In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, resilience has become a core element in keeping businesses operating.

Dodge Data & Analytics released its 2021 Dodge Construction Outlook, a mainstay in construction industry forecasting and business planning. The report predicts that total U.S. construction starts will increase 4% in 2021, to $771 billion.

Data center construction has exploded in recent years, with multiple states vying to lure internet giants in need of space for their physical computer systems. 

There are a number of reports and outlets that help experts and executives keep their finger on the pulse of the construction industry. This page centralizes data from those resources and helps visualize it as a one-stop resource about construction industry spending, hiring, starts and billings.

Insights from Dodge Data & Analytics on the impact of coronavirus currently & what's expected in the future.

The construction industry stands in a unique position when gauging the impacts of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Largely declared an essential industry, many construction projects were not shut down, even in the early months of the pandemic. However, the public funding on which infrastructure projects rely and the general economic health of the nation both threaten to significantly slow down the market. This is why getting the perspective of contractors on their business expectations and on how they are responding to the new requirements and conditions is so essential.

In our quarterly pulse survey of 150 C-level executives, respondents share how they’ve shored up their businesses and pivoted them amid never-ending change. They also share their primary investment areas that, heading into 2021, will help them prevail in the post-pandemic economy. Data shows 57% have invested in new data and analytics platforms and 3 in 4 are strongly considering M&A for their post-COVID strategy.

MBP, a leading, multi-disciplined construction consulting firm announced that after 30 years, MBP’s Chairman, Charles E. Bolyard, Jr., CCM, PSP, CFCC, and Chief Executive Officer, Blake V. Peck, PE, CCM, will transition from their company ownership positions at the end of the year. 

The construction industry added 26,000 jobs on net in September, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. During the last five months, the industry has added 689,000 jobs, recovering approximately 64% of the jobs lost since the start of the pandemic.

The coronavirus pandemic has sped up the implementation of remote virtual inspections for many building departments, and many officials have indicated that their agencies will probably continue to use remote inspections even after social distancing rules ease up. Using common, inexpensive communication tools like Facetime, Skype and drones, inspectors report that most inspections that can be done visually in person can be done remotely. 

Swiss researchers have patented a process that could help lower the cost and environmental footprint of the world's most widely used building material.

Construction industry employment expanded by 16,000 jobs on net in August, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data released by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. Over the last 4 months, the industry added 658,000 jobs, recovering approximately 61% of the jobs lost during March and April.

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao announced that the Trump Administration will award more than $1.2 billion in airport safety and infrastructure grants through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to 405 airports in 50 states and the Federated States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, Palau, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The Trump Administration announced a total of $400 million in federal funding will be allocated by the United States Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to four transit infrastructure projects in Arizona, Indiana, Missouri and New Jersey.

The range of new personal protective equipment (PPE) coming on the market is growing at a fairly steady clip. This is partly due to highly innovative engineering, intensive research and development, new composite and synthetic materials and advanced production techniques.

Construction input prices rose 1.9% in July over the previous month, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Producer Price Index data released today. Nonresidential construction input prices rose 1.8% for the month.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the 2020 notice of funding availability under its Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program, including funding for the new State infrastructure financing authority WIFIA (SWIFIA) program.

OSHA has been fairly aggressive about updating the construction industry about how employers should respond to actual and suspected cases of COVID-19 and how it will enforce suspected violations of health and other safety standards during the pandemic.

The first annual Marcum National Construction Survey reflects a positive outlook for the current and future state of the industry, despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Influencing the optimism is the ability to secure financing for new projects and to find new sources for building materials, the respondents said.

Hill International, the global leader in managing construction risk, announces the appointment of Drew Jeter as President for the Americas Region, effective July 13. Mr. Jeter succeeds Michael V. Griffin, P.E., who will be retiring after a 39-year career with Hill. Mr. Jeter will oversee the operations of Hill's Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, Southern, Western, and Latin America Regions, and report directly to Chief Executive Officer Raouf Ghali.

Total construction starts increased 6% in June to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $641.4 billion. This marks the second consecutive monthly gain in construction starts following the COVID-19 induced declines in March and April. In June nonresidential building starts gained 6% and starts in the nonbuilding sector moved 27% higher. Residential starts, by contrast, fell 6% during the month.

Construction input prices rose 2.2% in June, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of United States Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Producer Price Index data released today. Nonresidential construction input prices rose by 2.3% for the month.

National nonresidential construction spending declined 0.9% in May, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data published by the United States Census Bureau. On a seasonally adjusted annualized basis, spending totaled $812.5 billion for the month. Private nonresidential spending declined 2.4% in May and public nonresidential construction spending increased 1.2%. 

In 2019, the engineering and construction industry saw overall market growth despite cost pressures, labor shortages, and trends toward fixed-bid projects. We originally forecast this trend would persist into 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic caused a shift in project timelines and a drop in the sectors’ labor and employment. As recovery in the aftermath of the crisis begins, how can engineering and construction organizations prepare for the “next” normal? Our 2020 engineering and construction industry midyear outlook provides actionable insight.

Total construction starts rose 3% from April to May to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $595.1 billion, following a 25% decline the previous month. Several large nonresidential building projects broke ground in May resulting in the gain. Removing those large projects from the statistics would have resulted in no change in starts over the month. In May, nonresidential buildings increased 8%, while residential building starts rose 4%.

The construction industry added 464,000 net new jobs in May, the largest monthly increase in construction jobs since the government began tracking employment in 1939 and a drastic improvement from April, which recorded the industry’s largest month-over-month job loss.

As the nation faces the coronavirus pandemic, the United States Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is dedicated to keeping the American workforce safe and healthy.

A study by equipment rental company BigRentz found that women are at a higher risk for workplace injury due to poorly fitted equipment than their male coworkers. Because proper personal protective equipment (PPE) can minimize construction accidents, McCarthy Building Companies Inc. began the women’s safety vest initiative, acting on the company’s commitment to diversity and inclusion and the thought that jobsite safety equipment should be provided accordingly.

Women comprise 9.9 percent of the construction industry workforce, with an even smaller number of women on the front lines — an estimated 1 percent. With women making up 47 percent of all employed individuals, this means that the construction industry is only benefiting from about 1.5 percent of the total female workforce.

The latest “Safety Management in the Construction Industry” SmartMarket Report by Dodge Data & Analytics reinforces many of the messages of the previous studies on this topic, including the benefits that contractors experience from their safety programs and their reliance on in-house expertise for delivering safety training.

Construction employees had a slightly more positive outlook ahead for the sector, according to 416 respondents in a broad industry survey of COVID-19 impact conducted from April 16-20. But most still expressed strong concern for the economy, their employers' ability to achieve company goals over the next three to six months, and business stability risk into next year.

When the coronavirus pandemic first emerged in China, the country reportedly responded by quickly building modular hospitals to house those infected with COVID-19. Around the U.S., efforts to flatten the curve have pushed the federal government, often spearheaded by the Army Corps of Engineers, to construct hospitals in convention centers or other similar spaces, or for contractors to speed up construction of traditional hospital projects already underway.

MBP is pleased to announce the promotion of John L. MacKay, Jr., PE, CCM, CFCC, to Executive Vice President of Operations and Finance.

John joined MBP in 1993 and has risen steadily through positions of increasing responsibility. He has over 27 years of comprehensive engineering and construction management experience including over $20 billion of CPM scheduling, cost estimating, and constructibility review, as well as the preparation, analysis, and evaluation of construction claims, expert testimony, negotiation, and litigation support services.

In early October, the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) released its analysis of Labor Department data on employment in the construction industry. With recent concerns about a workforce shortage in construction, the influx of jobs in the last year is a positive trend.

Contractors and builders must keep up with the latest trends in the construction industry in order to stay ahead of the competition. In 2019, builders and construction engineers are more inclined towards integrating new technologies and ideas into their projects in order to transform their operations. Incorporating the latest industrial trends and technologies enable them to excel in their work and business.

Paul Bowen was recently named HDR’s transportation construction services lead for the central region, which stretches from Texas to Minnesota.

An associate vice president at HDR, Bowen has over 35 years’ experience executing major transportation projects in the construction services industry, including project procurement, program management, business development, operations and technical leadership.

Carol Holland, PE, CCM, LEED AP, has been named president of the board of directors for the National Capital Chapter of the Construction Management Association of America (��ż���).

Holland, a 25-year veteran of the architecture, engineering, and construction industry, has a proven technical and executive management track record. She currently holds the role of associate vice president and market segment leader at Dewberry in its Baltimore, Maryland, office.

Industry leader Tim McManus has joined Turner & Townsend’s Americas Board of Directors to help shape North America growth priorities.

Tim brings more than 40 years of professional services experience and is recognized as an expert on the development and delivery of global capital projects and programs.

His appointment comes at a pivotal moment in the company’s North America expansion, as significant business growth is positioning Turner & Townsend for new opportunities, deeper client engagements and more complex commissions.

The construction industry added 21,000 net new jobs in June, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. On a year-over-year basis, employment in the industry has expanded by 224,000 jobs, representing an increase of 3.1%. Nonresidential construction employment gained 14,900 net jobs in June and is up 146,700 jobs during the last 12 months.

Thirty-eight states added construction jobs between March 2018 and March 2019, while construction employment increased in 29 states between February and March, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America, Labor Department data released on April 19, 2019. Association officials said the widespread gains show demand for workers remains strong and urged federal officials to enact immigration reforms to boost the supply of qualified workers.

The construction employment picture continues to brighten, as the industry gained 33,000 jobs in April and its jobless rate improved, the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics has reported.

The construction sector has enjoyed record growth since rebounding from the Great Recession, but questions abound as to whether it can keep its momentum in 2019.

For every 100 individuals who work in construction, only about nine of them are female. This gender imbalance is even more lopsided for construction laborers (those individuals working in the field to build our future communities, cities and landscapes). Each year, the National Association of Women in Construction hosts Women in Construction Week to raise awareness of the growing impact of females on the industry, and to highlight the breadth of opportunities available to them.

While often revised in subsequent months, construction spending figures each month from the U.S. Commerce Department examine the private and public construction sectors. Within the private sector, the report tracks single-family residential, multifamily residential and nonresidential.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao announced $1.5 billion in discretionary grant funding to 91 projects in 49 states and the District of Columbia. The grants are made through the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Transportation Grants program and support road, rail, transit, and port infrastructure projects across the country.

U.S. construction starts will hold steady in 2019 after a modest 3% uptick in 2018, according to the 2019 Dodge Construction Outlook. Starts are expected to hit $808.3 billion, only 0.2% higher than 2018’s $806.8 billion.

New construction starts in October climbed 21% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $864.0 billion, according to Dodge Data & Analytics.

The Department of the Navy, Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Pacific has selected the MacDonald Bedford | MBP Joint Venture for a five-year, indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract to provide construction management services.

Transportation terminal projects worldwide recently posted a 61% year-over-year increase, according to ConstructConnect’s — and the growth in terminals, runways and infrastructure construction shows no signs of slowing.

The construction industry is lagging behind others when it comes to digital transformation. Some construction firms “are still using paper-based processes that can only be described as archaic,” according to a 2016 report by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP’s Strategy&.

Gilbane receives project awards from the Construction Management Association of America (��ż���) and Engineering News-Record (ENR) New England Chapters for Rhode Island Veterans Administration Home.

The title of Project Manager gets thrown around a lot today in our industry, and many others. Since the generally-accepted definition of a project is "A temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product, service or result", that's understandable. 

The Construction Management Association of America’s (��ż���) New York/New Jersey Metro chapter has recognized STV Inc.'s role supporting the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) in the construction of Phase 1 of the Kosciuszko Bridge between Brooklyn and Queens, N.Y., with a prestigious Project Achievement Award in the Transportation category.

Professional services firms in the construction industry were once thought of as entities hired by owners to keep an eye on contractors during the construction process. However, as construction has become more complex, funding sources have become more elusive and project delivery has become more diverse, owners now are relying on professional services firms to provide a much wider array of services.

The AFG Group, Inc. (AFG)/General Services Administration (GSA) Public Buildings Service (PBS) Team has been named winner of the 2017 Construction Management Excellence Award for Small Firms by the Construction Management Association of America (��ż���) National Capital Chapter (NCC) for its efforts on the $16.6M GSA Sidney Yates Federal Building Exterior Restoration Project.

Caltrain’s Los Gatos Creek Bridge Replacement Project has won the Construction Management Association of America’s (��ż���) Northern California Project Achievement Award in the Transportation category. 

Facing an outcry from professional credentialing organizations, Louisiana lawmakers may be ready to amend the proposed Occupational Licensing Review Act, which otherwise would prohibit the use of most professional certifications in the state.

A panel of industry experts served as the competition’s judges. This year’s panel included representatives from the Building Owners and Managers Association International, the Smithsonian Facilities Construction Division, the Construction Management Association of America, Engineering News-Record, Design-Build Institute of America and various construction-related firms nationwide.

The Port of Los Angeles has received two Project Achievement Awards from the Southern California Chapter of the Construction Management Association of America (��ż���) for recently completed port construction projects.

The Occupational Licensing Review Act, whose proponents say they want to curb “over-regulation” of professional licensure, would severely restrict the use of nongovernmental certifications in the state. ASAE is urging associations to inform their Louisiana members that their credentials are at risk.

A panel of industry experts served as the competition’s judges. This year’s panel included representatives from the Building Owners and Managers Association International, the Smithsonian Facilities Construction Division, the Construction Management Association of America, Engineering News-Record, Design-Build Institute of America, and various construction-related firms nationwide.

��ż��� is tackling the gender gap. In a move most organizations have yet to experience, ��ż��� has named its first female President and Chief Executive Officer, closing the 36-year gender gap.

The Southern California Chapter of the Construction Management Association of America (��ż���) is honoring Lundgren Management with an award for its excellent work on the New Palmdale Center for the Antelope Valley Community College District.

The Board of Directors of the Construction Management Association of America has announced that Andrea S. Rutledge, CAE will become the Association’s President and Chief Executive Officer at its National Conference & Trade Show in Washington, DC in October.