Labor shortages and inflationary pressures continue to push up craftworker wages with recent settlements trending toward levels not seen in decades.

ENR’s Construction Industry Confidence Index rose this quarter to its highest rating since Q1 of 2022, up six points to a nearly stable 46 rating.

As the construction industry continues to grapple with the difficulties of the last several years, some sectors have fared better than others, and experts predict there is still some time to come before these issues have been settled.

ENR’s 20-city average cost indexes, wages and materials prices. Historical data and details for ENR’s 20 cities can be found at ENR.com/economics

Work is expected to take place primarily in Washington state through October 2025 at four naval stations under firm fixed price task order awards.

Praised by organized labor and called a modest labor step by contractor groups, Homeland Security Dept. chief Alejandro N. Mayorka approved 18 months more of protected status for Venezuelan workers in the U.S. 

 New $7.5 billion loan program will partially fund non-federal dams in need of repairs.

FRA receives $6B in grant applications, four times the funds available.

Rules are designed to reduce the sizable carbon footprint of the ubiquitous construction material.

Analysis noted near shutdown by utlity Con Ed in NYC, as federal energy regulator also okayed four natural gas projects but left a controversial climate change measure undecided.