Demand for design services continued to improve for Midwest architects in August, marking a second- consecutive month of growth, according to the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Architectural Billing Index (ABI). After rising to 50.8 in July, the Midwest index rose climbed higher in August, to 52.8 months, reversing months of negative growth in the region earlier this year. According to AIA, any score above 50 denotes increasing demand for design work.In addition to the Midwest, demand for design services acclerated nationwide, with AIA reporting an overall index score of 53.8, up from 52.7 in July.Growth was also positive across

Twenty-four school districts throughout Illinois will share $400 million in state funds for construction of new buildings or upgrades to outdated energy systems. Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn indicated funds will derive from the state's Illinois Jobs Now capital construction program, a $31-million initiative to create construction jobs via infrastructure improvements. The program will allocate $307 million for school construction, $50 million for maintenance and $20 million for energy efficiency. An additional $25 million will target overcrowding in select districts, including Chicago Public School District No. 299 (CPS). In all, CPS will receive $89 million for capital improvements, including $16 million the

Midwest builders continued see improving employment conditions in July, reversing months of declines in year-over-year comparisons, according to data compiled by Arlington, Va.-based Associated General Contractors of America (AGC). Of the six states covered by ENR Midwest, only Indiana (-8,600, -7%),  and Ohio (-2,900, -2%) logged job losses for the month. Job gains were greatest in Missouri (+7,800, 7%), followed by Wisconsin (3,700, 4%,), Michigan (1,400, 1%) and Illinois (1,300, 1%).By comparison, Illinois shed 12,900 jobs and Ohio 9,200 job losses in April, among the steepest year-over-year losses in the nation.Major cities in the region also saw improvements in July,

One construction worker died and another was injured on Wednesday while the two were working on a new transmission line in New Prague, Minn. Initial reports indicate the workers were being lowered by crane into a 50-ft hole dug for a power pole when a strap suspending the two snapped.According to authorities, Robert Fenstermacher, 28, of Oologah, Okla, died on the scene from head injuries while Jeremy Moye, 37, of Machesney, Ill., was taken to Mayo One Hospital in New Prague, where he was treated for injuries to his extremities.Both men were employed by Aldridge Electric.,  a Liberyville, Ill.-based contractor

Construction backlogs in the Midwest declined by 6%, from 6.73 months to 6.32 months, in the  second quarter of 2013, according to year-over-year data compiled by Arlington, Va.-based Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC). The period also marked the third consecutive quarter of declining backlogs for the region, a trend ABC attributes to slow economic growth in Illinois and Wisconsin. “Many state governments in the region are facing particularly large fiscal challenges, says ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu. “That said, there will be times when the Middle States become more active than [other regions] as energy production expands in the Utica

 BanksMegan Banks has been named project engineer at S.M. Wilson & Co., the St. Louis-based contractor, CM and design-build firm. Banks previously served as an intern with the company and during that time provided support for two large hospital projects. She holds a degree in construction management from Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville. Related Links: ENR Midwest People Showcase ENR People News Karl Bechtoldt and Randy Perdue have joined Chicago-based contractor James McHugh Construction Co. to lead the firm's railroad division. While Bechtoldt is serving as operations manager for the division, Perdue is serving as general superintendent for division projects.Jonathan

It wasn't that long ago that BMW Constructors Inc., an Indianapolis builder known for down-and-dirty industrial projects, wasn't especially well known among up-and-coming talent in the region.

Trends ranging from resurgent residential markets to emerging energy markets could prove profitable to many Midwest builders and help the region's construction industry heal its wounds after a long downturn.

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn signed a measure Thursday that will allow the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) to execute public-private contracts for the financing, construction and operations of a third regional airport for greater Metropolitan Chicago. The legislation allows IDOT to proceed with the purchase of $70 million of land for the airport, to be sited near the far south suburb of Peotone. The Chicago area currently is served by two airports, O'Hare International on the city's northwest side and Midway on its southwest side.Quinn says a third airport would satisfy growing demand for air service in the region.“This part

The tunnel boring machine looks fairly modern, but it is actually more than 35 years old. Rebuilt shortly after churning its way through the Second Avenue Subway in New York City, the 450-ft-long Robbins main-beam TBM is now taking a spin through subterranean Indianapolis as part of the Circle City's $1.6-billion, 20-year plan to control its combined sewer overflows.