In late May, the Brazilian Sports Ministry released a report detailing delays in infrastructure work intended for completion before the 2014 World Cup soccer championship. Fans may have to budget extra time to get to matches; 41 of 101 projects, including airport, transit and port improvements, are behind schedule or not yet under way, according to the report.
Volvo Volvo's Olney says manufacturer is benefiting from investments to expand global capacity, research and development and strategic alliances. Related Links: Volvo Ocean Race Volvo CE President Lays Out North American Expansion Instead of cutting costs during the economic downturn, Volvo’s construction equipment unit has invested heavily in its global manufacturing and distribution networks and plowed money into research and development in the past few years. The expenditures are starting to pay off, says Pat Olney, chief executive and president of Volvo Construction Equipment North America. First quarter revenues were a record for the Shippensburg, Pa.-based arm of the Swedish
In May 2007, when South African utility Eskom broke ground on Medupi, the country’s first new powerplant since the 1980s, in some cases it was business as usual. The generating station would be coal-fired, sited next to the supplying mine and—with a 4,800-MW rated capacity—immense. Medupi, by far the largest powerplant under construction in Africa, will be one of the largest in the world upon completion. It will account for about 11% of South Africa’s electricity generating capacity. Kusile, another new plant with a commissioning schedule about 18 months behind Medupi’s, has an identical “six-pack configuration,” with six identical 800-MW
The 2010 World Cup begins on June 10, when Mexico challenges South Africa in Soccer City Stadium in southwest Johannesburg, near the historic Soweto township. Thirty-two teams from around the world that have survived the qualifying rounds will contend for a share of the $17.6 million in prize money. However, even as the soccer stadiums project the image of a “new” South Africa, questions remain about the considerable infrastructure upgrades needed to raise the standard of living for millions of people. More importantly, the players will compete for bragging rights in the world’s most popular sport. Where the championship trophy
What a difference a year makes. In the second quarter of 2008, construction starts had moved slightly off the record-run rate of the previous three years. The economic bloodletting set off by the subprime meltdown did not really spill over into construction until the second half of the year. Photo: Tom Hale / Midwest Construction State transportation agencies plug budget holes with ARRA dollars. + Image Source: McGraw-Hill Construction Research and Analytics Related Links: Costs Post Rare Quarterly Decline Firms Hold the Line on Raises, But Salaries Remain Competitive Slow Payment Is Sapping Contractors Strength A Strong Market Still Has
President Obama outlined his education goals broadly in his inaugural address: “We will transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age.” The White House Website offers more specifics of the new administration’s comprehensive vision of educational reform but the real nitty gritty at the schoolhouse bricks-and-mortar level is tucked deeply into the Democrats’ draft economic stimulus bill, where $20 billion is earmarked for school remodeling, renovation and repair. Another $100 million would go for school rehab on federal lands. Related Links: Proposal in House Fires Up Debate Does Massive Spending Help or Hurt
