Want to achieve a 50% boost in construction craft productivity? The Construction Industry Institute aims to fulfill this ambitious goal with a six-year craft-productivity research program. The first phase, focused on mechanical trades, was one of CII’s seven research projects wrapping up in 2009, according to CII Chairman John Dalton, who also is COO for Mustang Engineering, Houston. “The study gives us the benchmarking and metrics to check that craft construction productivity is properly planned and implemented.” Image + Source: Construction Industry Institute On a scale of one to 10, the study compared projects with higher and lower implementation of
New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson (D) has withdrawn from his nomination as Dept. of Commerce Secretary in President-elect Barack Obama’s cabinet. In a Jan. 5 news conference, Richardson stated that an ongoing federal grand jury investigation into a state contract related to Governor Richardson’s Investment Partnership (GRIP) won by Beverly Hills, Calif.-based CDR Financial Products “would have forced an untenable delay in the confirmation process.” The investigation centers around a $1.48-million consulting contract CDR won in 2004 with the New Mexico Finance Authority, a state instrumentality that finances infrastructure projects by providing low-cost funds and technical assistance. CDR was part
The Arizona Dept. of Transportation has identified over $1.2 billion in projects that would be ready to go in under 180 days if they were funded by a proposed federal economic recovery package. Projects include the 7-mile, $146-million Loop 303 from Lake Pleasant Road to Interstate 17, the $50-million widening of I-10 from I-8 to State Route 87, and the $50-million Cordes Junction Traffic Interchange on I-17, which would include a construction-manager-at-risk contract. Related Links: Arizona Projects Questions Swirl On Stimulus Plan �Ready to Go� May Be The Stimulus Ticket “We have critical needs in our state and can quickly
