Construction starts in Colorado next year are expected to increase by 21%, with total new construction reaching $13.4 billion, according to a recent forecast from Dodge Data & Analytics (formerly McGraw Hill Construction). Related Links: Colorado Poised for Continued Job Growth ARTBA Forecasts Growth for U.S. Transportation Infrastructure DDA predicts that 2014 will finish with a little more than $11 billion in new work in Colorado. If the 2015 totals are achieved, it would return the state to the prerecession highs of the early 2000s.In Utah, 2014 starts are headed toward a 4% increase over 2013, at $6.3 billion, and
Most specialty firms see good things ahead for the region in 2015, but availability of labor and an aging workforce remain the industry’s most critical issues. Photo by Jackie Shumaker, courtesy of Sturgeon Electric Ongoing work at Denver International Airport's new hotel and transit center has kept hundreds of specialty contractors busy, including Denver's Sturgeon Electric. “We’re seeing (construction) workers go to higher paying jobs in other states, like Texas and North Dakota, and to other industries, like oil and gas,” said Kelly Brough, CEO of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, in a Dec. 8 outlook for Colorado hosted
Contractors claim the budgeted $600-million project will cost nearly $1 billtion to build, as designed. Related Links: Project Delivery Spat Puts Hospital Job on Critical List Fix VA's Building Woes, Too The Kiewit-Turner joint venture contracting team stopped work on Dec. 10 on a massive new U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital project in Aurora, Colo., just east of Denver, The halt follows a federal appeals board ruling the day before that said the VA had breached its contract with the contractors.Kiewit-Turner filed a request in August to leave the project, after claiming the agency owes the contractor up
photo courtesy of RTD Crews demolish a new transit bridge in Denver shortly after its completion. Related Links: RTD is Colorado Owner of the Year New Concrete Bridge Bent System Crews from Denver Transit Constructors (DTC) demolished a major rail bridge in north Denver last month—just as the structure was nearing completion.The 555-ft-long Jersey Cutoff Bridge, which began construction in August 2012, was torn down due to "design deficiencies," says Kevin Flynn, spokesman for the FasTracks Eagle P3 segment of Denver's Regional Transportation District, the project owner.The Jersey Cutoff is one of 35 bridges DTC is building along the $1.3-billion
Denny Pehrson admits that he has the instincts of a teacher as much as a builder. Pehrson, 75, honed his teaching skills working as a foreman, superintendent and senior superintendent during 57 years in the industry—a career in which he mentored hundreds of young constructors. He officially retired five years ago from Adolfson & Peterson Construction, Aurora, Colo., but Pehrson continues to visit A&P jobsites to offer suggestions, safety tips and "an occasional kick in the pants" to younger colleagues. In July he celebrated 49 years with the company. Photo courtesy of Adolfson and Peterson Construction Retired senior superintendent Denny
Some attorneys like the dynamics of a trial, the verbal combat of litigation. While longtime construction attorney Robert F. Babcock certainly doesn't shy away from confrontation, he says he prefers to find out-of-court answers that work for everyone. Photo courtesy of Babcock Scott & Babcock Salt Lake City construction attorney Robert F. Babcock has built a reputation for finding workable solutions to disputes without resorting to expensive litigation. Related Links: Wyoming Lien Laws Utah's Liquidated Damages Clauses Babcock, 61, a partner and co-founder of Salt Lake City law firm Babcock Scott & Babcock, has been working for more than 35
The leaders of regional contracting firms say that 2014 is unfolding as part of a slow, steady recovery, despite a dip in revenue last year for most GCs. The ranking of top contractors in this issue is based on 2013 revenue, which was down for most area firms. Related Links: New Xactware HQ in Lehi Built for Efficiency CU Boulder Rec Center Upgrade Seeks LEED Platinum This year "is a little healthier than 2013, led by the industrial, health care and office markets," says Rob Moore, president of Big-D Construction Corp., Salt Lake City. "Generally speaking, we are in a
Related Links: Connection Challenges Seen in AECOM's $6B Plan to Buy URS Three Natl. Contractors File for Chap. 7, Leaving Creditors in the Lurch Los Angeles investment firm Peninsula Pacific Strategic Partners LLC has acquired Denver-based Brundage-Bone Concrete Pumping Inc., the largest concrete pumping service in the U.S., in a $171-million deal that completes the firm's return from bankruptcy. The transaction represents a "relatively new platform" for Peninsula, says Joshua Phillips, managing partner. It is among the firm's first ventures into construction.Brundage-Bone officials say the deal, completed on Aug. 18, will not affect its 550 employees or any of its
Photo courtesy of Colorado Mining Association Opponents of the proposal protested at the Denver EPA hearings on July 29-30. Related Links: EPA Proposes Emissions Rule for Existing Powerplants EPA page on Clean Power Plan The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's proposal to reduce carbon emissions from existing powerplants continues to generate controversy as states grapple with tight deadlines to develop plans to meet aggressive targets that begin in 2020.But environmental groups and congressional supporters say the plan, released in June, could be strengthened to adequately address the challenge of climate change."When you look at the science of global warming, we need
Regional designers report that many market sectors have improved, and most firms saw their revenue grow in 2013. But they also have post-recession concerns about staffing and owner finances. Design leaders cite regional strength in the energy, multifamily, commercial and hospitality sectors. They say public-sector work remains generally sluggish. Rendering by Davis Partnership, Courtesy of Adolfson and Peterson The 11-story CoBank Center in Greenwood Village, Colo., is being developed by Shea Properties, designed by Davis and RNL and being built by Adolfson & Peterson. Related Links: ACEC/CO Engineering Excellence Awards New Risk Index Identifies Top Industry Concerns "The surge in
