ENR

The industry's percentage of Hispanic construction workers increased from 16.5% in 2000 to 34% in 2023, with drywall installation, roofing and painting among the highest representations.

Government

Congressional Lawmakers Begin to Talk Permitting Reform, Again

Esther D'Amico

February 21, 2025

Industry and labor union leaders join lawmakers in calling for permitting reforms at Senate committee hearing on Feb. 19.

Manufacturing

Manufacturer Plans $340M Transformer Plant Retrofit in South Carolina

February 20, 2025

Eaton Corp. says the investment adds on more than $1 billion it has put toward expanding its North American electrical equipment manufacturing.

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Companies

With Year-End Results, Fluor Aims Ahead to Grow Data Center and Federal Work

Debra K. Rubin

February 19, 2025

Firm is bullish on cash flow strength and prospects for large scale data center, energy transition and federal projects

Transportation

MTA Sues USDOT as Trump Administration Moves to End NYC Congestion Pricing

February 19, 2025

The U.S. Dept. of Transportation said in a letter to New York's governor that it has rescinded its earlier approval for New York City’s first-in-the-country congestion pricing program.

Will Sneaky Georgia Bid-Rig Recordings Sink Lawsuit Defendants?

The recordings were featured as evidence in a recent ready-mix concrete criminal case

Richard Korman

February 11, 2025

Two brothers convicted of criminal charges in July are appealing the verdict.

Water Infrastructure

EPA Picks Florida, Utah Water Infrastructure Projects for $257M in WIFIA Loans

February 18, 2025

The low-cost federal loans will help fund projects at the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority and northern Utah’s Weber Basin Water Conservancy District.

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Advanced Manufacturing

Battery Maker Cancels Planned $2.6B Plant Near Atlanta

Derek Lacey

February 13, 2025

Plans for battery production near Atlanta have been scrapped as the developer pursues solar power construction in Texas.

Advanced Manufacturing

EV Battery Component Maker Cancels $325M Georgia Plant

February 17, 2025

Aspen Aerogels says it will instead expand capacity at its existing plant in Rhode Island.

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Advanced Nuclear Energy

Developer and Utility TVA Scale Fusion Power to New Level

Debra K. Rubin

February 12, 2025

New agreement between Type One Energy and Tennessee Valley Authority marks a key step in joint effort to commercialize nuclear fusion power.

Renewable Energy

Older Ivanpah Solar Plant in California Will Close Units, as Tech Shifts

February 13, 2025

Operator NRG says its concentrating solar power technology has fallen behind solar silicon photovoltaic generation in terms of capital and operating costs.

GSA's San Ysidro Land Port of Entry (LPOE)

Workforce

GSA Won't Require Project Labor Agreements for Land Port of Entry Projects

Despite new court ruling that the agency must cut use of PLAs in its construction, the U.S. General Services Administration will keep it as an option for other projects

February 19, 2025

The General Services Administration has made an exception to Biden-era rules that require project labor agreements on all large projects, exempting land port of entry projects from the rule, stating that doing so would be "impracticable."

Workforce

Veterans Affairs Dept. Issues Strongest Ban Yet of Biden-Era Project Labor Agreement Mandate

VA cites Jan. 21 Federal Court of Claims ruling that said the PLA mandate violates the Competition in Contracting Act

February 21, 2025

Veterans' agency, which builds health care and other facilities, cited a Jan. 21 court ruling against the Biden-era agreement in a directive to remove it from construction contracts.

Sports Construction

Barton Malow-Hunt JV to Lead $400M Camping World Stadium Upgrades in Orlando

Derek Lacey

February 25, 2025

A long list of stadium improvements, funded by tourist tax funds, are set to be completed in late summer 2027.

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Manufacturing

Apple Plans Houston Plant to Produce AI Servers

February 25, 2025

The 250,000-sq-ft plant is scheduled to begin production in 2026.

Water

Veolia Settles With Michigan Over Flint Water Crisis for $53M

Engineer that advised Flint after water source was switched in 2014 does not admit fault

February 24, 2025

Engineering firm agrees to $53-million settlement of lawsuit brought by Michigan Attorney General on behalf of 26,000 Flint residents over the city's water lead contamination crisis.

Mergers & Acquisitions

AtkinsRéalis Buys Majority Stake in David Evans Enterprises in $300M Deal

Montreal-based firm gains 70% majority share in US engineer with intent to acquire full ownership at a later date

Emell D. Adolphus

Debra K. Rubin

February 22, 2025

The cash deal, which is subject to approval by David Evans’ shareholders, is expected to close in the second quarter.

DOT Secretary Blasts California High-Speed Rail, Seeks Financial Review

Greg Aragon

February 21, 2025

Feds will initiate a compliance review of funding, officials say.

Mergers & Acquisitions

Saint-Gobain Finalizes Fosroc Acquisition in $1B Deal

Cash purchase follows a string of acquisitions to advance the French material manufacturer’s presence in the construction chemicals sector

Emell D. Adolphus

February 14, 2025

Dubai-based construction chemicals manufacturer, formerly a UK firm, will consolidate into Saint-Gobain’s "high performance solutions" business.

Why Death Follows Faulty Edge Fall Protection–And How to Fix It

Richard Korman

February 26, 2025

When noncompliant guardrails and covers remove caution that prevents accidents.

ENR 2025 First Quarterly Cost Report

February 26, 2025

One Comment

Rate cuts have slowed in the first quarter of 2025, and experts predict rising materials costs ahead.

1Q 2025 Cost Report: Growth for Some Materials Prices in 2024

Alisa Zevin

February 26, 2025

Steel, cement prices increased this past year while lumber prices declined.

1Q 2025 Cost Report: Slow Decline In Used Iron Prices Seen as Demand Slips

Jeff Rubenstone

February 26, 2025

Fear of tariffs has not impacted prices yet, but OEMs weigh their options.

1Q 2025 Cost Report: Increases in Executive Compensation Fall From Record Highs

Bruce Buckley

February 26, 2025

Raises peaked in 2023, but remain high compared to pre-pandemic levels.

1Q 2025 Cost Report: Construction Execs Optimistic for the Year Ahead

Jonathan Keller

February 26, 2025

Concerns over tariffs will factor heavily as the year continues.

1Q 2025 Cost Report: Projects Held In Planning Amid Unsure Budget Future

Alisa Zevin

February 26, 2025

Materials prices are expected to rise in the face of tariffs.

Editorials

A First Step to Fix NY's Unsustainable Insurance Environment

Richard Korman

February 27, 2025

One Comment

There is some hope for improvement in New York state’s awful insurance coverage environment, but it’s unlikely to come from state lawmakers.

Dennis Stejskal of Sage Technologies (third from right) and Tyler VanWinkle

Integrations

Sage Links Up With Tractics for Heavy Civil Accounting Software

Jeff Rubenstone

February 27, 2025

When highway contractors get their finances in order, it can be hard to square their operations with common accounting software. Seeing an unmet need, Sage is now partnering with start-up Tractics on integrating their respective software tools.

Apps

Smartphone 3D Scanning App Polycam Targets AEC in Latest Update

Corinne Grinapol

February 27, 2025

Smartphone-based 3D scanning app Polycam uses the device’s onboard camera to capture scans of objects like sneakers and figurines to full room interiors—complete with details like furniture and cabinetry—as well as exterior structures.

BIM

Amy Bunszel to Take Over as Head of Autodesk Construction, Jim Lynch to Retire

Construction, design software divisions to merge as company announces wider layoffs

February 27, 2025

The technology giant says it is reorganizing its construction and design software divisions under one umbrella, while also announcing a 9% cut to its global workforce.

Reality Capture

Durham, NC, Tower Project Team Stays Informed With Buildots

February 27, 2025

In order to track progress, workers with Samet Construction are using 360° cameras on their hard hats to record their work on the 670,000-sq-ft, 27-story The Novus mixed-use tower in Durham, N.C.

Industry News for the Week of March 3, 2025

February 27, 2025

Information derived from Industrial Reports, a market intelligence firm specializing in industrial construction and equipment leads.

Construction Economics for March 3, 2025

February 27, 2025