December 16, 2024

Check out the December 16, 2024 edition of ENR, featuring the Global Project of the Year, Global Projects, the Fourth Quarterly Cost Report, news and more!

ENR 2024 Global Best Projects

Global Project of the Year: Dalian Bay Undersea Tunnel

An Immersive Endeavor in Northern China

Scott Blair

December 13, 2024

No Comments

Building on advances at similar tunnels in China, the Dalian Bay Undersea Tunnel team had to solve numerous technical challenges and adapt to cold site conditions to complete the first cross-sea immersed tube tunnel in the northern reaches of the country.

Sports Construction

Las Vegas Stadium for Athletics, Now $1.75B Project, Gains Key OK

Doug Puppel

December 9, 2024

No Comments

Baseball homebase moved from Oakland, Calif., and set to start construction next year by Mortenson-McCarthy JV, gained unanimous approval from the local stadium authority on Dec. 5.

Safety

Skanska Pilots High-tech Jobsite Hydration Testing in Florida, Arizona

Derek Lacey

November 27, 2024

No Comments

Skanska is turning to hydration testing technology to keep workers in warmer regions safe, and to create a healthier work culture around heat and hydration.

Transportation

Ohio DOT Outlines Plan to Repair Cincinnati I-471 Bridge Damaged by Fire

James Leggate

November 27, 2024

No Comments

Repairs to the Daniel Carter Beard Bridge's southbound approach could be completed by early March.

Airport-Oriented Development Booming in India

Neelam Mathews

November 26, 2024

No Comments

With 43 new airports to be added by 2025 and 200 more planned over the next 20 years, India is seeing a massive aviation infrastructure build-out.

Government

GSA Approves Modernization of Alaska-Canada Land Port of Entry

James Leggate

December 3, 2024

No Comments

The Alcan Land Port of Entry was built in 1972 and needs new facilities to improve operations and security at the remote U.S.-Canada border crossing.

Cloud Computing

Meta Picks Turner-DPR-Mortenson Team for $10B Louisiana Data Center

James Leggate

December 5, 2024

No Comments

Entergy Louisiana also plans to build electric generation and infrastructure to help power the facility.

Infrastructure

Chattanooga Selects Archer Western-Stantec Team for Major Wastewater Upgrades

Derek Lacey

November 20, 2024

No Comments

The progressive design-build project is expected to include an investment of up to $150 million and complete in December 2028.

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Investigations

NIST Transfers Champlain Towers Collapse Evidence to Local Police, Aims for Draft Report in 2026

Derek Lacey

November 22, 2024

No Comments

Review, measurement and testing of critical building evidence have been completed, allowing for the return of evidence custody to local police.

Risk

ASCE Summit Focuses on Stretched Infrastructure Investments, Reduced Risk

Pam McFarland

November 29, 2024

No Comments

First engineers group-sponsored conference aims to boost links between AEC infrastructure managers and finance sector leaders.

Legal

Feds Charge India Energy Billionaire Adani in Bribe Scheme, Putting US Investors at Risk

James Leggate

November 22, 2024

No Comments

Officials in Kenya have already canceled major contracts with Gautam Adani's companies, with funding for projects in other markets also facing potential impact.

Southern California Bets on Hydrogen With Gas Plant Conversions

Debra K. Rubin

Aileen Cho

November 26, 2024

No Comments

The Los Angeles region is advancing efforts to decarbonize its power supply, including plans to startup early next year of one of the nation's first utility-scale power plants fueled by 30% hydrogen.

Fired Architect Principal Files Whistleblower Suit, Alleges Financial Mismanagement

Former RSP employee claims retaliation for questioning firm's financial practices

Richard Korman

December 2, 2024

No Comments

The claim against Minneapolis-based RSP Architects comes from a former manager who was recently in the running to be the firm's CEO.

Energy

Insurers Appeal Court Dismissal of Suits Against Contractors in Texas LNG Explosion

James Leggate

December 4, 2024

No Comments

After dismissing the case, the judge said he didn't want to rule on whether the insurers might have a liability claim against Zachry Group, McDermott and Chiyoda under other provisions of the contract.

Speaker wearing a suit stands behind a podium on a stage. Near him, a projector reads, "LA County Water Plan"

Project Delivery

LA Region Pushes Forward on Big-ticket Water Infrastructure

November 25, 2024

Agencies seek construction sector support for project contracting and workforce execution, with billions in investment seen to expand options for drought-plagued water systems and other overburdened infrastructure.

Manufacturing

Feds Guarantee $303M Loan for Expanded Energy Storage Batteries in Pennsylvania

Pam McFarland

December 4, 2024

No Comments

Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm backs loan to Eos Energy Enterprises for new zinc-bromine battery system production in Turtle Creek and Duquesne, set to manufacture a total of 8 GWh of storage capacity annually by 2027.

Presidential Transition 2024

US Lawmaker With Bipartisan Voting Record Picked to Lead Labor Dept.

Pam McFarland

November 25, 2024

No Comments

House

Labor unions appear to be skeptical of whether former House member Lori Chavez-DeRemer can carry out bipartisan policies.

Transit

STV-Jacobs-WRA Joint Venture Wins Baltimore Red Line Design Contract

James Leggate

December 6, 2024

No Comments

State officials have estimated costs between $4.7 billion and as high as $9 billion, depending on the selected route.

Renewable Energy

Oregon OKs Record Solar, Battery Storage Project

James Leggate

December 9, 2024

No Comments

Sunstone Solar is planned with 1.2 GW of generating capacity and up to 7.2 GW of battery energy storage, with contractor SOLVEnergy in talks to build the project.

Labor

Biden Labor Dept. Withdraws New Government-Registered Apprenticeship Rule

Proposed administration mandate was opposed by both business and labor groups

Jeff Yoders

December 3, 2024

No Comments

Proposed administration mandate that would have reduced apprenticeship flexibility was opposed by both business and labor groups

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Coastal Protection

Two Corps Flood Barrier Projects in NJ Face Different Outcomes

Johanna Knapschaefer

Debra K. Rubin

December 3, 2024

No Comments

A $148M coastal flood wall proposed by the US Army Corps of Engineers and mostly federally funded remains uncertain weeks after voters rejected it.

Workforce

Construction Gains 10,000 Jobs in November

Tom Ichniowski

December 6, 2024

No Comments

Nonresidential specialty trade contractors posted the strongest gains, with mixed results in other industry sectors.

Update

The History Books Never Really Close on Construction

Richard Korman

December 13, 2024

No Comments

One thing that jumps out at me from reading ENR’s yearlong series celebrating our 150th anniversary is the perspective it affords us about construction and journalism.

ENR Global Best Projects Awards 2024

December 13, 2024

No Comments

From 120 contest entries, this year's Global Best Projects judges selected 35 winning projects—located in 19 different countries—for demonstrating construction and design excellence while overcoming tremendous challenges.

4Q Cost Report: Building a Resilient Future: Adapting to Uncertainty In 2025

Current challenges will continue in the coming year

Rachel Personius, Currie & Brown

December 13, 2024

No Comments

The key trends of 2024 will persist into 2025: Material price stabilization, labor shortages, growth in digital infrastructure and renewable energy construction, with 2-6% average cost escalations.

4Q Cost Report: Sinking Prices for Used Iron Offer Signs of Lower Demand And Slower Fleet Turnover

Buyers looking ahead not seeing convincing reasons to refresh fleets for 2025

Jeff Rubenstone

December 13, 2024

No Comments

With some new pressures bearing down on the equipment market, there has been a slow decline in prices at resale and auction over the past year, but there may also be concerns about a softening market going into 2025 as well.

4Q Cost Report: Construction Industry Optimism Surges Post Election

Although execs say they will watch tariffs and immigration policy closely

Jonathan Keller

December 13, 2024

No Comments

Construction executives report a boost in industry confidence on ENR’s latest Construction Industry Confidence Index survey. The index rose to a 55 rating this quarter, up from 47 in Q3.

4Q Cost Report: Construction Starts Experienced Little Growth in 2024

Health care, transportation and pipelines were among the strongest sectors

Alisa Zevin

December 13, 2024

No Comments

While the Federal Reserve finally began to cut interest rates in the second half of the year, overall construction growth was modest in 2024, according to Dodge Construction Network.

From the ENR Archives: April 9, 1964

Scott Lewis

December 13, 2024

No Comments

This 1964 cover features several novel-shaped elementary schools in Greeley, Colo. The buildings’ distinctive circular and hexagonal designs offered flexibility in the use of space.

Construction History

Arctic Bases, EMPs and Fallout Shelters Across the Cold War

Scott Lewis

December 13, 2024

No Comments

Military necessity has often driven engineers and construction teams to innovate.

Information Technology

Lift Maker Schindler Takes on Office Vacancies With MetaCore

Jeff Yoders

December 13, 2024

No Comments

The U.S. office vacancy rate hit a record high of 20.1% in the second quarter of 2024, according to ratings service Moody’s.

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ENR Viewpoint

Get Renewable Energy Projects to the Finish Line!

Key lessons emerge for offtakers and developers in designing deals for capital intensive projects with long development cycles, says NY legal expert

Alex Stein, NYSERDA

December 12, 2024

No Comments

NY State contracting expert shares four key lessons learned in renewable energy’s volatile year.

Industry Leads for the Week of December 16, 2024

December 13, 2024

No Comments

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

Construction Economics for December 16, 2024

December 12, 2024

No Comments

ENR’s 20-city average cost indexes, wages and materials prices. Historical data and details for ENR’s 20 cities can be found at ENR.com/economics

The ENR Global Best Projects Awards focus on the challenges, risks, and rewards of designing and constructing in other countries. This December, we will be celebrating virtually!

Join us for Groundbreaking Women in Construction (GWIC), returning to New York City on February 24-25, 2025! This conference unites women across the construction industry—from project managers to executives—to connect, learn, and advance in a supportive environment. Dive into educational sessions covering innovations in tech, career development, and DEI. Enjoy unique networking events and collaborative discussions designed to empower and inspire.

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