Nov 6, 2017

ENR examines the broad issues in the nuclear construction sector, from what went wrong at the Vogtle and V.C. Summer plants to the billions of dollars of work ahead in decommissioning facilities to the active overseas market and the continuing promise of new technologies.

Risk Management

Witness to the Origins of a Huge Nuclear Construction Flop

An inside account from 2010 of events that led to the Westinghouse bankruptcy

Richard Korman

November 1, 2017

8 Comments

A former Shaw quality-assurance manager saw trouble in 2010.

Next Generation for Nuclear is Big Market in Taking Plants Down

November 1, 2017

Owners and contractors eye strategies to decontaminate and decommission closed and closing facilities. But will funds and stakeholders support them?

Power Plant Construction

Companies Look Abroad and to Small Nuclear Reactors as U.S. Work Slows

The new projects are in India, China and Russia

Pam Radtke Russell

November 3, 2017

No Comments

While big new reactors in the U.S. are stalled, small reactors, newer technologies and work abroad may fill the gap

Power Plant Construction

Is Georgia's Project the Nuclear Revival's Last Gasp?

Scott Judy

November 1, 2017

No Comments

The construction, engineering and fabrication issues raised by Christopher Hartz and detailed here by ENR applied to both the Plant Vogtle and V.C. Summer nuclear expansion projects.

Disaster Recovery

Puerto Rico Rethinks Power Grid Rebuild After Whitefish Energy Flap

Luke Abaffy

November 1, 2017

No Comments

As private and public agencies continue to restore power to the 70% of Puerto Rico that is still without electricity, the island’s government announced it will cancel a $300-million grid-reconstruction contract with Whitefish Energy.

Construction Technology

DOT Test Program Could Widen Construction Drone Use

Plan will include proposals from at least five states, localities or tribes.

Tom Ichniowski

October 30, 2017

No Comments

Industry officials hope tests will lead to easing restrictions on flights beyond line of sight and over people.

Las Vegas Convention Center to Expand

John Guzzon

November 1, 2017

No Comments

Construction activity in Nevada is poised to accelerate after three design-team finalists made presentations to Las Vegas Convention Center stakeholders last week, vying to garner the $1.4-billion expansion-and-renovation contract and putting construction start on track for early 2018.

Two Teams Certify Costs for Boston Green Line Extension

Justin Rice

Debra K. Rubin

November 1, 2017

No Comments

The joint venture of Walsh Group, Barletta Construction and Granite Construction appears to have been unable to certify a cost estimate at or below the $1.3-billion cost limit to build the long-awaited Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s Green Line Extension project in metropolitan Boston.

Environment

Houston Judge Calls for Flood Control Efforts

"Harvey was not a singular event," says Harris County Judge Ed Emmett

Louise Poirier

October 31, 2017

No Comments

Two months after Hurricane Harvey struck Houston, Harris County Judge Ed Emmett, who is also the county’s director of emergency management, proposed a set of 15 responses, including some new construction and restoration work, aimed at protecting the city from future floods.

Denver Airport Adding More Gates

Jim Parsons

November 1, 2017

No Comments

Citing continued growth in both flights and airlines, Denver International Airport is upping by 50% a previously announced gate expansion project.

Eyeing Makeover, Parliament Hits Big Ben's Snooze Button

November 1, 2017

No Comments

Big Ben has been silenced, and its chimes will not be heard for four years while London's most famous bell tower is restored.

Nadine M. Post

November 1, 2017

No Comments

Two Applied Technology Council hazard-mitigation projects targeting nonductile concrete buildings are benefitting from information gathered during an Oct. 9-13 reconnaissance trip to Mexico City, less than a month after the Puebla-Morelos earthquake.

Searching for Solutions to Dangerous Electrical Accidents

Bruce Buckley

November 1, 2017

No Comments

In the past two decades, more than half of construction fatalities have been caused by electrical incidents.

Amid 'Fragile' National Economies, Firms Push Robust Strategies

November 1, 2017

Global market experts weigh in on best approaches to boost project leadership and profits, and cut risk and costs

Executive News

UK Contractor Carillion Names New CEO to Reverse 2017 Slide

Debra K. Rubin

Peter Reina

October 26, 2017

No Comments

Tunnel specialist exec joins Golder Associates in acquisition to boost bottom-line repair.

Tom Ichniowski

November 1, 2017

No Comments

Enactment of a second major post-disaster aid measure provides billions of dollars in additional funds to help Puerto Rico and other areas recover from recent natural disasters.

Florida Governor Pushes Plan to Expedite Okeechobee Dike

November 1, 2017

No Comments

Florida Governor Rick Scott (R) on Oct. 30 proposed to add $50 million in next year’s budget to accelerate completion of the repairs to the Herbert Hoover Dike around Lake Okeechobee.

Oakland Raiders Break Ground in Las Vegas for New Stadium

November 1, 2017

No Comments

A $1.9-billion football stadium for the relocating Oakland Raiders will break ground in Las Vegas on Nov. 13.

Va. Awards Major Design-Build Contract to Improve I-64

November 1, 2017

No Comments

The Virginia Dept. of Transportation has awarded a $409.6-million contract for improvements to I-64 in Chesapeake to the Tarrytown, N.Y.-based joint venture of Ganite Construction, Parsons and Corman Construction.

Workplace Safety

Trump Picks FedEx Safety Exec for Top OSHA Job

Tom Ichniowski

October 30, 2017

No Comments

If confirmed, nominee would face such construction issues as crane-operator and silica rules.

Tech Start-up Sets Sights on Autonomous Earthmoving

Jeff Rubenstone

October 31, 2017

No Comments

Tech start-up Built Robotics is running trials of a fully autonomous skid-steer loader in California.

Management

Primavera Technology and Marketing Vets Leave Home

Leader of Oracle team explains why they departed for Aconex

Tom Sawyer

October 25, 2017

No Comments

Leader of key Oracle team explains why they departed for Aconex in a personnel shift between project tech vendors that is drawing attention.

Product Snapshot: Work Light and Brush Cutter

November 1, 2017

No Comments

The 20V MAX tripod light is capable of a maximum output of 3,000 lumens.

Pulse: Project News for the Week of November 6, 2017

November 1, 2017

No Comments

Project News from Dodge Data & Analytics

Tax Reform

A Pass-Through Tax Limit Can Help Small Firms

More details are needed about the overall plan

November 1, 2017

No Comments

The Republican majority is set to fill in the details of the Trump administration’s tax framework.

Construction Economics for the Week of November 6, 2017

November 1, 2017

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

Top Owners Sourcebook: Owners Ramp Up Programs

Owners expecting more progress on productivity

Gary J. Tulacz

November 2, 2017

No Comments

Owners continue to write the checks that support the expanding market.

Companies Expect Building Slow Down - But Not Yet

Bruce Buckley

November 2, 2017

No Comments

Multiuse, multifamily and office are strong, depending on city

Airports Play Catch Up to Rising Number of Passengers

Jim Parsons

November 2, 2017

No Comments

A wave of terminal expansions and renovations is underway

Schools Build to Handle Changing Education Demands

Pam Hunter McFarland

November 2, 2017

No Comments

Many schools need revamping to keep up with teaching trends

States Take Lead in Building Roads and Bridges

Scott Van Voorhis

November 2, 2017

No Comments

Despite presidential infrastructure promises, spending drops

Outpatient Facilities Dominate in Health Care

Scott Lewis

November 2, 2017

One Comment

Health-care providers also look to update existing campuses

Utilities Use Multi-Faceted Approaches to Please Public, Save Money

Pam Radtke Russell

November 2, 2017

No Comments

Utilities look to solve multiple problems more cheaply

The 60th annual Award of Excellence celebration will take place in New York City, March 27, 2025. Three award programs will be wrapped into one exciting day, recognizing the 2024 Best of the Best winning projects, the Top 25 Newsmakers of 2024, and announcing the recipient of the 2025 Award of Excellence. It's a day to be inspired by the people and projects advancing the construction industry!

Data center construction comes with tight deadlines and little room for error. Between supply chain disruptions, labor shortages, and unexpected risks, staying on schedule and on budget requires a proactive approach. We'll break down five proven strategies that top data center teams use to identify and mitigate risks before they escalate.

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