News

Illinois will double the amount of money it spends on roadbuilding and repair in the next 5 years as part of a $45 billion statewide construction program approved last spring, Governor J.B. Pritzker said Monday. Plan details here. 

Under the patronage of HRH Princess Sumaya bint El Hassan, president of the Royal Scientific Society, the American Concrete Institute (ACI) and the Jordan Concrete Association, in collaboration with the Royal Scientific Society and Jordan Engineers Association, have announced the ACI Concrete Conference on Materials & Design will be held November, 17-18, 2019, in Amman, Jordan. Details here. 

The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) and the Committee for European Construction Equipment (CECE) released a joint statement today calling on American and European government leaders to negotiate towards a friendlier trade environment. After the recent World Trade Organization ruling on Airbus, the United States announced tariffs on $7.5 million of European goods, including certain types of construction equipment, and the European Union may do the same. Details here. 

The Washington Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) announced that it has cited and fined three companies more than $100,000 for safety violations in connection with the fatal collapse of a tower crane that was being dismantled in Seattle April 27, 2019.

L&I's nearly 6-month investigation determined that the crane collapse was caused by the companies not following the manufacturer's procedures for dismantling the structure, including prematurely removing nearly all of the pins and sleeves that helped hold the crane together. With the pins removed, the tower was significantly weakened, making it susceptible to the 45-plus mph wind gust that toppled it. When the pins are in place, tower cranes can withstand much stronger gusts. Details here. 

Caltrans has released its SB 1 Annual Efficiencies Report for fiscal year 2018-2019 to the California Transportation Commission, noting that its efficiency measures saved nearly $233 million—more than double the statutory goal of $100 million per year—which will be reinvested to maintain and rehabilitate state highways. Details here.

The Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation has released the October 2019 Monthly Confidence Index for the Equipment Finance Industry (MCI-EFI). Overall, confidence in the equipment finance market is 51.4, a decrease from the September index of 54.7.  Details here. 

With a focus on empowering people to build their future, Build Your Future Arizona (BYF Arizona) was established through a private-sector, industry-driven campaign of the Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation in partnership with the national Build Your Future (BYF) initiative. BYF Arizona showcases the incredible opportunities available for people to find fulfilling, high-paying careers in the construction professions—careers that can be started right out of high school, with minimum training, and allow for earning money while you learn. Details here. 

Restoration Builders Inc. announced the company has completed the asset purchase of Elbert Construction LLC. The company projects that their consolidated companies together will achieve approximately $100 million in revenue for 2019. Details here. 

Rosendin, the electrical contracting industry’s largest employee-owned firm, has announced Matt Lamb as its new chief information officer (CIO), to replace Sam Lamonica, who will retire December 2019. Details on the CIO role, Lamb and Lamonica here. 

New construction starts moved 5% lower in September to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $774.1 billion, according to Dodge Data & Analytics. This marks the second consecutive monthly decline in construction starts. Details here. 

Women of Asphalt (WofA) has announced the appointment of 11 women to serve as its first Board of Directors. These accomplished women come from all facets of the asphalt industry and represent the wide range of positions and responsibilities women hold in the asphalt industry. Details here. 

Illinois State Senator Martin Sandoval has stepped down as chair of the state’s transportation committee ami

In the search for a solution to the federal government’s slow progress towards a comprehensive infrastructure package, many states have passed infrastructure bills of their own.

This weekend, the $85 million, 18-story Hard Rock Hotel project under construction in New Orleans, Louisiana, collapsed, killing two workers on-site and injuring 30 more people on the jobsite

Saudi Arabia’s new public sector procurement law, Government Tenders & Procurement Law (GTPL), will go into effect Nov. 29, 2019, covers all government projects and aims to streamline procurement and promote the use of local companies on public sector works. Details here. 

Equipment and software investment growth decelerated during the second consecutive quarter and is expected to moderate at 3.9%, according to the Q4 Update to the 2019 Equipment Leasing & Finance U.S. Economic Outlook just released by the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation. Overall, the economy is expected to expand 2.2%, down from the previous estimate of 2.5%, with growth driven primarily by consumer spending. Details here. 

The Las Vegas Monorail Company secured long-term financing needed to help fund construction of a new station at Sands Avenue and to replace a short-term loan facility. The new station will provide a direct connection to the Sands Expo Center, The Venetian and The Palazzo Resorts, and to the MSG Sphere (the 18,000-seat entertainment venue currently under construction). Details here. 

Oct. 9, 2019, the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) and Graepel North America hosted Congressman Don Bacon  as he, took a tour of Graepel’s facility, and discussed the public policies issues creating the biggest challenges for Graepel and many in the equipment manufacturing industry during a town hall style discussion. Details here. 

Dodge Data & Analytics will hold its 81st annual Dodge Construction Outlook Conference on Oct. 30-31, 2019, at the Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel in Chicago, Illinois, where the company will unveil the construction industry outlook for 2020. Details here. 

Hino Trucks is stepping into the National Football League (NFL) arena again to announce an additional partnership with an NFL team—the Los Angeles Rams. As the “Official Commercial Truck of the Los Angeles Rams,” Hino will work with the Rams to carry out their mutual goal of creating an authentic experience for their fan bases in southern California. Details here.