The California Department of Industrial Relations has launched the "Women in Construction" campaign to increase women's participation in the building trades. The campaign includes a public toolkit and personal stories to highlight apprenticeship pathways and mentorship.
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Full Story: Occupational Health & Safety |
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Skanska safety VP highlights women's progress in construction |
Mindy Uber, regional vice president of safety at Skanska USA, reflects on her journey in the construction industry and the evolving role of women in the field. Uber, who began her career by chance, is proud of her work with vendors, particularly in improving personal protective equipment for women. "People appreciate what women can offer, that we do have good ideas even though I'm personally not out there swinging hammers every day," Uber said. "I think there's more opportunity for us to have a seat at the table than there was 20 years ago."
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Full Story: Construction Dive |
The Associated General Contractors of America has reported a 2.9% increase in the producer price index for nonresidential construction materials from January 2025 to January 2026, driven by tariffs on imported metals. Aluminum and steel prices surged 33% and 20.7%, respectively, following a 50% tariff imposed last June. Meanwhile, construction spending fell 0.4% in 2025, with private nonresidential spending down 1.8%. AGC is urging Congress to renew infrastructure measures to provide domestic producers with demand certainty.
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Full Story: Associated General Contractors of America |
Apartment sales volume fell 25% year over year to $8 billion in January, with declines across all subtypes, according to a report from MSCI Real Assets. Mid- and high-rise trades dropped 39% to $2.7 billion, while garden property transactions fell 15% to $5.3 billion. Prices have risen steadily over the past four months, indicating the sales decline is not due to a lack of investor confidence.
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Full Story: Construction Dive |
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Turner sees record revenue in 2025 amid data center projects |
Turner Construction has reported record financials for 2025, with revenue reaching $29.2 billion -- a 40% increase from 2024 -- after data center builds and stadium projects. The company's backlog grew 34% to $44.3 billion, with data center projects making up 37% amid sustained investment in artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure.
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Full Story: Construction Dive |
The National Labor Relations Board has withdrawn a joint-employer rule from 2023 after it was vacated by a federal judge, reverting to a 2020 rule from the administration of President Donald Trump. The 2020 rule limits joint-employer status to entities with substantial direct and immediate control over essential employment terms, unlike the 2023 rule, which included indirect control.
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Full Story: Construction Dive |
WSP CEO Alexandre L'Heureux has reassured investors that artificial intelligence will not make professional services firms obsolete, emphasizing the company's expertise in managing physical projects and its "machine-in-the-middle" approach to AI. WSP reported a 13% revenue increase for 2025, reaching $13.5 billion, and a 42% rise in profit, driven by a record backlog of $12.6 billion
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Full Story: Construction Dive |
Stadiums across the United States, Canada, and Mexico are in a final stretch of renovations and upgrades--including expanding seating, adjusting field sizes for FIFA standards, and enhancing hospitality and infrastructure--as organizers prepare all 16 World Cup venues for the June 11 start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Despite no new stadiums being built, each site's project teams are racing against time to complete modifications and ensure the facilities are ready for the tournament's record 48-team, 104-match schedule.
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Full Story: Engineering News-Record (tiered subscription model) |
Startup Payra aims to modernize payment processing for construction firms with software that integrates with legacy ERP systems, facilitating digital payments and automating reconciliation. The company recently secured a $15 million investment from Edison Partners to expand its operations.
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Full Story: Construction Dive |
AI and wearable technologies are transforming workplace safety in Canada, particularly in high-risk sectors such as construction and mining. Examples include smart helmets, biometric garments and AI-driven drones and robots. These technologies, while reducing injuries and fatalities, also raise concerns about privacy and psychological health, highlighting the need for robust governance frameworks.
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Full Story: Tech Xplore |
The Department of Labor has proposed repealing a 2024 regulation that makes it difficult for businesses to classify workers as independent contractors, drawing support from industry groups such as Associated Builders and Contractors and Associated General Contractors of America. The proposal would revert to the 2021 employee classification analysis under the Fair Labor Standards Act, Family and Medical Leave Act, and Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act.
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Full Story: Engineering News-Record (tiered subscription model) |
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Technology fails to curb construction delays, McKinsey finds |
Despite advancements in technology, including cloud-based project management and AI, construction projects continue to face significant delays, with large projects taking 20% longer to complete and running up to 80% over budget, according to McKinsey. The main issues include poor integration of new tools, submittal review bottlenecks, and a shortage of skilled workers. The article emphasizes the importance of strategic technology implementation, better process management, and ongoing training to address these challenges.
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Full Story: e-architect (Scotland) |
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How to determine if a construction company is ready to implement AI |
Construction companies that want to implement artificial intelligence need to show data maturity, a consultant writes. Companies that have disconnected systems -- where field data, financials, and materials tracking are siloed -- may not be ready to implement AI, he writes.
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Full Story: Grant Thornton |
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New standard advances interoperability for mixed construction fleets |
A new industry standard, ISO/TS 15143-4, aims to streamline the movement of construction project data from office to jobsite, addressing interoperability challenges across mixed fleets and technology platforms.
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Full Story: Construction Briefing |
Asylon Robotics has introduced the DroneDog ground robot and Guardian drone system as part of a managed security service to combat construction site theft, which causes up to $1 billion in losses annually. DroneDog uses cameras and thermal imaging to patrol perimeters, while Guardian provides aerial surveillance. The systems are monitored around the clock and integrate with existing security measures.
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Full Story: For Construction Pros |
The California High-Speed Rail Authority has released a draft business plan for a high-speed rail project to connect Los Angeles and San Francisco in less than three hours. The plan, which projects a $1.7 billion cost reduction for Phase 1, faces skepticism over funding and feasibility. Although the initial segment from Merced to Bakersfield could open by 2032, the California Legislative Analyst's Office has warned that funding may be insufficient.
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Full Story: People |
Carlsbad, Calif., has awarded a $39 million contract to Brightview Landscape Development to build Veterans Memorial Park, the city's largest park, spanning 93.7 acres. The park will feature a memorial plaza, a shaded pavilion, public art, fitness areas, a bicycle pump track, trails and gardens, while preserving more than half the land as habitat. Construction will include road improvements on Faraday Avenue.
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Full Story: The San Diego Union-Tribune (tiered subscription model) |
Union Station in Los Angeles is set for a major overhaul under the Link Union Station project, which aims to transform the station into a through-station with run-through tracks. This $3 billion project, approved by Metro Los Angeles, will increase train capacity and prepare the station for California High-Speed Rail. Construction is anticipated to start in the spring and last five years.
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Full Story: Secret Los Angeles |
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Mark Smith
Advocate
California Builders Alliance
5370 Elvas Avenue ǀ Sacramento, CA 95819
Cell: 916.335.5072
Email: mark.smith@calbuilders.org
Email: mark@smithpolicygroup.com
