from Mark Smith, Advocate, California Builders Alliance
Five students from Madera High School are forming two all-girls teams to compete in the Central California Builders Exchange Design Build Competition. The teams bring together young women interested in construction, offering them a supportive space to showcase their skills and challenge traditional gender roles within the industry. Their participation highlights growing opportunities for female students in hands-on technical fields.
|
Full Story: KFSN-TV (Fresno, Calif.) |
Construction employment declined by 11,000 jobs in February, with both residential and nonresidential sectors seeing decreases, according to an Associated General Contractors of America analysis. The drop comes amid uncertainty about materials prices and project demand, although construction employment has grown 0.5% in the past year, outpacing the broader economy. AGC of America CEO Jeffrey Shoaf says Congress can help by passing a new surface transportation bill.
|
Full Story: Associated General Contractors of America |
The Dodge Momentum Index dropped by 7.3% in February, with commercial planning decreasing 8.9% and institutional planning slowing by 4%. Despite this, the index is 18.7% higher than a year ago. "Elevated risks around costs, labor, and geopolitics will continue to constrain builder confidence in the near-term but the robust planning pipeline suggests an acceleration in construction spending in 2027," says Sarah Martin, associate director of forecasting at Dodge Construction Network.
|
Full Story: Dodge Construction Network |
The White House is increasing its involvement in congressional talks on permitting reform amid rising energy prices. President Donald Trump's legislative team and the National Energy Dominance Council have become more active in discussions with lawmakers, aiming to accelerate environmental reviews and build transmission and pipelines. Despite a temporary boycott by two Senate Democrats over offshore wind project halts, negotiations have resumed after the Interior Department began processing permits for solar and onshore wind projects.
|
Full Story: E&E News |
The Trump administration believes it can withstand a temporary surge in oil prices triggered by the Iran war, expecting the impact to remain manageable for three to four weeks. Officials say policy is unlikely to change unless elevated prices persist, though a prolonged conflict could turn energy costs into a broader political and economic challenge.
|
Full Story: Politico |
The aging US building stock, with a median home age over 40 years, presents significant challenges for concrete foundations that lack modern reinforcement. Common issues such as cracking, settlement and rebar corrosion are exacerbated by environmental factors and seismic activity. Contractors can address these vulnerabilities through advanced materials like fiber-reinforced concrete, precise reinforcement design and comprehensive system integration, extending the lifespan of structures and enhancing resilience against seismic and environmental threats.
|
Full Story: For Construction Pros |
Advancements in robotics are transforming architecture by introducing new methods and materials. Projects like Moss Columns and Mycelial Hut Pavilion by Yong Ju Lee Architecture integrate living organisms and bio-integrated fabrication, while Gramazio Kohler Research's Clay Rotunda and Obayashi's 3dpod Pavilion showcase the potential of robotics in traditional materials. These innovations not only enhance efficiency and safety but also promote sustainability and material experimentation, demonstrating the evolving relationship between technology and architecture.
|
Full Story: ArchDaily |
Excavator manufacturers are integrating advanced technology such as telematics, automation and power options to improve efficiency and safety. Komatsu's new PC210LCE electric excavator and Liebherr's R 972 E electric excavator are among the latest models. "The biggest trend is the electrification of machines, following the trend in the automotive industry, which is also moving toward zero emissions," says Sebastian Ziegler, a product manager at Liebherr. "Normally our machines are powered by diesel engines. But more and more, our customers are asking for electrified machines. So we are following that trend."
|
Full Story: Roads & Bridges |
The US faces a massive financial challenge in updating its water infrastructure, with the EPA estimating in 2023 that utilities will require $625 billion over the next two decades, two-thirds of that allocated to water transmission and distribution systems. Industry groups suggest even higher investment needs, with the Value of Water Campaign projecting $1.6 trillion to account for regulatory changes and lead pipe replacements. While the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act provided a temporary $50 billion funding boost, that support is set to expire this year, raising concerns about how cities will fund the necessary upgrades.
|
Full Story: Circle of Blue (Traverse City, Mich.) |
Six construction technology startups, with a focus on artificial intelligence, have collectively raised $126 million in early 2026. Fyld, a London-based reality capture software provider, led the group with $41 million in Series B funding. Other notable raises include Sensera Systems with $27 million, XBuild with $19 million, Moab with $16 million, Payra with $15 million, and Brickanta with $8 million. The funding will be used to enhance AI capabilities, expand product offerings, and drive growth in the construction industry.
|
Full Story: Construction Dive |
Oracle has introduced the Construction and Engineering Advisor for Safety, an AI-enabled platform to predict and prevent accidents on construction sites. The system uses predictive analytics from more than 10,000 project-years of safety data to identify high-risk projects and recommend preventive actions. The platform integrates with Oracle's Aconex and Unifier, as well as third-party systems, and is available globally as a subscription service. Contractors using the system have reduced incident rates by more than 50% and workers' compensation costs by up to 75% in its first year.
|
Full Story: Construction Briefing |
-------------------------------------------------
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
