from Mark Smith, Advocate, California Builders Alliance
House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves, R-Mo., has set April 29 for the markup of the surface transportation reauthorization bill, with funding expected between $500 billion and $550 billion. Graves is negotiating with Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Wash., who wants more funding. Graves also plans to include a registration fee for electric vehicles.
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Full Story: Politico |
President Donald Trump could restore tariffs to previous levels by July following a Supreme Court ruling that struck down many of his levies, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says. Section 301 studies are underway, and the temporary 10% tariff imposed after the ruling is set to expire July 24.
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Full Story: Seeking Alpha Bloomberg |
The Federal Reserve's Beige Book reveals that the Middle East war has become "a major source of uncertainty" for businesses, affecting decisions on hiring, pricing and capital investment. Companies across the US are experiencing higher energy costs and potential chemical shortages, while consumer demand remains uneven amid inflation-strained budgets.
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Full Story: The Wall Street Journal Bloomberg |
Rising oil prices tied to the Iran war pushed construction input costs higher in March, driving a 4.2% increase in ConstructConnect's Project Stress Index. The spike was fueled by a 22.8% jump in project abandonments, particularly in the private sector, as developers pulled back amid escalating costs and supply disruptions.
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Full Story: Construction Dive |
Construction employment increased in 57% of US metro areas between January 2025 and January 2026, with Houston and Bloomington leading job gains, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America. However, areas such as Riverside, Calif., and Houma, La., saw significant declines. Meanwhile, increased metal prices and a near-record increase in diesel prices led to the biggest one-month increase in the producer price index for materials and services in four years.
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Full Story: Associated General Contractors of America Associated General Contractors of America |
The global bridge construction pipeline is valued at $504.8 billion and faces challenges from tightening public finances and material volatility. While demand remains strong due to urbanization and freight growth, projects are increasingly focused on resilience and efficiency rather than expansion. North America leads in pipeline value, emphasizing rehabilitation, while Southeast Asia shows ambitious early-stage planning.
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Full Story: World Construction Network |
The backlog of deferred renovation projects at colleges and universities has reached a record high, according to Gordian. The value of deferred projects rose 8% last year to $156 per gross square foot, and spending on existing buildings is 73.5% of the amount needed to prevent the backlog from growing.
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Full Story: Construction Dive/Higher Ed Dive |
The cost of road and bridge construction in the US is rising, driven by underinvestment, labor shortages and administrative delays, a Pew Research Center study finds. The study notes that construction costs have increased by 70% since 2020 and the US faces an $86 billion shortfall for maintenance over the next decade. The study suggests that states prioritize maintenance, improve data systems and strengthen their workforce to manage rising costs.
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Full Story: Roads & Bridges |
Electric construction equipment, while still niche, is gaining traction for urban, indoor and noise-sensitive projects. Lee Tice of JCB North America highlights the benefits of electric compact equipment, including reduced emissions and noise, while Dominik Damm of Genie discusses the importance of proper lithium-ion battery management and Tim Cicora of Takeuchi-US notes the practical advantages of battery-powered excavators in urban settings.
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Full Story: Construction Equipment Guide |
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U. of Utah construction engineering master's fills industry gap |
The University of Utah is addressing a significant gap in the construction industry with its Construction Engineering master's degree, the only program in the state that allows graduates to become professional engineers. The online program, described as a "Construction MBA for middle management," bridges the gap between civil engineering and construction management, providing comprehensive management training tailored to the construction industry. This initiative aims to ease the challenging transition from engineer to manager, offering a pathway to professional licensure and promising lucrative career prospects.
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Full Story: KSTU-TV (Salt Lake City) |
The first several months of 2026 have seen significant activity in codes and standards affecting the architecture, engineering and construction sectors. The Pro Codes Act aims to balance public access to standards with intellectual property rights, while New York City has adopted new building regulations to enhance energy efficiency, Colorado is moving towards wildfire-resistant construction and Oregon is promoting electrification through its energy code. Meanwhile, industry organizations such as the American Concrete Institute and the American Petroleum Institute have introduced programs and standards to address carbon reduction and next-generation engine oils, respectively.
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Full Story: SmartBrief/Infrastructure |
W.A. Rasic Construction is making progress on Phase 2 of the Montezuma/Mid-City Pipeline project in San Diego, which involves installing a 66-inch water main and tunneling under Interstate 8. The project, valued at $40.1 million, aims to enhance water system reliability and is expected to be completed by October 2027.
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Full Story: Underground Infrastructure |
California has requested $69 million in federal funding for water, sewer and pipeline projects for fiscal 2027. The funding would support upgrades to stormwater management in Escondido, wastewater modernization on the Rincon Band of Luiseno Indians Reservation and drinking water system replacements in Borrego Springs and Fallbrook.
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Full Story: Underground Infrastructure |
California's high-speed rail project has seen its estimated cost soar to $126 billion, nearly triple the $45 billion projected when voters approved the project in 2008. The first phase of the project, which aims to connect Los Angeles and San Francisco, is now expected to open in 2033 amid funding gaps and construction delays.
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Full Story: NewsNation |
The California Science Center has finished building the $450 million Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center in Los Angeles, which features a 200-foot-tall, column-free interior and nearly doubles the museum's exhibit space. ZGF Architects designed the 200,000-square-foot center, and Arup and Matt Construction built it.
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Full Story: ConstructConnect |
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Bids for Sacramento bridge project come in higher than expected |
The estimated cost of the I Street Bridge replacement project in Sacramento, Calif., has increased by at least $136 million The city expected the bridge to cost $260 million, but the lowest bid it received was $398.5 million. City Council is expected to reject the bids and engage with contractors to better understand market conditions.
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Full Story: The Sacramento Bee (Calif.) |
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Ground breaks on $466M water purification facility in Calif. |
Construction has begun on the $466 million Advanced Water Purification Facility in Agoura Hills, Calif., a joint project by the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District and the Triunfo Water and Sanitation District. The facility aims to reduce reliance on imported water by 30% by transforming wastewater into potable water using advanced treatment processes.
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Full Story: The Acorn (Agoura Hills, Calif.) |
The Santa Clara City Council has authorized the use of eminent domain to secure 23 privately owned land parcels for Silicon Valley Power's planned 115-kilovolt transmission line along Bassett Street. The project is part of a broader effort to double the city's power load. The council's move has drawn criticism from property owners, who question the necessity and fairness of the compensation offered.
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Full Story: The Silicon Valley Voice (Santa Clara, Calif.) |
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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
