When the Oakland Raiders received a $750 million commitment from the Nevada Legislature in October to help build their future home in Las Vegas, they also were directed to ensure the greatest possible participation by the local community in the design, construction and operation of the stadium. Read the full article >>>
Economist: Skilled Labor Shortfall Challenges States Losing Construction Jobs
The increase in private sector construction activity and low unemployment most likely means the states that lost construction jobs are having trouble finding enough workers amid the skilled-labor shortage, AGC Chief Economist Ken Simonson said in a release. Tell me more >>>
Corporate Surety Bonds Are Preferred Guarantee for Public, Private Projects
Although other forms of security are possible to secure performance of a construction contract, corporate surety performance bonds remain the construction contract guarantee of choice for owners in both public and private projects. Read the full article >>>
Opinion: P3s Need Due Diligence to Ensure Success
As President Donald Trump unveils elements of his infrastructure plan this week, Democrats are attacking it as a betrayal of basic government responsibilities. This “privatization,” as they call it, would sell out rural America and allow companies to exploit public assets like roads and bridges. Read more here >>>
Attorney: Trump Plan for Private Infrastructure Funding Meets Texas Challenges
A few years ago, I wrote a blog post entitled “The P3 Wars” in which I provided a brief explanation of how a P3 (i.e., a public-private partnership) works, and the general arguments for and against the use of P3s. More recently, President Trump proposed a $1 trillion U.S. infrastructure plan that likely includes the use of P3s. Although no …
Surety to Cover Additional Expenses of Oregon City’s Paving
The City has partially settled with the previous contractor’s bonding company Old Republic. Old Republic has agreed to cover the additional cost of construction due to changing contractors and the faulty work done by MAG, LLC. This has allowed the city to select a new contractor to finish the project. There are additional costs associated with the default, but the …
Trump Adviser Touts Higher Gas Tax to Fund Road Improvements
One of President Donald Trump’s leading infrastructure advisers has advocated for raising the federal gas tax to generate “tens of billions of dollars” to improve America’s roads, bridges and ports. But the tax increase – an uncharacteristic move for a Republican administration – would likely spark conflict with the GOP, as conservative lawmakers have historically disagreed on whether such a …
New York County, Surety Settle Case Involving Jail Project’s Former Sub
County lawmakers approved contracting with the state Department of Environmental Conservation for solid-waste disposal at $300,000, a program that began in 1998 when the county closed its regional landfill in exchange for the annual remittances. “This is the second to last year, but we’ll hopefully get it extended,” County Manager Daniel Palmer said of the payments on Tuesday. Tell me …
Construction Group Suit Alleges NY Blocked Information on MWBE Contracts
A trade group representing the building and highway construction industry is suing the state for allegedly stonewalling its requests for public information regarding contracts awarded to businesses operated by minorities and women, known as MWBEs. A lawsuit filed in state Supreme Court in Albany by the Associated General Contractors claims they have gotten no answers when they sought specifics about …
Lawmaker: More Details Coming for $1T Infrastructure Plan
More details are expected to emerge on President Trump’s infrastructure plan, which the administration outlined broadly in its budget proposal this week. Rep. Sam Graves (R-Mo.), chairman of Transportation and Infrastructure highways and transit subcommittee, told reporters Thursday he “absolutely” expects to hear more guidance from the White House about Trump’s rebuilding package in the coming weeks. Read the full …