Iran War Drives up African Bitumen Truck Prices
The outbreak of the Iran‑Israel‑US war has sharply lifted bitumen truck prices across sub‑Saharan Africa. In East and Central Africa, ex‑Mombasa rates jumped to KSh165‑175 per kilogram (about $1,159‑$1,313 per tonne), a 40% increase. Nigerian bulk bitumen now trades around N1.35 million per tonne ($998), while South African truck rates have risen to roughly R13,000 per tonne ($770). Freight costs from Iran to Mombasa have tripled to $230 per tonne, feeding the price surge.
Construction Begins for Transco Gas Pipeline Expansion
Williams Companies broke ground on the Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) project, expanding the Transco natural‑gas pipeline by 400,000 dekatherms per day. The 10,000‑mile system, which already moves 19.5 million dekatherms daily, will serve roughly 2.3 million homes in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania...
$2.3 Billion Jordan Mineral Railway Project Drives Aqaba Rail Construction with UAE Deal
Jordan and the United Arab Emirates have signed a $2.3 billion agreement to build a 360‑kilometer heavy‑haul railway linking the Sheidiya and Ghor Al Safi mineral belts to Aqaba port. The project will be delivered through a 50:50 Jordanian‑Emirati joint venture...
Hope’s Highlights Impact-Rated Windows & Doors
Hope’s Windows, Inc., the leading U.S. maker of custom steel and bronze fenestration, is spotlighting its hurricane‑ and impact‑rated window and door systems. The company continuously tests its products to meet IBC, IRC, FBC and Miami‑Dade County standards, ensuring they...
Ohio Begins Distributing $65M in PFAS Settlement Funds to Impacted Communities
Ohio has begun disbursing the first $65 million of its $110 million settlement with DuPont to fund drinking‑water projects in PFAS‑affected communities. The money will finance treatment systems, new water sources, and connections of private wells to public networks, targeting over 75,000...
From Intern to Leader with Skanska’s Dianna Barba
Dianna Barba, now a senior project engineer at Skanska, rose from an internship to leading the $1.6 billion LA Metro Purple (D Line) extension. Her career was accelerated by Skanska’s two‑year Core Competency Training Program, which rotated her through rail, bridge...
Residential Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans: What You Need to Know
The 2025 Fire Safety (Residential Evacuation Plans) Regulations introduce Residential Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (rPEEPs) for high‑rise residential blocks in England. Buildings with two or more domestic units that are at least 18 metres tall, seven storeys high, or over 11 metres...
Tolar Manufacturing to Provide Signature Custom Bus Shelters to DART
Tolar Manufacturing has secured a contract worth up to $71.5 million to supply Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) with its Signature Custom bus shelters. The shelters, offered in 8‑, 10‑ and 12‑foot configurations, feature solar‑powered LED lighting, real‑time arrival displays and...
Builder Sentiment Posts Notable Decline on Economic Uncertainty
Builder confidence for new single‑family homes slipped to 34 in April, the lowest reading since September 2025, according to the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index. The decline reflects persistent high mortgage rates, rising material costs tied to higher fuel prices, and...
Excavator Sales Trends 2025: New and Used Models
In 2025 new full‑size excavator financing slipped 4.1% to 15,672 units, while used‑excavator financing rose 5.3% year‑over‑year. The market’s new‑excavator share fell to 10.4% of total equipment sales, keeping Caterpillar, Deere and Komatsu as the top three brands. Kubota’s KX080‑5,...
How to Guard Your Construction Workforce Against Falls
Construction falls remain the leading cause of on‑site deaths, accounting for roughly 40% of fatalities in 2024, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. To curb these losses, firms are integrating advanced technologies—drones for remote inspections, wearables that track worker...
World’s Largest Free-Span Mass Timber Roof to Host FIFA Festival
The Pacific National Exhibition (PNE) in Vancouver will debut the Freedom Mobile Arch on June 11, hosting the FIFA World Cup Fan Festival under what it claims is the world’s largest free‑span mass‑timber roof. The $183.7 million venue, featuring a 105‑metre...
Polavaram Project: Construction of ECRF Dam to Be Be Completed by March 2028
The earth‑cum‑rock‑filled (ECRF) dam of Andhra Pradesh's Polavaram Multipurpose Irrigation project is slated for completion by March 2028, according to Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. The initiative has already absorbed roughly ₹27,089 crore (about $3.3 billion) in spending, with an additional ₹5,000 crore ($610 million)...
Stone City Capital to Develop 68-Acre Mixed-Use Project in Metro Charleston, South Carolina
Charlotte‑based Stone City Capital announced Seamist Commons, a 68‑acre mixed‑use development in Summerville, South Carolina. The project will combine retail, office, residential units, a 28‑acre forest preserve, and extensive EV‑charging infrastructure. Phase I retail spaces ranging from 1,400 to 11,900 sq ft are...
Oil Prices Triggered Higher Construction Costs in March
Construction input prices rose 2.2% in March, driven by a 20.2% jump in crude petroleum. Year‑over‑year material costs are up 4.8%, the biggest gain since Jan 2023. Diesel surged 37.8% from February to March, the steepest one‑month rise since the 1990...
Prague Metro Line D Olbrachtova to Nové Dvory Section Secures EUR 1.2 Billion Construction Contract
Prague’s public‑transport operator DPP has signed a €1.2 billion ($1.3 billion) construction contract with a Subterra‑led consortium to build the 6‑km Olbrachtova‑to‑Nové Dvory segment of Metro Line D, including three underground stations. The award follows a competition‑authority ruling that dismissed Strabag’s objections, clearing the...
Work Getting Underway for NoHo-Pasadena BRT Line
Construction has begun on the North Hollywood‑to‑Pasadena Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line, a 19‑mile corridor funded by $317 million from Measure M and SB1 revenue. The project will run parallel to SR‑134, linking Los Angeles, Burbank, Glendale and Pasadena with dedicated bus...
West Hollywood Approves Hotel-Housing Complex at 7811 Santa Monica Blvd.
West Hollywood’s City Council approved the Bond Hotel & Residences, a mixed‑use development at 7811 Santa Monica Boulevard. The project will feature seven‑story towers with 45 hotel rooms, 126 rental apartments and a 4,473‑square‑foot ground‑floor restaurant, plus a two‑level garage...
What’s the Difference Between Refined and Polished Concrete?
The article contrasts refined and polished concrete, outlining their distinct finishing processes and visual outcomes. Refined concrete uses densifiers and light grinding for a low‑gloss, slip‑resistant surface, while polished concrete undergoes multiple grinding stages and sealing to achieve a high‑gloss,...
61 Apartments Pitched for 1344 N. Alta Vista Blvd. In Hollywood
Generation Real Estate Partners has filed a plan to replace two small apartment buildings near Sunset and La Brea in Hollywood with a new five‑story, 60‑unit multifamily complex at 1344 N. Alta Vista Boulevard. The development will include 44 parking...
How Construction’s Risks, Opportunities and Insurance Options Shape up for 2026
In 2026 construction firms grapple with volatile material costs—up 34% since 2020—and a chronic labor shortage that now affects roughly one‑third of companies, while rising rates for commercial auto and excess/umbrella liability add margin pressure. Stabilizing interest rates, a surge...
Ghana Secures EU Grant for ETCS Project
Ghana’s Railway Development Authority has secured a €20 million (≈$22 million) European Commission grant to install ETCS Level 1 signalling on the 97.6 km Tema‑Mpakadan line, the first phase of a planned 1,000‑km standard‑gauge railway. The line, built at a cost of $449 million, currently...
Construction Needs to Overhaul the Culture of Communication
The construction sector suffers from a entrenched habit of delaying communication, turning minor hiccups into costly setbacks. Professionals often hide early warnings to avoid appearing incompetent, while incentive structures reward silent problem‑solving. This cultural flaw erodes schedule reliability, inflates budgets,...
Mixed-Use Venture with Nearly 1,200 Homes Floated for Sandy Springs
Atlanta‑based Insignia has filed a Development of Regional Impact for its 28‑acre Embassy Row site in Sandy Springs, proposing 1,068 multifamily units, 111 townhomes, a 159,463‑square‑foot office building and 15,300 square feet of retail. The mixed‑use project, slated for completion...
Stantec Inc. (STN) Selected by European Investment Bank for Climate Adaption Advisory
On April 7, Stantec Inc. was chosen by the European Investment Bank to provide advisory services on climate adaptation, resilience and nature‑based solutions under the EU’s InvestEU Advisory Hub. The firm will assess technical, environmental and financial viability of projects,...
Caltrans Awards Major Infrastructure Contract to Granite Construction (GVA)
Granite Construction Inc. (NYSE:GVA) secured a $114 million contract from Caltrans to build Segment 4E North of the Highway 101 Carpinteria‑to‑Santa Barbara corridor. The company will serve as the primary construction manager for the fourth phase of the project, following a prior award for...
Manufacturers Develop Non-Penetrative Alternatives to Ballasts for Rooftop Solar
Manufacturers SolarStack and SolarStrap are rolling out non‑penetrative mounting systems that replace traditional concrete ballasts on flat commercial rooftops. SolarStack uses spray‑applied polyurethane foam to bond block‑style racks, while SolarStrap heat‑welds a thin roofing membrane to create a sealed, load‑bearing...
MJ Church Wins Early Involvement on £31m Wiltshire Motorway Scheme
Civils contractor MJ Church has been appointed to an early contractor involvement (ECI) role for the £31 million (≈ $38.8 million) M4 junction 17 improvement scheme in Wiltshire. The project is 85% funded by the UK Department for Transport and 15% by the council,...
New Hotels Coming to Brisbane Airport?
Brisbane Airport is soliciting proposals from experienced hotel operators for two new mid‑to‑upper‑level properties, one adjacent to the International Terminal and another in the rapidly expanding Skygate precinct. The developments target rising demand from business, leisure and event‑driven travelers ahead...
Skanska’s Margin Narrows Despite Turnover Hike
Skanska UK reported an 8% rise in turnover to £1.37 bn ($1.71 bn) for the year ended 31 December 2025, but pre‑tax profit slipped 9% to £71.4 m ($89 m), shrinking the margin to 5.7% from 6.1%. The contractor booked £1.36 bn ($1.70 bn) of new orders and...
EDF and JCB Back Charter to Protect 250,000 Women with Inclusive PPE
EDF, JCB, BAE Systems and Bylor have signed the GMB Fit For All charter committing to inclusive personal protective equipment (PPE) for construction workers. The pledge follows a GMB survey showing 70% of women on sites wear ill‑fitting gear and aligns with...
The Daily Dirt: Escaping the Multiple Dwelling Law
New York’s Multiple Dwelling Law (MDL) forces costly safety upgrades, such as full‑building fire sprinklers, on properties with three or more units. Faced with these expenses, owners are increasingly hiring architects to convert three‑unit buildings into two‑family homes, effectively shrinking...
Hormuz Blockade Hits Gulf Sites as Traders Scramble for White Wood
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz on Feb. 28 caused the price of Austrian spruce 2×4 framing beams in the Gulf to jump 52%, from about $6.30‑$6.90 to $9.60‑$10.20 per piece. Shipping costs surged, with surcharges of $3,600‑$5,000 per 40‑foot...
The Cost Of HVAC Systems
HVAC systems account for roughly 40% of a building’s energy use, making them the single largest load. Inefficient operation can waste up to 30% of commercial building energy, driving higher utility bills and regulatory risk. Reactive, manual maintenance is proving...
Kier, Bam Nuttall, VolkerStevin and Taylor Woodrow Avoided Nearly £100M of Project Costs After Training Scheme
Four leading UK construction firms—Kier, Bam Nuttall, VolkerStevin and Taylor Woodrow—joined the Get It Right Initiative’s Productivity Training Commission in 2024, backed by £360,000 (≈$447,000) of CITB funding. Over 26 months they trained 4,575 delegates across 25 projects, using behavioural...
RWE Completes Installation of Two Substations at Nordseecluster A
RWE has finished installing two massive offshore substations at the 660 MW Nordseecluster A wind farm, located about 50 km north of Juist island in the German North Sea. The 1,800‑ton and 2,500‑ton units were lifted onto their foundations by the Gulliver floating...
CMHC Study Finds Housing Construction Productivity Falling as Crisis Deepens
A Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) study reveals residential construction labour productivity has slipped 2.1% per year over the past two decades, eroding 37.3% of output between 2001 and 2023. The decline is driven largely by small firms, with...
New Rotating Crawler Carrier From KATO Features Tighter Cycle Times with Higher Capacity
KATO has launched the IC110R rotating crawler carrier, featuring a 360‑degree upper‑body rotation and a 24,250‑pound payload. The design lets operators dump material without moving the undercarriage, cutting repositioning cycles and boosting hourly material movement. Powered by a 257 HP Cummins...
Merryn Talks Money: The Contrarian Case for London (Podcast)
Merryn Somerset Webb and John Stepek note that UK house prices have barely outpaced inflation over the last ten years, with London’s real‑price values actually declining. Guest Daniel Austin, CEO of ASK Partners, argues that despite high transaction costs and policy uncertainty, prime central‑London...
Brent Cross Town Secures £188.7m Refinancing of First BTR Assets
Related Argent secured a £188.7 million (≈ $236 million) refinancing from HSBC and Barclays for the first two build‑to‑rent assets of its Brent Cross Town masterplan in north London. The assets, branded The Maple, will deliver 540 homes alongside a 25 m pool, gym, co‑working...
Barratt Redrow Reiterates Guidance After Solid Q3 but Uncertain Backdrop Hits Land Buying
Barratt Redrow posted a solid Q3, delivering 3,273 homes—a 11.9% YoY decline—but reaffirmed its full‑year completions target of 17,200‑17,800 homes and pre‑tax profit outlook. Forward sales rose to £3.54 bn (≈$4.43 bn) with a 94% reservation rate, while net cash is now projected...
Sefton Council Launches £54m Highways Maintenance Tender
Sefton Council has issued a £54 million (approximately $68 million) open‑procedure tender for reactive highways and footway maintenance, slated to begin on 1 October 2026. The contract runs for an initial five‑year term with the option to extend up to three additional one‑year periods,...
Stronger Enforcement And Collaboration Signal Shift In South Africa’s Civil Engineering Sector
South Africa’s civil engineering sector is seeing a stronger enforcement push, with the Department of Public Works blacklisting non‑compliant contractors in 2026. The Bargaining Council for the Civil Engineering Industry (BCCEI) is coupling this crackdown with expanded compliance support for...
Low Carbon Concrete First for Murphy
Murphy Construction has poured Ecocem ACT low‑carbon concrete in permanent works for the first time at the Shipley Depot, a key element of the Transpennine Route Upgrade. The ACT mix replaces traditional clinker with limestone filler and supplementary cementitious materials,...
Tax Hikes Inhibit Growth Prospects, Materials Body Warns
The Mineral Products Association (MPA) warns that its members are now paying roughly 26% more in taxes than five years ago, a rise driven by higher NIC, corporation tax, business rates, fuel duty and the aggregates levy. At the same...
EUR 66 Million for Signalling on the Córdoba–Bobadilla Conventional Line
Spain’s rail infrastructure manager Adif has signed a €65.8 million (≈$71.7 million) contract to modernise signalling on the Valchillón‑Torres Cabrera‑Fuente de Piedra segment of the Córdoba‑Bobadilla line. The work will install a single‑track automatic block system linked to a centralized traffic control (CTC) platform and...
Moscow Opens Second Diametric Tram Line
Moscow opened its second diametric tram line, T2, linking Chertanovskaya metro station with Novogireevo. The 79‑station corridor serves more than two million residents across 13 districts and connects to 31 metro stations, the Central Ring Railway, the MCD and four...
Colombia’s Cement Consumption Expands 4% in February
Colombia’s cement consumption rose 4.4% year‑over‑year in February 2026, reaching 1.025 million tonnes. Bulk dispatches grew modestly 1.3%, while bagged cement sales surged 5.8%. Wholesale and retail channels posted a 6.9% increase, offset by a 5.1% decline in ready‑mix concrete sales...
Brazil’s Cement Market Expands 9% in March
Brazil’s cement market posted a robust 9.1% year‑over‑year increase in March 2026, reaching 5.789 Mt of sales. The surge was driven by a tight labour market, strong consumer confidence, and the Minha Casa Minha Vida housing programme, which now accounts for...
KRERA Pulls up Developer for Failing to Comply with Its Orders; Slaps a Penalty of up to 5% of the...
The Karnataka Real Estate Regulatory Authority (KRERA) has ordered a penalty of up to 5% of the project cost against Ozone Urbana Infra Developers for ignoring earlier directives to refund homebuyers. The authority previously mandated refunds of ₹1.42 crore (≈$171,000) and...