AGC of America and our survey partner, HCSS, are asking all highway and transportation members help us improve work zone safety by completing this brief survey. We want to collect information on the number, severity, impacts and potential solutions to highway work zone crashes. We will use the results of this survey for a media and public education campaign we will launch the week before Memorial Day to encourage motorists to be more careful in work zones.

Please take a few minutes to complete this important highway work zone safety survey by May 13: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RN3PGJD. And of course, please do not hesitate to contact Brian Turmail at 703-459-0238 or brian.turmail@agc.org with any questions, comments or concerns about this survey and our plans to use it to promote highway work zone safety.

In this episode, we cover the steps the Biden Administration has taken related to construction and the environment. AGC’s Director of Environmental Services Melinda Tomaino walks you through the environmental highlights and headlines on WOTUS (waters of the United States), species-related issues, climate change policy developments and implications for projects, and environmental review and approvals. Find out how AGC is making timely decisions and setting priorities, the important role AGC plays in policymaking, and how you can get involved.

 

Detroit-based Sachse Construction was awarded for performing some of the construction industry’s best charitable work in 2021. The group received the AGC in the Community award for its donation of services to help build the Academy of Warren Playground project.

 

Michigan State University’s STEM Teaching and Learning Facility was the most significant construction project of 2021, AGC of America announced recently. As a result, the project’s contractor, Granger Construction Company, received the association’s top prize, Construction Risk Partners Build America Grand Award, as well as the award for the best construction management renovation project under $99 million.

 

On March 27, 2022, AGC Charities Inc. and Plano-based Hilti North America and Hill & Wilkinson teamed up to lead dozens of volunteers to make repairs to three South Dallas homes in partnership with Rebuilding Together North Texas. The volunteer workday at the three Cedar Crest homes is a part of the AGC Charities’ annual Operation Opening Doors project.

 

Choate Construction Company was recognized for having the nation’s best construction safety and wellness plan in 2021 by AGC of America. The association, which oversees the WTW Construction Safety Excellence Awards, an annual ranking of construction safety programs, noted that 46 other companies were also selected as winners for the quality of their safety programs.

 

The CEO of AGC of America, Stephen E. Sandherr, issued the following statement in reaction to the release today of new Buy America guidance from the Biden administration for projects being funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law:

 

“AGC of America supports sensible efforts to effectively incentivize the growth of America’s domestic manufacturing capacity. Instead, the Biden administration is doubling down on failed procurement policies with its new Buy America mandate. This is the kind of red tape initiative that undermines American’s confidence in the federal governments’ ability to effectively use their tax dollars.

For more than two years, the U.S. construction industry has been buffeted by unprecedented increases in material costs, supply-chain bottlenecks, and a tight labor market. AGC’s Construction Inflation Alert is intended to help owners, public officials, and others understand what contractors are experiencing. It also outlines steps owners and contractors can take to adjust to the fast-changing market conditions.

 

The April 2022 edition—the 7th since early 2021—includes information on the impact of the war in Ukraine on recent increases in materials costs and supply delays.

 

Chapters and members are encouraged to forward the latest information about conditions, such as supplier newsletters and “Dear Valued Customer” letters, to Chief Economist Ken Simonson at ken.simonson@agc.org. AGC will continue to update the Alert as needed.

Construction Safety Week started in 2014, when more than 40 national and global construction firms comprising the Construction Industry Safety Initiative (CISI) group and the Incident and Injury Free (IIF) Forum joined forces with a single aim: to inspire everyone in the industry to be leaders in safety. On this episode, Ken Aldridge of Aldridge Electric, and Mike Burke of Alberici Constructors, both serving as chairs on the Safety Week committee, share some history of the tradition, what this annual campaign means to them, and how you can participate. This year’s Safety Week will take place May 2-6, 2022. Visit the website to find all the resources you need.

 

The future of our industry is in a state of flux. From an increased demand for talent to more focus on cost competitiveness, disruptions are afoot. While analyzing your business model and tightening operating procedures are important, it is even more important to focus on one critical asset: your people.
BY RICHARD WALKER, CEO, XL CONSTRUCTION
AN AGC OF CALIFORNIA MEMBER

Hiring Our Heroes (HOH) connects the military community — service members, military spouses, and veterans — with American businesses to create economic opportunity and a strong and diversified workforce. For details on any event, please visit the Hiring Our Heroes Calendar.