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Most Clicked AGC SmartBrief Stories


1. Constructing green buildings poses new liability risk

AGC SmartBrief | Nov 02, 2009

Property/casualty insurers are refusing to cover a potential liability that may arise from constructing new buildings and other properties that do not comply with environmental efficiency standards. "There is certainly going to be litigation coming out soon around this issue, and insurance companies are waiting to see" the outcome before offering any coverage, an industry executive said. Business Insurance (11/02)


2. Sandherr: Business conditions remain dire for contractors

AGC SmartBrief | Nov 03, 2009

Data released by the federal government suggests no signs of an upcoming recovery for the construction industry, industry officials say. The Census Bureau found that construction investments fell by 20.6% between September 2008 and September 2009. "These figures show just how dire business conditions are for the nation's contractors and their 6 million-plus employees," Stephen Sandherr, AGC's CEO, said. "The only green shoots contractors are seeing are the weeds sprouting around their idle construction equipment." Building Design + Construction (free registration) (11/02)


3. OSHA lists top 10 workplace safety violations

AGC SmartBrief | Nov 03, 2009

Scaffolding violations topped the list of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's preliminary list of the top 10 most frequent safety violations for 2009. Fall protection violations and hazard communication violations came in second and third place, respectively. OSHA noted that the number of most common violations rose 30% in 2009 from year-ago levels. Today's Facility Manager (11/2009)


4. New Orleans levees, Calif. rail make list of large projects

AGC SmartBrief | Nov 04, 2009

A list of seven "colossal" construction/engineering projects includes the International Space Station and upgrades to an ancient road in Greece. The list also includes the $14 billion plan to rebuild New Orleans' levees and floodwalls as well as California's plan to develop a high-speed rail network. MSNBC (11/03)


5. Work halted on at least 50 towers, group says

AGC SmartBrief | Nov 05, 2009

Work on at least 50 skyscrapers around the world has stopped, the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat said. Three of the 50 are in China, while six of the top 20 are in Latin America and eight are in the Middle East. The Dubai government has delayed the opening of the Burj Dubai until January. However, some building still continues in Europe, China and the Middle East. New Zealand Herald, The (11/05) Architectural Record (free registration) (11/04)


6. Army Corps military projects total $32B in fiscal 2009

AGC SmartBrief | Nov 05, 2009

The Army Corps of Engineers experienced one of its biggest years ever -- $32 billion -- for military construction projects in fiscal 2009, officials said. Work included $3 billion in stimulus projects as well as projects created by the Base Realignment and Closure Act. Current projects include the $133 million renovation at Georgia's Fort Gordon. Augusta Chronicle (Ga.), The (11/05) Engineering News-Record (11/04)


7. Rock slide closes North Carolina interstate

AGC SmartBrief | Nov 02, 2009

A rock slide that occurred last week will keep North Carolina's Interstate 40 closed for the next four months, officials say. Local leaders raised concerns about building the route through a gorge when it was first proposed. Completed in 1968, it has been shut down by landslides 10 times since 1972. Engineers have attempted to solve the problem by scaling back the slopes of the terrain, but the landslides persist because of "wedge failure" spots where planes of rock come together. Asheville Citizen-Times (N.C.) (11/01)


8. Husqvarna debuts demolition robot in U.S.

AGC SmartBrief | Nov 02, 2009

Sweden's Husqvarna unveiled the DXR 310 demolition robot for the U.S. market. Concrete-removal company Bluegrass used the robot to demolish two industrial kilns at a Georgia paper-manufacturing plant. "The DXR ran great, we had zero downtime," said Bluegrass service manager Curt Ryals. "Every function operated like you thought it would." Demolition & Recycling International online (10/30)


9. Developer named for $1.5B Riverwalk project near St. Louis

AGC SmartBrief | Nov 05, 2009

The St. Charles, Mo., City Council has selected Riverwalk Development to develop a $1.5 billion, 300-acre project along the Missouri River. The project will include hotels, shops, a marina, condos and a pedestrian walkway. Riverwalk Development will request public subsidies to help fund the project's bridges and pathways. The project will also require dredging sand in a canal. American City Business Journals (11/04)


10. New York wants up-front payment from Aqueduct contractor

AGC SmartBrief | Nov 03, 2009

The six companies bidding to redevelop New York State's Aqueduct racetrack must provide the state with proof that they can pay $200 million to the state within 30 days if they are selected. The request by Gov. David Paterson is the second change in the bidding rules in the past three months and is expected to eliminate bidders from the competition. Crain's New York Business (11/02)




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