A 4.2-mile section of tunnel is completed at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge in China, becoming the world's longest and deepest underwater tunnel. The completion marks the end of construction on the major structural parts of the world's longest cross-sea bridge, which stretches 14.2 miles.

The construction industry in Singapore is lagging its counterparts globally in adopting new technologies, but building information modeling could help bring it up to speed, according to FINALCAD managing director Pierre Vauthrin. BIM and other technologies enable real-time data collection, which in turn "increases productivity by improving the flow of information between the various project stakeholders," Vauthrin says.

A baseball player easily batted away engineers' efforts to design a retractable roof for Florida's Marlins Park high enough to keep a ball from bouncing off it. Building information modeling and NASA equations were no match for visiting Yankees player Aaron Judge, who managed the feat twice Monday -- during practice and the game.

3D printing is being used in more construction projects around the world, such as a tunnel and bridge in Europe. Its advantages include less environmental impact, the freedom to form without framework and the ability to print steel framework simultaneously.

ThyssenKrupp has developed a cableless elevator system that moves horizontally as well as vertically, with the goal of increasing the size and efficiency of tall buildings. The company built an 807-foot concrete tower in Germany to test MULTI, a magnetic technology that uses a multiple-level brake system and linear motors to move the elevator.

Panda Green Energy Group has connected its first panda-shaped solar power plant in Datong, Shanxi, China, to the grid. Although the array is not as picturesque as widely distributed artists' renderings, the company plans to construct similar panda-shaped fields worldwide over the next five years.

Researchers at New York University unveiled the densest set of public LiDAR data, which allows users to create accurate, detailed 3D models of city landscapes. The data is 30 times denser than a typical LiDAR set and covers an area of central Dublin.

A new wearable safety device from Triax Technologies keeps close track of workers' whereabouts on construction sites and allows for alerts in emergencies. The system uses an internet mesh spread across a site, giving safety personnel a picture of workers' movements.

Atmocean is testing a small-scale, modular desalinization product whose "basic concept is a water pump actuated by wave motion," and hopes to bring it to market in 18 months. The goal is to make the desalination process more affordable and accessible.

Create a culture of feedback at your company by having employees start meetings with an update on their personal and professional lives, writes Keith Ferrazzi. Use meeting time to collaborate on ways to solve a problem, and give employees a chance to offer their opinions on what should change.

The survey will close by the middle of August.

We continue to hear from many of you that the labor market remains tight. While it is clear that worker shortages are, in some cases, a significant problem for many contractors, we feel it is important to continue our efforts to better quantify where these shortages are taking place, how severe they are, and what steps firms are taking to both cope with tight labor markets and improve the supply of new, qualified workers. That is why we are asking you to take a few minutes to complete the workforce survey.

The more people understand the scope, and consequences, of a tight construction labor market, the more likely they are to act on the measures we identify in our Workforce Development Plan that are designed to make it easier for school systems, local associations and private firms to establish career and technical education and training programs. We invite you to share this survey with your members so that we can hear from as many voices as possible. Thank you for your help in getting the word out.