Simonson: How the American Jobs Act Might Play Out

Construction News Tracker gets exclusive analysis of Obama's proposal from AGC's chief economist

September 23, 2011

The September 22 edition of Construction News Tracker gets Chief Economist Ken Simonson’s forecast on how quickly construction spending planned in President Obama’s American Jobs Act might start generating jobs, based on experience with the first stimulus program and the current situation in the states. He also talks about how the bill, if it passes, might influence formulation of new surface-transportation legislation.

We also cover:

The extension of surface transportation authorization at current spending levels;
ARTBA's estimate of more than $100 billion in additional cost that might arise over 20 years if fly ash use in concrete is prohibited by new regulations;
Reed Construction Data's raising its estimate of the chances of the U.S. economy slipping into a double dip recession to 30%.

“I’ve been using Bobcat equipment for years on my farm in Waco, and I can’t imagine working without it. My Bobcat machines have empowered me to bring some of my biggest ideas to life,” said Gaines.

Bobcat Hires Magnolia Co-founder Gaines

From tending gardens to managing goats, pigs, and horses, Gaines is already sharing the work he is accomplishing with his Bobcat equipment.

For more than 25 years, Women in Construction Week has celebrated and promoted the role of women in the construction industry.

Women in Construction Week: The Women Behind the First Real-Life LEGO Building

About 10 percent of construction jobs are held by women. For more than 25 years, Women in Construction Week has celebrated and promoted the role of women in the construction industry.

Schaeffler is developing high-performance e-motors for commercial vehicles. Electrified drives will account for an increasingly large share of the powertrain mix in this segment in the future.

Schaeffler Announces Ohio E-vehicle Manufacturing Facility

Schaeffler recently completed an expansion in Wooster of almost 90,000 square feet to produce electric motors and components for electric powertrain systems.

Progress included the removal of a 156-ton piece of Span 19 outside of the navigational channel, which was hoisted and loaded onto a barge and taken to Sparrows Point, Md., for future disposal.

Baltimore Crews Remove 156-ton Piece of Key Bridge

Progress included the removal of a 156-ton piece of Span 19 outside of the navigational channel, which was hoisted and loaded onto a barge for future disposal. Container removal from Dali has begun.

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Opioids in Construction: How Home-based Drug Deactivation & Disposal Saves Lives

Whether used by children or adults, excess medications in the household are a huge threat. Eliminating unused medications should be a top priority. Your employees should know that this is important to you as an employer.

Under the federal Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act), employers have a duty to monitor worksites and prevent hazardous conditions from developing. As it does with other major industry sectors, OSHA issues specific regulations targeting the safety risks unique to the construction sector.

What Artificial Intelligence Means for the Construction Workplace

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The concept adaptive reuse is the practice of repurposing abandoned, older structures for a different purpose than what they were originally intended for with the express purpose of extending the building’s life.

Commercial Building Reuse in the Work-From-Home Economy

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James Howe.

Howe Named President of Motion Industries

James F. Howe has been named to the position of president of Motion.

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Why Aegis Asphalt Has A Bright Business Future

Out in the Pacific Northwest of the United States, the weather is against you, the time is against you, and in the case of Aegis Asphalt Construction, they've had to start from the literal ground up, growing the business by leaps and bounds.

Mary Aufdemberg, general manager, product strategy and market development, Daimler Trucks North America, delivers the keynote address at the 2024 Green Truck Summit.

EV Limitations Addressed at Work Truck Week

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As AI continues to reshape construction industry tools and processes, a parallel phenomenon unfolds–the race to construct AI data centers.

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While cranes play a vital role in the transportation, construction, and agriculture industries, among others, operating this type of equipment can be especially dangerous if proper protocol is not followed.

Crane Safety Report Published

As the crane industry continues to navigate major safety challenges, NSC and the NCCCO Foundation plan to continue to provide additional resources to educate crane operators, inspectors, and employers about potential workplace hazards.

JA Mitsui Leasing has announced that it has acquired a 100% interest in Oakmont Capital Holdings.

JA Mitsui Leasing Buys Oakmont Capital

JA Mitsui Leasing announced today that it has acquired a 100% interest in Oakmont Capital Holdings.

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LBX's Harvell to Retire

As Don Harvell retires, others at the company, such as Kevin Roberts and Chris Wise, take on new roles at LBX.

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Key Bridge Efforts Continue Despite Storms

Trained crews, in conjunction with the Unified Command, are taking steps forward with operations and are conducting routine salvage assessments, while evaluating the safest and most effective routes.

Many construction workers say they find it distracting to work alongside drones, and there’s evidence that even when drones are operating at a considerable distance from humans they often lead workers to look away from their tasks.

Robots are Rewriting the Rules of Construction Safety

To make worksites safer for humans, we need a smarter approach to automation.

Whether it's support with succession planning or effective people management, its experts are uniquely positioned to skillfully guide contractors in harmonizing their personal, operational, and financial strategies.

Performance Construction to Focus on Contractor Community

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In the past five years, ConstructReach has partnered with over 100 industry and education partners to host “I built this!”, introducing more than 2,000 high school students to career pathways.

ConstructReach Hosts "I built this!" Construction Learning Event

Students will be able to participate in work-based learning through a variety of activities led by general contractors and construction professionals.

Demolition crews with the Unified Command begin cutting the top portion of the north side of the collapsed bridge into smaller sections for safe removal by crane in the Patapsco River, in Baltimore, Maryland, March 30, 2024. Salvage teams use exothermic cutting torch to systematically separate sections of the steel bridge, which will be taken to a disposal site.

Alternate Temporary Channels Opening Around Key Bridge in Baltimore

A temporary, alternate channel on the northeast side of the main channel in the vicinity of the Key Bridge is being established for commercially essential vessels.

Equipment dealers have expressed great concern with the rule, particularly as it relates to service and delivery trucks, as well as the cost increases and equipment delivery delays that will ensue.

AED Opposes California Rule on Internal Combustion Trucks

The ACF regulation requires fleet operators to phase out their internal combustion trucks and replace them with zero-emission trucks, starting in 2024.

Stanley Black & Decker announced that it has completed the previously announced sale of STANLEY Infrastructure to Epiroc AB for $760 million in cash.

STANLEY Infrastructure Sale to Epiroc AB Complete

Stanley Black & Decker announced that it has completed the previously announced sale of STANLEY Infrastructure to Epiroc AB for $760 million in cash.

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MCWPs: Safe Work in the Sky

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