Construction News Tracker Video: 2014 US Construction Spending 6.8% above 2013

Large spending increases in power, office and manufacturing construction helped spending remain 6.8% above 2013 levels; plus more construction industry news on the October 16, 2014 edition of Construction News Tracker

Positive job gains last month...

House Speaker calls for broader highway funding...

And the hunt for qualified workers continues...

That and more on Construction News Tracker brought to you by Caterpillar and produced by ForConstructionPros.com

Despite an eight thenths of a percent skip from July to August in the value of all U.S. construction put-in-place total construction spending through the first eight months of 2014, spending remains 6.8 percent above the same period in 2013. The U.S. Census Bureau's August numbers measure the largest year-over-year spending increases in power construction, up more than 16 percent to an annual rate over $102 billion; office construction up nearly 19 percent to a $44 billion annual pace; and manufacturing construction up 14.5 percent to a more than $57 billion pace

Also, McGraw Hill Construction reports that for the first seven months of this year highway construction projects increased by 7 percent, bridge construction by 9 percent and multi-family housing by 10 percent.

Speaker of the House John Boehner said recently there is a pathway to find agreement on a long-term tranportation bill. Appearing on a Sunday morning TV political program, Boehner said there is common ground with the White House to accomplish a multi-year highway funding bill among other legislation during President Obama's final two years in office. The current funding extension agreed to at the end of July expires in May 2015.

The plan to develop more skilled tradesmen continues by construction association groups. AGC is among the leaders reaching out to establish more interest in the industry, as Brian Turmail explains.

The Oregon Department of Transporation will expand its solar highway project. The public-private-partnership of gound mounted solar arrays will number three when completed and currently powers one third of the lighting along Interstate Highways 5 and 205. The solar plant of 7,000 panels feeds into the Pacific Gas and Electric grid in Oregon via a set of switch gears.

2014 Diamond Dealers have been recognized by Case Equipment for communications, marketing, product and parts support, and training. Three dealerships are located in the Candaian provinces while the blanace of nine range from Delaware to Texas. It's a two-way street as dealers work closely with customers and vice versa to achieve optimum equipment performance.

Do you own a 2014 Toyota Tundra pickup truck? Then put a dealer visit reminder on your calendar. The automaker is recalling 130,000 Tundra Crewmax and double cab models to take care of incorrect installation of B pillar interior trim that could effect side curtain air bag deployment in event of a crash.

In closing, life would be so much easier if everyone read the manual.

 

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