New Construction Industry Stats from Q1 2022

Optimism shone through the numbers in the final 2021 Trimble Viewpoint Construction Metrics Index; but as the year-over-year numbers rolled in from the first quarter of 2022, it was clear that anticipation has cooled. However, there’s still a lot of upward momentum to be found in the quarter-over-quarter construction metrics from Q1 2022.

Hiring is up across the industry, regionally and by vertical. Cash flow also increased substantially, demonstrating that contractors are likely gearing up to launch new projects, many of which are coming online as part of the recently passed $1 trillion-plus Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

New projects also were up quarter-over-quarter, yet still down year-over-year. And contract values remained down across the industry as well. This tells the story of a construction industry still feeling its way out of several years of pandemic pains, supply chain tests, and ongoing skilled labor and efficiency challenges.

Download the Q1 2022 Construction Metrics Index at bit.ly/3c9hubP.

USDOT Taking Applications for $1 Billion in Safe Streets Grant Program

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced that the application process now is open for communities of all sizes to apply for $1 billion in fiscal year 2022 funding to help them ensure safe streets and roads for all and address the national roadway safety crisis. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s new Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) discretionary grant program provides dedicated funding to support regional, local and Tribal plans, projects and strategies that will prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries.

The Safe Streets for All Notice of Funding Opportunity can be found at www.transportation.gov/SS4A. Applications are due on or before Sept. 15, 2022.

ACEC Research Institute Released Q2 Engineering Business Sentiment Report

In June 2022, the ACEC Research Institute released its “Q2 2022 Engineering Business Sentiment” report findings. This survey of 600 engineering executives across the engineering and design industry offers a comprehensive look at current and future conditions in engineering and the larger economy through a net rating scale.

“Even though our industry is in its seventh straight quarter of growth, engineering firm leaders are tempering their optimism due to the news coming from the financial sector,” said John Carrato, chair of the ACEC Research Institute.

The Institute’s Q1 survey found extreme optimism among engineering firm leaders both for their own financial picture (+88) and the industry (+82). Fast forward and that optimism remains largely intact at +84 and +80, respectively.

Current sentiment remains very optimistic within all market sectors, although nearly half have had some decline in the past quarter. Sentiment is strongest in the water/wastewater (net rating +77), and roads and bridges (+76) sectors; and weakest in residential real estate (+68) and telecommunications (+64) with both showing a drop of -4 and -5 points. Looking to the future, the largest change is in real estate with future sentiment for residential land development falling to -11 points and commercial real estate to -12.

Download a copy of the report at bit.ly/3yDb3p8.

In June 2022, U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina M. Raimondo announced funding opportunities from NOAA’s $2.96 billion in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds to address the climate crisis and strengthen coastal resilience and infrastructure. During the next five years, NOAA’s targeted investments in the areas of habitat restoration, coastal resilience, and climate data and services will advance ongoing federal efforts toward building climate resilience.

NOAA will select high-impact projects that will incentivize investments in communities, states and regions that can drive additional funding to complementary projects. Funded projects will support three major initiatives:

• Climate Ready Coasts will help coastal communities build the future they want to see, investing in natural infrastructure projects that build coastal resilience, create jobs, store carbon, remove marine debris and restore habitat. ($1.467 billion over five years)

• Climate Data and Services will support a whole-of-government effort to address the climate crisis by getting critical information and tools in the hands of decision makers, particularly to address floods, wildfire, drought and ocean health. ($904 million over five years)

• Fisheries and Protected Resources will advance efforts to restore important fisheries habitat and promote community economic development. ($592 million over five years)

Buildings

• American Concrete Institute Releases New Repair Code
• From Bus Repairs to Water Reclamation—Old Kentucky Building Brings New Uses for Storm Runoff
• Clayco Completes Construction of X Phoenix, a New 20-story Residential High-rise in Phoenix’s Downtown Core
• Perkins&Will Breaks Ground on Tarleton Interprofessional Education (IPE) Building
• Scandic Kiruna First Commercial Enterprise to Open In New City Center

Transportation

• Video: TRB Panel Discusses $1.2T IIJA
• HDR Selected to Study Feasibility of New Rail Line in San Juan County, New Mexico
• Jacobs Named Prime Designer on MTA’s Penn Station Access
• The World’s Longest Suspension Bridge Opens for Traffic
• Mo., Mich., Ohio, Ind., & Tenn. Top List as States Moved Forward on 16,000 Transportation Improvement Projects in FY 2021

Water

• Video: Groundwater – Making the Invisible Visible
• Interior Department Invests $100 Million in First Dam Safety Project Through President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
• Chronic Water Waste Results in Alarming Increase in Carbon Emissions, Research Shows
• Stantec Helps South County Regional Wastewater Authority Expand Facility, With a Focus on Sustainability
• Sloan Inaugurates The Water Council’s Water Stewardship Program, WAVE

Tools and Technology

• Public & Private Sectors Expand Safety Services with Launch of New Roadway Work Zone Clearing House Website
• Podcast: Bentley Virtuosity for Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs)
• Clirio Launches World’s First End-to-End Holographic Scan and Review Apps for Field Inspections and Digital Twinning
• Autodesk Introduces the Next Generation of Tools for a New Era of Infrastructure
• Simpson Strong-Tie Adds Hanger Selector App to Suite of Software and Web Applications for Architects, Engineers and Contractors