Under the Hard Hat

Tag: Industry news

  • New green space to revitalize former Royal Alberta Museum site in Edmonton

    New green space to revitalize former Royal Alberta Museum site in Edmonton

    The City of Edmonton is redeveloping the former Royal Alberta Museum site into a vibrant green space, giving the Glenora neighborhood a refreshing new look while supporting urban sustainability initiatives. 

    Originally constructed in 1965 as Alberta’s provincial museum, the building has stood empty since 2015. With the upcoming transformation into a public park, the city is rejuvenating the historic site and providing a valuable recreational area for the community.

    The new Royal Alberta Museum opened its doors in 2018.

    The project aligns with Edmonton’s broader goals to increase green spaces, provide more recreational areas, and improve the quality of life for residents. The new park will serve as a community gathering place, offering opportunities for relaxation, recreation, and connection with nature. The initiative is part of the city’s ongoing commitment to creating sustainable, accessible environments that benefit people and wildlife.

    “The old Royal Alberta Museum building has been a part of our province for decades, and we know many Albertans have happy memories and sentimental stories from visits there,” said Alberta’s minister of infrastructure, Pete Guthrie. “The green space we’re planning will give residents and visitors the opportunity to create new memories in one of the nicest areas in Edmonton.”

    Plans for the green space are still evolving, with the Alberta government encouraging public input to shape its final design. Early ideas include open lawns, gardens, walking paths, and areas dedicated to cultural events or public art installations. Public consultation, including feedback from Indigenous communities, is ongoing to ensure the space is welcoming and inclusive. The park will also retain two historical buildings on the site, the Government House and the Carriage House, offering an additional historical context in the new, modern green space​.

    This transformation is significant for the local community, as it preserves a historic site and opens up new possibilities for outdoor activities in an urban setting. The plans for the green space are still under development, but it’s expected to feature a combination of open lawns, gardens, and possibly areas for public art or cultural events.

  • Company spotlight: The Andromeda Community Initiative

    Company spotlight: The Andromeda Community Initiative

    The Andromeda Community Initiative (ACI) is at the forefront of a transformation in New York’s construction industry. This nonprofit is breaking down barriers by offering apprenticeship training to individuals from underrepresented communities, helping to build a more diverse and sustainable workforce.

    Video courtesy of Andromeda Community Initiative

    Since its inception, Andromeda’s apprenticeship program has trained over 200 individuals, with an impressive 85% graduation rate and four in five graduates securing jobs within nine months of program completion. This program draws a lot of applicants who are people of color and economically disadvantaged, including homelessness, welfare, and criminal justice reentry, providing them with the tools and opportunities to thrive in a traditionally exclusive field.

    “One of the things we hear from employers is, ‘That’s great. Your program sounds interesting, but we want people with two years experience,’” said David Nidus, executive director of the program. “And one wonders how anyone ever gets a job in the field because everyone needs two years experience.”

    The nonprofit provides a wide range of training opportunities, including converting a warehouse into a mock job site complete with scaffolding and power tools.

    According to Sophia Oliveira, the organization’s director of development and fundraising, participants can earn certifications in areas such as suspended and supported scaffolding, site safety, silica awareness, and DOT flagging.

    Sustainability is also a cornerstone of Andromeda’s training. The initiative integrates green building practices and energy-efficient technologies into its curriculum, which prepares trainees to be leaders in the industry’s shift toward more sustainable practices.

    The centerpiece of their offerings is a five-week course in masonry and general construction. Last year, ACI also introduced an eight-week program that adds “an additional three weeks that really focus on green construction and energy-efficiency skills,” Oliveira said.

    The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) has recognized Andromeda’s efforts, highlighting the initiative as a model for effective community-driven workforce development. 

    As the construction industry in New York continues to grow, Andromeda’s work is becoming increasingly vital. By training a diverse and skilled workforce, they are addressing the current labor shortage and building a stronger, more resilient industry for the future.

    The Andromeda Community Initiative is a powerful example of how targeted training and a commitment to inclusion can create lasting change. They are proving that everyone deserves a place in the construction industry and that, with the right support, they can build both their futures and our communities.

  • Salt Lake City welcomes 173,000 sq ft Hitachi warehouse

    Salt Lake City welcomes 173,000 sq ft Hitachi warehouse

    Thanks to a new Salt Lake City Parts Warehouse opening, parts for Hitachi construction and mining machinery will now arrive to dealers a few days quicker. The new facility is expected to reduce downtime and get machinery up and running again with minimal delay. 

    In a press release, Hitachi Construction Machinery Co. Ltd. announced the opening of their new facility, saying the warehouse in Salt Lake City will service customers in western North America, including Utah, Alaska, and Alberta, Canada. The 173,621 sq ft. warehouse can ship up to 500 orders a day from its inventory of 30,000 different parts, made up primarily of main parts for hydraulic excavators and wheel loaders commonly used for general civil engineering projects and main parts for ultra-large hydraulic excavators used in mining operations. 

    Before the construction of the Salt Lake facility, replacement parts for Hitachi construction equipment were shipped from warehouses outside Atlanta, Georgia; the new facility is expected to shorten delivery times by up to three days. LOGISTEED America, Inc. will run warehouse operations at the Salt Lake City facility, while a third-party company will take on distribution operations.

    The new warehouse is part of Hitachi’s continued effort to strengthen its parts supply system. Regarding the importance of this new parts warehouse, Hitachi says, “The Hitachi Construction Machinery Group will continue to contribute to the stable operation of customer machinery through the rapid and reliable supply of service parts in the future.”

  • Canada’s construction sector remains positive in Q2 2024

    Canada’s construction sector remains positive in Q2 2024

    According to The Canada Construction Monitor Q2 2024, the construction sector displayed positive sentiments in the year’s second quarter despite the continued skilled labor shortage. 

    Issued by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Canadian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (CIQS), the report depicted steady growth, with the Construction Activity Index reported at +23, similar to the +24 posted in Q1. 

    Canada’s infrastructure segment displayed the most substantial positive growth, with 35% of respondents reporting an increase in workload over the first quarter of the year. Under 20% reported increased workload in the private non-residential sector since Q1. At the same time, there was a slight decline in respondents reporting private residential sector growth, but numbers remained positive. 

    The report also highlights changing attitudes towards credit conditions this quarter. While roughly 25% of respondents in Q1 anticipated credit conditions to ease over the next 12 months, this amount declined from the 30% who did in the most recent Q2 survey. 

    Q2 twelve-month expectations increased for market variables like infrastructure, headcount, and profit margins. In contrast, net-balance expectations for private residential and private-nonresidential developments lagged behind Q1, though they still showed positive sentiments. 

    The report detailed the factors respondents see as crucial for continued growth, saying, “A further rise in headcounts is viewed as necessary to deliver the projects envisaged, with the net balance for this metric climbing from +27% to +35%.”

    The report also identified factors holding back activity in the construction sector, saying, “Both skills and general labour shortages are the two critical factors identified by respondents as holding back market activity. In each case, around two-thirds of respondents highlighted such scarcities, albeit the Q1 shares (66% for skilled trades and 61% for general labour) are marginally lower than last time.”

    Although the cost of materials was another significant factor, with 59% of contributors highlighting the issue, this number is also at its lowest since Q4 of 2020.

  • Construction costs continue to rise amid inflationary pressures and wage growth

    Construction costs continue to rise amid inflationary pressures and wage growth

    Construction costs continue to rise across North America, driven by a combination of inflationary pressures, labor shortages, and fluctuating material prices. Although the rate of increase is slowing, challenges remain, particularly as economic conditions vary between the U.S. and Canada.

    Why construction costs keep rising

    Construction costs have been steadily rising across North America, albeit at a moderated pace compared to the significant spikes seen during the peak of the pandemic. In the U.S., the construction industry is grappling with a range of pressures, including high inflation and interest rates. The Federal Reserve’s decision to maintain interest rates at a 22-year high of 5.3% is placing additional strain on construction budgets. While some sectors, particularly non-residential construction, may experience a slowdown due to these high costs, inflation is expected to drive material prices up by 2% to 6% this year.

    In Canada, the situation is similar. While construction costs have stabilized somewhat, the country continues to grapple with high population growth reaching 3%, straining housing capacity and driving up costs. This growth has led to the need for over 5 million new homes by 2030, which is putting immense pressure on the construction sector, already facing challenges due to a slow approval process and regulatory hurdles. The highest construction costs are seen in cities like Vancouver and Toronto, where a low-rise condominium apartment project can range from $325 to $400 per square foot. Comparatively, cities like Calgary and Edmonton have relatively lower costs but are still high for the areas, ranging from $280 to $325 per square foot. 

    Labor market pressures and material costs

    Labor shortages are another challenge across North America, with an estimated shortfall of around 500,000 workers needed to meet current demand. This shortfall contributes to rising wages and, consequently, higher construction costs. This shortage is particularly severe in skilled trades, where companies are struggling to fill positions. As a result, labor costs are projected to increase by 3% to 5% in 2024 as firms raise wages to attract and retain workers​.

    Material costs are another area of concern, with ongoing volatility expected throughout 2024. While some materials, such as concrete, may see slight price decreases, others—like wood, plastics, and composites—are expected to rise by up to 6.5%​.

    Future outlook

    Looking ahead, the construction industry in North America is expected to continue facing cost pressures, albeit with some regional variations. In the short term, cost moderation is possible in certain areas, but the underlying factors—such as labor shortages, high demand for housing, and the impact of interest rates—suggest that any relief will be temporary. By 2026, experts anticipate that construction costs could escalate significantly, particularly in markets with high demand and limited labor availability.

  • DOE focuses on states with poor energy-efficiency codes in this round of federal funding

    DOE focuses on states with poor energy-efficiency codes in this round of federal funding

    September 16th—The Department of Energy (DOE) announces $90 million in competitive awards to help Tribal Nations and partner organizations, cities, and states upgrade their energy codes in commercial and residential buildings. This initiative is part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America agenda, and funding comes from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. 

    In late August, the DOE announced the awarding of $240 million to 19 state and local governments to implement more innovative, energy-efficient building codes. As the Biden Administration views them, updated energy codes are crucial for tackling climate change. 

    Today’s energy codes keep homes 40% more energy efficient than those built 15 years ago. Those living in buildings that need to play building code catch-up are often hard-working, underserved communities paying volatile fossil fuel prices. The DOE estimates that energy codes will save Americans $182 billion in utility expenses between 2010 and 2040 and reduce approximately 900 million metric tons of CO2 emissions.

    Updated technology, such as electric storage systems, electric vehicle charging, and on-site energy generation, is increasingly included in newer buildings. This will shape the new standards these updated energy codes need to meet. California is an excellent example of a state where the standards are updating more rapidly. 

    Those awarded a portion of the funding are crafting different strategies for where to spend it. For example, The New Buildings Institute, a Portland-based nonprofit, will implement updated building codes for areas in Oklahoma and Texas. 

    According to the DOE, the National Association of State Energy Officials will take a different approach. They will implement a replicable method to analyze the effect of energy codes on resilience. 

    The California Energy Commission, meanwhile, will create a network of energy code experts to support the construction industry and local government in compliance with document revisions during the plan-review phase of construction. 

    Before funding can be issued to awardees, the DOE and applicant must negotiate, and the DOE reserves the right to cancel and rescind negotiation and selection at any point during the process.

    For more details on DOE’s activities supporting building codes, visit the Building Energy Codes Program.

  • Hilti awarded grant for robotic drilling arm

    Hilti awarded grant for robotic drilling arm

    Hilti has recently been awarded a grant for its innovative robotic drilling apparatus, designed to streamline the process of drilling holes in ceilings and walls at construction sites. This cutting-edge device, protected by the patent US11986888B2, represents a significant step forward in construction technology, potentially revolutionizing how complex drilling tasks are handled.

    Key features

    The patented robotic arm, mounted on a scissor-jack lifting mechanism and supported by caterpillar tracks, is engineered for mobility and precision. It can operate in three-dimensional space, allowing for highly accurate drilling operations. Equipped with multiple segments that pivot and rotate, the arm’s movements are controlled by a unit that also manages the lifting mechanism. This setup ensures that the device can reach and maintain the optimal position for drilling, even in challenging environments.

    One of the impressive features of this robotic apparatus is its lightweight design. The system weighs less than 43 kg, making it portable and easier to maneuver around construction sites. 

    The apparatus also incorporates advanced technology like reflector prisms, which are crucial for measuring the arm’s position and orientation relative to the drilled surface. This added feature ensures that every hole is drilled with pinpoint accuracy.

    Another notable aspect of the Hilti robotic drilling apparatus is its ability to integrate with Building Information Modeling (BIM) files. The control unit can analyze and schedule drilling tasks based on specific project requirements by accessing BIM data. This includes determining the order of drilling based on factors like hole size and location, which optimizes the process for both efficiency and accuracy. 

    Future focused

    As highlighted in a report by GlobalData, Hilti’s focus on unmanned maintenance operations has been a key area of innovation. As of June 2024, Hilti’s grant share was an impressive 59%, illustrating the company’s commitment to advancing construction technology through its patenting strategy.

    The robotic drilling arm is part of Hilti’s broader efforts to enhance construction safety, precision, and efficiency. By automating the drilling process, the apparatus reduces the need for manual labor in potentially hazardous conditions, thereby improving worker safety. Its integration with BIM also allows for better project management, as drilling tasks can be planned and executed more precisely, reducing the likelihood of errors and rework.

    Bottom line

    This grant for the Hilti robotic drilling apparatus is a testament to the company’s dedication to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in construction technology. As the industry continues to evolve, innovations like these will play a crucial role in shaping the future of construction, making it safer, more efficient, and more sustainable.

  • Ontario’s $73M boost to accelerate Gardiner Expressway construction

    Ontario’s $73M boost to accelerate Gardiner Expressway construction

    The Ontario government is investing up to $73 million to accelerate the construction of Toronto’s Gardiner Expressway, cutting the timeline by at least a year. Initially set for completion in April 2027, the project is now projected to finish by April 2026, significantly reducing traffic congestion and boosting economic productivity.

    Drivers in Toronto have something to look forward to: the long-running construction on the Gardiner Expressway is now set to wrap up a year earlier, thanks to a new $73 million investment from the Ontario government. Initially slated to finish in April 2027, the project is now expected to be complete by April 2026, cutting down months of ongoing traffic disruptions.

    “Our government is helping get the 140,000 drivers from Toronto, Peel, Halton, York, Hamilton, and across Ontario who use the Gardiner Expressway each day out of gridlock and where they need to go faster,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation. “The practical solutions we are implementing to speed up construction, like 24/7 work, will provide major economic benefits to Ontario and make life easier and more convenient for drivers from across the province, and in the local community.”

    The funding will allow construction teams to operate 24/7, speeding up the repairs on the critical section between Dufferin Street and Strachan Avenue. This includes rebuilding the elevated roadway, rehabilitating supporting structures, and introducing key traffic improvements, such as a new left-turn lane at Spadina Avenue and changes to the Jameson on-ramp.

    While the 24-hour work schedule will help accelerate progress, city officials are aware of the potential impact on nearby residents. To address noise concerns, the loudest demolition work will be restricted to certain hours during the day and early evening, according to Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik.

    “Together with the provincial government, we can rebuild the Gardiner Expressway more quickly and ease the painful congestion in downtown Toronto,” said Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow. “Working together, we can repair our aging infrastructure, ensure that the Gardiner Expressway is safe and help people get around our city easier.”

    Once complete, the faster timeline is expected to generate over $270 million in economic benefits by improving traffic flow and reducing delays across the city. For now, residents and commuters can take some comfort in knowing that the end of the Gardiner’s construction woes may finally be on the horizon.

  • Construction backlog decreases in August

    Construction backlog decreases in August

    According to the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC, construction backlog numbers showed a dip in August. The backlog, which represents the number of projects contractors have lined up, decreased from 8.9 months in July to 7.8 months in August. This decline comes after several months of relative stability, signaling a potential slowdown in the construction sector.

    Contributing factors

    One contributing factor to the decline is reduced demand in the commercial and industrial sectors, where project starts have dropped off. ABC’s report also highlighted that contractor confidence dipped slightly, reflecting concerns over future projects and the availability of skilled labor. Although contractors still express optimism about the market, the recent numbers indicate some caution as industry challenges persist.

    Breaking down the data further, large contractors experienced the most considerable backlog decrease, while small and mid-sized firms have seen relatively stable workloads. Regional differences were also apparent, with the South continuing to lead in backlog, largely due to infrastructure projects and strong residential demand. In contrast, the Northeast experienced the largest drop.

    Other factors

    Rising costs and supply chain issues have added further pressure, with contractors noting that materials shortages continue to affect their ability to take on new projects. While these issues have been a long-standing concern, the recent dip in backlog may indicate a shift from a thriving construction environment to one facing more uncertainty.

    Despite the decline, ABC’s chief economist, Anirban Basu, noted that demand remains solid in some sectors, particularly infrastructure and healthcare. Contractors working on government-funded projects like transportation and water systems are still seeing steady growth.

    Bottom line

    This decrease in backlog doesn’t necessarily signal an industry-wide contraction. Still, it suggests that contractors must be prepared for potential slowdowns, especially in sectors vulnerable to economic changes. It will be important to monitor the next few months to see if the trend continues or if new opportunities arise to stabilize workloads.

  • Real estate developer Tarragon announces planned community in South Hill, Washington

    Real estate developer Tarragon announces planned community in South Hill, Washington

    Seattle-based development company Tarragon has announced its first master-planned community in the South Hill area of Washington state. The Uplands Community will feature 1,000 homes spread over the 320-acre development, with the first phase of houses ranging from 2000 to 3500 square feet.

    Dennis Rattie, president of Tarragon, says the community has been intentionally designed to foster social connection: “Uplands will set a fresh new standard for life in our South Hill location. We have been very intentional, from our community infrastructure to the home designs offered, all to create a better quality of life and social connections for people living here.”

    To accomplish this goal, the Uplands development has been designed as a walkable community with almost 25 acres of parks, pickleball courts, pools, and a modern fitness center. The community also includes Overlook Park and The Club at Uplands, a gathering space with a gorgeous view of Mt. Rainier where residents can host events and celebrations.  

    Image provided by Tarragon

    To build the first 155 houses in the development, Tarragon has partnered with Century Communities, Conner Homes, Lennar, and Richmond American Homes. Rattie explains that these builders were chosen because of their reputation for trustworthiness and dependability, saying, “It is important to us that we work with builders who understand and support our mission to cultivate community wherever we work and deliver high-quality products to our future homeowners. Each one of these builders has seen success in the Pacific Northwest, and we are excited to bring their innovative floor plans to the community.”

    Tarragon is known for its multi-family rental communities—including Riverside Park Apartments and Dwell at Kent Station—and Class A industrial and commercial projects. Uplands will mark the company’s first venture into master-planned communities with single-family homes, though future phases of the development will include both smaller homes and rental townhouses. 

    Construction of the first phase of homes is expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2024, with sales opening in early 2025.