Once again the actual heavy/highway construction permits recorded in the past 30 to 60 days up and down the State of California show the rather anemic condition of the industry.

Although there is a trickling back-on of the CalTrans and Public Works faucet that Gov. Schwarzenegger had turned off a few months ago-- due to the State budget crisis—there is still a back-log of projects waiting in reserve.

Here are some highlights compiled from Burbank, CA-based Construction Industry Research Board (CIRB):

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This Sunday’s Orange County Register has an excellent article about whether federal stimulus dollars are yet affecting construction in Southern California’s Orange County, one of the wealthiest areas of the state.

Sukut Construction, Inc. www.sukut.com was highlighted, being one of the largest earthmovers/contractors in California. See the entire article “Government Fuels Construction...Read More

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Typical of what is currently receiving funding for construction in California cities is this project, as relayed in a recent press release:

Ledcor Constrcution, Inc., a leading Southern California general contracting firm with U.S. headquarters in San Diego, has been awarded the contract of a new five-story, 119,392-square-foot Public Safety Center with an attached 161,259-square-foot parking structure in downtown El Cajon, San Diego County, CA.

The project is being funded with money generated from a half-cent sales tax increase that was approved by El Cajon voters in 2004.

The 6.7-acre planned Public Safety Center will house the City of El Cajon Police Department's employees and operations. The lower two levels will accomodate 12 detention cells, evidence storage space, and an indoor shooting range. 

The next two l...Read More

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By 2014, California Air Resources Board (CARB) requires final Tier 4 level technology to be in place on off-road equipment. The following short video was taken at the John Deere test facility near Phoenix, AZ, recently.

Joe Mastanduno, Deere’s Engine/Drivetrain marketing manager describes the after-market gear that seems to be as far as anyone has gotten for meeting Tier 4 requirements.

Here is the video (make sure your volume is set at high...Read More

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That is the title of an article written by Glenn H. Matteson at FMI Management Consulting and Investment Banking aimed at construction companies. Just letting employees go is not always the best long-term answer.  How many cost-cutting/saving ideas have you thought of? I run out of ideas at about 20.

Take a look at the article www.fminet.com for all 100. Here is just a sample of good ideas from the first two categories listed among many:

...Read More

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Wanted: Workers with mechanical ability to repair engines, turbines, electrical, perform routine maintenance. Excellent pay/benefits. Must be willing to work 300 feet above ground in windy conditions.

If this looks like the opportunity you’ve been looking for, there is the fast growing construction-related field of Wind Turbine Repair. Training schools and community college courses are popping up all over the U.S.

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If you know California’s history, you know that by 1848 these words were written in huge headlines across every eastern newspaper in the U.S.: “Gold! Gold from the American River!!!”

That set off a world-wide migration into the territory starting its first construction boom.  We’ve been through many booms and busts since becoming a State in 1850. Currently, we’re in a...Read More

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U.S.A. Today and the New York Times are reporting on where much of the Stimulus Package money is going to end up in the construction industry. Apparently there are some surprises…

The Good

As the New York Times www.nytimes.com reported last week:

“The goal of the stimulus plan was to put people to work quickly, and so states across the country have begun to spend nearly $50 billion on thousands of smaller tr...Read More

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The numbers are in for January 2009. The steep drop-off reflects the stoppage of work by Governor Schwarzenegger in December of most public works projects. The emergency measure was taken because of extreme cash-flow problems prior to a $42 billion budget being hammered out. The economy in general is also reflected in the figures. Information was gleaned form Construction Industry Research Board (CIRB)...

Public Buildings and Heavy Construction
Year-To-Date Comparisons:...Read More

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With California’s fiscal budget signed recently by Governor Schwarzenegger comes a couple of new items for contractors to deal with: a Sales Tax Increase, but also an off-road diesel emissions regulation (CARB) change.

AGC California www.agc-ca.org has the details in an “Alert” sent out today, but here are some of their reported important points:

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Californians will be paying more sales tax, increased vehicle license fees, and a personal income tax raise of .25 percent, but at least we have a new budget. It could have been better, and sooner, but it could have been worse, too. A $42 billion deficit that was growing out of control has been brought under control.

...Read More

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An ill patient is wheeled into a hospital emergency room. His diagnosis: bacterial pneumonia.

Which treatment is best?

a.)    Administer intravenous strong antibiotics, isolate the patient under careful watch of hospital staff, continue acute treatment until danger has passe...Read More

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