Construction News for the Week Ending Aug 21, 2026
Roberts Temporarily Allows Trump Ballroom Construction
Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts allowed above-ground construction of Trump’s White House ballroom to continue temporarily. The Trump administration argues the project is crucial for national security, while the National Trust for Historic Preservation contends Congress did not authorize the ballroom.
To read more, click here.
Construction Input Prices: July Rise and Future Outlook
Construction input prices rose 0.1% in July, largely due to lower energy costs, but are expected to climb as fuel and material prices increase. Despite the anticipated rise, contractors remain optimistic about expanding profit margins.
To read more, click here.
California High-Speed Rail Faces Funding Shortfall by 2027
The California High-Speed Rail Authority may run out of money by December 2027 if it cannot borrow against expected state funding. The authority is considering leveraging cap-and-invest funds, similar to New York’s congestion pricing program, but this requires approval from the California attorney general and a law ensuring the funds cannot be reduced.
To read more, click here.
Strawberry High Line Canal Transformation Project
A joint venture team will transform the Strawberry High Line Canal in Utah into a modern, pressurized system. The project, estimated at $750 million, will replace the open-water canal with a buried pipeline and repurpose the corridor for a regional trail.
To read more, click here.
Gravis Robotics Secures $200M Series A from SoftBank
The company uses proprietary retrofit technology to turn heavy machinery into autonomous robots, offering both fully autonomous control and AI-augmented manual control. The funding will support the deployment and expansion of Gravis’ solutions.
To read more, click here.
Trump Imposes Tariffs on Drones for National Security
President Trump imposed tariffs on drones and components, citing national security concerns. The tariffs, effective September 3rd, target drones over 55 pounds and those with thermal imaging, with varying rates for allies and China. This move aligns with Trump’s goal to boost domestic drone production and reduce reliance on foreign suppliers, particularly China.
To read more, click here.
Tampa Bay Rays Choose Builders for New Stadium
The Tampa Bay Rays selected a joint venture of AECOM Hunt, Turner Construction, and Horus Construction Services to build their new $2.3 billion stadium in Tampa, Florida. The selection is contingent on approval of a financing plan by the city and county, which are responsible for $960 million of the cost. The stadium, planned for Tampa’s Westshore District, will seat 31,000 and host various events.
To read more, click here.
CBP Pauses Big Bend Construction Amid Concerns
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) paused construction in Big Bend National Park, Texas, after reports of heavy equipment use and terrain disturbance. While CBP stated it is not building a 30-foot wall and is only conducting survey and design work, the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) argues the activity is unnecessary due to the park’s natural barriers.Scott, in the video posted on X, said there is “a pause on all activity in that park as far as construction goes until I can get down there.”
To read more, click here.
$5.3 Billion Rail Investment for 23 States
The Federal Railroad Administration will invest $5.3 billion in passenger rail projects across 23 states, funded by the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. This includes $2 billion for California’s high-speed rail project and funding for Amtrak equipment purchases. The investment will address over 30 high-risk grade crossings and upgrade over 1,000 others.
To read more, click here.
Phoenix Office Tower to Become JW Marriott Hotel
Developer LaPour Partners plans to convert a 19-story office tower in downtown Phoenix into a 340-room JW Marriott hotel. The project, located at the Arizona Center, will feature luxury amenities and is expected to address the growing demand for upscale hotel options in the Phoenix market. The hotel will be near the Phoenix Convention Center and other attractions, appealing to both leisure and business travelers.
To read more, click here.
Robotics Funding Surge in Construction
Robotics in construction is gaining traction, with companies like Bedrock, Gravis, and FieldAI raising nearly $1 billion in funding. This surge is driven by both investor interest in automation and contractors’ need for labor, particularly for large-scale earthmoving projects. Despite the growing interest, robotics adoption in construction is still in its early stages.
To read more, click here.
Brandywine Conservancy Expansion Project
Turner Construction and Wohlsen Construction are collaborating on a $100 million expansion of the Brandywine Conservancy & Museum of Art in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania. The project includes a new 40,000-square-foot museum building, a 325-acre public preserve and garden, and renovations to the historic Mill building.
To read more, click here.
McCarthy’s Workforce Development Campus in Tempe
McCarthy Building Cos. is investing in workforce development with a 12-acre campus in Tempe, Arizona. The McCarthy Anchor Campus will offer professional development, technical training, and collaboration opportunities for the company’s 8,000 employees. The project, which includes the renovation of a former hotel and convention site, will take approximately 16 months to complete.
To read more, click here.
Fed Officials Debate Rate Hike Amid Inflation Concerns
Federal Reserve officials expressed concern about persistent inflation and the potential need to raise interest rates. While some policymakers supported holding rates steady, others, including Cleveland Fed President Beth Hammack, advocated for a rate hike to bring inflation back to the target of 2%. The persistence of inflation above target for over five years raises concerns about entrenched price and wage-setting behavior.
To read more, click here.
Turner Construction Data Breach Affects 6,000, Faces Lawsuits
Turner Construction notified over 6,000 individuals of a data breach involving sensitive information, including Social Security numbers and bank account details. The breach, attributed to the ransomware group Payouts King, also allegedly included sensitive engineering and military project files. Turner is offering identity protection services and is facing potential class-action lawsuits.
To read more, click here.
Bedrock Robotics Launches Autonomous Excavators
Bedrock Robotics has launched fully autonomous excavators on U.S. construction sites, using its Operator system to retrofit existing fleets. The system, tested for a year, enables excavators to perform tasks autonomously after a site manager sets the initial plan, prioritizing safety with a 360-degree sensor suite. Bedrock aims to expand its autonomous technology to other heavy equipment like dump trucks and loaders.
To read more, click here.
Record Hotel Construction Pipeline in Q2 2026
The global hotel construction pipeline reached a record 15,976 projects in Q2 2026, with the U.S. leading in projects and rooms. The luxury and upper upscale segments saw significant growth, with conversions remaining a strong development opportunity.
To read more, click here.
