Construction News for the Week Ending February 20, 2026
Gateway Project Secures $30 Million, Construction Paused for Planning
The Gateway Project received $30 million in federal funding after a court deadline passed for an appeal to further delay funding. Despite the funding, construction remains paused as the project works with contractors to plan the deployment of funds and resume construction.
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Fatal overdose and suicide rates dropped in 2024
Fatal drug overdose and suicide rates among construction workers have decreased, with overdose deaths dropping 28.8% and suicide deaths decreasing 1.7% from 2023 to 2024. This decline is attributed to factors such as opioid risk education, reduced opioid prescriptions, and improved treatment and recovery support. Contractors like Bechtel, Skanska, and Clayco have implemented programs and initiatives to address mental health and suicide prevention in the industry.
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Shift to Outpatient Medical Buildings in the U.S.
Demographic trends, healthcare cost concerns, and federal policy changes are driving a shift towards outpatient medical buildings in the U.S. This shift is expected to increase outpatient volumes by 8% over the next five years, with a focus on low-intensity and moderate-intensity fit-outs. However, the sector faces constraints like tightening subcontractor capacity and rising fit-out costs, particularly in high-growth metro areas.
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Meta’s $10 Billion Data Center in Indiana
Meta has selected Mortenson and Turner Construction to build a $10 billion data center in Lebanon, Indiana. The project will deliver 1 gigawatt of capacity and includes a workforce development initiative, public infrastructure improvements, and environmental enhancements.
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Bills Stadium Construction Halted Due to Vandalism
Construction of the new Bills stadium has been halted due to graffiti and vandalism discovered at the site. The Gilbane Building Company is investigating the incident and has suspended work to maintain a professional environment.
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Construction Work Zone Fatalities Surge Over 30%
Fatal crashes in construction work zones increased by over 30% from 2012 to 2023, with 568 fatalities in 514 crashes. While transportation-related deaths and injuries in the construction industry remained steady, fatality and injury rates declined. Roadway incidents accounted for the majority of injuries and deaths, with specialty trade contractors and states like Texas and Florida experiencing the highest numbers.
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Judge to Rule on White House Ballroom Construction
A federal judge will rule on whether construction of a $400 million White House ballroom can continue after a historic preservation group challenged the project. The group argues that President Trump should have sought Congressional authorization before demolishing the East Wing, while Trump’s team claims the project is privately funded and doesn’t require approval. The National Capital Planning Commission will vote on the project on March 5th, following a public hearing.
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Fluor’s Optimistic Outlook for 2026 Growth
Fluor CEO Jim Breuer reported improved client confidence and increased project backlog, particularly in energy construction, for 2026. The company is re-entering the gas-fired power market and advancing nuclear projects, including a Romanian small modular reactor and a uranium enrichment plant expansion in Ohio. Despite a 2025 loss and declining revenue and backlog, Fluor is optimistic about future growth, particularly in the nuclear power sector.
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California Tower Tops Out at UC Davis Health
The $3.7 billion California Tower at UC Davis Health reached a key construction milestone, topping out on February 6th. The 14-story hospital and five-story pavilion, part of a larger campus expansion, will add 334 inpatient beds and open in 2030.
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Smithfield’s $1.3B Automated Pork Plant in Sioux Falls
Smithfield Foods will invest $1.3 billion in a new, highly automated pork processing plant in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, replacing its existing facility. The new plant, expected to open in 2028, aims to improve efficiency and support Smithfield’s strategy to grow its packaged meat business. This investment reflects the company’s efforts to adapt to rising costs and simplify its supply chain.
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Clayco’s Nuclear Data Center Proposal
Clayco, a general contractor, is involved in a proposal to build the first fully integrated nuclear-powered data center in the U.S. The project, led by Deep Atomic, aims to demonstrate how nuclear-powered AI infrastructure can be deployed nationwide. Clayco will advise on construction, infrastructure integration, and ensure the project meets the demands of high-density AI workloads.
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TC2: Training for Nissan Stadium Jobs
The Titans Construction Training Camp (TC2) is a five-week program that trains individuals with no construction experience for jobs on the $2.1 billion Nissan Stadium project. The program, facilitated by the Tennessee Builders Alliance, uses the National Center for Construction Education & Research’s Craft Labor curriculum and offers multiple certifications. Of the 112 graduates, 78% received job offers in the Nashville construction industry.
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AECOM and TomTom Partner for Enhanced Infrastructure Planning
AECOM and TomTom have partnered to enhance AECOM’s infrastructure planning and data capabilities. AECOM will utilize TomTom’s traffic data and analytics to improve mobility, infrastructure planning, and transport modeling.
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Multifamily Housing Starts Rise in December
Multifamily housing starts increased 10.1% month over month in December, reaching 402,000, but dipped 1% year over year. Combined housing starts rose 6.2% from November to 1.4 million, driven by strength in the West, but decreased 7.3% compared to the same period last year. Despite the uptick in starts, builders face challenges like rising construction costs and economic uncertainty.
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Construction Workplace Deaths Decrease in 2024
Construction accounted for about one in five U.S. workplace deaths in 2024, with 1,034 fatalities, a decrease of 41 from the previous year. Falls, slips, and trips were the leading cause of death, followed by transportation incidents. While the number of deaths and fatality rate decreased, industry leaders emphasize the need for continued efforts to improve safety and reduce fatalities.
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Slight Increase in Construction Stress in Early 2026
Construction stress increased slightly at the start of 2026, driven by more projects on hold and bid date delays. However, abandoned projects decreased, and overall stress levels remain significantly lower than the previous year, with improvements seen in both private and public construction.
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Xtend and JFB Construction Merge in $1.5 Billion Deal
Drone manufacturer Xtend and construction company JFB Construction Holdings are merging in a $1.5 billion deal, with Eric Trump among the investors. The merger, expected to close in mid-2026, will create Xtend AI Robotics, a Nasdaq-listed company expanding its global drone footprint. The merger aligns with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s directive to enhance domestic drone production and reduce reliance on foreign countries.
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