Construction News for the Week Ending January 16, 2026
Kansas DOT awards $287.97m contract for U.S. 54 and K-96 expansion
Kansas DOT awarded a $287.97 million contract to Dondlinger Wildcat EKC1, a joint venture between Dodlinger & Sons Construction and Wildcat Construction, for the reconstruction and expansion of U.S. 54 and K-96 in Sedgwick and Butler counties. The project, part of the Eisenhower Legacy Transportation Program, includes six-lane expansion, bridge replacements, retaining walls, and frontage roads. Kansas DOT Awards $287.97M Contract for U.S. 54 and K-96 Expansion.
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Serán Bioscience campus
Mortenson topped out the third building of Serán Bioscience’s 100,000-square-foot commercial manufacturing campus in Bend, Oregon. The project, supported by a $200 million transaction with Bain Capital Life Sciences, will position Bend as a hub for advanced pharmaceutical development.
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Louisville partners with Govstream to pilot ai program for permitting and development
Louisville, Kentucky, has partnered with Govstream.ai to pilot an AI program aimed at streamlining the city’s permitting and development process. The program will analyze city codes, spatial data, and permit records to identify bottlenecks and enhance transparency.
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Apartment developers face challenges despite 17.9% increase in permits
Apartment developers pulled permits for 481,000 apartments in October, a 17.9% increase year-over-year. However, high new inventory and a constrained equity market, with preferred equity being costly, have made it difficult for developers to break ground on new properties.
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Illegal aliens avoid work amid immigration policies
Despite President Trump’s immigration policies, construction companies are not experiencing widespread enforcement on jobsites. Instead, undocumented workers are choosing to avoid work, leading to a shortage of qualified labor for nonresidential contractors.
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National Housing Emergency Act proposal
The National Housing Emergency Act, introduced by Sen. Elissa Slotkin, calls for President Trump to declare a national housing emergency and utilize the Defense Production Act to boost housing production. The bill aims to construct 4 million additional housing units and prohibits state and local governments from imposing regulations that hinder housing production until 2031.
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Rising construction costs due to tariffs on materials
The latest PPI report highlights rising construction input costs, driven by tariffs on materials like aluminum and steel. This has led to increased uncertainty for contractors and owners, impacting project commitments and bid prices.
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Mixed Outlook for Construction in 2026: Labor Challenges Persist
Associated General Contractors’ survey reveals a mixed outlook for construction in 2026, with labor challenges persisting. Firms face difficulties filling positions, impacting project timelines, while seasoned professionals retire and immigration enforcement affects workflows.
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Sundt Construction Selected for $396 Million SR 347 Improvement Project in Arizona
Sundt Construction was named the highest-ranking contractor for the $396 million State Route 347 Improvement Project in Arizona. The project aims to reduce congestion and improve safety along a 15-mile section of SR 347 between Interstate 10 and the city of Maricopa.
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Expansion of U.S. Transit Lines in 2025: Focus on Bus Rapid Transit and Arterial Rapid Transit
Over 160 miles of new rail and bus transit lines opened in the U.S. in 2025, with 94 more projected for completion this year. Cities are opting for less expensive bus rapid transit (BRT) and arterial rapid transit over light rail projects.
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AVAIO Digital’s $6 Billion Data Center Hub Investment in Pulaski County, Arkansas
AVAIO Digital announced a $6 billion investment to build a data center hub in Pulaski County, Arkansas, with the potential to reach $21 billion. The facility, expected to be completed by June 2027, will feature sustainable elements and is anticipated to reach a power demand of up to 1 GW.
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