Construction News for the Week Ending July 3, 2026
Granite Construction Secures $116.9M Utah Route 177 Extension
Granite Construction won a $116.9 million contract to extend Utah’s State Route 177 by 3 miles. The project, part of the West Davis Corridor Expansion, will include nine new bridges, two pedestrian crossings, and extensive paving.
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Egerton Appointed as Balfour Beatty’s New CLCO
Balfour Beatty appointed Ed Egerton as its new chief legal and commercial officer, effective September. Egerton, with over two decades of experience in infrastructure and energy, will lead the company’s commercial, legal, procurement, and company secretariat functions.
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Passenger Rail Projects Face Challenges
Demand for passenger rail projects has increased, with significant infrastructure projects like the Hudson Tunnel gaining attention. However, the expiration of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and political disagreements threaten to stall these projects.
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FERC Order Emphasizes Data Center Load Flexibility
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s order to provide transmission for flexible large loads highlights the need for data center load flexibility. Data center flexibility can reduce electricity demand, lower costs for ratepayers, and increase system reliability. The FlexMosaic framework aims to align incentives between data centers and utilities by linking faster interconnections with contractual agreements that protect utilities.
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Merced to Madera Rail Segment Prioritized
The California High-Speed Rail Authority is prioritizing the Merced to Madera segment of the high-speed rail project, with a focus on cost efficiency and timely delivery. A request for qualifications for a $2.4 billion civil works contract was issued, covering major civil work along the 30.3-mile segment. The authority is also pursuing a public-private partnership for clean power and expects to begin major construction in late 2027.
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Upgrade Defense Research Facilities
The Defense Research Enterprise Review highlights the need to upgrade the Department of Defense’s aging research facilities, many built before the internet, to maintain a competitive edge. The report recommends dedicated funding for research facility development, increasing the construction project authorization limit, and creating a database of all research infrastructure.
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Judge Blocks Funding Freeze for Hudson Tunnel Project
A federal judge blocked the U.S. Department of Transportation from withholding funds for the $16 billion Hudson Tunnel Project. The DOT had suspended payments pending a review of the project’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program, but the judge ruled this was contrary to law. The ruling allows construction to proceed without the threat of a funding freeze.
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Construction Job Openings Rise Amid Labor Demand Concerns
Construction job openings increased in May, reaching a 10-month high, driven by demand for data center buildouts. However, rising layoffs and a falling quit rate suggest overall weakening demand for construction labor.
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Sonderling Nominated as Labor Secretary
The president plans to nominate Keith Sonderling as secretary of labor. Sonderling, a Republican with agency experience, supports employer-friendly regulations and encourages employers to self-audit for compliance and bias, particularly regarding AI tools.
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