Construction News for the Week Ending March 13, 2026
Tampa Bay Rays Unveil $2.3 Billion Stadium Plan
The Tampa Bay Rays released renderings for a proposed $2.3 billion stadium in Tampa, Florida, as part of a mixed-use development. The team will cover half the cost, with the rest coming from Hillsborough County and the city of Tampa. The project, designed by Gensler and Populous, aims to create a walkable district with retail and open spaces, potentially generating over 39,000 construction jobs.
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AECOM Secures $1B Seattle Transit Expansion Contract
AECOM secured work on a 19-contract program for the expansion of Seattle’s regional transit network, expected to generate $1 billion in engineering services. The work will cover civil and structural engineering, planning, and environmental services. The program aims to implement new facilities and upgrades, supporting Sound Transit’s Sound Transit 3 capital program.
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Penzance’s $4 Billion Data Center Investment in West Virginia
Penzance will invest $4 billion to build a 1.9 million square foot data center in West Virginia’s Falling Waters District. The project, located near Virginia’s Data Center Alley, will create 1,000 construction jobs and benefit from West Virginia’s business-friendly environment and energy strategy. The state’s streamlined permitting and support for reliable energy sources like coal and natural gas were key factors in Penzance’s decision.
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Chicago Fire FC’s New $750 Million Stadium
Chicago Fire FC broke ground on a new $750 million stadium, privately funded by owner Joe Mansueto. The 22,000-seat venue, designed by Gensler, will be part of The 78 development along the Chicago River and is expected to open in 2028. The stadium will feature 360-degree viewing, an all-grass field, and integrate with surrounding neighborhoods and transit systems.
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Soaring Flatbed Spot Rates Amid Data Center Demand
Flatbed spot rates are soaring due to increased demand for specialized freight related to data center construction. This demand is driven by large-scale projects by tech companies, leading to a tightening flatbed market with load-to-truck ratios exceeding 70-to-1.
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Buffalo Bills Stadium Tour: Nearly Complete for 2026 Season
A video tour of the nearly completed $2.1 billion Buffalo Bills stadium in Orchard Park shows the unpainted cement walls, vibrant field, and rows of red and blue seats. The stadium is set to open for the 2026 season.
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Balfour Beatty Expands U.S. Data Center Presence
Balfour Beatty, a London-based contractor, sees significant growth opportunities in the U.S. data center market. The company’s expertise in data center construction, project financing, and operations will help it expand its footprint beyond Washington State and Oregon. Balfour Beatty reported a record backlog and strong profit and revenue growth in 2025, driven by successful projects in the U.K. and U.S.
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Skanska Completes Lee Health Hospital in Fort Myers
Skanska USA topped out on Lee Health’s new hospital and medical office building in Fort Myers, Florida. The project, designed by Flad Architects, will encompass 400,000 square feet of healthcare and office space, including a 122,000-square-foot medical office building with an ambulatory surgery center. The project incorporates resiliency and sustainability measures, such as an emergency water well and redundant power systems, and is scheduled to open in 2028.
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NYC Building Trades Council’s Peer Support Network Initiative
The NYC Building Trades Council launched the Building Trades Peer Support Network to address the high suicide rate among construction workers. The program aims to train 1,000 peer supporters to provide suicide prevention and awareness, using a peer-to-peer approach to encourage open communication. The initiative is funded by the New York Building Foundation and supported by Cornell University.
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Senate Passes ROAD to Housing Act Amid Investor Concerns
The Senate passed the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, a major housing bill aimed at increasing housing supply and affordability. However, a provision restricting institutional investors from purchasing single-family homes (SFHs) is causing concern. This provision, which requires investors to sell SFHs after seven years, could hinder build-to-rent housing development and negatively impact housing affordability.
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February Construction Backlog: Increase Driven by Large Projects, Year-Over-Year Decrease
Construction backlog increased in February, driven by large companies and data center projects. However, the overall backlog decreased year-over-year, and the conflict in Iran may further suppress demand for other construction work.
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Hudson Tunnel Project Resumes Amid Funding Concerns
Construction on the $16 billion Hudson Tunnel Project has resumed after a federal funding dispute caused a temporary suspension. However, the project’s CEO warns that work may pause again within two to three months without continued federal funding.
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Nonresidential Construction Planning Declines, Data Centers and Healthcare Strong
Nonresidential construction planning fell for the second month in a row, dropping 7.3% in February after a 6.3% decrease in January. Despite this, planning for data centers and healthcare facilities remained strong, and industrial planning increased 34% year over year.
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Construction Begins 2026 with Strong Sentiment
Construction started 2026 with less momentum, as contractor backlogs decreased and planning activity declined. Despite this, contractor sentiment remains strong, driven by data center, energy, and infrastructure projects.
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