Construction News for the Week Ending May 22, 2026
FlatironDragados Starts $518M Stormwater Project in Virginia Beach
FlatironDragados has begun construction on a $518 million project to manage stormwater and reduce flooding in Virginia Beach neighborhoods. The project includes pump stations, tide gates, flood barriers, and drainage channel upgrades.
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USG Corp. to Invest $1.18 Billion in Texas Facility
USG Corp. will invest $1.18 billion to build a production facility in Orange, Texas, creating nearly 200 jobs. The project, which expands USG’s manufacturing footprint in Texas, qualified for economic incentives through the Texas Jobs, Energy, Technology and Innovation program. The facility is expected to be operational by early 2028.
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$580 Billion Surface Transportation Bill Approved
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee leaders agreed to a five-year, $580 billion surface transportation bill. The bill allocates $65 billion to rail programs, $41 billion to discretionary grant programs, and prohibits federal grants to the California high-speed rail project for two years.
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Mixed Earnings, Optimism in Data Centers and Infrastructure
Construction firms reported mixed earnings for the first quarter of 2026, but remain optimistic about data center construction and federal infrastructure projects.
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Granite’s $32M Parks Highway Reconstruction in Alaska
Granite Construction will deliver the $32 million Parks Highway MP 315–325 Reconstruction project in Alaska. The project, which began in 2022, will rebuild a section of the highway near Nenana, utilizing Granite’s self-supply capabilities to deliver asphalt and reduce material imports. The project aims to improve safety by straightening curves and decreasing grades on the highway.
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Highmark Stadium Exceeds MWBE Contract Goals
The new Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York, surpassed its minority- and women-owned business enterprises goal for construction contracts, paying over $490 million to MWBE contractors. The project, 96% complete, initially faced criticism for failing to meet minority business hiring goals but has since awarded 304 contracts to 140 MWBE firms. The stadium, the future home of the Buffalo Bills, will host its first regular season NFL game on September 17, 2026.
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STV-Turner JV to manage construction of $10B NYC bus terminal
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has selected a joint venture of STV and Turner Construction to oversee the initial buildout of a new $10 billion bus terminal in New York City. The first phase includes constructing an interim terminal and ramp infrastructure to maintain bus service for over 200,000 daily commuters. The project will also involve the construction of the Dyer Avenue deck-overs, which will later transform into public open space.
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Data Centers Boost March Construction Starts
Data centers drove construction starts in March, particularly in the electric power and utilities segment. However, construction spending in traditional sectors declined, and hiring remained stagnant.
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EPA Proposes Rule for Pre-Permit Construction on Non-Emitting Components
The EPA proposed a rule allowing companies to begin construction on non-emitting components for manufacturing, power generation, and data centers before obtaining a major New Source Review permit. This change aims to provide clarity and flexibility to the permitting process, supporting economic development and accelerating data center construction. The rule would expand the scope of work allowed before a permit is issued, while still ensuring environmental protection.
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$580 Billion Surface Transportation Bill Approved
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee leaders agreed to a five-year, $580 billion surface transportation bill. The bill allocates $65 billion to rail programs, $41 billion to discretionary grant programs, and prohibits federal grants to the California high-speed rail project for two years.
To read more, click here.
MDTA to Issue $4B-$4.8B Contracts for Key Bridge Reconstruction
The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) will issue four contracts for the reconstruction of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, totaling an estimated $4 billion to $4.8 billion. The contracts include the demolition of remaining structures, construction of the north and south approaches, and the main span. The MDTA aims to increase competition and opportunities for the local workforce by restructuring the procurements.
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Forbes’ Top 100 U.S. Family-Owned Businesses: 21 Construction Firms Included
Forbes’ inaugural list of the 100 largest family-owned businesses in the U.S. includes 21 construction-related firms, such as Bechtel and HITT Contracting. These companies, many with long histories, share the list with other prominent American businesses.
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Rising Gas Prices Impact Construction Earnings Amid U.S. Military Actions in Iran
The U.S. military operations in Iran have caused gas prices to rise, impacting construction firms’ earnings. While acknowledging the impact, executives downplayed the effect on their annual outlook, citing mitigation strategies like fixed-price contracts and energy surcharges.
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8 Startups Innovating NYC Transit
Eighteen startups are participating in the eighth year of the Transit Tech Lab, an initiative by the MTA and the Partnership Fund for New York City. The startups are developing proofs of concept for technologies that could improve New York’s transit system, with a focus on AI-powered solutions for procurement, mechanical degradation detection, and trackside imaging. Selected companies will begin implementing their ideas in a year-long pilot program starting in November.
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Construction Starts Surge 9% in April
Construction starts increased 9% in April, reaching $1.33 trillion, driven by diverse sectors beyond data centers and power plants. Nonresidential building starts rose 18.6%, with commercial construction, including warehouses and hotels, seeing significant gains. Infrastructure work boosted non-building construction by 7%, while residential starts dipped slightly.
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