Associated Builders and Contractors reported Sept. 10 that its Construction Backlog Indicator fell to 8.2 months in August, according to an ABC member survey conducted from Aug. 20 to Sept. 5. The reading is down one month from August 2023.

Associated Builders and Contractors reported on Feb. 13 that its Construction Backlog Indicator declined to 8.4 months in January, according to an ABC member survey conducted from Jan. 22 to Feb. 4. The reading is down 0.6 months from January 2023.

Construction has officially begun on a $500 million development with two towers and green space at the site of the previously planned Chicago Spire. The Related Co. project begins with a 72-story residential tower, to be followed by a smaller high-rise, on a site where the earlier plans called for a 2,000-foot-high condominium tower.

Associated Builders and Contractors reported Dec. 12 that its Construction Backlog Indicator inched up to 8.5 months in November from 8.4 months in October, according to an ABC member survey conducted from Nov. 20 to Dec. 4.

PCL Construction’s president, Deron Brown, forecasts key trends shaping U.S. construction in 2024. Government funding, re-shoring manufacturing and a boost in tourism are converging to create a demand for the construction of megaprojects and landmark builds that exceed $1 billion in budget.

Aug. 8’s announcement makes some improvements but critically misses an opportunity to improve the wage determination process and further burdens overregulated construction contractors building and upgrading the nation’s infrastructure.

The Dodge Momentum Index moved 4% higher in March to 166.9 (2000=100), up from the revised February reading of 160.3. The Momentum Index is a monthly measure of the initial report for nonresidential building projects in planning, which have been shown to lead construction spending for nonresidential buildings by a full year.

I was in Europe this summer and toured a factory that made rammed earth walls. These walls are historic and built on basic principles.

SmithGroupJJR, an integrated design firm, will now offer architecture services at its Madison, Wisconsin office for the first time in the company’s history.

The Dodge Momentum Index moved lower in August, falling 2.4% to 129.1 (2000=100) from its revised July reading of 132.2.