Joe Metcalfe’s Post

According to Dodge Construction Network’s 2024 Outlook, public works construction, will grow by 17% in 2024. With this onslaught of new infrastructure renovations, contractors should be embracing technology to help prepare and win bids. The industry is primed for technological adoption, and those who adopt it early stand to gain a significant competitive advantage, paving the way for long-term success. 

The expanded National Construction Industry Forum (NCIF) met for the first time last week, bringing together government, industry and unions to provide a space to align goals and pursue shared outcomes. In this latest op-ed, Australian Constructors Association (ACA) CEO Jon Davies explores why collaboration is a crucial step towards transforming the construction industry.

The magazine of NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF INDUSTRIAL AND OFFICE PROPERTIES (NAIOP) featured this piece about a study by the Associated General Contractors of America which looked at the expectations for project values in 2024 to be higher than in 2023. The areas ranked most likely to experience increases were linked to infrastructure work: water/sewer, transportation, bridges and highways. Manufacturing and warehouse construction values were among the top commercial projects with 15% and 10%, respectively, believing that values will be higher in 2024. https://lnkd.in/gPRr9mZD

🚧 Northeast U.S. Heavy Civil and Infrastructure Construction Update 🚧 The Northeast is buzzing with transformative heavy civil and infrastructure projects. Here’s a roundup of some of the most significant developments and the companies leading the charge: 1. Gateway Program's Hudson Tunnel Project The $16 billion Hudson Tunnel Project, a vital component of the Gateway Program, is moving forward with substantial federal funding, including a historic $6.9 billion grant. Early construction is underway, with key players like Tutor Perini Corporation, OHLA USA, and STV Incorporated involved in various phases of the project. 2. Portal North Bridge Replacement This critical replacement of the aging Portal Bridge is making great progress, with Skanska USA and Traylor Bros., Inc. leading the construction efforts. The $1.56 billion project is set to enhance rail traffic reliability in the Northeast Corridor. 3. Northeast Paving's Regional Leadership Northeast Paving part of the Eurovia, continues to dominate civil construction across New England. They are deeply involved in road and bridge projects, heavy highway engineering, and airport paving, consistently meeting federal, state, and local standards. 4. Skanska Heavy Civil Expertise Skanska USA is also spearheading several heavy civil projects across the region, including tunneling, dam construction, and reservoir enhancements. Their involvement in high-profile projects like the Penn Station Access initiative showcases their capabilities. 5. Kiewit’s Contributions Kiewit, a powerhouse in civil engineering, is contributing to projects like the I-95 Improvement Program and several major bridge rehabilitations in New York and New Jersey. 6. Granite Construction’s Role Granite Construction is deeply involved in highway and bridge improvements throughout the Northeast, emphasizing sustainable practices and innovative techniques. These projects highlight the collaborative effort among federal agencies, local governments, and leading construction firms to modernize the Northeast's infrastructure. As these initiatives progress, they promise not only enhanced connectivity but also significant economic growth for the region. If you have an interest and would love to work on some of these groundbreaking projects, please reach out to me below as I would love to discuss how your experience may align. #ConstructionNews #Infrastructure #HeavyCivil #NortheastUS

Great to hear from Scottish Construction Now how an upturn in Scottish infrastructure workload has in turn led to an upturn in expectations. Here at Torridon - your construction cost partner, we are looking forward to seeing how the next 12 months progress. Read more ↴ https://lnkd.in/eyKviSmw #ConstructionScotland #BuildingScotland #ConstructionIndustry #ScottishConstruction #ConstructionGrowth #IndustryOutlook

Flatiron and Dragados North America Integration Successfully Complete   Integration creates the second largest civil engineering and construction company in North America, with growth potential in major marketplaces, and unparalleled civil infrastructure experience and geographical reach. On behalf of Flatiron and Dragados North America, Javier Sevilla, CEO of FlatironDragados, is pleased to announce the successful integration of the companies following the announcement of their combination in July 2024 by DRAGADOS and HOCHTIEF. The integrated company is owned 61.8% by DRAGADOS, S.A. and 38.2% by HOCHTIEF. The newly formed entity, named FlatironDragados, is led by Javier Sevilla as CEO and Peter Davoren as Chairman, in addition to his role as Chairman and CEO of Turner Construction Company. FlatironDragados starts 2025 with a backlog of USD $18.5 billion. Combined revenues for 2023 were USD 6.1 billion. The company has an established presence in 24 U.S. states and eight Canadian provinces. Juan Santamaría, Chief Executive Officer of ACS Group and HOCHTIEF, said: "With the successful integration of FlatironDragados, we are set to redefine engineering and construction in North America, unifying the complementary strengths of two industry leaders to deliver outstanding outcomes for our clients, people and communities. Through strengthened collaboration and an expanded geographic footprint, we are more equipped than ever to deliver complex, large-scale projects across the United States and Canada.” Peter Davoren, Chairman of FlatironDragados, said: “This integration marks an exciting new chapter for our employees and clients across North America. Together with our partners and clients, our work is vital to improving communities and driving economic growth.” Santiago Garcia Salvador, CEO of DRAGADOS, S.A., said: “With a robust foundation built on collaboration, innovation and a shared vision for sustainable growth, FlatironDragados is committed to delivering transformative infrastructure projects The simplified structure of FlatironDragados ensures a unified approach to operations, strategy and risk management, while delivering added value for ACS Group and HOCHTIEF shareholders. More info: https://lnkd.in/eAGUVb83 #OneGroupOneTeam HOCHTIEF | Turner Construction Company | CIMIC Group Limited | Dragados SA | Flatiron Construction | ACS Infrastructure | Iridium Concesiones de Infraestructuras, S.A. | Abertis | CLECE, S.A.

The construction industry thrives on partnerships, yet too often, collaboration becomes a zero-sum game where one party’s win feels like another’s loss. It’s time for a shift. By fostering genuine collaboration across all stakeholders—designers, builders, suppliers, and clients—we can create environments where everyone secures their fair share of the project pipeline. Transparency, trust, and technology are key. Open communication and shared goals align priorities. Leveraging technology to streamline workflows and enhance project visibility ensures everyone is on the same page. When all parties feel respected, heard, and adequately rewarded, the industry can transition from competition to shared success. Let’s build a future where collaboration is the foundation of every project, creating value for all. #innovation #architecture #engineering #construction #contech

Attention Professional Engineers and General Contractors: All projects must come in ahead of schedule and under budget. Both Construction Package 1 and Construction Package 2-3 of the California High-Speed Rail Project were bid at around $1 billion. To-date, they have spent upwards of $4 billion to $5 billion through creative change order composition. At the California High-Speed Rail Industry Forum on Thursday and Friday, I plan to call Tutor-Perini/Zachry/Parsons and Dragados/Flatiron on the carpet. This will likely result in a knock down drag out fight that I will take outside. For more information on this week’s industry forum, go to www.HSR.ca.gov and key “industry forum” into the search engine. My solution is to cut the design builder off once they have exhausted their budget. For example, Tutor-Perini/Zachry/Parsons bid $0.985 billion. Cut them off at $0.985 billion, and rebid the contract while disqualifying Tutor-Perini/Zachry/Parsons on future bidding on that construction package.

Recently, Infrastructure NSW released the ‘NSW Government Principles for Partnership with the Construction Industry’. The Principles seek to address current sector challenges while encouraging improved collaboration between government and the industry. The Principles aim to align efforts across the construction industry to deliver the $118.3 billion infrastructure pipeline for the benefit of the people of NSW. The Principles were officially launched by NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey at an event attended by construction industry leaders and NSW government representatives on 5 December. You can view more here: https://lnkd.in/gCzTPjP3 JAYNE WHITNEY John Holland Australian Constructors Association (ACA) Jon Davies Master Builders Brian Seidler BlueScope Nathan Blackwell

Sullivan Street Partners offers a closer look at its portfolio company, Octavius Infrastructure , celebrating its success and reflecting on its evolution. Sullivan Street carved out Octavius Infrastructure in 2021 from its parent company Geoffrey Osborne Group. The business had established a strong reputation in rail and road infrastructure services built on a highly collaborative, customer-centric culture. Many financial buyers would not have been comfortable with the work and risks involved in the separation. However, with a dedicated team and a clear vision, we were able to establish Octavius as a fully independent entity within nine months. Once independent, Sullivan Street has played a pivotal role in growing Octavius’ value, setting ambitious goals for expansion, regional diversification and operational efficacy, and focus on electrification, complex projects, and impactful civil engineering. Richard Sanders, Managing Partner and Co-Founder, said: “Thanks to our partnership, the excellent management team, and hard work across the organisation, Octavius has had unprecedented success, emerging as the only contractor in the UK to win frameworks across all four regions in England & Wales. By adding electrification capabilities and a design business, Octavius is very well placed to drive great results for its clients, keeping the trains running and the roads working.” In 2023 alone, Octavius made two bolt-on acquisitions - R&W, a civil engineering contractor specialising in highway and engineering services, and Navitas Engineering Ltd, a railway consultant providing electrification, engineering, and design services to infrastructure supply industries. In addition to assisting the company in its financial growth, Sullivan Street has also commited to key social and environmental initiatives. Octavius has generated over £80 million through local supply chain partnerships, partaken in over 2000 hours of volunteering initiatives, and taken on 25 apprentices. The business has also made great strides in its environmental objectives, reducing its Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by 27%, and is on track to achieve its ambitious goal of net zero emissions by 2035. #valuecreation #portfoliocompany #privateequity