DBIA’s mission is to provide the best resources available to help inform and empower our industry. In these uncertain times, that mission is even more important. As our communities fight the Coronavirus, we are working to find the best information available to help design-build teams navigate the unknown. This daily newsletter will provide the latest COVID-19 news for the AEC community.
Design-builders deliver in times of crisis and we will again.
If you have COVID-19 news impacting the AEC industry from your organization, state or community please email us.
April 29th
National
McConnell says he won’t support infrastructure in coronavirus bill-Axios. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell panned the idea of using a coronavirus stimulus bill to fund major infrastructure investment in a conference call today with Republican senators.
US coronavirus cases top 1 million as some states mull reopening nonessential businesses-CNBC. The coronavirus has now infected more than 1 million people in the United States as the nation grapples with roughly a third of all global cases — making it the worst outbreak in the world.
The U.S. economy contracted 4.8% in the first quarter amid state shutdowns, millions of layoffs-USA Today. Consumer spending plunged and business investments declined sharply as the U.S. economy, largely shut down by the coronavirus pandemic, turned in its worst performance in more than a decade early this year. In addition, the dismal showing reflects just a sliver of the damage to come.
States
Coronavirus Regulations: A State-By-State Week In Review-Law 360. The second month of COVID-19 shutdowns wound down with more western states banding together to decide how to ease stay-at-home orders, Florida beefing up its economic revitalization task force, and hardest-hit New York and New Jersey offering strategic reopening plans.
California
San Francisco Bay Area To Extend Construction Restrictions Through May-ENR. Seven San Francisco Bay-area health officers are expected to announce April 29 that they will largely keep current restrictions in place through May 31. Construction officials, however, have requested a gradual restart of projects.
Massachusetts
Coronavirus In Massachusetts: Baker Extends Business Closures, Stay At Home Advisory To May 18-CBS Boston. Gov. Charlie Baker said on Tuesday the date for non-essential businesses to remain closed has been pushed back to May 18. When the state reopens, it will be a “phased” approach and while construction could be among the first industries back to work, it’s still too early to say. The state had previously had a May 4 deadline.
New Jersey
KCCT Joins USACE to Expand Treatment Facilities in Paramus, New Jersey-KCCT. KCCT is assisting the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in multiple nationwide COVID-19 Rapid Response projects in collaboration with Conti Federal and WSP Engineering. This includes an emergency, non-acute care facility in Paramus, New Jersey, one of the hardest-hit states by Coronavirus.
Ohio
Ohio’s reopening plan begins with hospitals, construction, manufacturing: The Wake Up for Tuesday, April 28, 2020-Advance Ohio. On May 4, construction and manufacturing will resume with social distancing, hygiene, cleaning and other measures to protect workers and customers and their families, according to Gov. Mike DeWine.
Industry
370 Skanska projects impacted by COVID-19 so far-Construction Dive. In an earnings call Tuesday morning, CEO Anders Danielsson said 370 of the company’s projects have been affected so far. Government shutdowns, supply chain disruptions and lowered demand from clients are creating delays that, he said, “will impact us negatively for some time ahead.”
Builders’ Union Floats Detailed COVID-19 Safety Measures-Law 360. North America’s Building Trades Unions and its affiliated research organization, The Center for Construction Research and Training, urged employers on Monday to develop a “comprehensive COVID-19 exposure control plan” with temperature checks and designated COVID-19 officers at job sites.
The Dotted Line: 4 ways to interpret construction contracts amid coronavirus-Construction Dive. There are many aspects of the construction industry that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Construction companies have been confronted with new concerns around worker safety; their clients are pulling out of projects or, at the very least, delaying them; some local and state governments have ordered a halt to most construction activity; and many contractors and subcontractors are trying to figure out how they will meet their financial obligations until work ramps up again.
DBIA will be hosting a two-part webinar on design-build legal issues in May. Details coming soon. Contact our editors if you have COVID-19 news impacting the AEC industry to share.