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.
May 28th
National
Coronavirus deaths in US top 100,000-BBC News. The US has passed 100,000 deaths in the coronavirus outbreak in less than four months. It has seen more fatalities than any other country, while its 1.69 million confirmed infections account for about 30% of the worldwide total.
Despite Reopening Efforts, Many Americans Are Fearful to Resume Normal Life-Route Fifty. The poll suggests that simply reopening nonessential businesses won’t on its own turn around the economy, as the economy can’t rebound if customers still aren’t willing to show up at stores and feel they have the resources to buy goods.
New wave of U.S. layoffs feared as coronavirus pain deepens-Reuters. For the 10th straight week, more than 2 million Americans sought unemployment benefits. Job cuts by U.S. state and local governments whose budgets have been crushed fighting the COVID-19 pandemic and more second-wave layoffs in the private sector.
States
Smaller Cities Left Waiting on Coronavirus Aid Money-Route Fifty. “The challenge for 97% of America’s cities is that we haven’t received any funding yet,” the president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors said on a recent call this week.
California
California is reopening too quickly, posing ‘very serious risk,’ health officer warns-Los Angeles Times. A key architect of the nation’s first coronavirus shelter-in-place order is criticizing California’s increasingly fast pace of lifting stay-at-home restrictions. In particular, she is concerned by the decision to allow gatherings of up to 100 people for religious, political and cultural reasons.
Massachusetts
With Ridership Low Due To Coronavirus, MBTA Fast-Tracking Construction Projects-CBS Boston. Construction is being fast-tracked while MBTA ridership is low due to coronavirus. The MBTA is also working to ensure safe and efficient rides when commuters begin heading back to work. The station closed on May 18 and will remain shut down through May 31 as part of an accelerated improvement project made possible by low ridership during the coronavirus pandemic.
Texas
As coronavirus results in less traffic, transportation funding in Texas and beyond takes a hit-Dallas Morning News. Thousands of people in North Texas and beyond have been staying off the roads amid stay-at-home orders and other social distancing guidelines. There’s been a significant hit to the revenue streams used to fund road work.
Industry
Coronavirus has affected construction the most in these 10 states-Construction Dive. The coronavirus crisis has had a negative effect on construction firms across the country but those working in a handful of states, especially those with government-mandated jobsite shutdowns, have been especially hard hit.
Before COVID-19, ASCE Project Envisioned Post-Pandemic Future-Engineering News-Record. The deadly coronavirus pandemic has not only caused contractors to temporarily halt projects and work differently, it also has caused construction professionals to imagine future changes to the built environment and to society in general.
Next COVID-19 stimulus bill viewed as opportunity to improve infrastructure investment-Transportation Today. Some advocates have called for infrastructure to be included in a future COVID-19 response package. However, it’s not clear whether transportation and infrastructure funding will be part of that or separate legislation.
Contact our editors if you have COVID-19 news impacting the AEC industry to share.