Dodge Construction Outlook Predicts Rising Starts in 2018
U.S. construction starts are expected to climb slightly in 2018, according to the 2018 Dodge Construction Outlook. A 3% rise, to $765 billion, is expected, following a similarly modest 4% boost, to $746 billion, estimated for 2017.
The forecast was released at Dodge Data & Analytics' Dodge Outlook Executive Conference, held in Chicago on Nov. 2.
Elon Musk tweets photo of LA-area transport tunnel
Billionaire Elon Musk has released a photograph of a tunnel he’s building under a Los Angeles suburb to test a novel transportation concept for a system that would move people underground in their personal cars rather than by subway trains.
Construction industry pushes back against GOP tax reform provisions
The House Republican tax bill would eliminate tax breaks for a popular funding mechanism used by public-private partnerships (P3s) and put an end to electric vehicle tax credits, according to The Hill.
Hurricanes strain construction industry resources
Existing labor shortages could be exacerbated by the impact of hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria, while managing materials will be key as rebuilding efforts get underway, according to industry sources. Robust construction activity in Texas and Florida had already strained the regions’ labor supply, even before rebuilding efforts and even more demand loomed after the three hurricanes, sources said.