The depressed housing market and growing weakness in the nonresidential and public works sectors is starting to have a major impact on labor markets. In November, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that construction’s unemployment rate had soared to 12.7%. This marks a steady climb from 8.0% in July through 10.8% in October. The November 2008 unemployment rate is more than double last year’s rate and is way above the low of 4.5% record in November 2006. The current 12.7% unemployment rate means that in November 1.237 million blue- and white-collar workers were out of work. The unemployment rate

The Arizona Dept. of Transportation has identified over $1.2 billion in projects that would be ready to go in under 180 days if they were funded by a proposed federal economic recovery package. Projects include the 7-mile, $146-million Loop 303 from Lake Pleasant Road to Interstate 17, the $50-million widening of I-10 from I-8 to State Route 87, and the $50-million Cordes Junction Traffic Interchange on I-17, which would include a construction-manager-at-risk contract. Related Links: Arizona Projects Questions Swirl On Stimulus Plan �Ready to Go� May Be The Stimulus Ticket “We have critical needs in our state and can quickly

The Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Dept. says its $1.1 billion worth of ready-to-go projects is a result of a historic �short end of the stick.� Some of the projects have been waiting for funding since 1999. Related Links: Questions Swirl On Stimulus Plan �Ready to Go� May Be The Stimulus Ticket “If we’re near the top of this list, that just means we’re near the bottom of the list of states having the money for building these projects,” says ASHTD spokesman Glenn Bolick. “We passed a $1-billion interstate rehabilitation program in 1999, then ran out of money about five

The fiscal picture has grown worse for many states, according to a survey from the National Governors Association and National Association of State Budget Officers. The report, released Dec. 15, says that because of the ailing national economy, cumulative state operating spending is projected to fall in fiscal 2009, by 0.1%, the first spending decrease since 1983. The study, NGA and NASBO's biannual Fiscal Survey of States, also says that since their 2009 fiscal year started on July 1, 31 states have reported that they face budget shortfalls totaling $29.7 billion. The report focuses on states' operating budgets, but revenue

Congress has cleared pension legislation that would provide temporary relief for single-employer and multi-employer pension funds, as well as individual retirees, who have seen their funds decline because of the downturn in the financial markets. Final congressional approval came Dec. 11 when the Senate passed the measure by unanimous consent. The House had approved the bill the previous day. Mark Ayers, president of the AFL-CIO's Building and Construction Trades Dept., said in a letter to state and local BCTD leaders that the legislation "would provide funding relief for the vast majority of building trades' multiemployer plans...which, like most pension plans,

Reaction to the broadening global economic crisis has hit much of the manufacturing and industrial process world hard and fast.

Despite the widespread economic turmoil, contractors and design firms in the global telecommunications market are optimistic.

New construction starts tumbled 9% in October to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $461.6 billion, according to McGraw-Hill Construction.

With economic trouble buffeting many states' budgets, governors and legislators are asking Congress and the incoming Obama administration for tens of billions of dollars in federal aid in what they hope will be a new economic-stimulus bill. The states' request could include up to $136 billion for highways and other infrastructure projects. Office of Pennsylvania Gov. Rendell Rendell says funds would go for major project, not potholes. President-elect Barack Obama has said that a new stimulus measure would be his first order of business after he takes office. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has said key committee chairmen are working

Russia Tower, next in line as Europe’s tallest building, has fallen into the credit crunch. Work on the 600-meter-tall Moscow building has been shelved, according to local reports, al­though the design team has yet to be told. The project has been “delayed,” says David Klon­dar, general director at the Moscow office of Waterman International, the project’s lead struc­tural firm. The basement excavation had started and permitting was well in hand, Klon­dar says. Project architect is London-based Foster and Partners. The building's engineering team includes Chicago-based high-rise expert Hal­vorson and Partners. Photos: Peter Reina / ENR