July 2023

WHITE PLAINS—The destruction caused by torrential rains and flooding that battered the region this month was historic in sections—and the expense is likely to be equally unpresented as damage assessment totals are still being tallied. First-hand reports and pictures from impacted areas showed extensive road, bridge, rail and infrastructure damage will likely soar to billions of dollars.

NEW YORK—News on the long-delayed Gateway Project came in fast and furious over the past few weeks, culminating with the announcement on July 6 of the largest federal transportation grant in history—$6.88 billion—that will help ramp up construction on this much-needed infrastructure project.

ALBANY— New York State said it award of more than $516 million in enhanced assistance for 216 projects to 141 local governments to rehabilitate and replace bridges and culverts while supporting resiliency and sustainability in every region of the state.

WASHINGTON—From general fund transfers to electric vehicle (EV) registration fees, 2023 has turned out to be a busy year for state transportation funding advocates. As of mid May, states approved 24 measures for a combined $13.5 billion in new transportation revenue. Several other states are also considering bills to increase their transportation investment.  

NEW YORK—Skanska, the global construction and development firm based in New York City, and joint venture partner, Halmar International, LLC, announced on June 26 the partnership was awarded a $1.24-billion design-build contract by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to carry out the design and reconstruction of John F. Kennedy International Airport’s Central Terminal Area Roadways, Utilities and Ground Transportation Center in Queens, NY.

Construction Advancement Institute Awards $75,000 In College Scholarships to Pursue STEM Subjects 15 Scholars from the Hudson Valley Region Named Recipients July 21, 2023 TARRYTOWN, NY—As part of its mission to enhance expertise and professionalism in building and construction in the Lower Hudson Valley, the Construction Advancement Institute (CAI) this month awarded $75,000 in grants

The release and waiver of lien is as ubiquitous on a construction project as the payment requisition form itself—and perhaps blueprints, as well. These documents are frequently required from a contractor before that contractor’s payment requisition is even processed. As a result, many of these forms are glossed over or simply signed with the logic that if it’s not signed, no money will be paid (and the contractor will deal with any consequences later).

NEW YORK—The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is advancing Phase 2 of the Second Avenue Subway with the solicitation of the first contract for construction of the future extension of the Second Avenue Subway to 125th Street in Harlem.

NEW CITY, NY—Rockland County posted on social media on May 28 that Rockland County Executive Ed Day signed a resolution in the amount of $250,000 for an agreement between the county’s Highway Department and Tilcon New York Inc. to provide bituminous concrete materials to be used for county road surfaces. Tilcon New York has operations in Haverstraw in Rockland County.