January 2024

ALBANY—Gov. Kathy Hochul used her two spotlight appearances here this month to lay the groundwork for what her administration will seek in the annual budget battle with the Legislature. Her 2025 Executive spending plan address on Jan. 16 echoed the same elements of her State of the State address on Jan. 9—covering a wide gamut of issues, including the housing shortage, climate change, transportation spending, crime and consumer protection among a host of hot-button issues.

WASHINGTON—Roadbuilders and their suppliers can expect a banner year in 2024, with industry experts projecting record spending on infrastructure projects thanks to the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, according to several economists in the construction industry.

TOWN OF WALLKILL, NY—The New York State Department of Transportation hosted public information sessions on Jan. 17 at the Town of Wallkill Community Center and provided updates on the planned massive Route 17 conversion project to I-86, as well as the impending improvement project at the westbound exit 122 on Route 17.

TARRYTOWN, NY—The Construction Industry Council is celebrating its 45th anniversary this year with a host of events to mark the milestone since its first full year of service to the contracting community. Over the past four and a half decades, the impact of the association has increased to become a guiding force to the broader business community, a trusted partner with organized union labor and an expert source to advise the public sector at all levels of government (federal, state and municipalities) throughout the lower Hudson Valley.

Anyone who has undertaken a construction project knows there are many activities to be coordinated, with many different people performing these activities. It is also accepted that different trades generally have no duty (or right) to direct the work of other trades, and that ultimately all direction comes from the general contractor or construction manager. In a like vein, claims by and against trade contractors must flow in the same direction—up or down, to or from the GC/CM.

CHESTNUT RIDGE, NY—The head of the Rockland County Highway Department recently told CONSTRUCTION NEWS that these past two milder winters in the region has allowed projects to move forward toward completion ahead of pre-bid schedules.

Next Gen Leaders Profiles of the Industry’s New Generation Andrew Griffin Age: 25 Current Employer: Corgan / NYC Position / Job Title: Project Specialist College or University Attended: University of Buffalo Degree(s): B.S. and Master’s Degree in Architecture: Accomplishments: Winning CIC-Louis G. Nappi and Construction Advancement Institute Scholarships – 2017-2020 Favorite Course or Subject: I

ELMSFORD, NY—Teamsters Local 456 held an information session on Jan. 11 at the union’s headquarters here, entitled “Drug Testing Protocols & Procedures,” for companies with trucking operations that employ any worker using a commercial driver’s license (CDL) as well as for those who are owner/operators of commercial motor vehicles.