March 2024

TARRYTOWN—The advocacy efforts of the Hudson Valley region’s construction industry, led by the Construction Industry Council of Westchester & Hudson Valley, Inc., and organized union labor, have prompted state lawmakers in both chambers to advance significant funding increases in the New York State Department of Transportation’s 2024-2025 budget aimed at fixing deteriorating roads and bridges in the Lower Hudson Valley.

TARRYTOWN—Attendees of the Hudson Valley Construction Industry Partnership convention late last month in Naples, FL attended a host of highly informative presentations and roundtable discussions on industry trends, safety and management initiatives, legislative priorities and economic and work flow prognostications.

WHITE PLAINS—In his Seventh State of the County address on March 14, Westchester County Executive George Latimer signed the $52.8-million Glen Island Bridge construction Bond Act, which is among the most significant construction projects in Westchester County in the past decade.

When faced with challenges, leaders act. Problems require solutions, and if ignored, problems often become worse over time. A present-day case in point is Route 17, the major corridor in the Hudson Valley. .

It’s always a bad idea to exaggerate the amount of a mechanic’s lien. While the exaggerating lienor may succeed in getting the attention of the owner or upstream contractor with such an action, the negative boomerang effects—such as having the lien declared void—greatly outweighs the shock value of a big number on the lien.

HYDE PARK, NY—A survey released on March 5 by the Siena College Research Institute of more than 500 upstate business leaders showed optimism that several sectors of the economy—technology, education, tourism, medical and manufacturing—will prosper in the next three to five years. Also, a majority describe current business conditions in their local area as staying the same or getting better.

WASHINGTON—Thanks to the funding levels that are part of the $1.2 trillion IIJA, President Joe Biden’s budget proposal for fiscal year 2025 is sticking with highway spending transit obligation limits that are in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Heavy infrastructure programs remain high on his list if you look at the funding requests for two key construction agencies, the U.S. Dept. of Transportation and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

ALBANY —The New York State Public Service Commission recently approved plans by Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc., for a new two-year electric system construction project, valued at $57.8 million. It is designed to improve electric service reliability and system resiliency for approximately 45,000 utility customers by installing 5.5 miles of new electric transmission cable underground in the southwest section of Clarkstown.

The Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission’s decision in Secretary of Labor v. Gate Precast Company reaffirms the safety requirements for construction companies that have crews working at heights and the precautions and training they must undertake with both permanent and temporary employees.

HVCIP MID-WINTER MEETING
Ritz-Carlton, Naples, Florida • February 25 – February 29, 2024. 175 Members and Guests Convene to Discuss Management & Labor Concerns, Contracting Challenges, Labor Relations, Public Works
and Private Development Programs.