Author name: niallogara

ALBANY—New York State earlier this month announced nearly $300 million is being awarded to communities through the Water Infrastructure Improvement Grant, Intermunicipal Grant, Green Innovation Grant, and Engineering Planning Grant programs to fund critical water infrastructure projects across New York State.

TARRYTOWN, NY—During the Nov. 8 election, voters in states across the country had their say on various transportation-related initiatives with billions of dollars at stake. An enterprise that tracks transportation issues reviewed initiatives that were listed on statewide, county and local ballots across the nation.

This column has often counseled that “if it’s not in writing, it didn’t happen.” While that is very simplified advice, the core lesson we seek to impart is that where an oral contract, or oral modification of a written contract, is permitted to happen, the facts are often relegated to a “he said, she said” dispute. Unfortunately, such disputes must ultimately be resolved by a jury (which, needless to say, is an expensive process—even if you win).

ALBANY—The New York State Department of Transportation announced on Nov. 21 the completion of $60.5 million in bridge upgrade projects to enhance safety and resiliency in the Hudson Valley.

Major construction is complete on a project that replaced the bridge carrying East Lincoln Avenue over the Hutchinson River Parkway and Hutchinson River. The $48-million bridge replacement project was part of a larger, $115-million initiative to replace and renovate several bridges in Westchester County. CIC-member Halmar International LLC of Nanuet, NY was the contractor on the project.

NEW YORK—New York City Mayor Eric Adams unveiled his administration’s vision for the next phase of the transformation of the Willets Point community in Queens on Nov. 16, bringing the first soccer-specific stadium to the city.

Francesco Montesano of Harrison, NY, the founder of Montesano Brothers, Inc., of New Rochelle, NY and father of CIC Board Member Dominick Montesano, passed away on Oct. 1. He was 87.

Construction companies must not only ensure they have a proper safety program in place, but that it is also adequately communicated and enforced by documented audits and consistent employee discipline, as shown in the matter, Secretary of Labor v. J.D. Abrams, LP.

COVID presented its own problems impacting labor and supply chain issues, and now to say the least we are facing another round of unprecedented and anomalous economic conditions. Led by a war in Europe, we are looking at escalating prices on oil and other commodities, as well as facing unprecedented inflation and the most aggressive interest rate hikes since 2005.