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September 7, 2010

General Electric steps up participation in new wind projects

Like other U.S. investors in sustainable electricity, General Electric has stepped up its participation in new wind projects because of federal incentives.

September 7, 2010

Bondfield Construction continues work on pumping station expansion in Markham, Ontario

Work continues on the expansion to the Milliken Reservoir and Pumping Station in Markham, Ont. Bondfield Construction Co. Ltd. is general contractor for the project. Completion is scheduled for April 2012.

September 7, 2010

Electrical industry welcomes Ontario’s creation of standalone energy ministry

The demands from provincial government activity in Ontario’s energy sector are expected to increase and having a standalone energy ministry makes sense, industry stakeholders say.

September 3, 2010

U.S. workers rate safety standards as top priority

More than eight of 10 American workers rate workplace safety first in importance among labour standards, even ahead of family and maternity leave, minimum wage, paid sick days, overtime pay and the right to join a union, according to a new study.

September 3, 2010

Construction continues on Woodgreen Community Housing development in Toronto

Construction continues on the Woodgreen Community Housing project in Toronto. Struct-Con Construction Ltd. is general contractor of the eight-storey, 40-unit building. Completion is scheduled for January 2011.

September 3, 2010

Photovoltaic training program aimed at improving safety

A new national electrician certification program designed for working with photovoltaic equipment will improve safety and ensure effective installation in this emerging field, says Canada’s largest electrician union.

September 2, 2010

Fanshawe College’s new Centre for Applied Transportation Technologies goes green

Green building techniques and flexible spaces are the hallmarks of Fanshawe College’s new Centre for Applied Transportation Technologies (CATT) building.

September 2, 2010

Vanbots continues work on York University Life Sciences Building in Toronto

A worker ties rebar at the York University Life Sciences Building in Toronto. Construction manager Vanbots, a division of Carillion Inc., has completion of the four-storey project scheduled for spring 2011.

September 2, 2010

Jobsite safety a shared duty: Mechanical Contractors Association

Who is responsible for safety on the jobsite: the individual, the government, the safety director, the worker or all of the above?

September 2, 2010

Ground broken on Halifax RCMP headquarters

The federal government has broken ground on a new $59-million home in Nova Scotia for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).

September 1, 2010

Libya’s construction boom picks up slack from Dubai slowdown

In the outskirts of this city, Libya’s second largest, row after row of sand-colored concrete apartment blocks and villas are sprouting from the desert. Hundreds of kilometres away, construction cranes dot the Mediterranean skyline of the capital, Tripoli.

September 1, 2010

Halifax farmers’ market project a testament to local skills

For RCS Construction and Lydon Lynch Architects Ltd., the recent opening of the $12 million Halifax Seaport farmers’ market marked the successful completion of what is being called one of North America’s most environmentally sustainable buildings.

August 31, 2010

Flint Energy Services wins oil sands maintenance contract

Flint Energy Services Ltd. says its 50 per cent-owned maintenance company was the successful bidder for oil sands maintenance contracts with Nexen Inc. worth an estimated $95 million over three years.

August 31, 2010

Construction continues on Eden Park towers in Markham, Ontario

Construction continues on the Eden Park Towers condominium and townhouse project in Markham, Ont. Owner Times Group Corp. and Life Construction Inc. began the work in late 2009; completion is expected by late 2011.

August 31, 2010

Fortis to build $900-million hydroelectric dam in British Columbia

Canada’s largest private-sector power company plans to build a $900-million hydroelectric plant in southern British Columbia with two provincial agencies as partners.

August 30, 2010

Deltera continues work on Solaris at Metrogate in Toronto

Work continues on phases one and two of the Solaris at Metrogate Phase I and II in Toronto. Deltera Inc. is general contractor for the two, 40-storey-tower project. The development will include 868 units, ground floor retail and six-levels of parking above and below grade.

August 30, 2010

Construction, engineering companies mergers increased in Q2: Report

Construction and engineering companies globally continued to grow through acquisition in the second quarter of 2010 but though there were more deals, their overall value declined, a PricewaterhouseCooper report says.

August 30, 2010

Electrical contractor dies in fall near Winnipeg

An electrical contractor is dead after a fall from a ladder at a construction site southwest of Winnipeg.

August 30, 2010

Vanbots continues construction on Energy Research Centre in Oshawa, Ontario

Construction has reached the top floor of the Energy Research Centre (ERC) at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) that will be the future home of the Faculty of Energy Systems and Nuclear Science in Oshawa, Ont.

August 27, 2010

Haiti vocational school to commemorate New Brunswick RCMP officer

Fundraising efforts to build a vocational school in Haiti commemorating RCMP Sgt. Mark Gallagher were launched this week in his home province on New Brunswick.

August 27, 2010

Finavera Renewables to co-develop Ireland wind project

Finavera Renewables Inc. has signed a series of agreements for the co-development of the 105-megawatt Cloosh Valley wind project, which has the potential to be a significant source of green electricity for Ireland.

August 26, 2010

Shane Baghai Development continues work on St. Gabriel Manor condos in Toronto

Work moves upwards on the St. Gabriel Manor condominium project on Sheppard Avenue in Toronto, Ont.

August 26, 2010

Cooper Construction continues work on Balsillie School of International Affairs

Work is taking shape on the Balsillie School of International Affairs in Waterloo, Ont. General contractor Cooper Construction Ltd. began work on the three-storey academic facility in September 2009; completion has been scheduled for August 2011.

August 26, 2010

Accessibility compliance focus of Ontario General Contractors Association seminar

With an accessibility standard for customer service in force in the province’s public sector, the Ontario General Contractors Association (OGCA) has scheduled a full-day seminar to bring firms up to speed when doing business with government agencies.

August 25, 2010

Toddglen Construction continues work on iLoft condos in Toronto

Work is winding down at the iLoft condominiums on Legion Road North in Toronto. Toddglen Construction Co. Ltd. is construction manager of the 28-storey, 230-unit project, which includes an exercise room, pool/sauna, squash courts and party room.

August 25, 2010

Lorne Park Water Treatment Plant project split into two contracts

Two Mississauga-based contractors are working side by side on a massive $200-million expansion of Peel Region’s Lorne Park Water Treatment Plant in the heart of Mississauga’s Jack Darling Park on the shores of Lake Ontario.

August 25, 2010

Construction continues on Mona Lisa Residences in North York, Ontario

Exterior work continues on the Mona Lisa Residences at Yonge Street and Finch Avenue in North York, Ont. Great Lands Corp. is owner/developer of the 28-storey, 311-unit project, which also includes 74 townhouses and underground parking.

August 25, 2010

British Columbia signs P3 deal to build Fraser River perimeter road

The B.C. government has signed a major public private partnership (P3) agreement to build a road south of the Fraser River in Delta and Surrey.

August 24, 2010

Morrison Hershfield wins Ethiopia wastewater job

Morrison Hershfield has been successful in its international bid for the Kality Wastewater Collection and Treatment Expansion Project in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

August 24, 2010

Urbacon continues work on office building in Pickering, Ontario

Construction is moving upwards on a new office/commercial building in Pickering, Ont. General contractor/architect Urbacon Ltd., along with project manager 20 Vic Management Inc., expect completion of the design/build project in early 2011.

August 23, 2010

Toddglen Construction continues work on California condo project in Toronto

Construction is moving along for the California condominium project in Toronto. Toddglen Construction is general contractor for the 30-storey, 368-unit project, which includes four levels of underground parking. The owner is Camrost-Felcorp.

August 23, 2010

U.S. coal plant construction booming despite carbon emissions concerns

Utilities across the U.S. are building dozens of old-style coal plants that will cement the industry’s standing as the largest industrial source of climate-changing gases for years to come.

August 23, 2010

Harper bows out of Quebec-Atlantic Canada power dispute

Prime Minister Stephen Harper has declined to weigh in on a dispute between Quebec and two Atlantic provinces over a proposal to build an undersea cable to carry electricity from Labrador to Nova Scotia.

August 23, 2010

Barrie Construction Association lobbies for local subtrades on Penetanguishene health centre

The Barrie Construction Association (BCA) hopes local subtrades will be awarded a piece of the pie on construction of a new mental health centre in the town of Penetanguishene.

August 23, 2010

Onni Group continues construction on condo development in Vancouver

A construction worker glances up before a load is hoisted at Social, a new residential development in Vancouver.

August 20, 2010

Dominus Construction continues work on Centro condo in Scarborough, Ontario

Exterior work continues on the Centro condo project in Scarborough, Ont. Construction manager Dominus Construction Group began the two-, 31-storey tower project in April 2008. The work also includes 16 townhouses and four levels of parking.

August 20, 2010

Construction continues on Richards condo project in Vancouver

A construction worker takes measurements on Richards, a new development in downtown Vancouver.

August 20, 2010

Essex County, Ontario rejects offer from Labourers International Union of North America

Essex County has turned down a proposal from LIUNA Local 625 to participate in a municipal development fund the union proposed because it cannot legally do so, the county says.

August 20, 2010

South Africa’s World Cup soccer stadiums now “white elephants”

Too small for cricket and passed over by rugby, the stadiums that cost South Africa more than US$1 billion for this year’s World Cup already appear to be turning into white elephants.

August 19, 2010

Construction begins on new railway at Port Metro Vancouver

Port Metro Vancouver has started construction of a new railway bridge and underpass to relieve a transportation bottleneck and upgrade infrastructure at port facilities in North Vancouver.

August 19, 2010

Mixed prospects for trades: Construction Sector Council

A recent Construction Sector Council (CSC) analysis of Ontario’s construction industry projects that once stimulus funding ends, by March 31, 2011, approximately half the jobs created by these programs will disappear.

August 19, 2010

Toddglen Construction continues work on South Beach condo in Etobicoke, Ontario

Work is moving along at the South Beach condos and lofts project on Park Lawn Rd. in Etobicoke, Ont. Construction manager Toddglen Construction Ltd. has completion of the 27-storey, 300-unit project scheduled for summer 2011.

August 18, 2010

Bombed-out Gaza airport recycled for building materials

Scores of men swinging hammers and pickaxes attack the runway and terminal of Gaza’s bombed-out airport before dawn every day, scavenging gravel and metal bars to resell as construction material.

August 18, 2010

Work begins on new retractable roof for BC Place Stadium

The new roof on BC Place Stadium is taking shape on Vancouver’s skyline. Construction crews recently started erecting the 36 masts that will ring the stadium and keep the new retractable roof in place.

August 17, 2010

Roadwork continues in Burnaby, British Columbia

Workers with Cobra Electric were busy recently installing new traffic sensors at the intersection of Willingdon Avenue and Hastings Street in Burnaby, B.C.

August 17, 2010

Construction continues on Dufferin Street jog elimination in Toronto

Concrete work continues on the Dufferin Street jog elimination project at Dufferin and Queen Streets in Toronto. Dufferin Construction Ltd./Holcim Canada have completion of the project scheduled for this summer.

August 16, 2010

Work continues on Shangri-la Toronto hotel and residences

Construction continues on the Shangri-la Toronto hotel and residences in Toronto. 180 University Management Inc. is construction manager for the 66-storey, 572-unit project; the owner is Westbank Projects Corp.

August 16, 2010

Canadian Construction Documents Committee finalizing new contract forms

The Canadian Construction Documents Committee (CCDC) is putting the finishing touches to a long-awaited suite of standard contract forms to be used in conjunction with the construction management project delivery method.

August 16, 2010

61 charges laid in fatal 2009 Toronto swing-stage accident

Sixty-one charges have been laid under the Occupational Health and Safety Act against the employer and supplier connected to the 2009 Toronto Christmas Eve swing-stage accident which claimed four worker lives.

August 12, 2010

Cooper Construction continues work on University of Waterloo expansion

Work continues on the University of Waterloo Environment 3 Building in Waterloo, Ont. General contractor Cooper Construction Ltd. began the four-storey expansion to the existing building in December 2009. The project, which is aiming to achieve LEED Platinum certification, includes a two-storey bridge over the existing facility.

August 12, 2010

B.C. Safety Authority reports 11% increase in incidents in 2009

The BC Safety Authority (BCSA) recently released its State of Safety Report 2009 which recorded an 11 per cent increase in the number of incidents reported.

August 12, 2010

London & District Construction Association to publish BIM guides

The London & District Construction Association (LDCA) is poised to publish a series of simplified Building Information Modeling (BIM) guides.

August 11, 2010

Bondfield Construction continues work on Dufferin Reservoir expansion in Vaughan, Ontario

Work continues on phase two of the Dufferin Reservoir expansion in Vaughan, Ont. Bondfield Construction Co. Ltd. is general contractor for the project, which includes a fully buried reservoir, removal of existing temporary holding sewage tank, and installation of a new septic system.

August 11, 2010

Aecon continues construction on new engineering building at University of Waterloo

Work has reached the top floor on the University of Waterloo’s Engineering 6 Building in Waterloo, Ont. Aecon Buildings is constructing the five-storey, 115,000 square-foot concrete structure on an existing campus parking lot.

August 10, 2010

EllisDon continues construction on Hospital for Sick Children research institute in Toronto

Concrete work progresses on the new Hospital for Sick Children research institute in Toronto. EllisDon Corp. is construction manager for the 21-storey facility, which will include research labs, education and conference space, retail space and three levels of underground parking.

August 10, 2010

Indian band pulls out of Site C hydroelectric dam approval process in British Columbia

The McLeod Lake Indian Band has returned more than $100,000 dollars to B.C. Hydro and says it’s pulling out of the consultation process for the proposed Site C hydroelectric dam in northeastern B.C.

August 10, 2010

Falling beam kills Builtcon Contracting worker in Vaughan, Ontario

A falling steel lintel beam has claimed the life of a 36-year-old construction worker at a Vaughan-area hotel project site. The accident victim was employed by Builtcon Contracting and was working on a six-storey hotel project site on 610 Applewood Crescent near Hwy. 400 and Regional Road 7 in Vaughan.

August 10, 2010

Firms deploy young professionals to promote engineering careers

Young professionals employed in consulting engineering firms in five provinces have mobilized to promote career development within their ranks as well as to boost engineering students’ awareness of potential careers in the industry.

August 9, 2010

Electronic bidding comes of age in British Columbia

The British Columbia Construction Association (BCCA) has changed the name of its electronic bidding system to BidCentral to create a new brand as well as an online center for a suite of services and documents.

August 9, 2010

Diamond + Schmitt Architects starts second New Mexico job

New Mexico Highlands University has broken ground at its Las Vegas, N.M. campus on a new student union building designed by Diamond + Schmitt Architects of Toronto in joint venture with Studio Southwest of Albuquerque.

August 9, 2010

Vanbots continues construction on Sony Centre for the Performing Arts in Toronto

Work continues on renovations to the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts in Toronto. Vanbots, a division of Carillion Inc. began the $18-million renovation project in fall 2009; completion is scheduled for early fall 2010.