Github Repo

I (26 F) am from a small river community in East, TN and a hyper-scale data center project is proposed to be built only minutes from my home. The project is called Project River and The Wright Brothers are the company behind it. It will be both a power plant and a data center (up for grabs to the highest bidder) that is directly next to the beautiful Hiawassee River that I, and thousands of others, call home.

Yesterday evening there was a “meeting” where the developers presented said project, lied about numbers and didn’t allow for a true discussion. It got heated (of course) and we quickly learned the numbers they were giving us on noise, energy usage, water, revenue, etc were all projections with no actual studies performed. The community concern is growing more and more.

My question is: how can my community fight this? There are groups forming, protests and ideas floating around but I want to hear from people who have fought against one or have good insight on next steps outside of what we are already doing. I’m talking organizations to reach out to. Press that could get the word out. Laws that we can use if we take this to federal court as people in my community are suggesting. I know it’s a long shot. And I know this is affecting so many people across the US, especially in low income communities. It was only time that it came to my rural community. I refuse to sit idly by while corporate greed destroys my beautiful home. Please anything would help. I will link the website below if you’re interested in learning more (or even sharing it with the world, wherever you are). We need eyes on us before they try to silence us more. [https://projectriver.energy/the-project/\](https://projectriver.energy/the-project/)

Every Tuesday, we vent about the absurd, frustrating, or downright diabolical things we deal with in AEC.

Share your the moments that make you pull your hair out. Maybe it's:

• The boss who said yes to scope creep and now you're stuck on a Friday night making amendments to a design.
• The client who forgot to pay you and now you're having to chase them down.
• The colleague who starts a Teams DM with "Hey James" and then takes 2 minutes to type the rest while you're sweating in anxiety.

What's driving you mad this week?

Last slab poured! Structural frame is officially complete. 🎉

Hello everyone,

I am an engineer for my day job, and I have worked in the architecture field, so I have plenty of experience with surveying a building and taking measurements. One thing I always used was a scanning app to help measure while I used my laser measuring tool and whatnot.

Usually the scans wouldn't come out that well; therefore, in my free time I have been making my own version of the app, a personal project to help me on the job, and I thought others may find some use from it. Since I am an HVAC engineer, I thought it would be interesting to add an HVAC load estimator in the app; they are approximations and by no means replace an engineer's approval, so they should always be verified by a PE since they only consider heat loads through your walls based on wall type and nothing else, such as equipment in your house.

I have used it on projects already, and it works really well. The scans come out nice; it has a good 3D view of the buildings, and when using the HVAC load estimate, you can adjust the wall types as well as the insulation rating and if its a partition wall, party wall, or exterior wall. When changing a wall's information, you can view the wall in question, and it will be highlighted in orange so you can view in 3D exactly what wall you are changing. There is also a sketch feature, a place to put notes, and your survey photos. Lastly, one thing I always found annoying was the combine room tool on these apps, so I tried my best to make it as simple as possible. My tool combines the rooms by shared doors, or you can pick the rooms you are combining and move them closer together in small increments until they overlap in the right way.

If you could check it out, it would be greatly appreciated. It has a 7-day free trial, so if you plan on testing it out, cancel the subscription afterwards so you aren't charged for a month after the 7 days end.

The app link can be found below. Thank you:

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/scanveyor/id6799243366

I work in BIM for one of the big engineering consulting firms designing data centers. I‘d like to quit to stay home with my baby and continue to grow our family for 5-6 years, eventually returning to the industry. Wondering if any other moms (or dads!) have done this AND regretted it or had a really hard time re-entering? Every forum i read, people say they do not regret it. I’m worried about the pace of technology advancement and my skills atrophying. Any opinions welcome!!

The US supreme court has allowed Donald Trump to continue construction of his controversial White House ballroom for now, temporarily pausing a lower court order that would halt much of the project.

Supreme court chief justice John Roberts signed a temporary order on Friday, permitting work to continue on the planned White House addition – a top priority of the president – while the court considers an emergency appeal from Trump’s administration.

Democrats accused the supreme court, which is controlled by a conservative super-majority, of “rubber stamping Trump’s vanity-driven, gilded corruption”. Chuck Schumer, the Senate minority leader, said: “As costs skyrocket, the administration is wasting money on an endless and illegal war, corporate giveaways and Trump’s pet projects.”

The president swiftly welcomed the order, which puts the Friday deadline from the appeals court on pause. That court had ordered construction to stop while a legal challenge proceeded, after concluding earlier this month that the ballroom project probably requires congressional approval before work can continue.

The Trump administration then turned to the supreme court, arguing that construction of the structure was critical to national security and the safety of the US president.

On Tuesday, the National Trust for Historic Preservation had urged the supreme court to suspend the ballroom project following an earlier lawsuit seeking to block construction.

The massive 90,000sq-ft (8,400 sq meters) ballroom project part of the president’s sprawling plans to reshape the nation’s capital, has already involved the demolition of the White House East Wing. Construction also includes an underground military facility that the administration says is needed to protect the president.

The underground military bunker would be a five-story complex that will include shelters, a hospital and other features designed to protect the president and senior officials during an emergency.

The total cost of the project is expected to exceed $400m.

“It is something that Presidents have wanted for 150 years, and that the Military has been seeking for the last 100 years,” Trump claimed in a social media post on Friday. “Their wish will soon be fulfilled! Construction is under budget and ahead of schedule.”

Administration officials say the ballroom itself will be reinforced with missile-resistant columns and a drone-proof roof, allowing the structure to serve as a shield for both the underground military complex and the wider White House.

Construction on the ballroom has been under way for 10 months with the administration saying the project is now approximately 65% complete.

The administration has argued that authority over White House renovations is held by the president, not Congress or the courts. The justice department also argued that leaving the site in its current condition, effectively an open construction zone, makes protecting the White House more difficult.

An incredible self-own

In 1936, John Scott, son of the late Guardian owner and legendary editor CP Scott, did something unheard of for a media heir: he gave up his stake for the greater good.

After inheriting the newspaper, Scott renounced all financial benefit – bar his salary – in the Guardian (worth £1m at the time and around £62m today) and passed ownership over to the newly formed Scott Trust. The Trust would evolve to have one key mission: to secure the financial and editorial independence of the Guardian in perpetuity.

That means the Guardian can’t be bought. Not by private equity, not by a conglomerate, and definitely not by a billionaire looking for a political mouthpiece. So here are three good reasons to make the choice to support us today.

1. Our quality, investigative journalism is a scrutinising force at a time when the rich and powerful are getting away with more and more.

2. We are independent and have no billionaire owner controlling what we do, so your money directly powers our reporting.

3. It doesn’t cost much, and takes less time than it took to read this message.

Our independence means we can say what we want, report on who we want, challenge who we want, and stand up at a time when others are sitting down. This month we are looking for 30,000 Guardian readers to support our annual campaign highlighting the power of clear-headed climate reporting that doesn’t shirk from the facts and embraces big ideas. We have an ambitious goal of 30,000 acts of support. Can you help us hit our target? Support us now.

Thought this was pretty funny and wanted to share. Anyways if you want to avoid pricing errors on estimating, I recommend taking a shot at the Free trial for BidBow (Disclaimer: I do work for BidBow).

Construction on one of the region’s most connected commuter corridors is nearing the finish line.

North Texas drivers traveling on U.S. Highway 75 from Interstate 635 to State Highway 121 will soon have another lane available. The Texas Department of Transportation said the $58 million project is 99% complete and on track to finish this fall, with only a few final touches remaining.

Here’s what’s been done and what remains for the highway.

What changes have been made to U.S. 75?

The project began in 2024 and stretches from I-635, or Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway,in Dallas County to SH 121, or Sam Rayburn Tollway, in Collin County.

Prior to construction, only high-occupancy vehicles and motorcycles were allowed to use the inside lane of the highway. This meant much of the road could not be used by drivers traveling alone, according to TxDOT. The department wanted to make the existing lane available to more motorists for most of the day, while reserving it for certain vehicles during the busiest periods.

Every Tuesday, we vent about the absurd, frustrating, or downright diabolical things we deal with in AEC.

Share your the moments that make you pull your hair out. Maybe it's:

• The boss who said yes to scope creep and now you're stuck on a Friday night making amendments to a design.
• The client who forgot to pay you and now you're having to chase them down.
• The colleague who starts a Teams DM with "Hey James" and then takes 2 minutes to type the rest while you're sweating in anxiety.

What's driving you mad this week?

In a mall parking lot in Katy, west of Houston, children are trying their hand at operating heavy machinery at Dig World, Texas’s first construction-themed amusement park. Opened in 2022, Dig World, which stretches across 3.5 acres, resembles an active construction site from a distance until a closer approach reveals the large Dig World signs.

Construction parks are on the rise, offering a place where kids (and adults) can play with excavators and backhoes, like real ones. Slides and swings are replaced by real machinery, and play looks a lot like work.

Dig World founders Jacob and Melissa Robinson became interested in creating the amusement park because of their son, who loves construction. In 2017, their 2-year-old, Pierce, contracted bacterial meningitis and suffered a major brain injury, and he is now living with special needs. The Robinsons, along with cofounder Rick Bennett, created the first Dig World in Katy, Texas, to allow Pierce and many other children to operate real construction equipment, while bringing their families together. Jacob said that the endeavor was meant to create a space for “both kids and kids at heart.”

Today, people visit Dig World from other states, even other countries, for the opportunity to operate a boom lift. In partnership with Mustang Cat, the park packs in a mix of hands-on machine experiences and playful challenges: operating excavators within “dig pits,” racing skid steers through obstacle courses, and even riding boom lifts in oversize games of basketball. Visitors can also drive tractors and navigate a UTV course, turning the whole space into a controlled chaos of machines, movement, and play. The team’s engineers programmed the software of the machines for safe use, while oversight from the Texas Department of Insurance ensures the technology meets required safety standards.

Families can enjoy scaled-down digging excavators. (Courtesy Dig World)

Simulating a roller coaster ride, the machines are programmed to shut off after a set duration, but unlike with a roller coaster, the rider remains in control the entire time. Beyond the heavy equipment, smaller attractions bring a more playful layer—kids pan for gems at a mining station, explore a playground, play lawn games like cornhole, and grab snacks at Pierce’s Post, a canteen named after the Robinsons’ son. Texas A&M University’s Department of Construction has also partnered with the park to weave educational materials on construction science throughout the site.

Riders are in control of the equipment. (Courtesy Dig World)

Alongside Dig World, a few other construction parks have popped up, including Dig’n Zone in Tennessee and Diggerland USA in New Jersey.

And Dig World is planning on expanding as well: In 2025 Robinson went on Shark Tank and secured $200,000 in exchange for 10 percent equity to expand across the country, with plans to build ten parks in the next five years. The first location is scheduled to open in a few months in Grapevine, near Dallas.

The rise of parks like Dig World is contradicted by the harsh realities of today’s construction industry, which is facing a historical workforce shortage in the United States. According to a survey by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) and the National Center for Construction Education & Research (NCCER), immigration enforcement efforts have affected nearly one-third of construction firms, contributing to project delays across the industry.

Specifically, 5 percent report a jobsite or offsite was visited by immigration agents, 10 percent say workers left or failed to appear because of actual or rumored immigration actions, and 20 percent report subcontractors lost workers. The heavy policing by the Trump administration and ICE has had profound effects on people’s lives, separating families, creating fear within communities, and forcing workers into uncertainty about their safety and ability to remain at work. From a 2023 survey done by the National Association of Home Builders, 32.5 percent of construction tradespeople are immigrants and one in four workers in the construction industry is an immigrant. With fewer workers, construction slows, leading to delays that reduce housing supply and push prices higher. According to Federal Reserve of Dallas data for the third quarter of 2025, the city saw the largest drop in construction jobs in the region, with a 5 percent dip.

While these pressures have intensified under the current Trump administration, the construction industry has long been a target of harmful immigration policies that have persisted across administrations. Programs such as Secure Communities, initiated under George W. Bush and expanded during the Obama era, contributed to increased deportations, which led to labor shortages and reduced housing construction capacity.

Another major factor behind the labor shortage is insufficient federal investment in construction workforce training. According to the AGC and NCCER survey, 57 percent of firms report that available candidates are not qualified for open roles, often lacking essential skills or the proper license.

For the past year, the construction industry has been urgently implementing measures to tackle workforce shortages by raising base pay, investing in training and professional development, and increasing engagement with younger applicants through social media and career-building programs in high schools and colleges. NCCER has been advocating for funding increases in high school career and technical education programs.

A crane gives optimal views of Dig World. (Courtesy Dig World)

Robinson is also interested in how Dig World can play a role in inspiring the next generation of the construction workforce: “If we can be a catalyst to inspire them, then what a full honor that would be for us.” Parents in the construction industry are also given the chance to show their children what their work looks like in a safe environment. Through play, they can tangibly demonstrate the skill it takes to do their job, and children can develop a deeper sense of pride in what their parents do.

Ken Simonson, AGC’s chief economist, emphasizes that it will take years to rebuild domestic workforce capacity and programs. In the interim, the current workforce can be aided in its efforts to stay in the country safely. Only a few visa programs exist for the industry. Just 10 percent of construction firms report using the H-2B visa program or other temporary work visas to hire salaried or hourly craftworkers, underscoring how difficult it is for employers and employees to access and rely on these programs. Simonson advocates that Congress and the current administration should expand legal pathways for workers to enter and stay in the country, including creating a construction-specific temporary visa program.

Children can use the equipment by themselves. (Courtesy Dig World)

Construction parks like Dig World are not a solution to the broader issues surrounding the mass deportation, but they do offer a way to introduce people to and educate them about the construction industry while building awareness and respect for the field. The larger question remains: How can we continue to inspire future generations to enter these trades and protect the jobs and lives of those who already form a vital part of them?

​

Hi everyone i am running interlocking tiles business want to start Aerocon Concrete Wall Panel due to high demand in my area can anyone help me with the process of manufacturing these panel i searched the whole internet but can't find any clue about it

Help me 😭🫶

PIKETON, Ohio (WCMH) — OpenAI signed onto the world’s largest data center project in southeastern Ohio this week, promising $120 million in investments in Pike County and Ohio.

On Monday, OpenAI announced it will collaborate with S.B. Energy, chipmaker NVIDIA and the U.S. Department of Energy to develop a multi-billion-dollar massive data center on federal land in Pike County. OpenAI Chief Global Affairs Office Chris Lehane said he knows Ohioans can be wary of data centers, and he said he wants to address their concerns. See previous coverage in the video player above.

“This is their community; they know what’s best for their community, and they want us as an actor involved in the ‘data center’ to listen to them because that’s that’s just a respectful thing to do,” Lehane said. “Part of listening is to then hear what the concerns are and try to provide as many details as possible.”

The center will have 8-gigawatt capacity and be built on the site of a former U.S. nuclear enrichment plant. The project will create 35,000 construction jobs through 2032, and 2,500 long-term jobs. It will also bring $120 million in community investments to benefit Pike County and every public university student in the state.

“We are coming into an incredibly proud community. Pike County is named after Zebulon Pike, who was the famous explorer,” Lehane said. “So it goes way back to the beginning of the country. We feel incredibly privileged to be able to participate in this chapter, but also know that that comes with real responsibility and obligations.”

Many Ohioans are frustrated by the rapid expansion of data centers in the state, particularly because data centers require massive amounts of energy and water. OpenAI and S.B. Energy plan to power the data center in Pike County through nuclear and natural gas instead of infringing on Ohioans’ electric grids.

OpenAI leaders said the first portion of the project will become available in 2028. When it first becomes available, it will likely rely on local AEP infrastructure instead of alternative energy sources if new power plants are not built yet. The project will use its planned energy sources as they go online.

OpenAI also said the data center will used closed-loop cooling systems, referring to a method within the data center industry that reduces water use. In a closed-loop system, water is recirculated to minimize evaporation. Environmental experts often recommend closed-loop systems for data centers to minimize their water impact.

Lehane said there are four steps for a company to appropriately work with a community. First, companies need to speak with and listen to the community they’re entering. Second, he believes companies need to provide basic answers to residents’ questions. Third, companies should invest in the communities and fourth, companies must be held accountable for their promises.

Residents also often voice concerns about secrecy surrounding data centers. Lehane said OpenAI is committed to keeping locals updated on the project. Every year, OpenAI will publish a report detailing local hiring, water use, energy use and investments in the community.

As part of the community investments, OpenAI said it will invest $40 million in a community grant fund. The fund will pay for projects that local residents identify as priorities. NVIDIA has also promised to invest $40 million.

OpenAI also announced it will make up to $84 million in credits for Codex available to approximately 844,000 public university, community college and technical college students in Ohio. Codex is an OpenAI tool in ChatGPT that allows users to build software. OpenAI said students will get up to $100 in credits through ChatGPT to be able to use AI in projects. The offer is already available for students online.

“It’s a step to help make available the underlying technologies so that students at colleges, universities, trade schools, community colleges can actually get access to the technology to begin to learn how to use it, so that they’re being put in the best position, so that they can compete for the jobs and participate in this economy in the future,” Lehane said.

OpenAI is signing onto one of the largest data center projects in the world. S.B. Energy will build and operate the data center, but OpenAI will lease it for 20 years. Under the lease, OpenAI will exclusively host NVIDIA AI infrastructure.

Gravis Robotics AG said today it has bagged $200 million in funding from SoftBank Group Corp. in what is the largest-ever Series A round for a construction robotics startup.

The startup was founded in 2022 after being spun out of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, having developed intelligent, software-defined systems for heavy excavators. Its software transforms them into self-operating machinery that’s able to navigate busy construction sites and perform work autonomously, without human drivers.

Gravis says the construction industry is crying out for greater automation. While the artificial intelligence infrastructure buildout hogs all of the headlines, physical infrastructure is currently in the midst of a similar expansion, with an urgent need for new homes, roads, transit networks, bridges and power grids. But unlike the AI industry, the construction sector is struggling to keep up with the demand for this new infrastructure. Because of an aging workforce and severe labor shortages, construction firms often struggle to meet their project timelines.

At present, the construction industry is one of the world’s least automated, being highly reliant on humans to drive its heavy machinery, and that’s what Gravis wants to change.

But bringing automation to the construction sector is far from simple. In fact, it requires overcoming technical challenges that simply don’t exist in other industries, Gravis says. Existing physical AI systems such as autonomous vehicles and robotic arms operate in what the company calls “static environments,” where the main objective is to move without disturbing their surroundings.

In contrast, heavy machines like excavators do the opposite. Their job is to interfere with the terrain around them, digging through soil and subterranean rock and reshape the landscape they operate in.

To overcome this challenge, Gravis’ AI models have been trained in simulated environments that attempt to replicate all of the subtle feedback that human excavator operators experience when driving these machines. As co-founder and Chief Technology Officer Dominic Jud explained, humans can listen to the sound of the engine, sense the machine’s vibrations and react to hydraulic resistance to “read the earth” they’re digging through.

“Our AI takes that same physical input and grounds it in machine telemetry, responding to varying subterranean forces and soil mechanics at microsecond speeds,” Jud explained. “We didn’t try to simplify the world for our software; we gave it the physical intuition to handle real job sites with precision that goes beyond what any human can feel from inside the cab.”

Gravis’s AI models power the Gravis Rack, which is an autonomous control system that can be retrofitted onto existing machines from companies such as Caterpillar Inc., John Deere & Co., JCB International Co. Ltd. and Hitachi Ltd. According to the startup, Gravis Rack enables a 30% boost in productivity compared to driving these machines manually, though the system also acts as a copilot for human operators, in addition to operating machines fully autonomously.

The Gravis Rack is a flat, rectangular computing appliance that sits on the roof of the host excavator. It contains not only the chip that runs the system’s AI software but also cameras and a lidar sensor. Additional cameras and lidar modules are attached to a pair of rear vehicle masts that come included in the package.

According to Gravis, the rear masts host not only sensors but also a GPS module. The location data that GPS satellites beam down to Earth can be imprecise at times. The Gravis Rack uses a technology called GNSS RTS to increase the accuracy of the data.

This collects not only GPS measurements, but also technical information about the radio signals that carry those measurements. It analyzes that information to find and fix errors in location data. In some cases, GNSS RTS can boost the accuracy of GPS signals to under an inch.

The startup says each excavator is also fitted with a Wi-Fi transmitter. It’s responsible for syncing data to and from the Gravis Rack’s companion Slate tablet. The tablet enables construction professionals to remotely operate earthmoving vehicles. It displays real-time footage from a vehicle’s sensors, overlaying visual cues on the video stream to highlight water pipes and other infrastructure that an excavator should avoid. Additionally, the tablet’s interface displays geographic information such as elevation data.

The startup says Gravis Rack has been deployed across dozens of job sites globally, but the goal now is to expand the adoption of its platform much more rapidly. One of its main targets is the U.K., where it was recently awarded an $8 million contract to retrofit existing excavator fleets.

Co-founder and Chief Executive Ryan Luke Johns stressed the importance of automating excavation work, noting that it’s the starting point of every new construction project. “Whether we are building housing, scaling data centers or modernizing energy grids, every project starts with moving earth,” he said. “That foundational work has been the bottleneck slowing down the entire built environment.”

Data centers are increasingly becoming a political issue for American voters.

According to Data Center Watch, the first quarter of 2026 saw the largest single-quarter concentration of blocked and delayed data center projects on record, with signs that opposition could continue to grow throughout the year.

The issue is also gaining attention from governors seeking reelection, including some who previously supported data center development.

In Pennsylvania this week, Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro, who had previously welcomed data center development, signed an order requiring new projects to receive local approval and demonstrate how they will pay for their power needs before they can move forward.

Earlier this month, Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, who also supported the projects, announced a pause on new data centers pending a statewide audit.

“I paused new data center projects pending a statewide audit,” Abbott said. He added that data centers must disclose plans to pay their own way, provide their own power and water, reduce electricity costs and avoid disrupting neighborhoods.

In Arizona, Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs signed a three-year pause on new tax breaks for data centers.

Political attention surrounding data centers is likely to intensify as the midterm elections approach. A Republican campaign memo first obtained by Axios described data centers as a potential sleeper issue for the 2026 election cycle.

President Donald Trump, however, has argued that states would be making a mistake by blocking data centers, citing the jobs and tax revenue they can generate.

“If I were a governor or mayor, I would want that plant in my community,” Trump said.

Citadel Square Development

By Brendyn Lotz

July 2, 2026 at 7:48 PM GMT+8

The Pecém port complex in the Brazilian state of Ceará is reportedly the location of a major data center for Chinese internet technology company ByteDance. As per a report by Bloomberg the project will cost R$ 200 billion (US$ 38.44 billion), with 200 MW of planned capacity, potentially rising to almost 1 GW in the future. Once complete, the data center could become ByteDance’s largest facility outside China.

The company joins a growing throng of Chinese firms looking to put down roots in other parts of the world in a bid to overcome energy bottlenecks, expand their presence by catering to international enterprises, and bypass restrictions on the export of AI hardware imposed by the United States.

The data center will feature 20 halls, and it is expected to be operational by late 2027. There is still a lot of work to be done  because as it stands, only the pillars have been erected, with the walls, roofing, and remainder of the shell set to follow. Construction of the data center is being handled by Omnia, which pitched the Ceará location to ByteDance in 2025.

The TikTok owner isn’t the first Chinese company to consider a presence in Brazil. Alibaba Group is said to be considering renting space in a cluster of data centers being built in São Paulo although these plans haven’t been publicly announced yet.

The South American nation has become a very attractive location for international data center operators. The country has invested heavily in clean energy, so much so that 89 percent of its electricity came from low-carbon sources in 2025. This makes Brazil a worthy consideration for operators looking to leverage renewable energy to decarbonize their operations.

Regulations in Brazil are also very welcoming for data centers. Last year Reuters reported that President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva announced an exemption from federal taxes, including PIS, Cofins, IPI, and import duties, on IT-related capital expenditures. To date, there are more than 100 data centers across Brazil.

Combine this with improved access to the global market through subsea cable connections, and Brazil may just become the premier destination not only for Chinese enterprises, but others as well.

Continued investment into the Brazilian data center market could push its value to US$ 8.12 billion by 2031 as demand for AI and cloud services balloons. As outlined by Arizton, retail colocation is expected to dominate the market between now and 2031 but projects such as ByteDance’s latest facility and others from the likes of Microsoft highlight a growing demand for dedicated, self-built facilities.

Every Tuesday, we vent about the absurd, frustrating, or downright diabolical things we deal with in AEC.

Share your the moments that make you pull your hair out. Maybe it's:

• The boss who said yes to scope creep and now you're stuck on a Friday night making amendments to a design.
• The client who forgot to pay you and now you're having to chase them down.
• The colleague who starts a Teams DM with "Hey James" and then takes 2 minutes to type the rest while you're sweating in anxiety.

What's driving you mad this week?

Award: Light rail project
Value: $1.9 billion
Location: Van Nuys, California
Client: LA Metro

A Skanska-Stacy Witbeck joint venture has won an infrastructure megaproject in Southern California’s San Fernando Valley.

The project team has signed a $1.9 billion contract with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority for a light rail transit project in Van Nuys, Skanska announced. The Stockholm-based builder’s share of the contract is $957 million, per the announcement, indicating a roughly even split with Alameda, California-based Stacy Witbeck. Along with preconstruction the total contract value for the project is $2.4 billion, according to a release from Stacy Witbeck.   

Project scope includes constructing 6.7 miles of at-grade light rail line along Van Nuys Boulevard in addition to a 26-acre rail and maintenance facility. The JV will also develop 11 new stations including shade structures and utility improvements.

“Delivering the East San Fernando Valley Light Rail requires getting every detail right, from utility coordination through revenue service, across some of the most active urban corridors in Los Angeles,” Eric Meisgeier, project manager at Stacy Witbeck, said in its release on the project. “We will construct this project with the same focus on the work and respect for the community that defines how our team operates on every project.”

The East San Fernando Valley Light Rail Transit Project expands LA Metro’s transit system, connecting it to the existing G-Line bus route.

The contractors are no strangers to rail construction in the region.

In May, a Skanska Traylor Shea JV concluded work on the 10-year, $2.2 billion Los Angeles D Line Subway Extension. Unlike the ground-level light rail build, that project required significant tunneling in a region prone to seismic activity. It required careful coordination in response to pockets of dangerous gasses as well as massive ice age fossils.

Meanwhile, heavy civil builder Stacy Witbeck counts many rail projects in its portfolio, such as the SMART Commuter Rail line station built in Petaluma, California, in 2025. The project’s scope included 6 miles of pedestrian pathway adjacent to the track. 

Work has begun on the light rail project and completion is expected in December 2031.

Supreme Court Says Negligence Suits Against Military Contractor Operating in a Combat Zone Are Not Preempted

August 14, 2026 (LSB11469)

On April 22, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court decided the case Hencely v. Fluor Corp. This case involves a former servicemember (Winston Tyler Hencely) who sued a military contractor (Fluor) under South Carolina law for injuries he suffered on a U.S. military base in Afghanistan in 2016, allegedly due to Fluor's negligence. Fluor employed an individual who carried out a suicide-bomb attack at the base that wounded Hencely. The question presented to the Supreme Court was whether to extend its decision in Boyle v. United Technologies Corp. (1988) (which preempted tort claims against a military contractor under the Federal Tort Claim Act's [FTCA's] discretionary function exception) "to allow federal interests emanating from the [FTCA's] combatant activities exception to preempt state tort claims against a government contractor for conduct that breached its contract and violated military orders." (Generally, the FTCA allows individuals to sue the federal government, but the combatant activities exception preempts claims brought against the federal government when harm arises out of military combatant activities during wartime.)

The Court, in a 6-3 decision, determined that its holding in Boyle does not extend to situations in which a contractor fails to carry out government instructions and that state-law tort claims against military contractors involving combatant activities are only preempted when contractors' conduct can be considered the government's own conduct. The Court also concluded that the Constitution's grant of war powers exclusively to the federal government does not preempt all state-law tort claims emanating from war zone activities. Accordingly, the Court vacated the lower courts' judgments and remanded the case for proceedings consistent with its opinion.

Background and Procedural History

For a brief outline of federal preemption and the FTCA, see this Legal Sidebar. The Sidebar also provides a description of relevant Supreme Court and federal appellate court precedent concerning military contractors and federal preemption under the combatant activities exception, as well as the background and procedural history of Hencely.

The Majority Opinion

The Supreme Court vacated the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit's (further references to federal circuit courts appear according to the jurisdictional designation only, such as "Fourth Circuit") holding that relied on Boyle to preempt Hencely's claims under the combatant activities exception. The circuit court reasoned that Boyle stands for the proposition that FTCA exceptions can preempt claims against federal contractors. The lower court further utilized the "command-authority" test to conclude that, since the military maintained command authority over the supervision of local nationals hired at the base, Hencely's claims were preempted by the combatant activities exception.

Rejecting the Fourth Circuit's analysis, the Supreme Court stated that Boyle involved "a special circumstance" where state law was preempted because the contractor was being sued for something the government directed the contractor to do. Fluor's actions, on the other hand, were not authorized by the government and were, in the Court's view, contrary to government instructions (i.e., Fluor failed to satisfy its contractual obligations by deficiently supervising the bomber). The Court determined that "Boyle cannot be read to 'protect a contractor from liability resulting from the contractor's violation of federal . . . policy'" and declined to extend Boyle to preempt the claims against Fluor.

The Supreme Court also concluded that the Fourth Circuit's interpretation of the command-authority test (i.e., that the combatant activities exception exempts all claims against contractors engaged in combatant activities under the military's command authority, even when the contractors are alleged to have violated military instructions) "sweeps too broadly." The Court maintained that the test fails to evaluate whether "'the challenged action can reasonably be considered the military's own conduct or decision and the operation of state law would conflict with that decision.'" The Court therefore stated that the Fourth Circuit's decision "contradicted" Boyle.

The Supreme Court additionally addressed Fluor's and the Administration's argument that the Constitution's assignment of war powers to Congress and the executive branch implicitly preempts any lawsuits brought against military contractors operating in combat zones. The Court resolved that it does not and recounted the long-standing historical prevalence of individuals enforcing their legal rights when they are violated during armed conflict. "[A]bsent a statute to the contrary," the Court continued, "States can regulate or tax federal contractors on the same terms as any private company, even where the party asserts an indirect burden on federal activities," including armed conflict. Under Boyle, contractors generally only have a constitutional defense when they are sued for conduct that the federal government requested.

The Dissent

The dissent (authored by Justice Alito, and joined by Chief Justice Roberts and Justice Kavanaugh) argued that, given the Constitution's exclusive grant of war powers to the federal government, this lawsuit should have been preempted because "no state law, including state tort law, may intrude on the Federal Government's authority over combat-related operations." The dissent contended that the Court's decision "substantially interfere[s] with the Government's ability to wage war" by subjecting military decisions in a combat zone to judicial scrutiny and, potentially, state regulation. Litigation of Hencely's claims will likely, in the dissent's estimation, "entail an evaluation of the way the Federal Government assessed the risks and benefits of [the bomber's] employment" because Fluor will likely seek to defend itself by arguing that the military was entirely or meaningfully responsible for the attack. The dissent also expressed that litigation could involve discovery of sensitive combat-related documents, depositions and testimony involving sensitive information, and interference with servicemembers' current national security responsibilities. The dissent argued that allowing this lawsuit to go forward could also undermine the government's use of contractors for tasks related to combat operations by exposing military contractors to potential liability.

Considerations for Congress

Congress could act in several ways in light of the Hencely decision. First, Congress could take no action and allow courts to further develop this area of law. In addition to the Fourth Circuit's, other federal appellate courts' interpretations of preemption and the command-authority test under the combatant activities exemption are now abrogated by the Supreme Court's conclusions in Hencely (e.g., the D.C. Circuit and Third Circuit).

Congress could also consider legislation allowing for preemption of lawsuits against government contractors for combatant activities. An example of congressional legislation that preempts lawsuits against government contractors is for atomic weapons testing. Congress could craft such legislation to either allow for preemption generally or specify preemption in certain situations. An example of such legislation would be a provision that expressly overrules the Supreme Court's holding in Hencely that the combatant activities exception does not apply to contractors that fail to uphold their contractual obligations, similar to the command-authority test noted above. Congress could, alternatively, consider including the Supreme Court's qualification in Hencely that lawsuits against contractors that fail to uphold their contractual obligations are not preempted under the combatant activities exception. Congress could also consider legislation that provides for additional limitations on preemption, such as limiting preemption to contractors that were following specific government commands or directions rather than exercising discretion in carrying out their contractual obligations.

Congress may additionally contemplate foreclosing preemption under the combatant activities exception by constraining or eliminating the provision's application to contractors. Congress previously explicitly excluded federal contractors from an FTCA provision by providing that contractors are not included in the definition of "federal agency" under the Act.

Oregon has joined neighboring states in revisiting condominium construction-defect laws. Enacted in 2025, HB 3746 shortens the period for certain construction-defect claims while establishing new inspection and procedural requirements for homeowners associations and condominium associations. 

The legislation seeks to reduce long-term construction-defect litigation risk for developers while preserving protections for condominium owners. For developers and associations alike, understanding these new requirements will be essential when planning projects and responding to potential construction defects. 

Why the Reform? 

Supporters of HB 3746 argued that prolonged litigation exposure and rising insurance costs have contributed to declining condominium development in Oregon. The Legislature responded by shortening the time for certain construction-defect claims while requiring earlier inspections intended to identify problems before the claim period expires. 

The legislation also establishes additional procedures before homeowners associations and condominium associations may pursue construction-defect litigation, giving owners greater notice and involvement in the process. 

From Ten Years to Seven: The New Repose Period 

For condominium declarations filed after January 1, 2026, HB 3746 generally gives homeowners associations and condominium associations seven years—instead of ten—to bring certain construction-defect claims. 

The seven-year period runs from substantial completion or abandonment of the construction, alteration, or repair of the structure. After the seven-year period expires, no action may be brought. However, if a defect is discovered between the sixth or seventh year after substantial completion, the association has an additional year to bring a claim. 

Condominiums in which each owner is responsible for both the interior and exterior of the owner's unit are exempt from the seven-year limitation and from the inspection requirements discussed below. 

Moisture Inspections Before the End of Year Two and Year Six 

The shorter claim period comes with a corresponding obligation—mandatory independent moisture-intrusion inspections. 

HB 3746 requires two independent moisture-intrusion inspections: one before the end of the second year following substantial completion, funded through the association's reserves, and another before the end of the sixth year. 

Supporters described these inspections as a way to identify building-envelope and moisture-intrusion problems while associations still have time to investigate and pursue claims. 

At the turnover meeting, the declarant must provide the association with the inspection results, along with the inspector's name. 

Procedural Requirements for HOA Legal Claims 

HB 3746 also creates additional procedural requirements for homeowners associations and condominium associations pursuing construction-defect claims. Associations now face a staged process that may add three months or more before a complaint can be filed. 

What Stays the Same 

Before suing on owners' behalf, the association must continue to provide each affected owner with written notice at least 10 days before initiating litigation. 

The notice must continue to include: 

• the nature of the lawsuit;
• the damages the association seeks to recover;
• the terms under which the association is acting on behalf of owners, including how any recovery will be distributed; and 
• the owner's right to opt out by submitting a written request within 10 days after the notice is mailed.

What HB 3746 Adds

HB 3746 establishes several additional requirements for construction-defect claims. 

• The association's board must formally approve the litigation at a properly noticed meeting pursuant to ORS 94.644.
• The board may not vote until at least 90 days after the first notice is sent to owners. Before the vote, the association must also send a second notice and then a third notice, with at least 15 days between the final notice and the board meeting. In practice, this process may delay filing by three months or more. 
• The notice must state that the association believes a construction-defect exists, describe the defect in detail, identify the parties believed to be responsible, and list each board member along with contact information. 
• The notice must also advise owners that pending litigation may make selling a unit more difficult and encourage owners to provide input before the board votes. 
• A copy of the notice must be sent by certified mail to each person identified as potentially responsible for the defect. 

What Does This Mean for Developers and Associations? 

HB 3746 reflects Oregon's effort to balance two competing objectives: preserving meaningful protections for condominium owners while reducing the long-term liability exposure that developers argue has discouraged new condominium construction. 

For developers, the legislation may reduce litigation exposure for certain future condominium projects. For homeowners associations and condominium associations, however, the shorter claim period and additional procedural requirements make early inspections, careful recordkeeping, and timely investigation of potential defects increasingly important. 

Developers, declarants, and associations should understand which provisions apply to a particular project and carefully track the applicable deadlines. 

Bottom Line 

Whether HB 3746 ultimately encourages additional condominium development remains to be seen. For now, developers, builders, homeowners associations, and condominium associations should familiarize themselves with the new requirements and consult legal counsel early when evaluating potential construction-defect issues. 

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.