Construction & Infrastructure

Addison, Texas – October 8, 2026 -- Valtir, LLC has appointed Rob Scholl as Chief Executive Officer effective immediately, succeeding Nick Verska who steps down after more than 25 years with the roadway safety products manufacturer.

Scholl brings 25-plus years from aerospace, defense and equipment manufacturing sectors

Scholl's background spans general management, sales, marketing and product development, with extensive prior CEO leadership experience. Valtir said his expertise aligns profitable growth with operational execution as the company pursues what it calls significant growth opportunities in global roadway safety and infrastructure markets.

Global – – October 08, 2026 -- Nearly half of all active construction work runs behind schedule in a typical week, with sites keeping only 52.8% of activities on track, according to a new benchmarking report from the Buildots Intelligence Lab. The report, the first in an ongoing research series, measured 21 core construction activities to establish what it calls construction's first objective, data-driven performance baseline.

Projects deliver just 63% of planned weekly output

The typical construction project completes only 63% of its planned weekly output, leaving 37% of planned work volume undelivered. Of the 21 activities tracked, 20 fell short of plan, ranging from 38% delivery on resilient and soft flooring to drywall framing, the sole activity that exceeded its target at 122%.

Eighty Four, Pa. – October 07, 2026 -- 84 Lumber has graduated more than 30 associates from its Production Manager in Training program since relaunching it roughly two years ago, with six advancing directly into plant manager roles across the company's truss manufacturing network.

Winchester facility anchors leadership pipeline for 22 truss plants

The training program is based at 84 Lumber's Winchester, Virginia, facility, one of 22 truss plant locations the company operates across 13 states. Associates spend nine to 12 months rotating through production, design, dispatch and customer service before progressing into manufacturing leadership.

Los Angeles – October 07, 2026 -- My Friend's Place, a Los Angeles nonprofit serving homeless youth, has raised more than $11.3 million toward a $20 million capital campaign to fund a new purpose-built campus, securing over 55% of its target as the fundraising effort enters its public phase.

Construction timeline targets December 2028 completion

The organization expects all necessary approvals by December 2026, followed by a temporary relocation in February 2027 to maintain service continuity. Demolition of the current facility and construction of the new campus are projected to begin in April 2027, with completion estimated for December 2028.

Project team combines architecture, project management and construction firms

My Friend's Place has partnered with BAR Architects for design, MGAC for project management, and Howard CDM as general contractor. Design plans and the construction budget are currently being finalized.

Towson, Md. – – October 07, 2026 -- DEWALT's autonomous drilling robot DALE has cut data center construction timelines by more than 300 weeks across 44 project phases, earning the Stanley Black & Decker brand a win in Fast Company's 2026 Next Big Things in Tech Awards.

DALE drills up to 10 times faster than conventional methods

Developed with global mobile robotics firm August Robotics, the fleet-capable downward drilling robot was selected from more than 1,000 applicants across over 30 award categories. DEWALT was the only tool manufacturer represented in the program, placing in the 'Enduring Impact: 15+ Years in Business' category.

Hyattsville, Md. – October 06, 2026 -- Home Genius Exteriors has ranked #1 on the Fortune Best Small and Medium Workplaces in ConstructionTM 2026 list, marking its fifth consecutive year on the ranking. The company also placed #2 on the Fortune Best Medium WorkplacesTM 2026 list and #64 on the 2026 PEOPLE® Companies that Care list. Great Place To Work® and Fortune announced the rankings, which were compiled from confidential survey responses collected from 64,000 employees across the U.S. construction industry.

Home Genius Exteriors extends its workplace streak to five straight years

The Hyattsville, Maryland-based home improvement company first appeared on the Best Workplaces in Construction list in 2022 and has repeated the recognition every year since, through 2023, 2024, 2025, and now 2026. Home Genius Exteriors provides roofing, siding, windows, exterior doors, gutters, and attic insulation services to homeowners across multiple states.

Pueblo, Colo. – October 06, 2026 -- Unmanaged runoff during site preparation can trigger erosion, foundation damage, and site-access failures during storms, according to an analysis published by HelloNation featuring engineering and surveying expert Michael Cuppy of Pueblo, Colorado.

Drainage mapping identifies low points before grading begins

The analysis describes drainage planning as a process that maps natural runoff flow and low points across a building site before grading decisions are finalized. Engineers use this data to design swales, retention areas, and underground piping systems that direct water away from structures, roads, and utilities. Builders who skip this step risk standing water, soil instability, and basement flooding that can extend liability to neighboring properties.

San Francisco – October 06, 2026 -- Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADSK) has named Diana Colella executive vice president of its architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) business, the company's largest industry unit. She succeeds Amy Bunszel, who announced her retirement and will remain at Autodesk through November 2, 2026, to support the transition.

Colella will steer Autodesk Forma as the core growth engine for AEC

Colella takes charge as Autodesk enters what it calls the next phase of AEC growth, anchored by Autodesk Forma, its industry cloud that links data, context and workflows to deliver AI and project intelligence across the building lifecycle. Her mandate includes advancing the Forma strategy while tying desktop products such as Revit and Civil 3D more closely into Forma workflows.

Norfolk, Va. – October 06, 2026 -- XKIG, a national provider of critical infrastructure services to the power and gas utility sectors, has acquired ClearPath Solutions Group, a consulting firm specializing in strategic advisory, emergency management, and government relations. ClearPath will now operate under XKIG's Canopy Infrastructure Solutions division.

Deal adds debris management and heavy civil construction capabilities to XKIG's portfolio

ClearPath brings expertise in debris removal, heavy civil construction, disaster recovery contracting, and public works support, extending XKIG's reach across the full lifecycle of infrastructure preparedness, response, and recovery. The firm's services also include funding and grants support, crisis consulting, and public safety advisory work for federal, state, and local agencies.

Richmond, Va. – October 06, 2026 -- Contractor Training Center (CTC) has launched three new exam prep programs targeting North Carolina's Limited, Intermediate, and Unlimited electrical contractor licensing exams, with course-only preparation starting at $349.

North Carolina's three contractor tiers carry distinct project-value ceilings

The state's Limited classification caps projects at $60,000, Intermediate allows up to $150,000, and Unlimited carries no ceiling. Candidates can apply directly for the classification matching their documented experience without progressing sequentially through tiers.