Contract Activity Declines, but Major Projects Move Forward

According to the latest information from McGraw-Hill Construction, the value of new contracts declined 27% in North Carolina, and by 41% in South Carolina.

April Contracts: Some Positive News in N.C., but S.C. Drops 41%

Compared to the same period of a year ago, the value of new contracts signed in April for future construction fell by 27% overall in North Carolina, and by 41% in South Carolina, according to the latest information from McGraw-Hill Construction, publisher of Southeast Construction.

In North Carolina, the overall total for new project starts was roughly $1.3 billion, down from last April’s total of approximately $1.8 billion.

Despite the significant downturn in the overall state numbers, one of the three construction categories that McGraw-Hill Construction uses increased notably. The nonresidential sector improved 12% in April, compared to the same period of a year ago, for a $742.8-million total.

The residential sector fell to less than half of last April’s total. The most recent figure of $437.9 million for this sector was 56% behind last April’s total, which had been $986.2 million. The nonbuilding sector – which includes infrastructure projects – fell by just 6%, and totaled $147.2 million for the month.

For the year-to-date, North Carolina’s overall contract activity is 51% behind 2008’s pace. The nonbuilding sector remains the furthest behind, with its $479.2-million total an estimated 76% behind last year’s pace. Residential is now 56% behind for the year, with nearly $1.7 billion in new contracts through April. That compares to last year’s $3.8-billion total through the first four months of ‘08. The nonresidential category is 22% behind ’08, with approximately $1.8 billion in new contracts so far.

In South Carolina, April contracts fell by an overall rate of 41%. The state’s total was $459.7 million, down from the year-ago tally of $776.4 million.

The residential sector continued its slide, falling 46% in April compared to the same period of a year ago, for a $329.1-million monthly total. That compares to the $612.7 million in residential contracts of a year ago. The nonresidential sector fell by 10% to tally $102.3 million for the month. The value of contracts in the nonbuilding sector fell by 43% compared to a year ago and totaled $28.3 million.

For the year-to-date, South Carolina’s overall contract activity is 56% behind last year’s pace, with approximately $1.7 billion in new contracts for the first four months of the year. The nonresidential category is 38% behind 2008, with roughly $506.4 million in new contracts so far. The residential sector is 53% behind ‘08’s pace, with a $927.1-million total. The nonbuilding sector is 75% behind last year, with a nearly $284-million tally.

Spanish-Led Team Wins PPP Bridge Project in North Carolina

A team led by Spain’s ACS Infrastructure Development has inked a development deal with the North Carolina Turnpike Authority to design, finance and build a new 7-mi-long toll bridge to North Carolina’s Outer Banks. The two-lane, $650-million Mid-Currituck Bridge would be North Carolina’s longest bridge. The project would connect U.S. Route 158 on the mainland with the remote northern sector of the Outer Banks.

The authority signed a predevelopment agreement on April 30 with Currituck Development Group, led by ACS Infrastructure Development and lead contractor Dragados USA, with Traylor Bros., Evansville, Ind., and Weeks Marine, Cranford, N.J., also on the team. Source: Engineering News-Record.

Hensel Phelps Moving Forward on $288.5-Million Fort Bragg Project

According to McGraw-Hill Construction—publisher of Southeast Construction—Hensel Phelps Construction Co. of Chantilly, Va., is moving forward on a $288.5-million design-build contract to build a combined headquarters facility for the U.S. Army Air Forces Command and U.S. Army Reserve Command.

Construction began this past March, and is expected to complete by June 2011, according to McGraw-Hill Construction. The contract includes construction of a four-story, 700,000-sq-ft building.

The Savannah, Ga., district of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is the project owner. Fentress Architects of Denver is the architect.

Hendrick Construction Completes HQ for Carolina Pad and Paper

Hendrick Construction of Charlotte, N.C., completed an 18,500-sq-ft office renovation for Carolina Pad and Paper. The contractor began construction in January and finished in April. Carolina Pad moved into its building May 1.

The renovation included the installation of various sustainable finishes, such as cork flooring, and other environmentally friendly products, such as carpet tiles and paints with zero volatile organic compounds.

Carolina Pad is a Charlotte-based supplier of fashion school and office products. It also maintains offices in Hong Kong and Shanghai.

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