News

Top news this week includes Statistics Canada reporting that June’s building construction investment continues to increase. Although COVID-19-related workplace guidelines remained in place, construction sites were largely back to normal activity. Also scientists report a brand-new way to repair roads that’s…

A rare discovery has been made in Stony Plain: construction crews unearthed a mysterious tunnel. Mike Moeller uncovered the burrow while doing construction work on the town’s main street last week. “When I stuck my head in the hole, I saw that the…

In its natural state, lignin is a tightly cross-linked organic polymer that plays an important role in giving plants and trees their rigidity. But when these resources are converted into paper, the manufacturing process leaves huge amounts of lignin on the…

Construction resumes at Habitat for Humanity’s Dalton Road affordable housing project. But to ensure the six-unit affordable townhouse complex is completed on time for expecting families, Habitat for Humanity GTA is in great need of volunteers.  It was put on hold at the…

An Alberta-based company has begun roadwork through a 21-km stretch across Highway 4 south heading toward Glaslyn. Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure spokesperson Steve Shaheen said there are not many local companies who are skilled with seal coat application and is…

Labour disputes, bad weather, delayed city approvals — there are any number of reasons why a construction project gets delayed. And without proper planning, those delays can be extremely costly. Mohammadjavad Arabpour Roghabadi is a doctoral candidate in the Department of Building,…

The Continental Automated Buildings Association (CABA) announced the appointment of Kevin Graebel, Director of Marketing & Offering Management, Honeywell Building Solutions (HBS), to the CABA Board of Directors. CABA is an international nonprofit industry association dedicated to the advancement of connected…

Statistics Canada reports that total investment in building construction increased 12.0% to $14.9 billion in June, following the 62.2% gain observed in May. Although COVID-19-related workplace guidelines remained in place for June, construction sites were largely back to normal activity, which contributed to gains…

An amendment to ban U.S. government use of Chinese drones appears almost certain to become law within weeks. Contained within the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), the measure bans the purchase of commercial drones made by a “covered foreign entity,” including China, by any…

The Ontario government is one step closer to getting shovels in the ground on part of the largest subway expansion in Canadian history with the planned release of a Request for Proposals (RFP) tomorrow to advance tunnelling work on the Eglinton…

By Toon Dreessen – Architects DCA The built environment plays a big role in how we feel about our city. We may not realize it, but when we see beautiful buildings or bridges, let alone experience them by walking through or…

When co-developer Jonathan Arnold envisioned Second + Delaware, a 276-unit apartment community, the triple bottom line was always at the forefront of his mind. Measured by benefit to people, the planet and achieving profits, Second + Delaware will be the largest Passive House building in the…

Aecon Group Inc. released its inaugural Sustainability Report, highlighting the progress, initiatives and commitments of Aecon’s Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) processes and strategies. “Aecon is proud to release its first annual Sustainability Report, Building the Infrastructure of a Better Tomorrow, demonstrating…

Potholes are aggravating to drive over, and they can cause billions of dollars of damage every year to automobile wheels, tires and suspensions. Currently, road crews fill in these holes with hydrocarbon-containing asphalt, but that material can leach out, polluting the…

The Associated Press reports that construction of new U.S. homes surged 22.6% last month as homebuilders bounced back from a lull induced by the coronavirus pandemic. The Commerce Department reported Tuesday that new homes were started an annual pace of nearly…