News
About $100 million more for highway maintenance and preservation
The State Legislature is currently developing a supplemental transportation budget and current drafts contain some good news.
Posted on 02/29/2016
School and higher-ed construction get boost in state budgets
Increased overall emphasis on education in the Legislature, including new laws to reduce class size in grades K-3, is good news to contractors who build schools.
Posted on 02/29/2016
Business, building trades unite to support regulatory reforms
A bill passed out of a Senate committee recently that will give employers, developers, investors and employees greater certainty about the processing of state project permits.
Posted on 02/16/2016
Cargo Preference Act applies to FHWA-funded projects
FHWA has interpreted recent changes in the federal Cargo Preference Act as applying to federal-aid highway contracts. The Act, which has been around since 1954, requires that “at least 50 percent of any equipment, materials or commodities” procured with federal funds, and which may be shipped by ocean vessel, must be transported on privately-owned United States-flagged commercial vessels.
Posted on 02/16/2016
Senate removes Peterson; Gov. appoints Roger Millar as Acting WSDOT Secretary
The State Senate spent Friday, Feb. 8 debating the leadership of Lynn Peterson, the secretary of the Washington State Department of Transportation.
Posted on 02/16/2016
New L&I rulings on lead, confined spaces, OSHA penalty values and more
Washington State's Department of Labor and Industries has just released important new rulings for the construction industry.
Posted on 01/22/2016
Ram, Lakeside, Atkinson and PCL win WSDOT awards
Nearly 150 people attended the AGC/WSDOT annual meeting on Jan. 7. Attendees heard valuable information about upcoming WSDOT and Sound Transit projects, the workings of the various AGC/WSDOT committees, WSDOT’s project delivery method selection guidance, and the challenges of IMCO’s I-90 and Atkinson’s Puyallup River bridge projects.
Also, awards were announced for the Partnership for Excellence in Contract Administration Awards.
Posted on 01/19/2016
Governor announces mandatory DBE goals for WSDOT contracts
Governor Jay Inslee is implementing mandatory subcontracting goals on WSDOT projects. Specifically, as of January 31, WSDOT will implement a combination of mandatory (18.7%) and aspirational (26%) contract goals for WSDOT construction and design contracts.
Posted on 01/19/2016
Appeal of onerous stormwater permit continues
As reported in the previous AGC Works, AGC and other industry groups have filed an appeal of DOE’s new Construction Stormwater General Permit, which became effective Jan. 1.
Posted on 01/19/2016
WSDOT announces SR-520 grand-opening events
The SR-520 Floating Bridge and Landings project held a media event on Jan. 12 as a “save the date” announcement for the grand opening on April 2 and 3.
Posted on 01/13/2016
AGC, WACA, BIAW, ABC appeal DOE’s new stormwater permit
AGC and other construction industry groups have filed an appeal of the new Construction Stormwater General Permit, which became effective on January 1, 2016.
Posted on 01/04/2016
WSDOT’s project-delivery selection guidance provides objective criteria
WSDOT’s new project-delivery method selection-guidance (PDMSG) process is now in effect. PDMSG is a process to evaluate projects and select the most appropriate project delivery method (PDM) based on each project’s attributes, opportunities and risks that result in the most cost-effective and best-value project delivery.
Posted on 12/15/2015
Workers’ comp rates will increase 2% on average in 2016
For construction, the rates range from a decrease of 12% for Bridge, Bulkhead and Tunnel Construction to an increase of 10% for the Wallboard Installation-Undiscounted Rate category.
Posted on 12/15/2015
Long-term federal highway bill finally signed into law
Washington State’s apportionment increases from $654 million in fy 2015 to an estimated $688 million in fy 2016. Click highway bill.
Posted on 12/15/2015
AGC of Washington endorses Bill Bryant for Governor
AGC of Washington has endorsed Bill Bryant for Governor in 2016. AGC’s Board of Trustees voted to endorse Bryant during its Nov. 9 meeting.
Posted on 11/13/2015
U.S. House and Senate pass long-term highway bills
Contact your Congressmen and tell them to support a long-term bill! Send your message via AGC of America’s Hardhats for Highways website!
Posted on 11/13/2015
Unintended consequences of Governor’s carbon plan
Gov. Inslee has asked the Department of Ecology to write a rule that would cap and reduce carbon pollution (greenhouse gasses). Ecology is focusing on businesses and organizations (see the list here) that are responsible for producing 100,000 metric tons or more of greenhouse gases.
Posted on 11/13/2015
Court issues nationwide stay of EPA/Corps' “Waters of the US” regulation
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit has issued a nationwide stay of the new federal regulation redefining "Waters of the U.S." (WOTUS) for the purposes of the Clean Water Act.
Posted on 11/03/2015
Volunteers needed for AGC of America’s Environmental Steering Committee
Each year AGC of America seeks nominations for qualified and motivated individuals from the AGC Environmental Forum to serve on the steering committee for the forum. Would you like to play a leadership role in AGC of America’s environmental advocacy, education and outreach efforts?
Posted on 11/03/2015
Looking ahead to 2016
Legislators are already looking ahead to the 2016 elections which will be a very big deal for our state Legislature. All 98 members of the State House and 25 member of the State Senate are up for election plus all of the statewide races such as Governor and Lt. Governor.
Posted on 10/22/2015
Make your voice heard — VOTE!
You should have received your ballot in the mail for the upcoming General Election on Nov. 3. It is important that you take the time to vote -- and before you do, check out AGC's BUILD PAC's endorsement list.
Posted on 10/22/2015
Talk to your employees about the election!
Let your employees know who you will be voting for and why. Research tells us that 4 out of 5 employees want information from their employers about candidates and elections.
Posted on 10/22/2015
Shortfall could put cleanup and new construction on hold
Washington State Department of Ecology has suggested that many projects to clean up contaminated sites – and redevelopment that could follow the cleanup – could be put on hold due to a shortfall in the Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA) account.
Posted on 10/19/2015
AGCWA leaders visit Congress to urge passage of highway bill, pension reform
Act now! All members of the U.S. House of Representatives need to hear from their constituents that any further extensions are unacceptable.
Posted on 10/13/2015
L&I proposes 2 percent average increase in workers’-comp rates for 2016
The Department of Labor and Industries proposed a two percent average increase in workers’ comp rates for next year.