State beefs up work zone penalties
Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm signed two new laws into effect last month that will provide stiffer penalties for injuring or killing another person in a Michigan road construction work zone.

The legislation (Public Acts 296 and 297 of 2008) will impose fines of up to $7,500 in fines and 15 years in jail, for motorists who injure or kill anyone in a road construction work zone. Previously, under Andy's Law, similar penalties were applicable if a motorist injured or killed a road (or highway) worker.

"This legislation not only continues to protect our workers, but it protects the public as well," said State Transportation Director Kirk Steudle. "Unfortunately, the vast majority (95 percent) of the fatalities that occurred in work zones in 2007 involved motorists and their passengers. We hope that the potential for such stiff penalties will help motorists focus more closely on their responsibility to drive safely through construction zones, which will create a safer environment for everyone." 

Construction jobs take a great fall
Washington, D.C. - "Today's unemployment report - grim reading on all counts - is especially bad for construction and shows the urgency of enacting infrastructure spending as part of a stimulus bill," Ken Simonson, chief economist for The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), said Nov. 7 following a Bureau of Labor Statistics report that showed the unemployment rate for construction workers jumped to 10.8 percent in October.

Construction easily had the highest unemployment rate of any industry and the largest increase, up from 6.1 percent a year ago. Simonson said that the industry accounted for nearly half of the million-plus jobs lost throughout the economy in the past 12 months.

Noting that many of those job losses occurred in heavy and civil engineering construction, Simonson said, "Those workers could quickly be re-employed if the states had enough money to award contracts for projects they have ready to go.

"Contrary to some assertions, this money would quickly make its way into the economy, supporting equipment and materials manufacturing and services jobs as well as construction. (see articles at right). State officials say they have thousands of projects ready to award without long delays."

The AGC urged Congress to act this month on a stimulus package "that includes funding for highway, bridge and other infrastructure work," Simonson stated. "In addition, the new Administration and Congress should give a high priority to renewing long-term highway, airport, water and wastewater funding bills next year."

In related news, the weak economy is leading the Portland Cement Association to adjust its cement consumption forecast. The latest PCA forecast of cement, concrete, and construction predicts a 12.8 percent decline in cement consumption in 2008, followed by 11.9 percent and 2.1 percent declines in 2009 and 2010, respectively.