In today’s construction news, read about Jose Espinosa, who has been appointed as the president and chief executive officer of the toll highway company 407 ETR, according to a press statement issued by the company based in Woodbridge, Ontario. More than twenty-five years of international expertise in tolling and highway infrastructure across the United States of America, Canada, Europe, and Australia are just some of the things he offers for the post. Meanwhile, there is a high probability that tariff measures will have the greatest influence on the construction market in the United States, which is anticipated to see a slowdown throughout the later part of 2025 and into 2026. On the other hand, orange cones are placed along the lanes of US-41 in North Fort Myers, making it a look that is recognizable to people who travel through the area on a regular basis. Since January, the road has been undergoing construction, and the left lanes have been blocked off for the duration of the project. Finally, data from CoStar for June 2025 shows that the number of hotel rooms in the United States currently under construction has declined for the sixth consecutive month. When it comes to the property markets, CoStar is the industry leader when it comes to providing online real estate marketplaces, information, and analytics.
US Construction Executive Hired as CEO by Canadian Toll Company
Original Source: Canadian toll firm hires US construction exec as CEO
The Woodbridge, Ontario-based toll highway operator 407 ETR announced that Jose Espinosa will become president and CEO. He has over 25 years of worldwide tolling and transportation infrastructure expertise in the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Australia.
On July 16, Espinosa replaced president and CEO Javier Tamargo, who had been there since September 2020. Cintra US, a subsidiary of Ferrovial, is now led by Tamargo in Austin, Texas. Espinosa joined the 407 ETR board this month.
His firm appointment is a return: Espinosa was corporate shareholder liaison and reporting manager from 2009 to 2016 and then project director for Highway 407 ETR East operations, the announcement said.
According to the statement, Espinosa recently served as CEO of the Lyndon B. Johnson Expressway, North Tarrant Express, and North Tarrant Express 35W, where he increased capacity and connectivity on Dallas-Fort Worth key arteries. He was CEO of Charlotte-based I-77 Mobility Partners before that.
According to his company biography page, Espinosa started at Ferrovial in 2000 as a corporate treasury analyst and rose through multiple management roles at Madrid-based Cintra.
“Mr. Espinosa has experience managing complex infrastructure and is well-suited to lead 407 ETR to growth and operational excellence. In the statement, 407 International Board Chair David McFadden said his global experience will help us innovate, improve customer experience, and create long-term value for our stakeholders.
Effects on the US Construction Sector
Original Source: U.S. Tariffs: Impact On The U.S. Construction Industry
Will tariffs impact US construction?
As tariff uncertainty impacts pricing, demand, and supplies of important imported building materials, the US construction market is likely to decelerate most in the later part of 2025 and into 2026. Businesses are delaying investment decisions due to fluctuating tariffs on steel and aluminum. Several multi-billion-dollar projects have delayed or been canceled in recent months due to tariffs and federal funding uncertainties, and we predict more.
Will building materials cost more?
Tariffs may raise building material prices. These increases are starting to emerge in the data and are projected to grow throughout the year. As firms resort to other sources for materials, supply shortages will effect prices and project schedules if materials are delayed. Project cancellations and postponements may affect demand and price implications.
What is the biggest factor affecting US construction?
The US construction sector is currently most affected by uncertainty. Since steel and aluminum are more widely used in nonresidential structures, tariff uncertainty will have a greater impact on this segment. While tariff concerns will impact the residential market, immigration policy uncertainty will have a greater impact. As businesses plan future initiatives, cost uncertainty will keep investment on hold until tariff policy is more stable and clear. Investment pauses threaten future projects and construction spending growth.
Recent Developments About US 41 Construction in North Fort Myers
Original Source: The latest on construction at US 41 in North Fort Myers
Orange cones line US-41 in North Fort Myers, a familiar sight for frequent travelers. The left lanes have been restricted since January for road construction.
“That’s a long area of road, a big stretch, and it’s just hard,” said North Fort Myers homeowner Mike Fleming.
The Florida Department of Transportation is improving the median for traffic flow and safety. Many homeowners and workers have been inconvenienced by the development.
“Sometimes it gets frustrating if you forget something, you have to go back twice,” said North Fort Myers worker George Rain.
In January, FDOT announced that full median lane closures would last five weeks and additional median sections three months. After five months, drivers still face the same obstacles.
Around January, I was there. Fleming stated everything stopped when they tore it up. “I haven’t seen anybody there, and I go up and down this road daily errands and stuff.”
“I thought it would happen faster, right? “You just get used to it, I guess,” answered Rain.
The project will install a continuous elevated median and two pedestrian hybrid beacons south of Pondella Road and Mariana Avenue.
From the Caloosahatchee River to north of SR 78, bi-directional and full median openings will increase safety, traffic flow, and crash reduction. Other improvements include road milling and resurfacing.
“Good intentions if they finish,” Fleming added.
On Thursday, WINK News reporter Amy Galo contacted FDOT for an update.
A spokeswoman said third-party utilities and FDOT contractors are doing subterranean work.
Relocating utilities and installing drainage are subsurface tasks. This work is done nightly to reduce traffic.
“Work completed since the start of construction includes milling of the center lane, construction of approximately 75% of the new continuous median, installation of many new drainage structures and associated piping, and intersection improvements at the corners of Business 41 and SR 78,” said Pichette in a statement to WINK.
If no weather delays occur, the left median lanes should reopen by mid-fall.
The left (inside) lanes will be reopened and construction will begin in the outside Northbound and Southbound lanes under lane closures in the next traffic configuration phase.
Project completion is expected in late 2025.
Hotel Construction in the US Declined for the Sixth Consecutive Month
Original Source: U.S. hotel construction fell for sixth consecutive month
CoStar’s June 2025 data shows a sixth straight month of declining U.S. hotel room construction. CoStar is a leading online real estate marketplace, information, and analytics supplier.
U.S. Hotel Pipeline: June 2025 (% change from June 2024)
In construction: 138,922 rooms (-11.9%).
Final Planning: 266,276 rooms (-0.1%)
Planning: 349,802 rooms (+4.8%)
As hotel demand falls, economic uncertainty persists, and construction prices rise, the number of hotel rooms under construction is at a 20-quarter low. “Over half of all rooms under development are in the South and outside the Top 25 Markets. Like much of the pipeline, these rooms are largely in the two planning phases and unlikely to be erected soon.
According to Isaac Collazo, STR’s senior director of analytics, chain scale segments include existing supply percentage and in-construction room count.
Luxury (4.1%/6,443 rooms)
Upper Upscale (2.3%/16,336 rooms)
Upscale (3.7%/34,047 rooms)
Upper Midscale (3.1%/36,718 rooms)
Midscale (12,715 rooms/2.5%)
Economy (5,830 rooms/0.9%)
Collazo indicated the middle tier (Upscale and Upper Upscale) rooms under development remain the majority. These initiatives will continue to be developed, even if we expect their quantity to diminish.
Summary of today’s construction news
In simple terms, Mr. Espinosa has a demonstrated history of success in the management of complex infrastructure, and he is in an excellent position to steer 407 ETR through the next phase of its growth and continue to achieve operational excellence. “His global experience will be instrumental as we continue to drive innovation, enhance the customer experience, and deliver long-term value to our stakeholders,” stated David McFadden, the chair of the 407 International Board of Directors, in the information release.
Meanwhile, there is a likelihood that the prices of building materials may increase as a consequence of tariffs. Since steel and aluminum are more commonly utilized in the The construction of nonresidential structures, which is the segment of the market focused on nonresidential building projects, will be more affected by the uncertainty surrounding tariffs.
On the other hand, it is anticipated that the left median lanes will reopen by the middle of October, unless there are any unanticipated difficulties or delays caused by the weather. Following that, the project will go on to the subsequent phase of traffic configuration, which will involve the reopening of the left lanes (inside lanes) and the beginning of construction in the northbound and southbound lanes that are located outside the site, which will be accompanied by lane closures.
Finally, according to Isaac Collazo ‘With hotel demand trending downward, unrelenting economic uncertainty, and rising construction costs, it’s not surprising that the number of hotel rooms under construction is at a 20-quarter low,” he said. “More than half of all rooms under development are in the Southern region and mostly outside of the Top 25 Markets. Like most of the pipeline, these rooms are mostly in the two planning phases, and many will likely not be built in the near future.’
