In today’s construction news, read about the process of creating a new NPP between Armenia and the US, which has reportedly moved into the topic phase, according to Armen Grigoryan, Secretary of Armenia’s Security Council. Built in the 1970s using two VVER-440-V230 units supplied by the Soviet Union, the currently operational Armenian NPP (ANPP) at Metsamor produces over 40% of Armenia’s electricity. However, it was closed in 1988 after a severe earthquake. On the other hand, as per the data released by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), construction firms offered a wage “premium” in June that was almost 19% more than the mean income of all production employees in the private sector. The announcement was made as the industry added 27,000 jobs in June and saw a decrease in the average jobless rate to 3.6%. Finally, beginning on Tuesday in July, Charlotte-Douglas International Airport will undergo significant renovations. Some visitors claimed that Charlotte’s airport is simpler to use than other significant transportation hubs that are likewise going through significant construction.
Armenia and US expand Nuclear Power Plant Construction Discussions
Original Source: Armenia advances talks with US on new nuclear power plant construction
Armen Grigoryan, Armenia’s Security Council Secretary, said Armenia and the US are contemplating developing a new NPP. “We have entered a very substantive phase,” he told a Yerevan conference. We’re considering the legal framework we need to progress. Currently, the US has the ball. He said he expected US internal procedures to be completed before starting work. Yerevan is diversifying economic contacts with international partners to boost energy security, he said.
After the 1988 earthquake, the Armenian NPP (ANPP) at Metsamor, which generates 40% of Armenia’s electricity, was closed. It was built in the 1970s with two Soviet-supplied VVER-440-V230 units. Due to energy difficulties, unit 2 was recommissioned in 1995 with Russian assistance. The Armenian government extended the plant’s lifespan until 2026 in March 2014. Russian interstate loans supported most of the refurbishment until 2019. The factory will close in 2036. In April 2022, Armenia announced intentions to build a nuclear reactor.
ANPP replacement talks with Russia began in October 2021, according to Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian. Armenia signed Rosatom in December 2023 to prolong the plant’s lifespan until 2036, with talks ‘ongoing’ about building a new reactor.
Washington is trying to get Armenia to break with Russia. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan signed a “strategic nuclear cooperation” pact in May 2022. Washington is “assessing the feasibility” of developing a nuclear station using small modular reactors (SMRs) in Armenia, a senior US State Department official said in 2023. US technology may reduce Armenia’s energy dependence on Russia.
Pashinian formed a working group in June 2023 to investigate building possibilities for the new facility, including SMRs, and report its findings to the prime minister’s administration within two months. However, the working group’s results are not public.
Pashinian indicated in January 2024 that Armenia planned to develop a new NPP within 8-10 years using Russian, American, and South Korean technologies. New 1200 MWe unit building is being considered after a preliminary feasibility study.
Average US Construction wWge Rises to $35.64/hour
Original Source: Average US construction pay rate jumps to $35.64 an hour
US construction production and nonsupervisory workers make $35.64 an hour, up 4.6% over the year.
In June, Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) revealed that construction companies paid roughly 19% more than private-sector production workers.
In June, the industry added 27,000 jobs and its unemployment rate dropped to 3.6%.
The AGC said construction businesses were raising wages and recruiting workers due to tight labor conditions.
Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist, said, “Despite recent weakness in residential and commercial building demand, construction employment strengthened in June, with all segments adding workers.
“Finding enough qualified workers is harder for most firms than finding projects.”
Over the past year, the sector added 235,000 jobs, up 2.9%. June saw 21,200 new hires in non-residential building, specialty trade, heavy, and civil engineering construction firms. Residential building and specialty trade contractors added 5,500 jobs, or 0.2%.
Construction worker training should be prioritized, according to association CEO Jeffrey D. Shoaf. He said investing in initiatives that expose more kids to high-paying construction occupations will help more workers become middle class.
The lack of labor will hinder construction activity and employment growth until public officials raise those investments.
Amid CLT Airport Development, Several American Airlines Ticket Desks Move Outside
Original Source: American Airlines ticket counters relocating, some moving outside amid construction at CLT airport
Tuesday marks the beginning of major changes at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport in July.
Charlotte’s airport is easier to navigate than other major transport hubs under redevelopment, according to some travelers.
Holiday weekend weather worsens CLT airport delays.
“It’s not overly inconvenient,” remarked Bob Frazier, visiting his Charlotte children. “It’s not like Reagan [Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport], which was a disaster.”
Officials said many American Airlines ticket counters will move from July 9 to 21 for a crucial Terminal Lobby Expansion work phase.
All American Airlines ticket desks between Checkpoint C and E will close for 12 days. Temporary ticket counters will be set up.
Four ticket counters and four kiosks will shift to Door 2 on the departures level, officials added.
Short-term ticket booths:
Four kiosks and four ticket counters outside Door 2.
Mobile podiums: two dynamic ticket counters in space.
Use available ticket counters from different airlines.
Some passengers were conflicted about the modifications.
“Sometimes I feel like it’s just a waste of time,” said Delonie Morris. We need it, though. Just priorities and a slippery slope.”
The temporary modifications occur as CLT airport travel statistics reach record highs. From Memorial Day to July 4, CLT outperformed 2023 by 14%.
Frequent flyers like Dave Greenberg are ready to wait for an easy-to-use airport.
It’s worth waiting because you can tell they’re working 24/7 every time you come out. It will be fantastic when finished.”
Odera Egbuonu has visited Charlotte almost monthly for a year and doesn’t mind the terminal lobby’s periodic changes.
“I enjoy seeing all the new updates. Everywhere looks better than a year ago.”
Officials from the airport told Queen City News Monday:
CLT Airport strives to minimize construction effects and provide a great customer experience. The Terminal Lobby Expansion timetable requires the temporary relocation of the American Airlines Ticket counters to build new counters that will improve check-in. We constantly contact with our airline partners and included American Airlines in this interim move’s planning. We advise customers without checked baggage to check in on aa.com and go straight to security.”
Charlotte Douglas International Airport Chief Infrastructure Officer Jack Christine
The six-year Terminal Lobby Expansion is scheduled for completion in 2025. Officials stated this multi-year development project is revamping the 1982 terminal, which can only handle 2.8 million people per year.
Over the Fourth of July holiday, 925,000 travelers arrived and left from July 2 to 7, up 7% from last year.
Over 153,000 of those 925,000 were local travelers leaving Charlotte, up 6% from 2023. The airport said Monday that passenger activity will stay high through Labor Day, up 13% from last year.
In 2023, CLT passengers hit a record 53.4 million.
Summary of today’s construction news
In summary, Pashinian established a working committee in June 2023 with the goal of investigating different possibilities for constructing the new facility, including the SMRs, and submitting its conclusions to the prime minister’s administration in a fortnight. The working group’s conclusions, though, have not yet been released to the public. Pashinian stated in January 2024 that Armenia intended to construct a new NPP in eight to ten years and that a number of options, including technologies from South Korea, the USA, and Russia, are being looked into. There is a preliminary feasibility study being considered for the construction of a new 1200 MWe facility.
On the other hand, over the previous 12 months, the sector has gained 235,000 jobs, a 2.9% rise in employment. In June, non-residential construction companies hired 21,200 new workers. These companies include heavy and civil engineering construction businesses, non-residential building and specialty trade contractors, and more. The association’s chief executive officer, Jeffrey D. Shoaf, advocated for increased funding for construction worker training. “Investing more in programs that introduce students to lucrative careers in construction will set up more workers for middle-class prosperity,” he declared. “But until government officials increase those investments, labor shortages will impede building and restrain job expansion.”
Finally, the six-year project, known as the Terminal Lobby Expansion, is expected to be finished by 2025. The terminal, which was constructed in 1982 with only 2.8 million passengers annually, is being transformed, according to officials, as a result of this multi-year development project. From July 2 to July 7, over 925,000 passengers arrived and departed for the Fourth of July vacation, a 7% increase over the previous year.