Discussion: View Thread

Construction projects are continuing or shutting down according to varying orders across the country due to coronavirus.  The agreement for the most part is essential projects should continue.  What is considered essential?  Hospitals, for sure!  Schools?  Most likely, but can the students go another year in their current facilities?  Museums?  Government buildings, but which ones?

Job sites in Boston were shutdown per the Mayor, but what about sites just outside city limits?

One project of local note is the new AAA stadium for the Red Sox.  Stadium construction has been stop as it has been deemed non-essential.  But is the answer so clear-cut?  The state of Massachusetts and city of Worcester have provided incentives to the team to relocate from Pawtucket, RI and anchor a new development district.  Delay on the project not only possibly delays opening day 2021, but also the economic boost the city is relying on. 

Other factors impacting construction is availability of non-essential building materials.  Mill structural steel is considered essential and supply chains remain open.  Availability of specialty metals and materials has become more problematic.   But if a material is needed to complete a job or within a given sequence, is it not essential? 

Please share your thoughts and experiences!

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Chad Morrison P.E., M.ASCE
Professional Engineer
Greenville RI
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Chad,

Thank you for bringing it up. Here in Long Island, NY, we have a similar issue with the construction of the Belmont Park Arena for the New York Islanders. We hope that the lockdown in our regions end soon and construction resumes.

Also, there are projects that could be particularly affected, in case the pause period is overly lengthy, or construction doesn't resume. The unfinished and/or exposed structure may deteriorate leading to even more problems.

------------------------------
Luciana Gardioli P.E.
Principal
Babylon NY
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-14-2020 08:13 AM
From: Chad Morrison
Subject: What does it mean to be essential?

Construction projects are continuing or shutting down according to varying orders across the country due to coronavirus.  The agreement for the most part is essential projects should continue.  What is considered essential?  Hospitals, for sure!  Schools?  Most likely, but can the students go another year in their current facilities?  Museums?  Government buildings, but which ones?

Job sites in Boston were shutdown per the Mayor, but what about sites just outside city limits?

One project of local note is the new AAA stadium for the Red Sox.  Stadium construction has been stop as it has been deemed non-essential.  But is the answer so clear-cut?  The state of Massachusetts and city of Worcester have provided incentives to the team to relocate from Pawtucket, RI and anchor a new development district.  Delay on the project not only possibly delays opening day 2021, but also the economic boost the city is relying on.

Other factors impacting construction is availability of non-essential building materials.  Mill structural steel is considered essential and supply chains remain open.  Availability of specialty metals and materials has become more problematic.   But if a material is needed to complete a job or within a given sequence, is it not essential?

Please share your thoughts and experiences!

------------------------------
Chad Morrison P.E., M.ASCE
Professional Engineer
Greenville RI
------------------------------

@Ben Walpole has published a great article on this topic!

https://news.asce.org/are-civil-engineers-essential-personnel/


Ben & I discussed it further on his latest podcast!

https://news.asce.org/covid-19-community-calls-19-what-projects-should-continue/


Check it out!

------------------------------
Chad Morrison P.E., M.ASCE
Professional Engineer
Greenville RI
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-15-2020 08:33 AM
From: Luciana Gardioli
Subject: What does it mean to be essential?

Chad,

Thank you for bringing it up. Here in Long Island, NY, we have a similar issue with the construction of the Belmont Park Arena for the New York Islanders. We hope that the lockdown in our regions end soon and construction resumes.

Also, there are projects that could be particularly affected, in case the pause period is overly lengthy, or construction doesn't resume. The unfinished and/or exposed structure may deteriorate leading to even more problems.

------------------------------
Luciana Gardioli P.E.
Principal
Babylon NY

Original Message:
Sent: 04-14-2020 08:13 AM
From: Chad Morrison
Subject: What does it mean to be essential?

Construction projects are continuing or shutting down according to varying orders across the country due to coronavirus.  The agreement for the most part is essential projects should continue.  What is considered essential?  Hospitals, for sure!  Schools?  Most likely, but can the students go another year in their current facilities?  Museums?  Government buildings, but which ones?

Job sites in Boston were shutdown per the Mayor, but what about sites just outside city limits?

One project of local note is the new AAA stadium for the Red Sox.  Stadium construction has been stop as it has been deemed non-essential.  But is the answer so clear-cut?  The state of Massachusetts and city of Worcester have provided incentives to the team to relocate from Pawtucket, RI and anchor a new development district.  Delay on the project not only possibly delays opening day 2021, but also the economic boost the city is relying on.

Other factors impacting construction is availability of non-essential building materials.  Mill structural steel is considered essential and supply chains remain open.  Availability of specialty metals and materials has become more problematic.   But if a material is needed to complete a job or within a given sequence, is it not essential?

Please share your thoughts and experiences!

------------------------------
Chad Morrison P.E., M.ASCE
Professional Engineer
Greenville RI
------------------------------
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