Infra Insight Blog

A recent Supreme Court decision has raised important questions about the impact of federal tariffs on water infrastructure costs—but offers only limited relief for project owners. While the Court ruled that certain tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) were unconstitutional, most tariffs affecting key construction materials like steel, aluminum and copper remain in place under other authorities. As a result, the overall cost pressures facing water infrastructure projects persist.

The decision may lead to refunds for importers who ...

As public agencies increasingly turn to alternative delivery methods for water infrastructure projects, the application of California’s design immunity protections is becoming more complex. While design immunity traditionally shields public entities from liability when approved plans are reasonable and design changes are thoroughly documented, delegating both design and construction responsibilities to private developers can blur accountability and create new risks.

Maintaining design immunity protections may require agencies to stay actively involved in the ...

Federal prevailing wage law, known as the Davis-Bacon Act and Related Acts (Davis-Bacon Act), is applicable to almost every federal and federal-aid project.  The rules governing the Davis-Bacon Act have been essentially unchanged for 40 years.  But now, for the first time since the Reagan administration, the U.S. Department of Labor (Department) is updating the Davis-Bacon Act and making a number of significant changes to how the Davis-Bacon Act is administered ...