This Week's Construction News: Maryland Launches Bidding for Key Bridge Demolition, Turner Subsidiary's Data Center Project in Ireland Breaks Ground

The construction industry news cycle remained busy this week. Turner Construction notified thousands of individuals about a data breach involving personal information, while the NBA's San Antonio Spurs selected Mortenson and Bartlett Cocke General Contractors as construction managers for their new $1.3 billion arena. Here is other construction news executives should know.

Maryland Accepting Bids for Key Bridge Demolition Work

The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) announced Tuesday that it is accepting bids for the second of four contracts for the Francis Scott Key Bridge rebuild. The "Demolition and Miscellaneous Marine Work" contract will be awarded through a competitive sealed bidding process, with work expected to begin later this year. MDTA said bids are due this fall.

When the agency first outlined the four-contract approach in May, it estimated the demolition portion would cost between $50 million and $100 million. The scope includes:

• Removing and recovering steel truss spans over the Patapsco River;
• Removing piers in the water and on land;
• Underwater demolition of bridge foundations;
• Clearing 96-inch steel pipe piles.

In July, MDTA issued a request for qualifications for construction of the bridge's main span and water approaches. The agency expects to award contracts for the south and north approach spans in late 2026 and early 2027, respectively.

— Zachary Phillips

Turner Subsidiary Reaches Milestone on Ireland Data Center Project

Dornan Engineering, Turner Construction's subsidiary in Ireland, achieved a key milestone on a data center project. Dornan Engineering, which Turner acquired in 2024, broke ground on a data center development in Ireland on July 20, Turner announced Thursday. Dornan is serving as general contractor on the €48 million (about $56 million) project, handling civil, structural, architectural, mechanical, and electrical work.

According to the announcement, the team began installing structural steel on July 29. "This project showcases Dornan's extensive general contracting capabilities and the expertise we bring together across multiple disciplines," said Brendan Herbert, managing director of Dornan's advanced technology division, in the announcement. "We look forward to building on the progress made so far as we move into the next phase of delivery."

— Matthew Thibault

Zachry Construction Wins San Antonio Airport Contract

While the San Antonio Spurs selected their arena project team, another local builder won a contract for the city's airport. Zachry Construction announced Tuesday that it has been awarded the "SAT Terminal C Roadway Improvements" project at San Antonio International Airport. The company will serve as a subcontractor to Hensel Phelps, the risk construction manager for the Terminal C project, which currently carries a $1.7 billion price tag, according to a December report from the San Antonio Express-News. The scope includes demolition and construction of roadways and bridges to support access to the new terminal.

Zachry's portion will be delivered in multiple phases, starting with widening the existing elevated roadway to connect directly to Terminal C. Subsequent phases will build dedicated access to Terminal C's departure level and modify the existing US 281 connector bridges to accommodate the updated roadway layout. According to the announcement, the scope includes more than 3,300 cubic yards of concrete, over 800,000 pounds of reinforcing steel, and approximately 6,300 linear feet of precast bridge girders to support the elevated roadway structure.

— Zachary Phillips