FAST-TRACK WORLD TRADE CENTER CLEAN-UP NAMED TOP CONSTRUCTION STORY OF 2002
February, 2003
(BUFFALO GROVE, IL) The 24/7 cleanup and recovery effort at Ground Zero in New York City has been voted the top construction story of 2002 in an annual survey conducted by the Construction Writers Association (CWA). The concerted effort of thousands of construction workers, engineers, public safety personnel, government administrators, and volunteers expedited the removal of thousands of tons of debris from the site, as well as the last remains of the tragedy's victims. Ground Zero was declared "cleared" in the summer of 2002, defying initial predictions that the cleanup would still be in progress on the first anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks.
"For many of the construction workers and others that worked at the site, this was the most important job of their lives," observed Matthew Phair, editor of Constructioneer magazine.
The lingering threat of further terrorist activity influenced the construction industry in other ways in 2002, according to CWA voters. Along with dampening any hope of a reversal of the economy�s prolonged doldrums, terrorism and homeland security concerns had an immediate effect on the design and construction of buildings, transportation systems, and infrastructure.
"When engineers, architects and developers design buildings, there is a stronger sense of urgency to make sure each building has the latest, greatest and best security and life safety systems," says Joseph M. Kelly, editor of Electrical Contractor and Security+Life Safety magazines. "Making sure people are as safe as humanly possible is priority number one, and no developer will cut costs there. Buildings that are not up to snuff in the areas of security and life safety must get there in a hurry. We never know when the next attack is coming."
Other issues frequently cited in the CWA survey included the growing number of state budget shortfalls and their effect on transportation construction; the industry's contributions to the highly successful 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City; and the continued proliferation of technology in design and building applications, ranging from wireless hand-held computers for field data collection to the use of "tele-engineering" to bring engineering experts to the front in Afghanistan.
Founded in 1958, the Construction Writers Association is the nation's leading professional organization for construction industry journalists and communicators. Members include editors and key staff members from virtually every major industry publication, many of construction's top freelance writers, communicators from key industry trade and professional associations, and those engaged in marketing and public relations for contractors, designers, industry suppliers, and service providers.
For more information
Deborah J. Hodges
Executive Director
P.O. Box 14784
Chicago, Illinois 60614
Telephone 773 687-8726
Fax 773 687-8627
info@constructionwriters.org