Snyder Langston wraps up $98.7 million in California construction projects, while Skanska USA Building and EMCOR Group break ground on educational, utility jobs.

Irvine, Calif.-based Snyder Langston recently completed four projects totaling $98.7 million. The company demolished a former facility for the Pacific Club to make way for a new 2,100-square-foot clubhouse; it erected the exterior core and shell for eight buildings for Irvine Commercial Properties Co. at University Research Park; it completed Phase 2 of Operon Group's industrial complex in Fountain Valley; and in Aliso Veijo, Calif., it provided preconstruction services for Shea Properties' 130 building.

“Business was exceptional last year for Snyder Langston,” says Frank Martinez, vice president of business development and marketing. “We finished up 13 percent ahead of our projection, and anticipate that the upward trend in construction activity will likely continue another 18 months.”

Parsippany, N.J.-based Skanska USA Building Inc. has broken ground for the $6.5 million Housing V Residen-tial Community Com-mons project at Stockton College in Pomona, N.J. The development will consist of four new dormitories that will house 64 students in each building. The first two buildings will be completed in mid-December 2007, and the final two at the end of May 2008.

Norwalk, Conn.-based Emcor Group Inc. has begun work on several new energy-related projects for utility, private and public sector clients in the U.K., the United States and Canada. The clients include SNC Lavalin Nuclear in Toronto, Canada; Pacific Gas & Electric in California; the United States General Services Administration in Washington state; University of California-Berkeley; and GlaxoSmith Kline in the U.K.

New York City-based Parsons Brinckerhoff (PB) was awarded a contract by the city of Scottsdale, Ariz., to evaluate corridor improvements for Pima Road. The company will be responsible for the project's civil design, environmental assessment and roadway alignment study. It will be completed in 2008.

A joint venture between PB and Paris-based Systra has won a contract to manage the development of a seven-mile rail system in Mumbai, India, called the Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar (VAG) Metro Rail. When complete, the VAG route will be able to carry 600,000 people per day with a commuting time of 21 minutes, whereas current commuting time between Versova and Ghatkopar is 70 minutes.

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The Beck Group Advances Four of its Project Leaders The Beck Group - a development, planning, architecture, interior design and construction firm based in Dallas - recently promoted four employees in its central and corporate divisions. Chad Schieber was promoted from project manager to director of marketing and business development. Joe Flores was promoted from senior project manager to director of human resources. Robert Hodges was promoted from senior project manager to project executive. Chris Lindhart was promoted from project executive to director of integrated services.

PB announced two promotions in its Atlanta and Portland, Ore., offices. In Atlanta, Charlie Raubacher was named market leader, institutional markets. He will be responsible for growing the company's business in the educational, healthcare, public buildings and other markets. In Portland, John Holroyd was named northwest water operations manager. He will be responsible for growing and managing the company's water business in Oregon, Washington and Alaska.

New York City-based Empire State Development announced that Barbara P. Lampen is now the president of the New York Convention Center Development Corp., which oversees the redevelopment of the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. Lampen will oversee planning, development and construction for the Javits project as well as CDC staffing and budgeting.

“We are extremely pleased that Barbara is joining our Javits team,” Chairman Pat Foy said. “With her extensive background in development and planning, Barbara brings the depth and breadth of experience needed to move this project forward.”

San Francisco-based URS Corp. named Keith Jones regional transit director for its West Central Region office in Dallas. Jones will be responsible for transit projects and business developments in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, Nebraska, Mississippi, Alabama, Missouri and Kansas.

URS also named Douglas Differt vice president and director of engineering development. Differt was deputy transportation commissioner at the Minnesota Department of Transportation. At URS, he will lead business development for the company's transportation engineering practice in Minnesota.

Irving, Texas-based Fluor Corp. recently announced two executive promotions. Steve Dobbs will serve as senior group president over the Industrial and Infrastructure, Government and Global Services groups. Dwayne Wilson will be president of Fluor's Industrial and Infrastructure group.