Global Scans · Construction · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: 65 per cent of global construction growth for the next decade will happen in emerging markets. Smart cities, sustainable construction, greater urbanization and pre-fabricated buildings will all play their part in future construction growth.

• [New] At current estimates of SMR construction costs of $12 million to $15 million per megawatt, Holtec's 680-megawatt plant could be put into operation at a cost of $7 billion to $10 billion. Great Lakes Now
• [New] 2026 will see continued construction and development in urban centers like Chicago. Kitchen & Bath Business
• [New] Autonomous trucks equipped with SuperDrive 6.0 are already transporting commercial freight in Texas, with construction zone handling active and night driving expected to be released in the coming weeks. Automotive World
• [New] Construction technology vendors, including Trimble, are expected to accelerate efforts to enhance interoperability, delivering greater value to contractors through workflows and integrations between construction technology ecosystems. Notting Hill Surveyors
• [New] The Framework Agreement also states that North Macedonia will begin purchasing American liquefied natural gas after the construction of a new gas interconnector with Greece is completed. Center for Western Balkans Studies
• [New] The United States has significant opportunities to ensure buildings have clean indoor air. PubMed
• [New] Generative AI tools in construction could be worth $5bn by 2029, driven by tools that catalyze design, documentation and information search. Verdict
• [New] The Indian government has allocated 32.2 billion US dollars for capital expenditure in its 2026-27 budget, with part of the funding earmarked for the construction of new high-speed railway lines. AndyBTravels
• [New] In a direct reaction to Deep Seek's capital-efficient disruption, US technology leaders have massively increased AI infrastructure spending to create a competitive moat through scale, signaling a long-term, large-scale demand cycle for data center construction and energy supply. EnkiAI - Find the right insight
• [New] Daimler Truck is building a new Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicle center in Koblenz, Germany, with construction set to begin in autumn 2026 and commissioning planned for early 2028. Automotive World
• [New] The construction industry will need hundreds of thousands of additional skilled workers over the next several years just to meet projected demand, shortages that are especially acute in mechanical and industrial trades. Supply House Times
• [New] The vulnerability of data centers in 2026 extends beyond kinetic threats to the material reality of their construction. Pascal's Substack
• [New] The Data Center Industry in 2026 is increasingly using joint ventures and co-investment to share construction and power-supply risk. Aerodoc
• [New] Affordability remains a central obstacle early in 2026, arguing that meaningful improvement will require policies aimed at bending the construction cost curve and expanding attainable housing supply. Mortgage News Daily
• [New] Widespread Adoption: More than 80% of large new farm construction is expected to leverage drone or satellite imaging by 2028. Farmonaut
• [New] Construction activity in New South Wales, where the first phase of high speed rail will be delivered, will peak in 2026, before declining by an average of 8.7% per year to 2031-32. Australasian Railway Association
• [New] Long stretches of tunnelling, construction under rivers and avoiding critical power utilities and fuel lines near the new Western Sydney International Airport will create major technical challenges and risk significant cost blowouts for the proposed $93 billion high speed Sydney-Newcastle rail link. Australian Financial Review
• Construction 5.0 will integrate AI, robotics, and machine learning to anticipate problems, optimise resources, and ensure technology serves both people and the planet. 3D Printing Industry
• Over the next decade, construction will leap from isolated pilots to full-scale digital industrialization, where 3D concrete printing will become a standard method rather than a technological curiosity. 3D Printing Industry
• Looking ahead to 2030-35, 3D construction printing has come a long way in recent years. 3D Printing Industry
• Major projects such as high-speed rail and urban railway systems are expected to begin construction in 2026, creating sustained growth momentum over the next three to five years. https://vir.com.vn/
• U.S. construction growth is largest in low-cost power states, boosting infrastructure needs and opportunities. ConstructConnect

Last updated: 11 March 2026