General and specialty contractors have a new way to manage their expenses and cash with a platform from financial software firm Briq. The BriqCash system includes tools for automated invoicing, vendor management, direct payments and rewards.

Foundation work is underway in Chicago's Jackson Park for the Obama Presidential Center. Utility work is scheduled to begin next week on the project, which is expected to bring economic revitalization to the surrounding area.

The developer of a $1.4 billion water desalination plant in Huntington Beach, Calif., says the project could be jeopardized by the terms of a construction permit. Poseidon Water has objected to the requirement that its plans for habitat remediation work be approved before the plant can begin operating.

The Oregon Department of Transportation is planning to spend $32 million over four years to reinforce or replace seven bridges in the Klamath Falls area against seismic events. The bridges are believed to be particularly vulnerable to earthquakes registering at least magnitude 8.0.

Developer Diode Ventures is planning to build a multibillion-dollar tech center in Missouri's Clay and Platte counties, near Kansas City. The city's Transportation, Infrastructure and Operations Committee has approved plans to construct the Golden Plains Technology Park, whose data center would eventually cover 5.5 million square feet.

Nonresidential construction starts that were down sharply in February rebounded in March for a 60.1% month-to-month gain, writes Alex Carrick, chief economist for ConstructConnect. The $32.2 billion total for March, however, was down 8% from the year before, while the year-to-date total was down 20% from the year-earlier period.

Boston Dynamics' four-legged Spot robot can autonomously follow a human leader through a construction site using software from Trimble and Piaggio Fast Forward. The robot can then retrace the original route and adapt on its own as surroundings change.

Officials have closed mile 11 on Alaska's Hatcher Pass Road due to a persistent avalanche threat. The state Transportation Department's decision came after five avalanches blocked the road during Easter weekend, and officials plan for a helicopter to drop explosives in a bid to stabilize the situation.

The Associated General Contractors of America is assembling political allies in opposition to the Protecting the Right to Organize Act passed by the House last month. Many senators oppose the legislation, which may face a filibuster that would effectively kill the bill.

A vehicle-miles-traveled fee to be implemented on a national scale is supported by more than 30 construction, engineering, transportation and other groups. The Associated General Contractors of America joins others in the coalition calling for a VMT to "replace all current motor fuel taxes and fees" as gas tax revenues for transportation fall.