Western Pennsylvania Work Outlook

Hopefully as you are reading this article, the economical downturn in the job market will have already begun the turn-around in the Western area of our Regional Council. The prospects of work look better in the next three quarters than they have in the past two years. Before I get into the actual upcoming job markets, let me explain and recap the past 2-1/2 years.

We all know and endured the Market Crash of 2008. Our work and man hours were relatively good at the time of the Crash and continued through all of 2008 finishing the year at 10.3 million man hours. 2009 employment saw a 10% decrease in man hours to approximately 9.4 million. This trend continued in 2010 with our man hours finishing at 8.4 million – another 10% decrease. In 2011 we are currently at approximately 4.1 million man hours through August 1st. This would appear to be following the two year declining trend. However, we do see a tipping point – that being a turn-around in the next three quarters. We have some large ticket jobs either starting or on the near horizon to start:

• $1.6 billion addition at Allegheny Ludlum Steel Mill in Brackenridge has started. The Pile Drivers have mobilized and are moving forward. The foundation packages will begin soon. The Allegheny Ludlum addition is a 2-1/2 year project.
• $400 million PNC Building (downtown Pittsburgh) will begin demolition in January 2012 with construction to begin late 1st Quarter, 2012.
• $100 million plus Penn Hills High School has begun its two-year project.
• $30 million Meadows parking garage and entertainment center addition
• $60 million State Building – Riverview Renovation in downtown Pittsburgh
• $20 million Lockhaven University student housing
• $30 million Enron frack water tank in Clearfield
• $30 million Mon Valley Hospital addition
• $15 million State Police Barracks in Washington County

These few projects alone equate to over $3.3 billion worth of work. Include some of the miscellaneous work and we could be at over $5 billion worth of work in the next nine months!

Michael Sepesy, Team Leader – Western Area