Weekly Briefing: May 22, 2026
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Week of May 18, 2026
U.S. House of Representatives Outlines New Transportation Funding Plan
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee plans to introduce the bipartisan, five-year BUILD America 250 Act, a surface transportation reauthorization bill covering roads, bridges, transit, rail transportation, and highway and motor carrier safety programs.
The bill proposes more than $50 billion for bridges, a historic investment, while also addressing passenger rail investments and reforms, rail safety, project delivery efficiency, innovation, and the first federal framework for autonomous commercial motor vehicles. It also adds a new revenue stream to the Highway Trust Fund, which supports federal highway and transit investments, by requiring more highway users to contribute to road maintenance and improvements.
The bill marks a shift from some IIJA-era priorities by emphasizing formula funding and greater state flexibility, moving away from discretionary and climate-focused programs.
Committee leaders developed the bill through hearings and stakeholder input, with plans to formally introduce the legislation soon. They aim to advance it through Congress and to the President before the current surface transportation authorization expires on September 30, 2026.
NextEra-Dominion Deal Highlights the Grid Pressure Behind the AI Boom
NextEra Energy plans to acquire Dominion Energy in a $67B all-stock deal, creating the world’s largest regulated electric utility business by market capitalization, with service across Florida, Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
Energy demand from data center growth is the central driver, especially in Virginia, where Dominion already powers hundreds of data centers, while NextEra has expanded its Google Cloud partnership to support new data center campuses across the U.S.
NextEra is positioning scale as a way to accelerate and lower the cost of major grid investment, arguing the combined company can buy, build, finance, and operate more efficiently as utilities respond to rising power demand from AI data centers, electrification, and broader load growth. For the AEC industry, this reinforces a key market reality that power availability, interconnection timelines, utility coordination, and energy infrastructure capacity are now critical front-end constraints for data centers, industrial projects, and large-scale development in high-growth markets.
The deal is likely to face scrutiny over who pays for new infrastructure, with elected officials in several states pushing back on utility rate increases tied to grid upgrades for AI data centers and other large-load customers, while utilities argue higher rates are needed to fund the investment.
May 15, 2026
Cumming Group, a New York-based construction management firm, backed by New Mountain Capital, has acquired RGD Project Management (RGD), a North Carolina-based project management firm specializing in pharmaceuticals and life sciences. This acquisition strengthens Cumming Group's local presence in the Triangle region and expands its advanced technology platform, which serves life sciences, semiconductors, advanced manufacturing, and data center clients. “We have long-term relationships with blue-chip clients in this area, and we felt that the Cumming Group would allow us to provide a larger platform for our employees to grow and for us to grow the company and provide our clients with a better and larger array of services,” commented Jack Deloso, co-founder and CEO of RGD.
May 15, 2026
Parkhill, a Texas-based multidisciplinary architecture and engineering design firm, has acquired Graham Associates, a Texas-based civil engineering and surveying firm. This acquisition expands Parkhill's presence across the Dallas–Fort Worth region and strengthens its civil engineering and surveying capabilities. “We are excited about this next chapter in our story that gives us the ability to continue to deliver our same high-level service but with more resources to do even greater work,” said Jeff Williams, President and CEO of Graham Associates. “Our clients will still have that familiar and trusted experience from the same dedicated team which is now supported by the multidisciplinary capabilities of Parkhill as a full-service architecture and engineering firm. We can make a greater impact in helping communities tackle big challenges, think creatively, and bring ambitious ideas to life.”
May 18, 2026
Aventia, a Colorado-based platform of companies that provides environmental services, backed by Bernhard Capital Partners, has acquired ECM Consultants (ECM), a Louisiana-based engineering, architecture, and CM firm specializing in infrastructure and resilience projects. This acquisition provides Aventia with complementary technical expertise and greater geographic reach, particularly in the Gulf South region. "ECM brings 30 years of trusted relationships and technical expertise in critical infrastructure projects across the South," said Dirk Applegate, CEO of Aventia. "Their proven track record in coastal resilience and infrastructure engineering align with our commitment to delivering integrated solutions that promote healthier communities and support long-term sustainability. We're excited to add ECM's capabilities to our team and strengthen our position as a full-service provider for clients nationwide."
May 19, 2026
MSA Professional Services (MSA), a Wisconsin-based full-service consulting firm specializing in civil engineering, sustainable community development, and infrastructure design, has acquired ME3 Consulting Engineers (ME3), a Florida-based MEP engineering design firm with expertise in the commercial, educational, retail, faith-based, healthcare, and hospitality sectors. This acquisition will strengthen MSA’s MEP capabilities while also deepening MSA’s Florida and Southeastern presence. “We are excited to welcome ME3 to MSA,” said Nick Wagner, CEO of MSA. “Their focus on the client experience and commitment to collaborative project partnerships align very well with our organization’s values. We look forward to learning from their successful tenure of experience and working together to deliver innovative MEP solutions to clients throughout Florida and the greater Southeast.”
May 20, 2026
GHD, an Australia-based global professional services firm operating in the water, energy, environmental, buildings, and transportation markets, has acquired Bowman Engineering & Consulting, a Texas-based civil and transportation engineering firm. This acquisition strengthens GHD’s ability to provide technical services across Texas. “Bowman Engineering & Consulting, Inc. has built an outstanding reputation for delivering complex transportation projects for some of Texas's most important public agencies. Their technical depth and long-standing client relationships are a natural complement to GHD's capabilities, and this acquisition positions us to take on a broader range of infrastructure challenges in a market that continues to grow,” said Juan Zorrilla, Central Region General Manager for GHD.
Fisher Associates team members from the Albany office recently gave back to the community by volunteering at Saratoga Spa State Park. The effort was part of a community service partnership with Parks & Trails New York, a statewide advocate for public parks and trails dedicated to improving health, supporting the economy, and enhancing quality of life by promoting the use and enjoyment of green spaces. For Fisher Associates, this volunteer day aligns with the firm's company culture and the work of its Community Impact Committee, which provides opportunities to employees across offices to support local communities and causes through volunteer service.
The EFCG Weekly Briefing summarizes the week’s key news in the AEC industry, including M&A updates, and micro- and macro-trends, aggregated from industry-focused and global news sources.
To send any additional press releases or news from your firm that you would like us to share please email Clay Han at chan@efcg.com.