Weekly Briefing: November 13, 2026
Week of November 9, 2026
Voters Approve $31 Billion in Transit Funding Through Ballot Measures
Voters passed 22 of 26 ballot measures across the country on November 3 that will fund rail and bus programs, providing about $31 billion in transit funding, according to the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Center for Transportation Excellence.
In California’s Bay Area, Proposition RTM passed with 62% support. The 14-year sales tax will inject up to $14 billion for Bay Area Rapid Transit, Caltrain, Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District bus service, and other local transit systems. A separate 15-year parcel tax measure, Stronger Muni For All, passed with 72% of the vote and funds $2.4 billion to close an operations budget gap and improve service.
In Charleston, South Carolina, voters approved a 25-year, half-cent sales tax expected to generate $4.25 billion, with $860 million for transit and the rest for highways and green spaces. The measure will support a $625 million, 21-mile bus rapid transit project. Another measure will help fund a commuter rail extension from Denver to Pueblo in Colorado.
For AEC firms, the approved measures support demand for transit planning, design, and construction services in the regions involved. At the federal level, APTA noted that highway and transit programs would shut down if Congress does not act by December 12, which may leave the timing of federal funding uncertain.
Construction Backlog Falls in October as Contractors Without Data Center Work See Weaker Prospects
Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) reported that total construction backlog fell to 8.1 months in October, down 0.6 months from September and 0.3 months from a year earlier, based on a survey conducted October 20 to November 3.
Backlog for commercial and institutional projects dropped one month to 8 months. Infrastructure backlog declined from 9.4 months in September to 8.7 months in October, the lowest level since May 2025.
Contractors with data center work increased their backlog from 11.3 months to 11.5 months, while firms outside the data center buildout saw backlog fall from 8.3 months to 7.6 months. ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu attributed the overall decline largely to worsening prospects for the 88% of contractors not under contract to work on data centers.
For AEC firms, the gap of nearly four months between the two groups, up from three months in September, highlights increasingly uneven demand across markets. Contractors’ sales and staffing expectations also weakened, and although the outlook on profit margins improved, roughly 1 in 4 contractors still expect margins to shrink over the next six months.
November 9, 2026
Onterris, an Arkansas-based global environmental solutions company, has acquired Permian Basin Environmental Lab (PBELab), a Texas-based, locally owned National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (NELAP) qualified laboratory providing organic analysis, inorganic analysis and wet chemistry for soil and water. This acquisition establishes Onterris’ first physical laboratory in the Permian Basin, expanding its capabilities across Texas and New Mexico while connecting local customers to its broader laboratory network. “We have multiple opportunities in the region and believe offering the full spectrum of environmental services locally will serve as a key differentiator for Onterris. Our established network of laboratories will augment the capabilities offered in Midland, creating new opportunities to serve customers locally while advancing our mission for planet and progress,” said Vijay Manthripragada, President and CEO of Onterris.
November 9, 2026
GreenbergFarrow (GF), a Georgia-based international architecture, development services, planning, and engineering firm, has acquired Polaris Consulting Engineers, a New Jersey-based provider of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) engineering services. This acquisition adds specialized HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and LEED consulting to GF’s existing MEP capabilities and extends its reach with restaurant, food service, retail, office, and shopping center clients. “We have worked side by side with the Polaris team and have seen firsthand their technical excellence, responsiveness, and commitment to energy-efficient design. Anthony and his team’s reputation for innovation perfectly complements our firm’s mission to provide integrated solutions across a broad range of disciplines,” said Keith Johnston, CEO of GF.
November 9, 2026
Altamont Capital Partners (Altamont), a California-based private equity firm focused on business services, industrials and financial services, has announced an equity investment in CESO, an Ohio-based architecture and engineering services firm serving national, multi-site customers in sectors including logistics and distribution, automotive, and convenience and grocery. This investment positions CESO to invest in talent, expand its capabilities, broaden its geographic presence, and extend its services into additional end markets. “National customers need a partner who can deliver consistently across hundreds of locations. CESO has earned their trust by combining deep technical expertise with the ability to execute at scale,” said Wandé Olabisi, Managing Director of Altamont Capital Partners.
November 10, 2026
O’Donnell & Naccarato (O&N), a Pennsylvania-based structural engineering firm, has acquired Goldstein-Milano Structural Engineers (GMSE), a Massachusetts-based structural engineering firm with significant experience in the structural engineering of Proton Therapy centers and cancer treatment facilities. This acquisition establishes O&N’s presence in New England and expands its capabilities across healthcare, laboratory, office, multifamily residential, parking, renovation, and specialty-building projects. “GMSE brings two strengths we value greatly: a respected team with deep roots in Greater Boston and the industry’s leading expertise in Proton Therapy,” said Anthony Naccarato, CEO of O&N.
November 12, 2026
Certerra, a Nevada-based materials engineering and earth sciences firm, backed by OceanSound Partners, has acquired Tierra South Florida (TSFGeo), a Florida-based consulting firm specializing in geotechnical engineering, construction materials testing, and inspection services for heavy civil infrastructure projects. This acquisition adds to Certerra’s investments, expands its capabilities, and enhances its presence in Florida. “TSFGeo has built an outstanding reputation for technical excellence, client service, and innovation in infrastructure engineering. Their expertise, strong market presence, and commitment to quality align closely with Certerra’s long-term growth strategy. We are excited to welcome the TSFGeo team and expand our ability to serve clients throughout Florida and across the Southeast,” said Ed Lyon, CEO of Certerra.
The HDR Foundation awarded a $225,000 grant to All Kids Bike that will teach kindergartners at 25 schools to ride a bike in gym class. Through the grant, each school receives a fleet of 25 bikes, 25 helmets, storage equipment, teacher training and certification, an eight-lesson curriculum, and ongoing support, with students also learning about bike safety and building confidence. This marks the fifth year of the partnership, and since 2022 the HDR Foundation has awarded over $1 million to launch the program at 149 schools across the United States. “There’s so much joy in seeing these kids hop on bikes at our reveal events,” said Stefanie Mosteller, executive director of the HDR Foundation. “Time after time, our employees say how fun and rewarding it is to build the bikes, followed by a lively trip to a kindergarten gym class.”
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 Fatima Moumen at fmoumen@efcg.com.
