Heavy Equipment Industry
News & Market Intelligence
Real-time news aggregated from industry sources across construction, fleet, and heavy equipment markets. Filtered for the Sun Belt and growth markets your shop cares about.
FlatironDragados, Acciona turn dirt on $4.6B P3 highway project
The State Route 400 Express Lanes project in Georgia will add tolled express lanes along the thoroughfare over the course of three segments of construction.
Western Star Doubles Down on Driver Pride With 2026 Star Nation Experience
Western Star has expanded its operator-focused Star Nation competition and outreach to spotlight skill, attract new drivers, and strengthen industry ties.
Worker misclassification in construction leads to competitive imbalance: report
The Economic Policy Institute put a spotlight on how worker misclassification can cost individuals thousands in benefits while distorting the bidding process.
Lane Wins $582 Million Contract to Widen, Upgrade I-4 in Florida
Four general-use lanes and two tolled express lanes will be built in each direction on the busy stretch.
Small, connected data centers will power AI, a builder says
The days of big facilities are over because computing is transitioning from training to inferencing, which requires a decentralized model, according to Pete Sacco of PTS Data Center Solutions.
Hitachi Unveils Assist Pro AI Prototype: “It’s Like a Siri for Hitachi Excavators”
The app turns your phone into a machine expert — delivering instant answers, diagnostics and jobsite guidance on demand.
Vermeer’s D24 Horizontal Directional Drill Now Has Cab Option
The 14,000-pound drill for urban utility installation becomes the first in its class size with an enclosed, climate-controlled...
NABTU, Microsoft partner on AI training for construction trades
The effort will incorporate a tech-forward curriculum into apprenticeship programs, teaching real-world applications from safety compliance to jobsite problem-solving.
Utility work is booming, but contractors are struggling to keep pace. Here’s why.
More jobs, more problems? Simplify utility work orders, connect teams and get paid faster.
Why fit is the most important factor in jobsite performance
How data-driven design is reshaping work boots for modern construction crews.
Cargo Theft Incidents Fall in Q1, but Organized Crime and Impersonation Drive New Risks
CargoNet reports fewer supply chain crime events to start 2026. But losses hold steady as organized crime shifts tactics toward impersonation schemes and high-value goods.
Water, sewer contractor and major homebuilder make ‘Dirty Dozen’ list
Revoli Construction and D.R. Horton were among major safety offenders highlighted in a list by the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health.
Nominations Open for HDT Truck Fleet Innovators 2026
Heavy Duty Trucking is searching for forward-looking leaders at trucking fleets as nominations for HDT’s Truck Fleet Innovators 2026. Deadline is May 15.
Alabama Contractor Faces $115K in Proposed Fines After Fatal Trench Collapse
A 45-year-old worker died after being buried alive in a trench collapse on a residential drainage project.
Werk-Brau Launches Extreme Duty Buckets for Wheel Loaders
The 2- to 9-cubic-yard buckets, available for all wheel loader makes and models, are built for durability and high-density materials...
New Holland Debuts Value-Priced Workmaster 35C and 40C Compact Tractors
The next-gen models get a redesigned operator's platform, new loader and backhoe options and 2,067-pound hitch lift.
USDOT Awards $407M to 12 States to Replace 119 Rural Bridges
See which states and projects will receive funding for bridges in areas with fewer than 115 residents per square mile.
Messer Construction breaks ground on $280M university health building
The six-story, 257,000-square-foot health education facility will feature modular teaching spaces for multiple professions. Construction will finish in 2029.
Punch List: Biden-era PLA mandate upheld, prices rise and Skanska delivers healthcare project
Federal project labor agreements are here to stay, Turner sees costs going up nearly 5% year over year and more of this week s news for builders.
Zachry Construction names new president, keeps focus on water projects
Travis Mross, who started as an intern at the San Antonio-based builder, takes the role as demand for water infrastructure rises.
Freightliner Expands Detroit Assurance with New Intersection and Turning Safety Tech
Detroit’s next-generation ABA6 safety system adds cross-traffic detection and enhanced side guard assist with left-turn protection, targeting high-risk urban scenarios.
New Trojan Driver Cargo Theft Scam Bypasses Carrier Vetting Systems
Cargo theft rings plant operatives as drivers inside legitimate, fully vetted carriers, then execute coordinated thefts that look like a traditional straight theft from the outside.
Sunward Expands in U.S. with Its Largest Compact Track Loader, the SWTL5238
The Chinese manufacturer's second CTL for the U.S. weighs 11,850 pounds and runs on a 114-horsepower Kubota engine.
DroneDog Security Robot Patrols Your Jobsites So You Don’t Have To
The robotic canine oversees construction sites with AI, thermal cameras and 24/7 monitoring to detect breaches, deter theft and...
Case CE Intros CX70E Zero Tailswing Excavator Built for Power and Maneuverability
Larger, wider and with a longer arm, the CX70E delivers more stability, reach and lift than the CX60D platform it's based on.
Sociable: Meta breaks ground on 28th US data center
The new artificial intelligence-optimized project in Tulsa, Oklahoma, will be the company s first in the state and its 32nd globally.
The Safest Pickup Trucks of 2026
The popular Ford F-Series, Chevy Silverado and Ram didn't make the cut. Find out which models the IIHS deemed the safest.
New CIRT chief is ready to coach construction’s all-stars
Corey Clayborne, the new president of the Construction Industry Round Table, says issues ranging from workforce development to mental health and tariffs are at the top of the organization s agenda.
Let’s take action to make US road work zones safer
As lawmakers work to renew the surface transportation bill, work zone safety needs to be part of the conversation, writes an association executive during National Work Zone Awareness Week.
DOL proposes new joint employer rule
The rule would create a single nationwide standard for the Fair Labor Standards Act and other laws, the U.S. Department of Labor said.
March Truck Tonnage Posts Strongest Annual Gain Since 2022
A modest sequential increase capped the strongest quarterly performance in years, signaling continued freight momentum in early 2026.
JLG Reveals Next-Gen 60-Foot Articulated Boom Lift, the 600AJ+
Able to extend up and over obstacles, the new model gets redesigned for increased stability, smoother operation and with added...
Wacker Neuson Brings 3 New Compact Wheel Loaders to North America
The articulating WL750, WL950 and WL1150 range from 8,157 to 13,448 pounds and 56 to 74 horsepower.
Ohio Turnpike Targets $5.2 Million in Unpaid Tolls from Trucking Firms
More than 300 carriers across 26 states have been sent to collections as the Ohio Turnpike cracks down on toll evasion and delinquent payments.
Consigli CIO sees biggest AI impacts in estimating
At the Milford, Massachusetts-based construction company, AI is useful for tracking revisions and trade-offs. Its use has become an expectation for workers, says Anthony Chiaradonna.
Construction M&A activity continues in 2026
Four contech giants added to their offerings while two builders prepared to strengthen their presence in growing markets.
What’s stalling data center projects? Public opposition and power access lead delays.
Cancellations on builds jumped to 25 in 2025 from just six in 2024, according to Baird analyst Justin Hauke, as state governments mull moratoriums.
FTR: Trailer Orders Jump in March, but Demand Still Lags
March trailer orders posted an unexpected monthly jump, but demand still trails historical norms as fleets prioritize power units over trailing equipment.
WIM, Trucker Path Name Top 3 Women-Friendly Truck Stops
ATA’s Women In Motion Council and Trucker Path highlight three truck stops that meet all seven safety-focused criteria and rank highest among female drivers.
Autonomous Start-Up Humble Announces Cabless Autonomous Electric Hauler
A new autonomous truck startup company is targeting yard, port, and short-haul freight with a lighter, fully autonomous platform designed for dock-to-dock moves.
'Beyond Compliance,' Regulations, Driver Coaching on ATRI’s 2026 Research List
The American Transportation Research Institute will examine driver coaching, regulatory impacts — including the "Beyond Compliance" concept —and weather disruptions that shape trucking operations.
Beyond Predictive: Questar Adds AI-Driven Repair Recommendations to Fleet Maintenance
Questar’s latest maintenance platform uses AI to flag potential failures, recommend repairs, and estimate the cost of waiting, helping fleets prioritize maintenance and save money and downtime.
Range Energy Confirms eTrailer Performance in Winter Testing as Commercial Rollout Nears
Range Energy said its production-ready eTrailer system proved it can boost stability, safety, and efficiency in sub-zero winter conditions as the company moves toward scaled deployment.
Truckstop.com Adding to Open Deck, Heavy Haul Offerings
Load matching for flatbed, lowbed, oversize and overweight loads can't be automated like basic van freight, but Truckstop.com is adding more high-tech tools to help.
Top Green Fleets of 2026: Nomination Deadline Extended
Is your company a leader in sustainability efforts among trucking fleets? If so, Heavy Duty Trucking's editors want to hear from you.
FMCSA Revamps DataQs to Improve Fairness, Speed of Reviews
New requirements add firm deadlines and independent review steps, addressing long-standing complaints about inconsistent rulings and slow response times.
Trucker Path, Truckstop.com Expand Load Access Partnership
An expanded Trucker Path and Truckstop.com integration brings more freight opportunities into the TruckLoads app while emphasizing security and network quality.
Truckload Rates Hit Two-Year Highs as Diesel Costs Surge, DAT Says
Strong March freight demand combined with a spike in fuel costs pushed both spot and contract truckload rates to their highest levels in more than two years.
FMCSA Extends Paper Medical Card Exemption … Again
Five states still aren't ready to accept commercial driver medical exam information directly from the medical examiner's registry.
Kenworth Announces Reinforced Front Frame Option for T880 and T880S Models
Kenworth has released a factory-installed reinforced front frame option for T880 models, designed to simplify upfits, cut costs, and speed time to service.
Kriska Buys Fellow Canadian Carrier Sharp Transportation Systems
Being part of KTG will allow Sharp to expand and improve its services.