Worker shortage contributing to MoPac expansion delays

AUSTIN -- As the list of building projects in Austin grows, there are fewer construction workers to get them done.

Construction crews are adding one toll lane in each direction to the congested 11-mile stretch of MoPac from Parmer Lane to Cesar Chavez Street. The project was supposed to be finished this fall, but the completion date has been pushed back to 2016.

"It's a long list of things that have been a challenge on the project: Utilities, rock that was harder than anticipated," said Steve Pustelnyk, director of community relations for the MoPac Improvement Project.

Pustelnyk said the lack of manpower is another problem. The contractor and subcontractor can't find enough construction workers.

"The primary reason is because they're all busy working on other projects. There's so much work here in Central Texas that the available, experienced construction staff is just not there," said Craig Martell, project executive with CH2M, the contractor for the project.

The shortage isn't just impacting MoPac. From constructing hotels to building homes, contractors around town can't find employees.

"The fast growth is really putting a high demand on the workforce," said Brigid Hall, associate director of the Workers Defense Project, a group that fights for fair wages and conditions for construction workers.

"Because the industry isn't investing in its workforce, they're not creating living wage jobs, they're not providing safety training opportunities or career pathways, [and so] they're really not attracting the best and most qualified workers," Hall said.

But even companies that do provide training and higher wages are struggling to find and keep workers. The MoPac project pays between $15 and $20 an hour, which is above average for construction workers, and the contractor provides training. Still, Martell said they go through a constant cycle of gaining 10 workers, then losing 10 workers. The project needs an additional 100 workers.

For now, the contractor is requiring subcontractors to bring in workers from outside of Austin, so they won't take away from their workforce.

Other contractors in Austin say they expect the shortage to get worse before it gets better.

Source: KVUE.com