Trump, Milei, Sedgman: Top 5 Construction Stories This Week

The US and Argentina’s Major Move for Global Infrastructure

The Andes-Atlantic Corridor brings together the US and Argentina in a joint initiative to modernise the rail, pipeline, port, power and digital networks, further strengthening the allyship between US President Donald Trump and Argentinian President Javier Milei.

It will link Argentina's mineral-rich northwest and Vaca Muerta energy basin to Atlantic ports and Western markets. 

Designated the first Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment corridor in the Western Hemisphere, it is designed to unlock large-scale investment.

It is also expected to expand opportunities for US companies and strengthen supply chains for critical minerals and energy, including lithium, copper, oil and gas.

Method Grid Helps Digitise National Grid Playbooks

Method Grid CEO Pip Morpeth welcomes Brett King, who brings expertise from Mace and ISG to drive National Grid’s AI-supported digitisation.

UK-based SaaS provider Method Grid has appointed Brett King as its Managing Director. The company’s operational improvement platform transforms project playbooks into streamlined digital interfaces supported by AI.

The appointment follows Method Grid’s partnership with National Grid’s Strategic Infrastructure team as it consolidates and digitises its project delivery cycle amidst a £150bn (US$198bn) critical overhaul of the UK’s electricity grid.

Brett’s time as an Operational Excellence executive at construction service giants like Mace, Multiplex and ISG –  where he worked to align technology with operational improvement –  will inform his approach to the digitisation of National Grid’s capital project delivery as he leads Method Grid through the partnership. 

Sedgman Drives Critical Minerals Delivery Across Continents

Sedgman, an ACS Group subsidiary, has secured its place as an Engineering, Procurement, and Construction Management (EPCM) partner for critical minerals projects spanning lithium, rare earths and base metals across three continents. 

Recent appointments in Brazil, Canada and Europe underscore the contractor’s strategy of pairing global technical depth with local delivery capability to de-risk complex brownfield and greenfield developments.

It is clear that Sedgman is scaling an integrated, engineering-led model that moves from feasibility and detailed design through procurement, construction management and commissioning. 

Edinburgh Airport and Balfour Beatty’s Long-Term Partnership

Quarter of a century of alignment between Balfour Beatty and Edinburgh Airport proves continuity is key for delivering complex transport infrastructure.

Global infrastructure company Balfour Beatty has secured a £65m (US$86m) contract to expand the South East Pier at Edinburgh Airport. 

The contract is part of the first phase of the airport’s largest-ever capital investment programme, which will see £500m (US$664m) invested into the airport’s infrastructure across five years. 

How AtkinsRéalis Is Supporting Ontario’s Nuclear Energy

The AtkinsRéalis Aecon Group joint venture has won a US$1.7bn contract to work on Unit 5 linked to the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station Retube, Feeder and Boiler Replacement (RFBR) project.

The contract adds to AtkinsRéalis’ Nuclear backlog in the third quarter of 2026 and a history of working on CANDU reactors in Ontario. Linked firm, Candu Energy is an AtkinsRéalis company.

The RFBR project is expected to be the first of a series, with similar work anticipated on Units 6, 7 and 8 in subsequent phases, pending approval.

The initial project should allow Unit 5 to operate until the 2060s, as part of the province’s plan to maintain and raise the supply of affordable baseload clean power.