In public works conference calls over the past few weeks, executives have mentioned numerous industries, particularly the environmental and data center sectors.

Projects focused on aging infrastructure and new water regulations led the hit parade, leading to a rise in environmental projects from companies like Jacobs and WSP. Major AEC companies have recently increased their focus on eliminating per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) – so-called persistent chemicals – in the U.S. water supply after the EPA classified two types of PFAS as hazardous substances in April.

Data center construction was another highlight. Fluor CEO David Constable reiterated his company’s positive attitude toward the space, stressing strong demand due to the rapid growth of cloud technology and artificial intelligence. Constable added that these multi-billion dollar data centers are so massive and complex that there are few contractors in the country “that can really take on these really big projects.”

“We’re going to be right in the middle of the upcoming data center buildout,” Constable said. “So we’re very optimistic about data centers.”

And as has been the case for several years, construction executives are optimistic about the infrastructure work supported by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. About 60 percent of IIJA funds have already been approved, but only 30 percent of them have been spent, said Jacobs CEO Bob Pragada.

At WSP, the order intake for the US federal agencies is “large,” said CEO Alexandre L’Heureux. But he does not expect the presidential election to interrupt this momentum, especially since the IIJA still has several years of funding to award.

Read on to find out all the highs and lows of the recent earnings calls.