Construction Work Halted in New York City

Shannon Weidemann

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A new crackdown on following building regulations has halted work on many New York City building sites.  Even minor violations have stopped work and that has builders very upset. 

A top industry group says the city is paralyzed by fear after eight people were killed when a massive crane fell in Turtle Bay on March 15, according to Crain's New York Business.

"These inspectors are all afraid of losing their jobs," Louis Coletti of the Building Trades Employers' Association told Crain's.

In April, there were 1,403 stop-work orders on construction sites in the city - nearly double the 785 issued in January. Construction workers and site managers told the mag they were shut down for minor paperwork technicalities.

Robert LiMandri is the acting Buildings Commissioner says the shut downs are in the name of safety.  Inspectors are following the regulations when they stop work.  The former commissioner resigned following many construction accidents earlier this year.  A crane accident in March killed eight people.  14 construction workers have been killed this year.