Bechtel revenues steady

Bechtel achieved revenues of US$ 30.8 billion last year, a -2% fall on the record of US$ 31.4 billion seen in 2008. With US$ 20.3 billion of orders booked over the course of the year, the company's backlog stood at US$ 82.1 billion at the end of the year, compared to US$ 86.5 billion at the end of 2008.

Bechtel chairman & CEO Riley Bechtel said, "Our 2009 results reflect the strength of our performance and the value of our diverse portfolio, which can withstand the volatility of market shifts. As economic growth resumes, we are well positioned to win new work and maintain our standing as the world's premier engineering, construction, and project management firm."

The company said safety had been a key focus last year, with 53 of its projects achieving 1 million consecutive work hours without a lost-time accident.

In the civil engineering sector, highlights from 2009 included the winning of key contracts on Crossrail, a new east-west rail link in London, UK as well as continued work on new motorways in Albania and Romania, construction of the New Doha International Airport in Qatar, and work on a major rail tunnel project in the US that will link Washington DC, and its international airport.