Data-Rich but Insight-Poor: How Construction’s Blind Spot Costs Billions with Mason Hennings

Update: 2025-09-17

Description

In this episode of Beyond the Build: Innovation in Construction, hosts Scott Lowman and J.P. Scott are joined by Mason Hennings, a Senior Estimator at Traylor Bros, to share what it’s really like working on billion-dollar bridges, from custom seal slabs to hurricane delays to the logistics of porta-potty barges.

What You’ll Learn:

Why AI will complement but never replace construction estimators due to the critical need for physical accountability
How to leverage machine learning for specific, explainable outcomes in construction estimation
The crucial role of data-driven decision-making in managing multi-billion-dollar infrastructure projects
Why construction is "data-rich but insight-poor" and how to transform raw data into actionable outcomes
How to effectively coordinate complex marine construction projects

Mason Hennings is a Senior Estimator at Traylor Bros, a leading heavy civil contractor specializing in large-scale infrastructure projects. With a degree in Construction Engineering Technology from Louisiana Tech University, he has pioneered the integration of predictive analytics and machine learning in preconstruction workflows. His experience spans major projects, including the Howard Franklin Bridge ($1.8B) and the Tappan Zee Bridge, where he has been instrumental in improving estimation accuracy and operational productivity through data-driven approaches.

Tune in for a look at the hidden costs of construction and the unique approaches that can help solve for them!

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