Aecon Group says its second-quarter earnings reached $28.2 million in profit, marking a turnaround from the $6.4 million loss the construction firm saw for the period last year.

Under the agreement, GIP will acquire Aecon Transportation East, which builds roads throughout Ontario for the provincial government, municipalities and private clients.

The federal government has blocked Chinese state-owned CCCC International Holding Ltd.'s proposed $1.5 billion takeover of construction firm Aecon Group Inc. for reasons of national security.