Total construction spending was flat between July and August, as a decrease in nonresidential projects offset continuing gains in residential construction, according to a new analysis of federal construction spending data the Associated General Contractors of America released today. Officials urged the House of Representatives to promptly approve the bipartisan infrastructure bill that passed in the Senate earlier this year, noting that spending on infrastructure in the first eight months of 2021 declined from year-earlier levels.
“Nearly every nonresidential spending segment has deteriorated from already inadequate 2020 levels in the first two-thirds of this year,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Meanwhile, soaring materials costs mean that fixed public budgets buy even less infrastructure than before.”
Construction spending in August totaled $1.58 trillion at a seasonally adjusted annual rate, virtually unchanged from July. Year-to-date spending increased 7.0% from the total for January-August 2020. Gains were limited to residential construction, while nonresidential construction spending slipped in August and year-to-date. The residential construction segment climbed 0.4% for the month and 26% year-to-date. Combined private and public nonresidential construction spending dropped 0.4% compared to July and 6.7% over the first eight months of 2021 compared to same interval in 2020.
Most infrastructure categories posted significant year-to-date declines, Simonson pointed out. The largest public infrastructure segment, highway and street construction, was 3.4% lower than in January-August 2020. Spending on public transportation construction slumped 6.5% year-to-date. Investment in sewage and waste disposal structures climbed 3.8%, while funding for public water supply projects slid 1.8% and conservation and development construction plunged 18%.
Other types of nonresidential spending also decreased year-to-date, Simonson added. Combined private and public spending on electric power and oil and gas projects declined 3.6%. Education construction slumped 10.6%. Commercial construction--comprising warehouse, retail, and farm structures--dipped 1.7%. Office spending fell 10.1% and manufacturing construction edged down 0.8%.
Association officials said the nearly universal decline in infrastructure spending demonstrates the urgency of enacting expanded funding for a range of infrastructure project types. They called on the House of Representatives to quickly pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure bill that already passed in the Senate by a wide margin.
“This legislation includes the kind of policy priorities that members of both parties have long claimed to support,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, the association’s chief executive officer. “There is no excuse for holding these projects hostage while sorting out other priorities. Construction workers, businesses, and the public are all losing from delay in passing this legislation.”
Related Stories
Building Team | Nov 1, 2022
Nonresidential construction spending increases slightly in September, says ABC
National nonresidential construction spending was up by 0.5% in September, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data published today by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Hotel Facilities | Oct 31, 2022
These three hoteliers make up two-thirds of all new hotel development in the U.S.
With a combined 3,523 projects and 400,490 rooms in the pipeline, Marriott, Hilton, and InterContinental dominate the U.S. hotel construction sector.
Codes and Standards | Oct 26, 2022
‘Landmark study’ offers key recommendations for design-build delivery
The ACEC Research Institute and the University of Colorado Boulder released what the White House called a “landmark study” on the design-build delivery method.
Building Team | Oct 26, 2022
The U.S. hotel construction pipeline shows positive growth year-over-year at Q3 2022 close
According to the third quarter Construction Pipeline Trend Report for the United States from Lodging Econometrics (LE), the U.S. construction pipeline stands at 5,317 projects/629,489 rooms, up 10% by projects and 6% rooms Year-Over-Year (YOY).
Designers | Oct 19, 2022
Architecture Billings Index moderates but remains healthy
For the twentieth consecutive month architecture firms reported increasing demand for design services in September, according to a new report today from The American Institute of Architects (AIA).
Market Data | Oct 17, 2022
Calling all AEC professionals! BD+C editors need your expertise for our 2023 market forecast survey
The BD+C editorial team needs your help with an important research project. We are conducting research to understand the current state of the U.S. design and construction industry.
Market Data | Oct 14, 2022
ABC’s Construction Backlog Indicator Jumps in September; Contractor Confidence Remains Steady
Associated Builders and Contractors reports today that its Construction Backlog Indicator increased to 9.0 months in September, according to an ABC member survey conducted Sept. 20 to Oct. 5.
Market Data | Oct 12, 2022
ABC: Construction Input Prices Inched Down in September; Up 41% Since February 2020
Construction input prices dipped 0.1% in September compared to the previous month, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Producer Price Index data released today.
Laboratories | Oct 5, 2022
Bigger is better for a maturing life sciences sector
CRB's latest report predicts more diversification and vertical integration in research and production.
Market Data | Aug 25, 2022
‘Disruptions’ will moderate construction spending through next year
JLL’s latest outlook predicts continued pricing volatility due to shortages in materials and labor