Private-sector construction in major North American cities is slowing, according to the latest RLB Crane Index. The number of tower cranes in use declined 10% since the first quarter of 2023.
The index, compiled by consulting firm Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB), found that only two of 14 cities—Boston and Toronto—saw increased crane counts. Boston was an outlier on the upside with crane count leaping 122%, from nine to 20. Toronto’s count was up just 1%.
Chicago, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C., all saw decreases greater than 20%. Los Angeles experienced a sharp drop (38%), partly due to a dip in office projects coming online. Calgary, Honolulu, New York, Phoenix, Portland, and Seattle all held steady in crane counts.
The residential sector, including mixed-use projects, continues to show the most consistent growth, making up 72% of the overall count. RLB expects the number of cranes in use to hold steady for the rest of 2023.
Related Stories
Market Data | Dec 15, 2015
AIA: Architecture Billings Index hits another bump
Business conditions show continued strength in South and West regions.
Industry Research | Dec 8, 2015
AEC leaders say the 'talent wars' are heating up: BD+C exclusive survey
A new survey from Building Design+Construction shows that U.S. architecture, engineering, and construction firms are being stymied by the shortage of experienced design and construction professionals and project managers.
Market Data | Dec 7, 2015
2016 forecast: Continued growth expected for the construction industry
ABC forecasts growth in nonresidential construction spending of 7.4% in 2016 along with growth in employment and backlog.
Contractors | Dec 2, 2015
FMI: Nonresidential construction in a slowdown, according to latest NRCI score
“Economic recovery momentum is losing steam and rising costs in labor and materials start to put a load on the industry,” said Chris Daum, President and CEO of FMI.
Contractors | Dec 2, 2015
ABC releases scorecard on state policies affecting the construction industry
The scorecard website identifies states that have good environments for merit shop contractors, like Arizona, and states that could improve conditions, like New York.
Contractors | Dec 1, 2015
ABC: September's nonresidential spending retains momentum in October
Spending increased in 10 of 16 nonresidential construction sectors on a monthly basis.
Greenbuild Report | Dec 1, 2015
Data centers turn to alternative power sources, new heat controls and UPS systems
Data centers account for 2% of the nation’s electricity consumption and about 30% of the power used annually by the economy’s information and communications technology sector, according to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
Contractors | Dec 1, 2015
The contractor’s role in promoting job site sustainability [AIA course]
Robins & Morton’s Jackie Mustakas offers specific actions that contractors and construction managers can take to green every job site.
Contractors | Nov 30, 2015
Sundt Construction opens its own craft employee training center
The contractor's Center for Craft Excellence, in Phoenix, is in response to the labor shortages in the industry.
Contractors | Nov 24, 2015
FMI survey: Millennials in construction get a bad rap, tend to be loyal, hard-working
While the stigma exists that Millennials are entitled, disloyal, and lazy, it appears that this is not true, according to a new report from FMI.