Overall construction spending increased between September 2016 and September 2017 as growing private-sector residential demand continues to offset annual declines in public-sector investments in infrastructure and other projects, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials urged members of Congress and the Trump administration to include new funding for roads, bridges, clean water and other important infrastructure as part of any new tax reform measure. “The ongoing economic expansion is a favorable sign for private residential and nonresidential construction,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “But lawmakers continue to underfund … Read more

Construction spending in June declined from May but increased from a year ago as public investment shrank for nearly every type of structure, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials cautioned that the significant declines in public-sector construction spending come at a time when much of the nation’s public infrastructure is deteriorating due to age or overuse. “Construction spending is still increasing overall but growth has become much more uneven across categories in recent months,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “There has been a steep decline in public … Read more