Total construction spending declined in September for the first time since February, as both residential and nonresidential construction slipped, according to a new analysis of federal construction spending data the Associated General Contractors of America released. Officials urged the House of Representatives to promptly complete work on the bipartisan infrastructure bill that the Senate passed earlier this year, noting that spending on infrastructure in the first nine months of 2021 fell short of year-earlier levels.

“Spending on projects has been slowed by shortages of workers and materials, as well as extended or uncertain delivery times. And the extreme rise in materials costs is likely to mean some infrastructure projects will no longer be affordable without additional funding.”

said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist.

Construction spending in September totaled $1.57 trillion at a seasonally adjusted annual rate, down 0.5 percent from August. Year-to-date spending in the first nine months of 2021 combined increased 7.1 percent from the total for January-September 2020. While both residential and nonresidential construction declined from August to September, the two categories have diverged relative to 2020 levels. Residential construction spending slipped 0.4 percent for the month but was 24.5 percent higher year-to-date. Combined private and public nonresidential construction spending decreased 0.6 percent in September and 5.8 percent year-to-date.

Most infrastructure categories posted significant year-to-date declines, Simonson pointed out. The largest public infrastructure segment, highway and street construction, was 1.3 percent lower than in January-September 2020. Spending on public transportation construction slumped 6.8 percent year-to-date. Investment in sewage and waste disposal structures was the sole exception, rising 4.3 percent, but public water supply projects dipped 0.9 percent and conservation and development construction plummeted 19.5 percent.

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 2.5 percent. Education construction slumped 10.1 percent. Commercial construction–comprising warehouse, retail, and farm structures–dipped 1.7 percent, as a 13.2 percent plunge in retail construction outweighed a 12.0 percent hike in warehouse structures. Office spending fell 9.2 percent and manufacturing construction inched down 0.2 percent.

Association officials said the almost ubiquitous downturn in infrastructure spending shows that enactment of the Bipartisan Infrastructure bill that already passed in the Senate is urgently needed. They said each day’s delay is putting the nation further behind in unclogging supply chains and enhancing competitiveness.

“This legislation advances the policy priorities that members of both parties have long said they want. It is disgraceful that both sides are still holding these projects hostage while sorting out other priorities. Construction workers, businesses, and the public deserve better.”

said Stephen E. Sandherr, the association’s chief executive officer.

Source: AGC