ARTBA predicts growth

Next year should be a good one, according to the the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA). Spurred by a combination of renewed economic growth, emergency repair work following Hurricane Katrina and SAFETEA-LU, the U.S. highway construction market should grow 5.4 percent in 2006 according to ARTBA Vice President of Economics & Research William Buechner. The real question, however, he says, is how much of the growth will be absorbed by rising construction costs. The value of construction work performed on highway and bridge projects is projected to be a record $70.3 billion in FY 2006, up from $66.9 billion in FY 2005. Your comment?