Production takes a dive

National aggregates production has taken another dive. An estimated 681 million metric tons of total aggregates was produced and shipped for consumption in the United States in the second quarter of 2007, a decrease of 14.2 percent compared with that of the same period of 2006, according to USGS. The estimated output of aggregates produced for consumption in the first 6 months of 2007 was 1.11 billion metric tons, a 16.9 percent decrease compared with that of the same period of 2006. By segment, an estimated 389 million metric tons of crushed stone was produced and shipped for consumption in the second quarter of 2007, a decrease of 14.9 percent compared with that of the same period of 2006. The estimated output of crushed stone produced for consumption in the first 6 months of 2007 was 643 million metric tons, a 17.8 percent decrease compared with that of the same period of 2006. The estimated output of construction sand and gravel produced and shipped for consumption in the second quarter of 2007 was 292 million metric tons, a decrease of 14.0 percent compared with that of the same period of 2006. The estimated output of construction sand and gravel produced for consumption in the first 6 months of 2007 was 471 million metric tons, a 15.9 percent decrease compared with that of the same period of 2006. Your comment?