One of the most bullish forecasts for next year’s construction market comes from the U.S. Dept. of Commerce, which predicts that total construction in 2005 will increase 5.8% after this year’s extremely strong 9.2% increase. "Construction growth has been running ahead of that for the overall economy since 2001 and this year will break the trillion-dollar barrier for the first time," says Commerce economist Patrick MacAuley. Commerce believes that the housing market will maintain enough momentum from this year’s 14% increase to withstand the pressure of slightly higher interest rates and its forecast calls for the housing market to increase another 7.5% next year. The strong housing market will continue to pull up other markets as well. "There is a strong link between water and sewer construction and housing and there is a lot of catch-up work that has to be done," says MacAuley. He predicts a 5% increase in both water supply and the sewerage and waste disposal markets in 2005. He also sees solid growth in other public works markets and most nonresidential building markets. The fastest growing market in 2005 will be healthcare, which will follow this year’s 10% increase with another 8% gain next year, Commerce predicts. The only market it sees faltering is mass transportation, which is expected to dip 3%.

(Photo top by Monica N. Macezinskas, photo manipulation by Nancy Soulliard for ENR)