U.S. Bridge Construction Starts

Source: Dodge Data & Analytics

* In 2018, bridge construction starts had a very strong year with more than $20.5 billion in projects breaking ground.

This level was second only to 2013 when the Tappan Zee Bridge replacement broke ground.

* In 2019, starts were down 21% in the first four months of the year, suggesting that this year may not be quite as robust as last year.

Still, five projects valued at over $100 million broke ground in the first four months of the year. (See next page for list)

* What’s a construction start? A general contractor has been hired for the projects, and the Dodge reporter has been told that the project is about to break ground (excavation for foundations has begun — for buildings).

The full hard construction cost of the project is entered in the month the project breaks ground.

These are the largest projects that broke ground during the first four months of 2019 (all projects with a hard construction cost of $50 million or more).

The dollar value is the full hard construction cost of the project, which Dodge enters in the month the project breaks ground.