WASHINGTON, D.C.--"A surge in nonresidential construction spending in April nearly offset a slowdown in single-family home building and improvements," Ken Simonson, chief economist of The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), the nation's leading construction trade association, said.

Simonson was commenting on the Census Bureau's report that construction spending in April was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1.196 trillion, down 0.1 percent from March. The April total was 8.5 percent higher than in April 2005.

"Looking at the first four months of 2006 combined, actual spending was 8.9 percent higher than in the January-April 2005 period," Simonson commented. "Private nonresidential construction was up 10.8 percent year-to-date, public construction gained 9.7 percent, and private residential spending was 7.8 percent stronger.

"The year-to-date totals show that, so far, the apparent decline in residential construction is limited to improvements, which dropped 10 percent, and not a slowdown in new single-family or multi-family building, which are up 13 and 19 percent, respectively," Simonson pointed out.

"Among the major private nonresidential construction categories, manufacturing and 'multi-retail'-- shopping centers, shopping malls, and general merchandise stores--stand out, with year-to-date increases of 22 and 37 percent, respectively," Simonson continued. "There was 25 percent growth for hospital construction, 18 percent for lodging, and 14 percent for office construction.

"On the public side, the two largest categories--educational and highway and street construction--posted year-to-date increases of 11 and 12 percent, respectively," Simonson added. "Most other public categories also rose.

"The strong economy should keep boosting nonresidential construction, even though materials cost increases are causing some projects to be redesigned, deferred, or canceled," Simonson said. "For instance, the April producer price index report showed increases in the past 12 months of 53 percent for copper and brass mill shapes, 43 percent for asphalt, 31 percent for diesel fuel, and 24 percent for gypsum products.