The US Census Bureau of the Department of Commerce announced Monday that construction in August rose 1.4 percent from July to $799.1 billion, and increased 0.9 percent from August 2010. Even so, during the first eight months of this year, construction spending totaled $511.4 billion--3 percent below the $527.3 billion for the same period in 2010.
Public construction led in the overall increase, rising 3.1 percent from July to August to $288.2 billion.
Private construction spending increased in August as well, but at a slower rate. Spending on private construction was $511 billion in August 0.4 percent above the July level as residential construction increased 0.7 percent and nonresidential construction edged up 0.2 percent.