Pit & Quarry, May 2010

Industry Snapshot Monthly Construction Contract Value Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rates in Millions Feb 2010 Jan 2010 Change Nonresidential Building 147260 158322 7 Residential Building 141282 134007 5 Nonbuilding Construction 152317 127655 19 Total Construction 440859 419984 5 Year to Date Construction Contract Value Unadjusted Totals in Millions 2 mo 2010 2 mo 2009 Change Nonresidential Building 21125 25453 17 Residential Building 17274 13588 27 Nonbuilding Construction 18833 18093 4 Total Construction 57232 57134 0 New construction starts in February climbed 5 percent from the previous month top chart Much of the lift was provided by the public works sector reflecting strength for transportation and environmental projects according to McGraw Hill Construction U S aggregate production declines 24 percent in 2009 An estimated 432 million metric tons Mt of total aggregates was produced and shipped for consumption in the United States in the fourth quarter of 2009 a decrease of 21 percent compared to the same period of 2008 the U S Geological Survey reported The estimated annual output of aggregates produced for consumption in 2009 was 188 billion metric tons Gt a 24 percent decrease compared to 2008 An estimated 255 Mt of crushed stone was produced and shipped for consumption in the United States in the fourth quarter of 2009 a decrease of 20 percent compared to the same period of 2008 The estimated annual output of crushed stone produced for consumption in 2009 was 111 Gt a 23 percent decrease compared to 2008 The estimated U S output of construction sand and gravel produced and shipped for consumption in the fourth quarter of 2009 was 177 Mt a decrease of 22 percent compared to the same period of 2008 The estimated annual output of construction sand and gravel produced for consumption in 2009 was 776 Mt a 25 percent decrease compared to 2008 Eye on the Blog Highway funds now available to states Following is a selected entry from the Pit Quarry Editors Blog written by Senior Editor Brian Richesson Green construction Earth Day observed April 22 is the impetus for new ideas that will impact the environment and improve our future The Associated General Contractors of America AGC released a plan that it believes will stimulate demand for green construction projects boost infrastructure capacity and improve building efficiency and green construction practices As a result the nations buildings and infrastructure will become more efficient significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions and cutting energy consumption Of interest to the aggregates industry AGCs plan accelerates federal approval for new transportation projects in congested corridors and it calls for making the level of transportation investments virtually every expert agrees are needed to improve capacity and reduce traffic The plan called Building a Green Future is available at www agc org Read this and other items from Pit Quarry editors at www pitandquarry com blog U S Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced that 488 billion in highway funds is now available to state departments of transportation for federal projects through the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment HIRE Act The HIRE Act included a provision that extended funding authority for surface transportation programs through Dec 31 The law provides 401 billion from the Highway Trust Fund for highway programs for FY 2010 The HIRE Act also restores 87 billion to state DOTs that was rescinded last year due to a provision in the surface transportation program authorizing legislation enacted in 2005 FIRST OF MONTH OPENING APRIL MARCH Cemex SA 1027 963 Eagle Materials 2656 2353 MDU Resources 2169 2047 Martin Marietta Materials 8390 7944 Texas Industries 3454 3573 Vulcan Materials 4746 4359 8 PIT QUARRY May 2010 www pitandquarry com