In today’s construction news, discover that, according to the updated estimate for the month of March, which was $2,162.0 billion, the construction spending during the month of April 2025 was anticipated to be at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $2,152.4 billion. This represents a decrease of 0.4 percent (±0.7 percent). Meanwhile, U.S. construction investment experienced an unexpected dip in April, which was weighed down by a decrease in expenditures on single-family housing projects. This decline occurred in the midst of higher borrowing prices and an increasing supply of homes that were not sold. On the other hand, while they were performing their duties for a sealcoating firm headquartered in Minnesota, a group of American construction workers received a sweet gesture from a homeowner. This was a beautiful display of hospitality that was performed by the homeowner. Lastly, the Colorado Department of Transportation and Kiewit Infrastructure Company made the announcement on Wednesday that they will be modifying the work hours of crews that are applying the final coat of paint on the steel that has been restored on the Lake Fork Bridge and the Middle Bridge of US Highway 50.
April 2025 Monthly Construction Spending
Original Source: Monthly Construction Spending, April 2025
Complete Build
In April 2025, construction spending was estimated at $2,152.4 billion, a 0.4 percent (±0.7 percent) decrease from the revised March estimate of $2,162.0 billion. April’s result is 0.5 percent (±1.2 percent)* lower than the 2024 forecast of $2,163.2 billion. Construction spending in the first four months of this year was $660.2 billion, up 1.4% (±1.0%) over the same time in 2024.
Private Build
Seasonally adjusted annual private construction spending was $1,638.9 billion, 0.7 percent (±0.7 percent)* lower than the revised March estimate of $1,650.8 billion. The April seasonally adjusted annual rate of residential building was $892.8 billion, 0.9 percent (±1.3 percent)* lower than the revised March estimate of $900.7 billion. Seasonally adjusted nonresidential construction in April was $746.0 billion, 0.5 percent (±0.7 percent)* lower than the revised March estimate of $750.1 billion.
Public Build
In April, public construction spending was estimated at $513.5 billion, up 0.4 percent (±1.3 percent)* from the revised March estimate of $511.3 billion. Seasonally adjusted annual educational construction fell to $110.9 billion, 0.1 percent (±1.5 percent)* below the revised March forecast of $111.0 billion. Seasonally adjusted annual highway construction reached $146.3 billion, 0.5 percent (±4.1 percent)* higher than the revised March estimate of $145.5 billion.
April US Construction Spending Falls on Weak Single-family Home Developments
Original Source: US construction spending falls in April on weakness in single-family housing projects
Due to higher borrowing prices and a growing glut of unsold homes, single-family housing construction spending unexpectedly decreased in April.
The Census Bureau of the Commerce Department reported on Monday that construction spending fell 0.4% following a downwardly revised 0.8% loss in March. Reuters economists expected construction spending to rise 0.3% following a 0.5% drop in March.
On-year spending fell 0.5% in April.
Private construction spending fell 0.7%. Residential building fell 0.9%, with single-family dwelling spending falling 1.1%.
An uncertain economy and President Donald Trump’s strong trade strategy, including increasing steel and aluminum taxes to 50% from 25%, are also limiting home development. Builders have little room to build new projects since new housing inventory is at 2007 levels and previously owned home supply is at a four-year high.
Multifamily housing spending fell 0.1% in April. Offices and factories saw 0.5% less investment.
However, public building spending rose 0.4%. State and local government spending rose 0.3%, while federal spending rose 2.7%.
Viral Video Shows Desi Woman Treating US Construction Crew to Vada-chutney
Original Source: ‘That’s our culture’: Desi woman treats US construction crew to vada-chutney, video goes viral
A homeowner showed a crew of American construction workers working for a Minnesota sealcoating company amazing hospitality. The group was astonished and delighted when a woman handed them an Indian lunch outside her home.
The Sealcoating Guys supplies asphalt and paving in Minnesota. They filmed the sweet moment and posted it on Instagram, where it went viral. In the video, a woman in casual loungewear and a light scarf holds two disposable plates with three vada chunks and spicy coconut chutney.
The workers asked the woman about her food. She eagerly called it “vada,” comparing it to a savory doughnut—crispy outside, soft interior, and salty rather than sweet. The dish is a popular evening snack in Tamil Nadu and other southern Indian regions. Spiced fritters are often served with coconut chutney to chill them.
The footage showed the workers enjoying the dinner, with one remarking its deliciousness. The short clip became viral due to viewers’ admiration and openness to trying new things. Since posting on May 26, the video has over 11 million views and many reactions.
Social media users praised the homeowner’s act. Indian culture reveres and treats guests and strangers with courtesy, as many noted. One Instagram user said, “It’s just a gesture of goodwill buddy, very common in India.” Another exclaimed, “That’s Indian culture.”
One user said the food was “Ulunthu Vada,” a crispy, soft urad dal snack. Popular comfort food in Tamil Nadu.
This simple moment reminded us that compassion and food can unite communities beyond language and countries.
Sunday is a Shift in the Construction Hours for US 50 Bridges
Original Source: US 50 bridges construction hours change Sunday
Work hours for crews applying the final layer of paint to repaired steel on the US Highway 50 Middle Bridge and Lake Fork Bridge were changed Wednesday by the Colorado Department of Transportation and Kiewit Infrastructure Co.
On Sunday, June 8, construction personnel will work from 4 p.m. to 4 a.m. Sunday through Friday. Each bridge will have flaggers directing single-lane traffic. This final phase of the emergency repair project will finish in July.
After many steel weld cracks were identified in the US 50 Middle Bridge and Lake Fork Bridge in April 2024, the emergency repair job began. After cracks were found, both bridges were partially closed for public safety.
“Because the paint adheres better in warmer temperatures, we’re moving up our work hours slightly to take advantage of more daylight as we enter the homestretch of this repair project,” said CDOT Regional Transportation Director Jason Smith. “We appreciate the community’s support as we finish this critical safety project.”
Travel consequences of scheduled maintenance include:
Work from 4 p.m. to 4 a.m. Sunday through Friday.
One lane crosses each bridge.
Work zones limit speeds to 35 mph.
The Fourth of July weekend will not see overnight painting.
Summary of today’s construction news
In simple terms, the revised estimate for the month of March was $511.3 billion, while the seasonally adjusted annual rate of public construction spending in April was expected to be $513.5 billion. This is a 0.4 percent (±1.3 percent) increase from the previous estimate. In March, the updated estimate of $111.0 billion for educational construction was changed to reflect a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $110.9 billion, which is 0.1 percent (±1.5 percent)* lower than the original estimate. The building of highways was estimated to be at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $146.3 billion, which is 0.5 percent (±4.1 percent)* higher than the revised estimate for March, which was $145.5 billion.
Meanwhile, in the month of April, expenditures on multi-family dwelling units decreased by 0.1%. There was a 0.5% decrease in the amount of money invested in private non-residential structures such as industries and offices. The amount of money spent on public construction projects, however, went up by 0.4%. There was a 0.3% increase in spending by state and local governments, while there was a 2.7% increase in spending on projects by the federal government.
On the other hand, the state of Minnesota was the location of a warm and fuzzy event. The traditional Indian snack known as vada was supplied to construction workers from the United States by a homeowner. Sealcoating was being done on a house by the workers. On Instagram, the Sealcoating Guys uploaded the video to their account. The video has received millions of views since it went viral. Kindness displayed by the homeowner was lauded by users of social media. The act brought attention to the open-heartedness of Indian culture. It demonstrated that kindness and food can bring people together.
Lastly, in April of 2024, the emergency repair project was initiated after it was discovered that the US 50 Middle Bridge had a number of steel weld cracks, and the US 50 Lake Fork Bridge had faults that were comparable to those seen in the Middle Bridge. The flaws were discovered, and to ensure the safety of the general public, both bridges were partially closed.
