Illinois & Regional Major-Metro Construction Activity Experienced a 17.6% Increase Year-Over-Year, BidClerk Data Shows

Year-Over-Year Activity Was Strong for the Illinois Region, But Quarter-Over-Quarter Activity Decreased (-34.6%), BidClerk Construction Index™ Finds

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--For major-metro regions in Illinois and surrounding areas, including Chicago-Naperville-Joliet, Champaign-Urbana, Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, Peoria, Rockford, Springfield, and St. Louis, the BidClerk Construction Index™ (BCI) reports that combined public and private construction increased 17.6% in the 4^th quarter of 2012. This compares to a 36.6% increase in overall construction activity that BCI reported in the 3^rd quarter of 2012.

In the same year-over-year comparison, public construction projects that were actively bidding in the 4^th quarter of 2012 increased 17.6%, compared to a 40.8% increase reported by BCI in the 3^rd quarter. Private construction projects also increased by 17.6%, compared to a 23.6% increase reported in the 3^rd quarter.

In BCI’s quarter-over-quarter analysis for the 4^th quarter of 2012, there were substantial declines in both public and private construction activity, with private projects decreasing (-17.7%) and public projects declining (-39.4%).

The Chicago region experienced a 16.4% increase in combined public and private construction activity compared to one year ago. This compares to a 45.3% increase in combined public and private activity reported by the BCI in the 3^rd quarter of 2012. In a quarter-over-quarter analysis for Chicago, there was a 4^th quarter 2012 decrease of (-37.8%) in combined public and private construction activity compared to the 3^rd quarter of 2012.

In the St. Louis region, a year-over-year analysis revealed an increase of 6.7% in construction activity, compared to a 29.7% increase reported by the BCI in the 3^rd quarter of 2012. In a quarter-over-quarter analysis, the St. Louis region saw a decrease of (-27.5%) in the 4^th quarter of 2012 compared to an increase of 13.9% in the third quarter of 2012.

The regions surveyed by the BCI include Chicago-Naperville-Joliet, Champaign-Urbana, Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, Peoria, Rockford, Springfield, and St. Louis.

Today’s new construction project data was released by BidClerk, a leading provider of construction project data and marketing tools for building product manufacturers, contractors, and distributors. The BidClerk Construction Index is a quarterly data service offered at no cost to media outlets that cover regional construction news. Members of the media may request custom BidClerk Construction Index reports for specific counties, regions, and states by contacting BidClerk: [e-mail].

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