Six Month California Construction Volume Up 10.2 Percent.

Business Editors

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 1, 2000

California's total construction activity for the first six months of 2000 is up 10.2 percent from the corresponding period last year, totaling $29.5 billion.

According to statistical data gathered monthly by the Construction Industry Research Board (CIRB), year-to-date totals in residential building (measured by new housing units in building permits) is up 7.0 percent, and nonresidential building is up 8.3 percent during the first half of 2000.

When you include public works construction (highway-heavy along with government owned buildings -- including schools and colleges), California's total construction volume for June is $5.88 billion, up 3.4 percent from May.

However, the real story is the ongoing strength in public works construction. In the first six months of 3000, this sector totals $6.993 billion, up 19.7 percent from the first half of 1999. This compares to the total private building construction, during the first six months, which totals $22.53 billion, up 7.5 percent for the same period in 1999.

The heavy construction portion of the public works sector totals $4.167 billion, in the first six months of 2000, up $682.5 million from the first half of 1999, while public buildings construction totaled $2.825 billion, up $467.6 million.

Bartolotto points out that major projects contributed to the year-to-date increases in public works construction. The two largest projects are a $175.0 million expansion and alteration of the Moscone Center in San Francisco, and in heavy construction, the $237.8 million Carquinez Bridge project in Solano and Contra Costa counties.

For the month of June, the three largest heavy projects are the $22.0 million Chinatown Metro Blue Line Arial structure in Los Angeles; a $33.6 million Port of Long Beach project; and a $23.0 million Regional Park for the City of Fresno.

The largest government building projects in June are the $65.0 million Capital Area East End Complex, Phase 2 in Sacramento; a $47.0 million U.C. Davis Center for Performing Arts in Davis; a $35.0 million Chino Comprehensive High School in San Bernardino County; a $34.0 million Glendale Police facility in Glendale; and the $24.0 million Dune Palms Elementary and Dune Palms Middle School in Riverside.

CIRB is forecasting public works construction (highway-heavy along with government owned buildings) to increase 8.8 percent in 2000, and 1.4 percent in 2001, says Director Bartolotto.

California construction employment in June averaged 735,000, up 5,900 from May, and up 58,800, or 8.7 percent from June 1999. Employment increased in all contractor categories, said Bartolotto, but the largest was in the special trade contractor category which rose by 5,100 workers in June from May, and by 45,200, or 10.1 percent, from June 1999. The year 2000 total construction employment forecast is 729,000, up 49,800 from 1999.

For further information, call Ben Bartolotto at 818-841-8210.