The leading categories have been multi-retail (general merchandise, shopping centers, and shopping malls), up 25 percent year-to-date; manufacturing construction, 23 percent; private multifamily, 21 percent; hospitals, 13 percent; private single-family, 12 percent; and highways and streets, 11 percent.

The construction engine was firing on all cylinders.

The finance and services sectors reported the highest expectations for capital spending, especially on computers and communications equipment.

You can't assume contractors will automatically pass on higher costs.

I doubt you'll feel it (rising costs) much,

In 2005, we had 32 areas (of the country) that ran short of cement at certain times of the year. With the demand for cement growing in 2006 and very little expansion of production, I think further supplies are limited.

On a two-month basis, there were several segments that showed exceptional growth. Shopping center construction leaped 61%, after swelling nearly 40% in 2005 and 25% in 2004. Hospital construction grew 22%, while manufacturing and commercial warehouse construction climbed 20%. The previously lackluster office segment was up 18%.

It's an eerie challenge. You don't want to leave the roof uncovered in a place like that.

Construction spending in November outpaced even the upwardly revised October and September totals.

It showed a little more success than I had expected.