Drop-off in road and bridge projects dampens N.H.’s future construction picture

The total value of future construction contracts in New Hampshire fell 2 percent in January 2013 from the same month the previous year, but activity continued to climb in two construction sectors over that period.Future construction contracts in New Hampshire totaled $81.3 million in January 2013, down from the $83.1 million recorded in January 2012, according to industry information service McGraw Hill Construction.That 2 percent drop was mostly attributable to the huge year-over-year plunge in nonbuilding contracts – projects such as roads, bridges and other infrastructure – which fell 35 percent, to $37.3 million in January from the $57.9 million recorded in January 2012.On the brighter side, the total value of residential and nonbuilding contracts both rose year over year.Nonresidential construction contracts totaled $21 million in January 2013, up 97 percent from the $10.7 million recorded a year earlier, while residential contracts rose 58 percent year over year, from $14.5 million in January 2012 to $22 million in January 2013. -JEFF FEINGOLD/NEW HAMPSHIRE BUSINESS REVIEW