Bureau of Labor Statistics released information on February’s producer price index (PPI), which showed construction outpacing the overall inflation rate by a considerable amount. Year-over-year (y/y) the PPI for all finished products was up 2.8%. For construction the PPI increase for final demand rose 3.5%.

The AGC’s Ken Simonson noted spikes (note: no declines) in a number of categories. “Materials important to construction that had notable one- or 12-month price changes include diesel fuel, down 2.0% in February but up 38% y/y; lumber and plywood, up 4.4% for the month and 13% y/y; aluminum mill shapes, 2.9% and 12%, respectively; copper and brass mill shapes, -0.9% and 10%; gypsum products, 7.2% and 8.0%; and steel mill products, 2.3% and 4.8%. Among services important to construction, the PPI for truck transportation of freight rose 0.6% for the month and 5.6% y/y.”

In local construction news, CMU’s $45 million Health & Wellness Center – a renovation of Skibo Hall – has gone out for RFP to Jendoco, Mascaro, Mosites, PJ Dick, and Rycon. Construction of a temporary helipad is getting underway as the first phase of the $21 million emergency department renovation. MBM Contracting is the project’s CM. Stantec is the architect. And nearly 20 years of trying, word is that the $40 million Shannon Transit Village is moving forward. The 152-unit apartment with ground floor retail and a 375-car garage is being developed by Jim Aiello (JRA Development) and built by Mascaro Construction. A schedule for construction is not set, however.