Transportation construction continues at a solid pace, registering 5% growth in 2014. This market segment is expected to grow another 7% in 2015, to $44.7 billion. However, Congress will need to pass a new or renewed transportation bill this year to add some stability — as well as funds — to this sector. At this time, it is highly uncertain that there will be a more permanent alternative than short-term extensions of Map-21, which has been approved by the House and is in the Senate for a vote. That extension would expire Dec. 18, 2015.
In the meantime, the focus on transportation will continue to be rebuilding current routes and runways to be safer and more efficient, especially in light of several high-profile accidents.
(Opening photo: Maksim Koval/iStock/Thinkstock)