Kim Slowey of Construction Dive Magazine, looking back on 2019, writes that the dollar value of U.S. construction starts was almost level with that of 2018, but there was a shift in the type of projects moving forward.

Energy-related developments of $1 billion or more with a major engineering component dominated U.S. starts, while starts for mid-size and smaller projects were down 15% in the fourth quarter. ​

The potential for a boom in the $1 billion or more category will be driven by:

• major transportation-related projects at airports;
• municipal rapid transit projects;
• the pursuit of regional high-speed rail;
• a flourishing energy sector that has already resulted in a proliferation of gas plant, oil refinery and LNG projects. ​

Click here for a deeper look at construction statistics through the first three quarters of 2019, and projections for the new year.