The improvement in delays, abandonments and on-hold projects caused the index to reach one of the lowest levels recorded in 2025, according to ConstructConnect.

Joseph Larson was a civil engineer and project manager working for Eden Prairie-Minn.-based engineer EVS before moving to Christchurch, New Zealand in 2022.

ENR’s 20-city average cost indexes, wages and materials prices. Historical data and details for ENR’s 20 cities can be found at ENR.com/economics

Alison Jones says the opportunity to digitally transform architecture and engineering firms is magnified by pairing younger, digital native staff with experienced professionals. 

As 2026 gets underway, a construction injury lawyer argues that government benchmarks represent the bare minimum, not the ultimate goal, for protecting workers.