State officials have been enjoying a decrease in costs for road and bridge projects due to the economy. The decline in costs is a stark contrast to the cost escalations in recent years.
According to the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), costs are down 15 to 30%. A recent AASHTO survey reported that 16 of 21 states surveyed reported they received bids that were lower than anticipated for stimulus projects. An article in the Wall Street Journal, cited lower commodity prices and a rise of unemployment as key factors in the drop in prices.
