Building construction declines; oil and gas engineering activity rises

Construction activity fell between January and June this year compared to 2003. In dollar values, the decline was minus 6% overall. In square footage, not counting engineering works, the decline was minus 18% overall
Engineering in oil and gas sector was the most prosperous construction sector, showing an increase in activity of 86% over the first six months of this year compared to last. Roads also showed an increase of 34% and industrial plant construction showed an activity increase of 52%.
Medical building construction showed a positive gain, improving 16% over last year. Electrical power construction declined by 57%, commercial building construction declined by 28%, and institutional building construction declined by 16%.
The statistics are based on construction starts and are released by CanaData, a division of Reed Construction Data Canada of Toronto.