U.S. Nonresidential Construction Starts Hit $74.6B in March 2026

U.S. Construction Starts Surge to $74.6B in March 2026 Driven by Megaprojects

U.S. nonresidential construction activity rebounded sharply in March 2026, with total starts reaching $74.6 billion, according to new data from ConstructConnect.

The figure represents a $22.5 billion increase from February’s revised total of $52.1 billion, signaling renewed momentum across both building and civil construction sectors.

Megaprojects Fuel Monthly Gains

Industry analysts attribute much of the March increase to the outsized impact of large-scale developments. Eleven megaprojects — defined as those valued at $1 billion or more — accounted for a combined $17.3 billion in starts during the month.

Michael Guckes, chief economist at ConstructConnect, said the data reflects a strong rebound from the prior month and aligns closely with broader market trends.

March’s total nearly matched the 12-month moving average of $72.2 billion, underscoring a return to more typical activity levels following February’s slowdown.

Megaprojects alone represented nearly one-quarter of all construction spending in March, highlighting their growing influence on overall market performance.

Top Projects Highlight Investment Trends

The March 2026 Top 10 project starts provide insight into where capital is being deployed across the construction industry, spanning sectors such as infrastructure, industrial development and large commercial builds.

These high-value projects continue to shape the trajectory of nonresidential construction, particularly as developers and public agencies prioritize large, transformative investments.

Analysts note that while monthly fluctuations are common, the strong March performance suggests underlying resilience in the construction economy, supported by ongoing demand for infrastructure upgrades and large-scale development.

ConstructConnect officials said the rebound demonstrates the importance of tracking both overall construction starts and the role of megaprojects in driving market volatility.

As the industry moves further into 2026, economists will continue to monitor whether this momentum can be sustained amid evolving economic conditions, including interest rates, labor availability and material costs.

Originally reported by Marshall Benveniste in Construct Connect News.