Our Nation's Highways: 2008

Figure 6-7. Highway Construction Price Trends and Consumer Price Index

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) measures the changes in the cost of purchasing products and services. The CPI is computed by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The higher the number is, the faster the product or service rises in price over time. FHWA prepares a similar cost index for highway construction activities. The Federal-aid highway Construction Index (CI) is computed by FHWA’s Office of Program Administration. It is a composite indicator covering the unit costs of excavation, resurfacing, and construction, and reflects cost changes for materials such as reinforcing steel, bituminous concrete, portland cement and other ingredients for highway projects across the country.

Data represented in the inset chart
Table in Excel format

Data Source: U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Office of Highway Policy Information, Highway Statistics.