Good times are forecast for the Midwest. During 2005, the economy rebounded nicely and experts anticipate this positive upswing will continue during 2006. Edward Sullivan, chief economist for the Portland Cement Association, forecasts 2006 economic growth to average more than 3 percent during the 2005–2009 period.

Construction activity in the Digest-area remains robust, with health care, industrial and educational segments of the marketplace showing strong growth. Likewise, anticipate continued growth in aviation and multi-family residential and commercial building markets.

The highway/bridge market continues to be busy, with several major projects proceeding in Illinois. For fiscal 2006, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) proposes a $1.730-billion program, an increase from FY 2005's $1.54-billion program. For FY 2006, IDOT is eyeing $224.5 million for new roads, $308.6 million for reconstruction, $23.1 million for interstate resurfacing, $212.1 million for other resurfacing, $340.9 million for bridge work, $370.5 million for safety, $164.2 million for engineering, and $81.1 million for land acquisition.

Key IDOT projects include reconstruction of Interstate 94/90 (Dan Ryan Expressway) in Chicago, reconstruction of I-80 (Kingery Expressway) in Chicago, the final phase of rebuilding I-74 in Peoria/East Peoria, and new construction on U.S. 51 from south of the Shelby County line south to Moweaqua at a cost of $17.5 million.

In St. Louis, a contractor should be selected in September 2006 for The New I-64 project — the first design-build project in Missouri. In May, Ohio broke ground on a new section of U.S. 30, a $98.8-million project that will complete the upgrade of the highway to a four-lane route in northwest Ohio.

Construction continues on I-80/94 (the Borman Expressway), a $300-million, multi-phase project in northwest Indiana. Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels recently outlined a $10.6-billion transportation plan for the next 10 years that will double new construction spending on projects important to the state's economic growth and prosperity.

New construction on Kentucky 15, Jackson-Campton Road, has been proposed in Breathitt County, Ky. This highway is one of the major routes from the mountains of southeastern Kentucky to the Bluegrass area of the state. Groundbreaking for the $36.5-million project is planned for the spring.

Elsewhere, divisions of the West Virginia Department of Transportation have plans for 2006 construction projects estimated at more than $611 million.

On the building side, Chicago, St. Louis and Indianapolis are the region's hot beds for construction, particularly for major new residential and mixed-use developments.

Key projects in the Chicago area include Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago, a 92-story tower that will reach 1,360 feet; 600 North Fairbanks, a 41-story condominium tower; 50 East Chestnut, a $47-million condominium tower; Astoria Tower Residences and Spa, a 30-story Art-Deco-style high-rise; McCormick Place Convention Center West expansion; University Village East, a mixed-use community being developed adjacent to the University of Illinois at Chicago campus; Park Millennium, a 52-story luxury high-rise; and Prairie Station, a $500-million mixed-use residential and retail neighborhood.

Plans for several new hospital projects in the Digest-area are proceeding, including a $280-million construction program for Sherman Health in Elgin, Ill.; new state-of-the-art medical research facilities at Saint Louis University's Health Sciences Center; Firelands Regional Medical Center, a $150-million project in Sandusky, Ohio; the $75-million Progress West HealthCare Center in O'Fallon, Mo.; the University of Louisville's $27.6-million Cardiovascular Innovation Institute; a $215-million replacement hospital for SSM Health Care-St. Louis; and expansion of St. Louis Children's Hospital.

The aviation marketplace remains strong with Lambert-St. Louis International Airport's big expansion project. And Indianapolis Airport Authority officials have broken ground for construction of a new passenger terminal building at Indianapolis International Airport.

Two major Army Corps of Engineers projects are ongoing — the McAlpine Locks & Dam Replacement Project near Louisville, and Olmsted Locks and Dam Project in Ballard County, Ky.

While demolition of Busch Stadium proceeds in downtown St. Louis, construction is in its initial stages for a new 63,000-seat, retractable-roof football stadium in downtown Indianapolis.

Other notable projects under way or planned for 2006 include the $35-million Ely Walker Lofts in St. Louis; One Market Square tower residences and lofts in Indianapolis; the $220-million Veterans' Glass City Skyway bridge in Toledo, Ohio; Park East Tower, a luxury condominium development in St. Louis; the $82-million, high-tech Battle Stations 21 training simulator at Great Lakes Naval Station; the Pomeroy-Mason Bridge in Meigs County, Ohio; the Blennerhassett Bridge near Parkersburg, W. Va.; The Bottle District, an 18-acre development in St. Louis; U.S. Grant Bridge replacement project in Portsmouth, Ohio; Carmel, Ind.'s $55-million Central Park; Cleveland Museum of Art's $258-million renovation and expansion; Waterfront Park construction in Louisville; a $350-million casino, hotel and spa project in downtown St. Louis; and a coal-fired power plant in southern Logan County, Ill.