Construction Planning Index Rose in September

A surge in institutional project planning boosted the overall index despite a slight dip in commercial activity.

Updated on Oct. 8, 2026 in Construction

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a solitary steel beam, representing institutional growth, rendered in navy, cream, and yellow. — The Dodge Momentum Index rose 2.4 percent in September, driven by a surge in institutional construction planning for education, government, and healthcare projects. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you believe current growth in institutional construction projects indicates a stronger national economy?

The Dodge Momentum Index climbed 2.4 percent in September, reflecting a continued upward trend in nonresidential construction planning. This growth was fueled largely by a significant increase in institutional building projects.

Why it matters

The index provides a forward-looking indicator for future construction spending by tracking projects as they enter the early planning stages. Rising momentum in institutional sectors suggests a robust pipeline for infrastructure, healthcare, and education development.

Institutional planning saw a 9.4 percent monthly increase and a 17.2 percent year-over-year jump. Additionally, 45 projects valued at $100 million or more, including major data centers, entered the planning phase this month.

The players

Dodge Momentum Index

This monthly indicator tracks the value of nonresidential building projects as they enter the initial planning stages.

The details

Growth was driven by new projects in the education, government, and healthcare sectors. Large-scale developments include the $480 million Project North data center in Jermyn, Pennsylvania, and two data centers in Bastrop, Texas, valued at $473 million each.

The Dodge Momentum Index increased 2.4 percent during September 2026.
Nonresidential construction spending is expected to show stronger results in late 2027.

Market Landscape

The current data highlights a pivot toward large-scale institutional infrastructure as the broader market grows 3.7 percent above the Dodge Momentum Index baseline established in September 2025. This trend distinguishes the sector from commercial projects, which are currently experiencing a period of contraction.

The robust planning pipeline suggests an increase in future construction activity, which could impact local supply chains and material costs. While institutional development thrives, the cooling commercial segment may influence regional employment and development timelines.

The takeaway

The rise in large-scale institutional projects indicates that massive infrastructure and data center investments are currently outpacing commercial real estate growth. Investors and contractors should note that this shift in project composition may dictate labor and resource demand well into 2027.