PCL Construction has released its 2026 U.S. Construction Industry Outlook, identifying key trends and growth sectors for the year ahead.
While overall commercial construction is projected to grow 2.6%, the report finds significant investment accelerating in three key sectors:
- Data Centers: Spending expected to grow 33%, but grid connection delays stretching to 3+ years are forcing developers to build their own power plants. Power availability is the constraint preventing data centers from expanding fast enough to meet processing demand. In 2025, U.S. data center electricity demand surged past 24 gigawatts, with projections showing a doubling by 2030 as AI and cloud workloads accelerate.
- Water Infrastructure: More than 600 reuse projects in development, representing $47.1 billion through 2035, driven by water scarcity and new PFAS regulations. Potable reuse systems are expected to represent 37% of new reuse capacity, accounting for nearly $20 billion in capital expenditures.
- Aviation: Airports preparing for post-IIJA funding reality as federal investment expires in 2026, with public-private partnerships expected to increase. Accommodating rising passenger volumes remains the top priority. Denver’s airport served more than 82 million passengers last year and is advancing its “Vision 100” plan to handle 100 million by 2030.
The outlook also examines how labor shortages, with almost half a million new workers needed and 94% of contractors reporting hiring difficulties, are driving AI adoption and workforce upskilling across the industry. AI is streamlining business processes, freeing field staff to focus more on-site rather than on administrative tasks. Industry-wide, AI is improving safety protocols, reducing delays, and enhancing productivity by up to 30% in some cases
Read the full report here.
