State DOTs and local governments committed a little over $117 billion in funding for highway, bridge, transit, port and other transportation-related construction projects during 2012, according to new analysis of the most recent U.S. Census Bureau data by the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA).

That’s one percent more than 2011 but well short of the healthier 2010 number of $129 billion. ARTBA says highway spending was down 4.3 percent and bridge spending u0p 4.5 percent. When you look at the report highway sp0ending was really the only loser. ARTBA’s monthly report, “Value of Transportation Construction Put in Place,” was compiled by Dr. Alison Premo Black, the association’s chief economist.