With state budgets still hamstrung by the recession and Congress hesitant to hammer out a new federal funding measure, it seems the only thing growing in the U.S. transportation sector these days is the number of firms vying for the few opportunities that do arise.
Infrastructure firms say the moribund commercial construction market has prompted an increasing number of “vertical” contractors to bid on road and bridge projects, creating a buyers’ market for construction services and making it difficult for traditionally infrastructure-focused firms to secure new work.