Commerce Dept. says construction spending declines 1.3% on monthly basis but climbs 1.6% vs. June 2016.

January 9.4% rate up from year-earlier 8.5%, first year-over-year increase in more than six years.

Industry economists note that Nov. $1.18-trillion rate was highest since 2006; nonresidential sector's level strongest in eight years.

November 5.7% rate is even with October's and improved from November 2015's 6.2%.

Census Bureau reports October spending up a slight 0.5% from September but rose 3.4% from October 2015.

Spending dips 0.4% from August level and 0.2% compared with year-earlier figure, Census Bureau reports.

Office construction surged 25% from year-earlier total but educational buildings sector dipped 5%.

Non-residential sector dips 1% from May and year-earlier figures.

Completed nonresidential projects' total off 2.1% from March, but climbs 2.5% from April 2015.

Full-year completed construction total shows solid gain but December's rate was up only 0.1% from November.