An electric tower topples

The contraction of the global economy caused U.S. infrastructure spending to decline by an estimated 4.3 percent in 2009, according to analysts from HIS Global Insight, in spite of the $48 billion given to the Department of Transportation as part of stimulus packages. Non-highway spending is expected to decrease by 10.2 percent. The only infrastructure sector that did not contract was the power sector.

State budget shortfalls are largely to blame for the effect, the report said. Infrastructure spending is projected to fall another 1.6 percent in 2010, with a growth of 2.4 percent in 2011 if the economy rebounds.

Hit ‘em while they’re down, and slow that rebound!