Metro construction contracts up 13% in March: Report

The value of contracts for future construction in the metropolitan area rose 13 percent in March compared with a year ago, according to a new report.

Dodge Data & Analytics, an industry information service, reported Thursday that contracts worth $3.7 billion for all future building were awarded last month in the 23-county region that includes Long Island, up from $3.3 billion in March 2015.

Nonresidential contracts, for commercial properties such as offices, hotels, factories and warehouses, totaled $1.7 billion in March, a 17 percent increase year over year.

Residential contracts climbed 10 percent to $2 billion.