At the Riverside County Transportation Commission meeting on April 8, 2026, Commissioners raised questions following a presentation regarding the Coachella Valley Association of Governments’ ongoing analysis of project funding concerns. The discussion centered on rising construction costs, the factors driving these increases, and whether specific bid items were contributing to higher construction bids.
Staff addressed the questions during the meeting but decided that the Commission would benefit from a presentation by an industry expert on current construction economic conditions and potential future cost trends that could impact project costs. The Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC) and the Associated General Contractors of California (AGC) have a long-standing working relationship, with RCTC staff and AGC representatives meeting regularly to discuss upcoming projects, industry conditions, and emerging construction-related challenges.
AGC, founded in 1918, is one of the nation’s leading construction industry associations, representing over 27,000 member firms across the United States and covering multiple disciplines within the construction sector.
To provide valuable insights, RCTC staff coordinated with AGC for a presentation titled “U.S. Construction Outlook: What’s in the Mix for the Rest of ’26 (and Beyond?)” by Ken Simonson, Chief Economist of AGC of America. This presentation gave the Commission a broader perspective on construction market conditions, cost pressures, and potential trends that may affect transportation project delivery. Additionally, Ashley Kaiser, Director of Governmental Affairs at AGC, was present to respond to any questions the Commission posed.
View the meeting/presentation by clicking here.
Published: August 24, 2026. Content is current as of this date and may evolve as new information becomes available. For advocacy questions, contact advocacy@agc-ca.com. For media inquiries, contact kentt@agc-ca.org.
