KEY POINTS
-
The ConstructConnect Project Stress Index (PSI), which tracks delayed bid dates, on-hold projects, and abandonments in preconstruction, closed March 2026 at 104.6, marking a 4.2% increase from February.
-
A 22.8% month-over-month rise in project abandonments drove the upward movement of the PSI.
-
Despite the monthly increase, the Project Stress Index shows broad year-over-year improvement. The overall index is down 3.5% compared with March 2025.
Composite Overview
The Project Stress Index closed March 2026 at 104.6, marking a 4.2% increase from February. A 22.8% month-over-month rise in project abandonments drove this upward movement, following relatively low abandonment levels at the start of the year.
Decreases in other stress indicators partially offset this rise. During March, bid date delays fell 1.2%, and on-hold activity dropped 9.9%.
Despite the monthly increase, the Project Stress Index shows broad year-over-year improvement.
The overall Project Stress Index is down 3.5% compared with March 2025, with all three components sitting below year-ago levels.
Bid date delays recorded the largest percentage decrease, falling 7.8%, while on-hold activity and abandonments both decreased 1.5% year-over-year.
Components Monitor
Delay Bid Date94.5 |
On-Hold91.2 |
Abandoned128.0 |
|
|
|
 |
Month-on-month changes of less than 0.25% are indicated as unchanged. Image and Data by ConstructConnect.
The ConstructConnect Project Stress Index (PSI) composite chart is shown from March 2024 to March 2026. The PSI is a seasonally adjusted, equal-weight measure of delayed, on-hold, or abandoned projects. (Month-on-month changes of less than 0.25% are indicated as unchanged). Image and Data by ConstructConnect
Sector Status Update
Project abandonments jumped in March, mainly affecting private sector developments. This rise comes amid the ongoing conflict in Iran, which has closed vital shipping lanes and increased the costs of oil and other key energy products, potentially pushing owners and developers toward abandonment.
Stay Connected
Stay connected with ConstructConnect News, your source for construction economy insights, market trends, and project news.
READ THE FAQs on The Project Stress Index
About the Project Stress Index
The Project Stress Index (PSI) composite represents an equal-weight measure of the seasonally adjusted level of preconstruction projects that have experienced a delayed bid date, been placed on hold, or abandoned in the last 30 days. The PSI only monitors nonresidential and multifamily projects in their preconstruction phases, thus excluding any single-family home construction. Each component has been seasonally adjusted and then indexed against its 2021 average weekly reading. The independent tracking of each status type gives unique insights into market changes’ timing, direction, and amplitude. Additional information about the PSI, including detailed data about the individual readings for delayed, on-hold, and abandoned projects, can be found here.
About ConstructConnect
At ConstructConnect, our software solutions provide the information that construction professionals need to start every project on a solid foundation. For more than 100 years, our keen insights and market intelligence have empowered commercial firms, building product manufacturers, trade contractors, and architects to make data-driven decisions, streamline preconstruction workflows, and maximize their productivity. Our newest offerings—including our comprehensive, AI-assisted software—help our clients find, bid on, and win more projects.
ConstructConnect operates as a business unit of Roper Technologies (Nasdaq: ROP), a constituent of the Nasdaq 100, S&P 500, and Fortune 1000.
For more information, visit constructconnect.com
