Each issue of the Dodge publication Civil Quarterly surveys civil engineers to track a variety of business conditions. One useful indicator measures contractors’ backlog—more specifically the ratio between their ideal amount of backlog to the current reality.
According to the most recent survey, backlogs remained strong throughout 2021, with most civil contractors reporting close to their ideal backlog. No consistent pattern of change has emerged, with backlog ratios increasing or decreasing, but always remaining at 80 or above.