flexiblefullpage -
billboard - default
interstitial1 - interstitial
catfish1 - bottom
Currently Reading

Construction crane count reaches all-time high in Q1 2023

Market Data

Construction crane count reaches all-time high in Q1 2023

More than 500 construction cranes were in action throughout the 14 U.S./Canadian cities surveyed by Rider Levett Bucknall, an all-time high. 


By BD+C and RLB | April 11, 2023
Construction crane count reaches all-time high in Q1 2023
Source: Rider Levett Bucknall

Toronto, Seattle, Los Angeles, and Denver top the list of U.S/Canadian cities with the greatest number of fixed construction cranes on construction sites, according to Rider Levett Bucknall's RLB Crane Index for North America for Q1 2023.

Toronto had a whopping 238 cranes in place in the first quarter. Seattle had 51 cranes to lead all U.S. cities, followed by Los Angeles (47), Denver (36), and Washington, D.C. (26). 

The RLB survey reports a nominal increase of 7.04% (34 cranes) from the Q3 2022 edition of the RLB Crane Index. Of the 14 cities surveyed, eight experienced
an increase in cranes, two decreased, and four held steady. 

The three top sectors across all cities are residential (51%), mixed use (22%), and commercial (12%). 

"Despite continued workforce challenges and economic uncertainties are still concerns for the coming year, we are continuing to see new projects break ground within our 14-key markets. This indicates that investments are continuing to be made into our cities," said the report's authors.

"Notwithstanding concerns for the housing market, residential and mixed-use projects make up 73% of the overall count. We anticipate the number of cranes to remain high into 2023. Despite uncertain market conditions, construction projects will continue to break ground, albeit at a cost," the added. 

About the RLB Crane Index
Rider Levett Bucknall’s Crane Index for North America is published biannually. It tracks the number of operating tower cranes in 14 major cities across the U.S. and Canada. The index was the first of its kind, and unlike other industry barometers that track cost and other financial data, the Crane Index tracks the number of fixed cranes on construction sites and gives a simplified measure of the current state of the construction industry’s workload in each location. 

Related Stories

Data Centers | Jan 28, 2016

Top 10 markets for data center construction

JLL’s latest outlook foresees a maturation in certain metros.

Market Data | Jan 20, 2016

Nonresidential building starts sag in 2015

CDM Research finds only a few positive signs among the leading sectors.

Market Data | Jan 20, 2016

Architecture Billings Index ends year on positive note

While volatility persists, architecture firms reported healthy performance for 2015.

Market Data | Jan 15, 2016

ABC: Construction material prices continue free fall in December

In December, construction material prices fell for the sixth consecutive month. Prices have declined 7.2% since peaking in August 2014.

Market Data | Jan 13, 2016

Morgan Stanley bucks gloom and doom, thinks U.S. economy has legs through 2020

Strong job growth and dwindling consumer debt give rise to hope.

Hotel Facilities | Jan 13, 2016

Hotel construction should remain strong through 2017

More than 100,000 rooms could be delivered this year alone.

Market Data | Jan 6, 2016

Census Bureau revises 10 years’ worth of construction spending figures

The largest revisions came in the last two years and were largely upward.

Market Data | Jan 5, 2016

Majority of AEC firms saw growth in 2015, remain optimistic for 2016: BD+C survey

By all indications, 2015 was another solid year for U.S. architecture, engineering, and construction firms.

Market Data | Jan 5, 2016

Nonresidential construction spending falters in November

Only 4 of 16 subsectors showed gains

Market Data | Dec 15, 2015

AIA: Architecture Billings Index hits another bump

Business conditions show continued strength in South and West regions.  

boombox1 - default
boombox2 -
native1 -

More In Category


Construction Costs

New download: BD+C's April 2024 Market Intelligence Report

Building Design+Construction's monthly Market Intelligence Report offers a snapshot of the health of the U.S. building construction industry, including the commercial, multifamily, institutional, and industrial building sectors. This report tracks the latest metrics related to construction spending, demand for design services, contractor backlogs, and material price trends.



halfpage1 -

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021

Â