A forecast from the Institute of Social and Economic Research at the University of Alaska Anchorage says construction spending should be $7.7 billion in Alaska this year, up 3.3 percent from 2011.
The report also says there should be increased private spending in the utility, mining, health and oil and gas sectors.
It's also relying on increased spending because of state capital projects, which is expected to offset a decline in federal spending.
That money should go to highways, airport and ports.
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