Virginia’s August 2026 Iron Index is 64 (Steady). VDOT recorded $89,910,194 in low bids across 17 contracts; 70.3% of value was in earthwork-intensive work. Regional diesel was $5.276/gal in the week of 2026-08-31. August construction employment was down 1.9% year over year.
One score summarizing project activity, demand, capacity, operating pressure, and near-term opportunity.
VDOT recorded $89.9M in low bids across 17 August contracts.
70.3% of recorded low-bid value was in earthwork-intensive work.
Regional diesel was $5.276/gal in the week of 2026-08-31.
For readers who want the detail behind the score, signals, regional outlook, and operating recommendations.
Executive read: Virginia’s August Iron Index is 64 (Steady), Iron Sheepdog’s proprietary assessment. Bridge replacement and shoulder construction were major components of August’s letting. Recorded low-bid value eased from July, but the work mix remained relevant to material hauling. Regional diesel costs increased, while the employment-based capacity proxy pointed to looser availability.
$35,975,585 across 1 contract(s), representing 40.0% of recorded low-bid value. Confirm actual hauling scope, award status and mobilization with the contractor.
$15,938,383 across 1 contract(s), representing 17.7% of recorded low-bid value. Confirm actual hauling scope, award status and mobilization with the contractor.
$8,479,194 across 1 contract(s), representing 9.4% of recorded low-bid value. Confirm actual hauling scope, award status and mobilization with the contractor.
$6,097,777 across 1 contract(s), representing 6.8% of recorded low-bid value. Confirm actual hauling scope, award status and mobilization with the contractor.
SGR/SMART SCALE - BRIDGE REPLACEMENT AND ROAD IMPROVEMENTS: $35,975,585 in the published ranked low bid. Confirm the contractor’s schedule, material requirements and hauling package before committing capacity.
HARD SHOULDER RUNNING: $15,938,383 in the published ranked low bid. Confirm the contractor’s schedule, material requirements and hauling package before committing capacity.
BRIDGE REHABILITATION: $8,479,194 in the published ranked low bid. Confirm the contractor’s schedule, material requirements and hauling package before committing capacity.
SMART SCALE - SHARED USE PATH: $6,097,777 in the published ranked low bid. Confirm the contractor’s schedule, material requirements and hauling package before committing capacity.
EIA reported Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C) on-highway diesel at $5.276/gal for the week of 2026-08-31, 6.7% above its recent reference level. This is a regional figure, not a Virginia pump price. Check fuel-adjustment terms and loaded and empty miles when pricing work.
BLS reported 227,300 construction jobs in August 2026, down 1.9% from August 2025. Hauler Capacity is an employment-based proxy, not a measurement of truck supply. The proxy points to looser availability; local truck commitments still need direct confirmation.
The available VDOT advertisements do not provide the forward dollar values needed for this metric. Project counts are not a substitute for contract value. This metric is not scored.
This metric depends on Project Pipeline and is not scored this cycle. The headline Index uses the four available verified inputs.
Historical edition prepared October 15, 2026. Letting, fuel and employment observations are anchored to the stated reporting period. Employment estimates may be revised after their initial release.
The Iron Index is Iron Sheepdog’s proprietary market assessment, built from public DOT, EIA and BLS data. It considers activity, work mix, forward pipeline, fuel pressure and hauling capacity. A score of 60 represents normal conditions for that state. The scoring derivation is proprietary and is not published.
Hauler Capacity is an employment-based proxy, not a measurement of truck supply. Scores describe observed conditions and are not forecasts or guarantees. Low-bid results can change before final award. This report does not measure all private, county or municipal construction.
Use the market signals above to grow your network, plan capacity, and find better-fit work in Virginia.