Virginia’s September 2026 Iron Index is 46 (Soft). VDOT recorded $22,309,679 in low bids across 9 contracts; 49.6% of value was in earthwork-intensive work. Regional diesel was $5.953/gal in the week of 2026-09-28. September construction employment was down 1.4% year over year.
One score summarizing project activity, demand, capacity, operating pressure, and near-term opportunity.
VDOT recorded $22.3M in low bids across 9 September contracts.
49.6% of recorded low-bid value was in earthwork-intensive work.
Regional diesel was $5.953/gal in the week of 2026-09-28.
For readers who want the detail behind the score, signals, regional outlook, and operating recommendations.
Executive read: Virginia’s September Iron Index is 46 (Soft), Iron Sheepdog’s proprietary assessment. The September letting was much smaller than August’s, while roundabout and roadway safety construction accounted for almost half of recorded low-bid value. Regional diesel costs rose, and the employment-based capacity proxy pointed to looser availability.
$5,992,427 across 1 contract, representing 26.9% of recorded low-bid value. Confirm actual hauling scope, award status and mobilization with the contractor.
$5,070,390 across 1 contract, representing 22.7% of recorded low-bid value. Confirm actual hauling scope, award status and mobilization with the contractor.
$3,221,348 across 1 contract, representing 14.4% of recorded low-bid value. Confirm actual hauling scope, award status and mobilization with the contractor.
$1,986,600 across 1 contract, representing 8.9% of recorded low-bid value. Confirm actual hauling scope, award status and mobilization with the contractor.
SMART SCALE - SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS: $5,992,427 in the published ranked low bid. Confirm the contractor’s schedule, material requirements and hauling package before committing capacity.
ROUNDABOUT: $5,070,390 in the published ranked low bid. Confirm the contractor’s schedule, material requirements and hauling package before committing capacity.
ON-CALL SIGNAL AND ITS IMPROVEMENTS: $3,221,348 in the published ranked low bid. Confirm the contractor’s schedule, material requirements and hauling package before committing capacity.
CLEAR ZONE IMPROVEMENTS - GUARDRAIL: $1,986,600 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 $5.953/gal for the week of 2026-09-28, 12.6% 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 228,500 construction jobs in September 2026, down 1.4% from September 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.
This edition reflects recorded VDOT low bids, the mix of work, regional diesel prices and Virginia construction employment. Forward project value is not included because the available VDOT advertisements list projects without the comparable dollar values needed for that measure.
Edition prepared October 21, 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.