High construction costs are forcing the state to cut back on road projects this summer. Costs have also increased nationally during the past year:

2006:

• 17 percent increase in the cost of road-construction materials in Utah

• 16 percent increase in the cost of road-construction materials nationwide

• $20 increase in the cost of a ton of asphalt since the first of the year

• 15 percent increase in labor costs for construction-related jobs

2005:

• 20 percent increase in the cost of road-construction materials in Utah