Texas is preparing for a new round of TxDOT lettings, even as it faces an already extensive active workload. This workload is unevenly distributed across the state, with certain districts carrying a larger share of projects and associated values.

The statewide active backlog currently stands at $18.30 billion, comprising a total of 3,242 active projects spread across 25 districts. Active backlog reflects the remaining value tied to those underway projects. Additionally, change orders represent the contract values added after project awards, which can shift project costs significantly. The Dallas district leads the state with an active backlog of $4.61 billion, while Fort Worth has the highest change order percentage at 21.4%. Austin contrasts this with a significant project count but less total backlog.

Examining both district totals and individual projects will reveal varying workloads and financial landscapes. A comprehensive view of these metrics is essential to fully understand the current construction market in Texas.

The interactive district view shows how active backlog and change orders are distributed across Texas. One view illustrates where remaining active backlog is concentrated, while the other indicates where approved change orders are concentrated. This dual perspective highlights different aspects of the active market.

Dallas stands out with the largest backlog, while Fort Worth's high change order percentage indicates a market dynamic where awarded contract values have substantially grown.

The Dallas district holds the largest active backlog at $4.61 billion across 287 projects. In contrast, Austin follows with $2.17 billion in backlog but has a higher project count at 151 active projects. Houston, with a significant $1.99 billion backlog, also has the most active projects at 364. Lastly, Fort Worth, while ranking lower in backlog at $1.07 billion, has a notable change order percentage of 21.4%, reflecting a different workload profile.

This multi-faceted comparison reveals that project count alone does not capture the concentration of financial responsibility among active projects. The distribution of the backlog differs significantly across districts, which illustrates the importance of viewing both backlog and project counts together.

The statewide change order percentage stands at 5.8%, indicating that awarded contract values often increase after the initial award. Fort Worth leads with a 21.4% change order percentage, alongside a notable total of $623.49 million in change orders. Houston also demonstrates significant activity in this area, with $472.87 million in approved change orders and a change order percentage of 7.9%. Austin and Bryan follow, with change orders of $213.23 million and $92.14 million, respectively.

This change order perspective provides insights into districts where contract scopes are shifting significantly post-award, contrasting sharply with the backlog view, which focuses on the remaining dollar values tied to projects already started.

Several projects illustrate key concentrations of active backlog and change orders. The largest active backlog project is CCSJ 2374-01-137 in Dallas, with a remaining value of $1.71 billion and no change orders impacting its value. Another notable project in Dallas is CCSJ 0009-11-254, with a backlog of $736.61 million and $3.42 million in change orders, indicating a minor adjustment post-award.

Fort Worth's CCSJ 0008-13-125 stands out with a backlog of $725.20 million and significant change orders totaling $451.41 million, leading to a change order percentage of 28.4%. This project exemplifies how active projects can reflect both backlog and contract adaptations. A summary table follows to provide further detail on the largest active projects.

The table below shows the largest active projects by remaining backlog.

These highlighted projects underscore the concentrated financial stakes within the active workload across various districts.

In summary, the Texas active market reveals a sizable statewide backlog of $18.30 billion across 3,242 active projects. Dallas holds the largest share of this backlog, while Fort Worth's notable change order percentage illustrates a different aspect of the active market. Continued scrutiny of backlog and change orders reveals the complexities driving project dynamics, helping to illustrate where challenges and opportunities may arise.