The US Census Bureau of the Department of Commerce announced today that construction spending during December 2009 dropped 1.2% below November spending. Additionally, the value of construction in 2009 was estimated at $939.1 Billion, 12.4% below the $1,072.1 Billion spent in 2008. Private residential construction was at a seasonally adjusted annual estimate of $260.4 billion in December, 2.8% below the November estimate. The total public construction seasonally adjusted annual rate in December weighed in at $309.6 Billion, down 1.2% again from November. Public construction spending showed a slight increase, with the total value of public construction in 2009 up 3.7% of the spending in 2008, possibly due to the year’s fiscal stimulus package.