Construction spending soared 1.1 percent in December, ending a year in which building activity posted the best performance since 1996.

The Commerce Department said Tuesday that last month’s increase followed a 0.3 percent advance in November and showed strength in private and public building projects.

For the year, building activity rose 9 percent to $998.4 billion, the strongest increase since a 10.4 percent jump in 1996.

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