THE COMMERCIAL construction industry remains at a healthy level of activity but has begun a definite shift toward a slowdown, Ottawa industry players say.

The unusual excess construction activity experienced in Ottawa over the past four years is simmering down to a steady, quieter state.

One explanation is the high-tech industry. Companies such as Nortel Networks and JDS Uniphase have helped transform the construction industry from erecting new buildings at a rapid pace to retrofitting existing facilities to accommodate downsized staffing levels.

In addition, the abundance of real estate available in Kanata leaves the commercial construction industry with no demand for new buildings.

With few major projects on the go in the private sector, the public sector will once again be the bread and butter of construction firms, industry insiders say.

Rising development charges and prices for materials and gas are other concerns for an industry where projects can easily get cancelled if the total cost creeps higher than the original estimate.

One good thing about less activity in Ottawa is that construction companies from out of town that came to the capital for the construction boom will pack their bags and go home, says one industry source, leaving the remainder of work to local companies.

In the midst of the busy summer construction season, the Ottawa Business Journal has compiled the following snapshot of the main players in Ottawa's commercial construction industry. The companies are listed according to the number of salaried employees.

Pick up the July 19 copy of the Ottawa Business Journal to view the list of the top 10 construction companies in the city.