RALEIGH, N.C. — The price of cement and steel is on the rise after demand has shortened supplies. Officials say that is bad news for the construction on Triangle roads.

Contractor Scott Cutler said the steel price hike has pushed his costs up $1 million on the Interstate 540 project.

"We're being advised that we may be put on some sort of ration in the next few weeks for concrete, so we may not have all the concrete that we ask for," he said.

Builders must absorb the cost increases. The state Department of Transportation said for now it will not cut back on road construction, but engineers said they are uncertain about the future.