New construction in Austin this year has already exceeded 2008’s total, according to the community development department.

Including projects scheduled for August, the city has seen roughly $42 million in new construction, additions and remodels in 2009. Last year, the city saw roughly $26 million.

A majority of the construction has been in the private sector, though community development director Craig Hoium said the publicly-funded jail and justice center project accounted for $20 million of the total.

On the list for August are the proposed 61-bed hotel near the Austin Auto Truck Plaza/Watts Cookin’ and a Hormel Industrial Building expansion — projects valued at nearly $4 million combined.

Hoium said the department has been very busy, and the increased construction means a bump to employment and the city’s tax base.