washington june 1 reuters  us construction spending surged in april boosted by investment in nonresidential structures but higher mortgage rates continued to depress singlefamily homebuilding the commerce department said on thursday that construction spending jumped 12 after rising 03 in march economists polled by reuters had forecast construction spending climbing 02 construction spending shot up 72 on a yearonyear basis in april spending on private construction projects increased 13 outlays on private nonresidential structures like gas and oil well drilling soared 24 investment in residential construction rose 05 a 08 drop in spending on singlefamily housing projects was offset by a 06 rise in outlays on multifamily housing projects spending on public construction projects jumped 11