Roadbuilding Industry Could See Major Changes In 2026

We are heading into the soon-to-be offseason for many in the industry, and when things kick back up again in the spring, it's going to be a different place. There have been lots of signs during the second half of 2025 that the economy is weakening, and, according to some economists, those indicators which have been lagging are going to likely catch up with us. 

Now, I will be the first person to celebrate me being wrong if, in fact, I turn out to be wrong here. That would be great news! But there have been some other troubling things this year that could also start to make a noticeable difference in 2026 for those in the asphalt business. But there's some good news! 

While the IIJA expires next September, there's a good chance that a new infrastructure bill can be passed before that happens. The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee have already been at work on the language and priorities of the bill since session began earlier this year. 

All that being said, I've talked to a lot of firms that are playing things safe for the time being, and I imagine that might continue to be the case until the new funding is set in stone by congress. 

In the November 2025 Issue of Asphalt Contractor Magazine

Every year we publish two industry spec guides. The first is our Roller Spec Guide, which we published in September, and for November we have the annual Paver Spec Guide. This has all the information from all the mo st trusted names and brands in the paving manufacturing industry. 

Plus, we have a piece a on how one contractor added one piece of machinery to their lineup that completely changed the game for this business: a crusher. We talked to them about the additional income and money-making opportunities that came with it.

We also have an interesting interview with Dormie Weber who works for the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), but she actually once worked here as an editor at Asphalt Contractor magazine--covering and writing about the industry. After here, she took a position at Dynapac North America and eventually landed at AEM. 

To round it out, we are covering how a 100% RAP based slurry seal might just transform the way that you look at road surface preservation. All this and there's a whole lot more, as we get near the closeout of the year. See you on the road!