Examining the state of the industry in 2025
Asphalt Contractor asked NAPA President & CEO Audrey Copeland and other stakeholders about the state of the asphalt pavement industry as the latest surface transportation law enters its final years.
The magazine, a subsidiary of For Construction Pros, annually issues its wholesale review of the industry citing opinions and analysis from industry experts. This year, Copeland was joined by American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) Senior Vice President Alison Black and Zachary Fritz with Sage Policy Group.
With the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act (IIJA) due to expire in September 2026, leaders are sharing how inflation limited the impact of the landmark law, which was signed in 2021, and preparing for the next highway bill.
“The success of IIJA was in setting a new standard for highway funding. At the time, we celebrated its historic nature, while cautioning that such funding levels must become the rule rather than the exception,” Copeland said. “The hurdle we face in the 119th Congress is working with many lawmakers who’ve never been involved in creating a highway bill. We must help them see IIJA as the baseline rather than a one-off.”
