ARTBA Economist Explores How Federal Funding Shapes Asphalt Market
As NAPA intensifies advocacy efforts for the next long-term surface transportation bill, the association is working with partners to examine how the current law has affected the asphalt pavement industry.
At NAPA’s Midyear Meeting in Columbus, Ohio, Alison Premo Black, Senior Vice President and Chief Economist at the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA), led members in an in-depth discussion on the implementation and impact of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Acts (IIJA) nearly five years after its enactment.
“We’re incredibly thankful to Alison for joining us in Columbus for such a worthwhile conversation,” said Nile Elam, NAPA Vice President of Government Affairs. “Her presentation was insightful, thought-provoking, and gave our members valuable context as Congress works toward the next surface transportation authorization. We’re grateful for ARTBA’s continued partnership.”
Drawing on the latest federal funding data, state policy developments, and construction trends, Black walked attendees through how federal transportation dollars move from Washington into transportation projects—and ultimately into the asphalt pavement market. Her analysis also highlighted several key trends shaping the industry’s outlook, including the significant IIJA funding still moving through the project pipeline, the types of roadway improvements driving recent federal spending, and states’ continued efforts to supplement federal dollars with transportation investments of their own.
“The highway and bridge construction market in 2026 continues to be stable at record levels of market activity, driven in part by the federal-aid highway program,” Black said.
The session is the latest example of NAPA’s longstanding partnership with ARTBA to provide members with timely economic analysis and transportation policy insights. NAPA members also have access to ARTBA’s national and state-by-state funding analyses.
As Congress considers the next highway bill, Black’s analysis offered members valuable perspective on both the successes of the IIJA and the opportunities that remain for the next authorization.
