Category: Top Story
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A Technician’s Role in Ensuring Asphalt Quality and Pavement Performance
In an industry where precision determines pavement performance, few roles carry more day-to-day responsibility than field quality control. It’s the kind of work that demands technical confidence, physical stamina and the ability to make confident decisions in unpredictable conditions. That challenge is exactly what drives Quality Control Inspector Tracy Richard. Richard specializes in the real-world…
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2026 Construction Industry Outlook: Flat Spending, Rising Costs and a Shift Toward Smarter, Longer-Lasting Infrastructure
The construction industry is heading into 2026 with a mix of stubborn challenges and new opportunities. ForConstructionPros.com has received reports from multiple companies pointing to an industry that will confront tight labor conditions, rising material costs and uneven regional demand, even as investment grows in smarter systems, digital tools and long-term resilience. Despite ongoing economic…
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The Fundamentals of Compaction – and the Compactor’s ‘Roll’ in It
Often, one of the last and most critical steps in building roads is when compactors roll down that last mile. Accurate compaction can be overlooked in the rush to finish that last pass before the holidays, but it will be noticed by construction crews and commuters in upcoming seasons. “Compaction isn’t just a final step,…
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What’s Happening at The ARA Show 2026
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Each year, the equipment, general tool, and event segments of the rental industry gather under one roof for one reason: to attend the annual American Rental Association (ARA) Show. With meetings, education, speeches, a grand tradeshow floor, and more, this year’s event promises to be “universally” exciting and transformative for everyone. The ARA Show 2026…
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How California’s Refinery Closures Hit Asphalt Contractors
California is on track to lose another major refinery just months after Phillips 66 fully shuttered its Los Angeles-area operations at the end of 2025. Valero’s Benicia plant is now set to end refining by April 2026. Together those two closures wipe out roughly 309,000 barrels per day of capacity, about 18% of the state’s…
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Beyond the Surface: How Decorative Concrete Is Redefining Design in 2026
Decorative concrete has come a long way. What was once viewed as just a decorative overlay or backyard patio upgrade is now a key player in modern construction. Today, it’s not only about adding visual interest — it’s about combining aesthetics, performance and sustainability in one versatile material that’s showing up everywhere from retail interiors…
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Equipment Rental 2025 Overview | For Construction Pros
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As reported in the latest from the American Rental Association (ARA), the equipment rental industry is expected to grow, just not as much as originally anticipated. That growth, though, is still in the billions of dollars. To understand the year and how this projection came about, we need to step back and see the bigger…
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Concrete Homes and WUI Codes: Building Beyond the Flame
The doors could soon close on new construction of wood-framed homes. At least that is what many regulators are pushing to make happen. After decades of wood-framed houses being pummeled by wildfires, windstorms, and earthquakes, there is now increasing pressure on builders to invest in more robust residential construction methods. The changes are forcing builders…
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From Apprenticeships to Automation: Inside Construction’s New Tech-Driven Workforce
Twenty-five years ago, the construction industry was completing takeoffs on paper, filing cabinets filled job trailers, and cell phones were just being introduced. Today, jobsites are run from tablets, equipment operators navigate using GPS, and AI identifies issues in massive point clouds in minutes rather than hours. The transformation isn’t just changing how construction gets…
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Decarbonizing Concrete: What the Contractor Can Do
In November 2025, CarbonCure Technologies was able to achieve a notable milestone for the concrete construction industry. More than 83.6 million cubic yards (or 10 million truckloads) of the CarbonCure product have been produced to date throughout its producer network. According to the company, that’s the equivalent of enough concrete to build all 30 NFL…