MAPA Enews - April 2026

We love spring in Minnesota—it means winter is finally over.

And for our industry, it means asphalt plants are firing up and paving season is underway.. Lawns green up, trees start to bud, and across Minnesota, asphalt plants are firing back to life. It’s the signal we’ve all been waiting for: paving season is here.

For our crews, that means early mornings, tight timelines, and a renewed focus on quality work that lasts. For our partners in cities, counties, and MnDOT, it means projects moving from planning to pavement.

After a long winter, there’s nothing better than seeing fresh mix on the road and progress happening in real time. Here’s to a safe, productive season ahead.

MnDOT Letting Volume Raises Industry Concerns

MnDOT’s March letting included a higher-than-usual number of projects in a single day, prompting concerns from contractors and legislators about the strain this places on bid preparation—especially for subcontractors managing multiple bids at once.

MnDOT acknowledged the issue and noted that several projects were pushed into the March letting due to delays, resulting in a larger-than-typical package. While the agency aims to balance lettings across the year, this situation has sparked a broader conversation about how projects are distributed.

Looking ahead, MnDOT is evaluating adjustments to upcoming lettings and is seeking industry input on key questions, including optimal letting size, frequency, and geographic balance.

MAPA will be engaged in these discussions to ensure contractor perspectives are part of any changes moving forward.

Paving in Saint Paul? You’ll Need MAPA’s Asphalt 101! 

Did you know? The City of Saint Paul now requires completion of MAPA’s Online Quality Paving Certificate Program (Asphalt 101) for contractors performing paving work in the public right-of-way. The requirement is tied to the City’s bituminous (asphalt) contractor licensing and approval process, which applies to work like driveways, aprons, curbs, boulevards, and other public surfaces.

Saint Paul’s goal is straightforward: improve consistency and quality in paving by making sure crews have a solid foundation in asphalt fundamentals, compaction, and jobsite practices. It’s a practical step that helps reduce variability and avoid common issues we all see in the field.

You don’t have to be working in Saint Paul to take advantage of the training. Asphalt 101 is free to MAPA members and is a simple way to strengthen your crew heading into the paving season.

Learn more about the City’s requirements here: Bituminous (Asphalt) License – City of Saint Paul
Register for the MAPA program here: MAPA Quality Paving Certificate Program

Upcoming Events

INDUSTRY BIT COMMITTEE: 

This meeting brings together industry-only professionals for a pre-meeting opportunity before the larger collaboration with MnDOT, AGC, and MAPA members. Discussions will cover topics affecting bituminous construction in Minnesota including: backup camera spec updates, quality assurance provisions, truck rental rates,  EPD updates, work zone safety, and other emerging technical topics. 

Event Details:

Thursday, May 7, 2026

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM (CDT)

Virtual 

All MAPA and AGC members welcome!

Reach out to Kate Heine (kate.heine@mnapa.org) for the calendar invite.

JOINT BIT COMMITTEE: MnDOT, AGC, MAPA

The MnDOT, AGC, and MAPA Bituminous Committee is a collaborative technical forum to discuss and advance asphalt pavement quality, construction practices, and specifications on Minnesota roadways. The group meets to share updates, address industry concerns, and develop action items that improve outcomes for both the agency and the contracting industry.

Event Details:

Tuesday, May 12, 2026

9:00 AM - 11:00 AM (CDT)

Associated General Contractors Training Room

525 Park Street
110
Saint Paul, MN 55103-2111

All MAPA and AGC members welcome!

Reach out to Laura Ziegler (lziegler@agcmn.org) for the calendar invite.

Support or Join the Women of Asphalt MN/Dak as we join #TogetherToFightSuicide

MnDAK Women of Asphalt Branch have joined a nationwide community of people from the Construction industry in support of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's mission to save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide.  The Construction Hike for Hope is an event meant to engage the construction industry on the importance of mental health and suicide prevention.

Sunday, May 3rd 1:00 -3:00 PM

Legends Crossings at Vikings Lakes, Eagan, MN

Join or Support our Team! 

Joan Donovan Memorial 9-Hole Golf Tournament

The Women of Asphalt Annual Joan Donovan Memorial Golf Outing is a fun day on the course bringing together women from across the asphalt industry for networking, camaraderie, and a round of golf. Held each summer at Bunker Hills Golf Course in the Minneapolis area, the event honors the memory of Joan Donovan while celebrating the women making an impact in the industry and providing a great opportunity to connect with colleagues and enjoy a day away from the job site.

Event Details:

Tuesday, June 30, 2026

9:00 AM - 4:00 PM (CDT)

Bunker Hills Golf Course

12800 Bunker Prairie Road Northwest

Minneapolis, MN 55448-1412

Please contact Sara Nowacki (sara.nowacki@martinmarietta.com) with any questions.

MAPA Golf Tournament

We are ready FORE summer and a great golf event! Mark your calendar for July 28th and get your foursome together as you won’t want to miss this year. We'll once again be at The Meadows at Mystic Lake!

This will be a great networking opportunity for all participants. We are hoping for another great turnout and beautiful July weather. Proceeds will go to the MAPA Scholarships and Industry Initiatives. 

Event Details:

Tuesday, July 28, 2026

9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (CDT)

The Meadows at Mystic Lake

2400 Mystic Lake Boulevard

Prior Lake, MN 55372

Note: Members and non-members are welcome to attend.

Federal Highway Update: What's on the Line 

From: NAPA

The Surface Transportation Reauthorization Act — the successor to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act — is expected to drop the week of April 27. Chairman Graves's retirement announcement isn't slowing things down; by all accounts, he's motivated to finish strong before year-end. The bill is shaping up to focus on formula funding for roads and bridges, with fewer discretionary programs.

Watch the amendments. With 150+ amendments expected during markup, two threats stand out:

• The BASICS Act (Bridges And Safety Infrastructure for Community Success Act) is a separate bill that's unlikely to make it into the base text — but it's a high-risk amendment during markup. It would shift the state-local funding split from 85/15 to 75/25 without growing the overall pot. The result? More federal red tape, slower project delivery, and fewer dollars actually hitting the pavement. NAPA has joined AASHTO, AGC, and ARPA in opposition.
  
  

• Buy America provisions are creating supply chain risk on two fronts: a proposed domestic yellow pigment mandate (one supplier, 6% of national demand) and an effort to strip the cementitious materials exemption — a move that could unravel protections across the entire construction materials supply chain.
  
  

NAPA is coordinating with SAPAs to amplify advocacy ahead of markup. Now is the time to engage — if you have relationships on the Hill, use them. NAPA's government affairs team is also scheduling plant tours with members of Congress; contact them to get one on the books in your area.

Women of Asphalt / Astec Leadership Summit

Do you know someone who should attend the WofA x Astec Leadership Summit? This is a two-day seminar designed to inspire, educate, and empower women across the asphalt industry.

Hosted at Astec Headquarters in Chattanooga, TN on May 19 - 20, 2026, this summit brings together industry leaders, innovators, and rising professionals for an immersive experience focused on leadership, technical knowledge, networking, and professional growth.

Participants will enjoy keynote presentations, interactive sessions, facility tours, and meaningful conversations that highlight both the legacy and the future of asphalt innovation. This event is designed to equip attendees with practical leadership tools and connect them with a strong network of peers and mentors.

Registration

• Limited spots available!

• $150 per person

• Open to all individuals in the asphalt industry

• Participants are responsible for travel expenses

Note: Everyone is welcome! Whether male or female, this event is designed around educating and empowering individuals in the asphalt industry.

More info and registration can be found here: https://www.womenofasphalt.org/events/wofa-x-astec-leadership-summit

From The MN Transportation Alliance 

Proposed Tab Fee Cut Heard in House

The House Transportation Committee heard HF3562, legislation that would reduce the motor vehicle registration tax rate and change the depreciation schedule back to the pre-2023 schedule. As introduced, the bill would reduce funding into the Highway User Tax Distribution Fund in FY27 by $159.237M and for FY28-29 by $732.086M for a total of $891M over the next three years.

That translates into a cut of $524,989,247 to the Trunk Highway Fund, $245,559,486 to the CSAH fund, $76,208,116 to the MSAS fund and $44,566,150 to the Town Road and Bridge and Flexible Highway Accounts.

The Transportation Alliance and numerous other stakeholders expressed our opposition to this proposal. An amendment offered by the author would restore the funding cuts with a transfer of dollars from the general fund. With the state facing an ongoing structural imbalance and so many competing needs, relying on the general fund for over $380M every year seems extremely risky.

The bill did not advance to the Ways and Means Committee on a 7-7 tie vote.

MnDOT announces 2026 state construction projects

More than 200 projects will help improve and maintain Minnesota’s roads, bridges and other transportation infrastructure.

PAUL, Minn. - The Minnesota Department of Transportation’s 2026 road construction season includes more than 200 projects that will help improve and maintain Minnesota’s roads, bridges and other transportation infrastructure; improve safety and mobility; and support jobs throughout the state, MnDOT announced today. Travelers across Minnesota should be prepared to slow down as road construction projects scale up across the state.

The 2026 construction season includes just over 200 planned projects that will improve state roads, bridges and other transportation infrastructure, plus 51 projects that will improve airports, water ports, railroad crossings and transit.

Get more details on MnDOT's web site: https://www.dot.state.mn.us/construction/index.html 

MN Dept of Labor and Industry (MDLI)

Submit your annual construction prevailing-wage survey online by June 5

Prevailing-wage annual survey

The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) is surveying wage rates paid to employees on commercial, residential and highway and heavy type construction projects in the state to determine prevailing-wage rates. Wage data should not include owners, supervisors, helpers or apprentices.

Qualifying private or public projects worked on during the past 12 months may be submitted. Reports are due by the close of business Friday, June 5, 2026.

How you can participate

The survey can be completed online or by mail. The prevailing-wage online survey portal is open year-round to enter projects for the 2026 survey period. A personal identification number (PIN) and key are required to access the portal. To request a PIN and key or a paper survey, email pwsurvey.dli@state.mn.us. Paper surveys are sent by U.S. mail.

Helpful tips

• Report only work performed between April 7, 2025, and June 4, 2026.

• Do not report owners, supervisors, helpers or apprentices.

• Workers may be reported more than once, but only once for each project.

• Workers must have worked at least eight hours on the project.

• Submit a separate form for each project.

• Commercial and residential projects must include a complete street address.

• Highway and heavy projects must include the nearest street address or intersection.

• Highway and heavy projects must have a total cost of $25,000 or more.

• Commercial or residential projects must have a total cost of $2,500 or more.

  • Commercial construction includes buildings and multifamily  complexes and structures of three units or more.

  • Residential construction applies to single-family and two-family homes only.

• Review classification titles under Minnesota Rule 5200.1100.

  • Use classification codes 302 through 397 for equipment operators working on highway and heavy projects.

  • Use classification codes 501 through 550 for equipment operators working on commercial or residential projects.

  • Use classification codes 701 through 730 for special craft work.

More information

For questions and more information, contact DLI at
651-284-5192 or pwsurvey.dli@state.mn.us.

From the MN State Chamber

Making needed adjustments to the state’s new Paid Family and Medical Leave mandate is top of mind for the state’s business community. The Legislature must address operational challenges for both employers and employees to ensure that the program is functional, cost controlled and responsive to workplace dynamics. The potential for fraud must be closely monitored and eliminated as well.

That is why we just conducted a survey over the past two months focusing on the user experience so we could take that feedback directly to the Capitol.  

Nearly 700 business leaders, HR departments and employees from across the state took the time to share their line of sight into the PFML management experience. We have a statistically meaningful snapshot of business sentiment – on a qualitative and quantitative level - on the actual experience with paid leave:

• 78% of respondents have less than 100 employees, but even more significantly, 40% of respondents represent some of our smallest businesses with fewer than 10 employees. 

• 42% of the respondents have a filed claim. Nearly 2/3 of those with filed claims have multiple claims filed - over 22% in this subset of respondents have claims filed in the double digits. 

• On a claim type level, combination claims were reported to be the highest for our respondents at 38%.

• Employers are also surprised by the negative employee reactions to paid leave (namely the payroll tax and not having a say in voting for it) and many workers want to opt-out.

DEED small business grants for paid leave 

If you qualify as a “small employer” under the PFML program, you can apply for a grant to help cover costs when an employee has taken leave for expenses incurred after Jan 1, 2026. These grants help manage the cost of hiring temporary workers, increasing hours or wages or training staff while an employee is out on PFML. 

Grants offer up to $3,000 per leave, with a maximum of $6,000 per employer each calendar year. The program is funded at $5,000,000 annually, and once those funds are fully used, no additional grants will be awarded that calendar year.

To learn more and apply, click here.