MAPA Enews – December 2025
2025 MN Asphalt Conference Wrap Up
Many thanks to all for a great annual meeting!
Congrats to all the award winners, thanks to our sponsors and exhibitors, our session presenters, Women of Asphalt, and MnDOT partners for your support.
View the Conference Presentations View the Conference Photo Album
Save the Date for next year, November 30 - December 1, 2026 at Mystic Lake Conference Center in Prior Lake.
Happy Holidays!
Meet MAPA’s New Technical/Associate Director, Kate Heine
We're excited to share that Katherine Heine will be joining MAPA in January as our new Technical/Associate Director!
Kate brings hands-on experience managing environmental and technical requirements across multiple asphalt plants and quarries, with a strong grounding in real-world compliance, permitting, and day-to-day operations. She understands how regulations play out on the ground, which is exactly the perspective our members value.
We’re excited to have Kate on board as we continue expanding MAPA’s technical capacity and member support.
Connect with Kate on LinkedIn.
Upcoming Events
Flagger Train-the-Trainer
MnDOT and MAPA will be offering a Flagger Train-the-Trainer 4-hour course on various dates in 2026.
This course is used to qualify contractor's personnel to train employees to act as flaggers on MnDOT construction projects. Attendees will meet MnDOT's flagger training requirements contained in the traffic control special provisions. The course includes a review of Field Manual flagger requirements and related layouts, a discussion of safe practices, flagger attire, and flagger responsibilities.
- January 30 – Full, waitlist available: Register Today
- February 13 – Register Today
- February 27 – Register Today
- March 6 – Register Today
MN Materials Symposium: Toward Net Zero
Save the Date: Tuesday, February 3, 2026 | 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Minneapolis Marriott West
Join MAPA, ARM, CPAM, AGC, and MnDOT for the Minnesota Materials Symposium - Toward Net Zero
We’re building on last year’s conversations with a focus on:
- Environmental Standards Procurement Task Force (ESTPF) updates
- EPD data collection and storage
- How EPDs are being used in procurement
The format of the event will be:
- General session presentations in the morning
- Material specific discussion in the afternoon
Registration will open the first week of January.
MAPA/DIGIN Midwest (formerly MUCA): Dig, Pave & Drive to the Top(Golf)
March 12, 2026 | Topgolf, Woodbury
Registration Open!
Swing into spring and celebrate the industry by attending a fun afternoon of golf at Topgolf at the new Woodbury location. This event is hosted by MAPA in partnership with DIGIN Midwest. Benefits include networking with professionals from across industries, and of course an exciting three hours of golf!
Individual Registration Sponsorship Opportunities
Embracing Our Community
You may have heard about a tragic loss affecting Justin Engelman’s (McCrossan) family. Last weekend, Justin’s in-laws were involved in a fatal car accident while driving to church with their three children. Both parents were killed in the accident.
All three children survived. Two have been discharged from the hospital with broken bones, and the third, who has complex medical needs, remains hospitalized but is expected to survive.
Justin and his extended family are now working to care for and support and house the children in a wheelchair accessible home, which brings significant financial challenges. A GoFundMe has been established to help support the children and their family during this difficult time. Our thoughts are with the Engelman family, and any support is deeply appreciated.
CDL Compliance Issues Could Put Federal Highway Dollars at Risk
MAPA joined industry partners in a December 5 letter to Governor Walz urging swift action to address federal compliance issues within Minnesota’s Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) program. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) recently raised concerns that Minnesota’s Driver and Vehicle Services is not fully meeting federal requirements for CDL issuance, testing, and oversight. If left unresolved, these deficiencies could put Minnesota’s CDL program certification—and federal highway funding—at risk. The coalition emphasized the importance of quickly restoring full compliance to protect transportation funding, ensure a qualified commercial driver workforce, and avoid disruptions to Minnesota’s economy and supply chain.
The letter can be found here.
Astec Enters Agreement to Acquire CWMF
How will this newly revealed partnership between the plant manufacturers impact the road building and infrastructure marketplace?
Brandon Noel
Dec 5, 2025
Astec Industries Inc.
The two manufacturers of asphalt plant equipment announced their plans to join forces over social media on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025, with Astec Inc. president and CEO Jaco van der Merwe said on a LinkedIn post:
"Our Infrastructure Solutions (IS) segment is built on a commitment: to deliver innovative, reliable equipment that helps our customers build the roads and structures that connect communities. Today, that commitment grows stronger."
This coincided with another LinkedIn post from the official account for CWMF commenting on the announcement:
"Since 1988, we’ve helped asphalt producers design, build, and optimize plants for peak performance. Now, we’re taking that commitment even further by joining forces with Astec under a definitive agreement. Together, we’ll keep driving innovation, delivering solutions, and supporting customers with the same trusted expertise you’ve come to expect."
According to Tracxn, Over the last five years (2019–2024), Astec Inc. averaged 0.6 acquisitions per year, with one acquisition completed already in April 2025 for TerraSource in a deal reported at $245 million.
From a press release put out by Astec, CWMF is a manufacturer of portable and stationary asphalt plant equipment and parts with annual revenues of approximately $50 million. The distribution of CWMF products is primarily concentrated in the Midwest, South-Central and Great Lakes regions of the United States.
Brian Harris, CFO Astec Inc., added, “We anticipate closing on the CWMF acquisition in the first quarter of 2026. We expect the transaction to be accretive from day one and project our consolidated net leverage ratio to remain within our previously disclosed range of 1.5 to 2.5x net debt/adjusted EBITDA.”
As the deal is expected to close sometime during the first quarter of 2026, it is the presumption of this editor that they intend to finalize the deal before the massive CONEXPO/CON-AGG construction equipment trade show in March.
How this move will impact the industry for asphalt producers remains to be seen, but the number of companies that produce the highly specialized equipment needed to produce and store hot mix asphalt has been shrinking over the last few years. For example, the FAYAT Group purchased North American plant manufacturer Asphalt Drum Mixers.
State Aid Manual Update – Here’s What to Know
By: Jerilyn Swenson, State Aid Bridge Program Engineer
The State Aid Manual will be undergoing a comprehensive update over the next year. It was last revised in 2015, and the manual is due for a refresh to better reflect current practices, policies, and evolving user needs.
One of our first steps is to gather user input. Your feedback will help us identify missing information, clarify existing content, and tailor the manual to better support your work. We want the updated manual to be a tool that works for you. Whether you're a seasoned user or new to the manual, your perspective is valuable.
How you can help
Complete a short survey by December 31, 2025. Tell us what works, what doesn’t, and what you’d like to see improved.
Prefer to mark up the manual directly? You can redline current pages and email scanned PDFs. Please email scanned pages to Jerilyn Swenson at jerilyn.swenson@state.mn.us and Alyssa Rubenstrunk at alyssa.rubenstrunk@state.mn.us.
What’s next?
After gathering feedback, we’ll begin drafting updates and will share our progress throughout 2026, with the goal of releasing the updated manual in early 2027.
Questions or comments?
Feel free to reach out to Jerilyn Swenson at jerilyn.swenson@state.mn.us or Alyssa Rubenstrunk at alyssa.rubenstrunk@state.mn.us.
Thank you for helping us improve the State Aid Manual!
2026 MTC&E ISIC Track – Digital As-Built (DAB) and Workflow of Pavement Construction
ISIC will sponsor and conduct a one-day ISIC Track – Digital As-Built (DAB) and Workflow of Pavement Construction during the 2026 MTC&E conference (Minnesota Transportation Conference and Expo) on March 18, 2026, in Minneapolis, MN, USA.
Registration info can be found here.
Objective
- Gain a comprehensive understanding of Digital As-Built (DAB) technologies and their application in pavement construction workflows.
- Explore how DAB enhances quality control and assurance in construction projects.
- Discover how DAB workflows and software technologies support updates to asset and pavement management systems.
- Engage with perspectives from agencies, industry leaders, and contractors.
Agenda
Key Contacts
- Laurie Ryan, MnDOT, +1 (651) 245-8368, laurie.ryan@state.mn.us
- Rebecca Embacher, MnDOT, +1 (651) 373-5222, rebecca.embacher@state.mn.us
- George Chang, Transtec Group, A Terracon Company, +1 (512) 913-1847, GKChang@TheTranstecGroup.com
MNDOT Publishes 11th Edition of the Minnesota MUTCD
MnDOT published the 11th Edition of the Minnesota Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MN MUTCD) in October 2025, and will officially adopt the new edition on Jan. 18, 2026. The 11th edition fully replaces the 2011 edition and incorporates significant updates from the National MUTCD, published by FHWA in December 2023.
More than 40 transportation professionals from MnDOT, local agencies and consulting firms collaborated to review the national manual and, when possible, tailor it for Minnesota. Their work ensures the Minnesota version aligns with the national MUTCD while addressing the state’s specific needs.
The MN MUTCD establishes uniform standards for the design, placement and use of traffic control devices—including signs, signals, and pavement markings—on all roads, bikeways and pedestrian facilities in Minnesota. It supports a consistent and predictable experience for all road and active transportation users and fulfills the requirement in Minnesota Statute 169.06 for a statewide uniform system of traffic control devices.
To support national consistency, the MN MUTCD must be in substantial conformance with the National MUTCD, as required by 23 CFR 655.603 and determined by the FHWA Minnesota Division Office. The Minnesota MUTCD must include national Standard and Guidance statements, with limited exceptions.
Key updates in the 11th Edition
- Revised layout and organization of the Manual to improve usability and navigation for practitioners
- New provisions on roundabout signing, speed feedback signs, memorial signs and crosswalk markings
- Inclusion of Interim Approved Devices such as Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs), Two-Stage Bicycle Turn Boxes, Intersection Bicycle Boxes and colored pavement treatments
- Support for emerging technologies, including infrastructure for automated and connected vehicles
- Expanded temporary traffic control guidance to improve work zone safety and clarity
- Updated pedestrian and bicycle facility provisions, with clearer marking and signing standards
What’s Next?
Starting Jan. 18, 2026, all new or reconstructed traffic control devices must comply with the 11th Edition, unless otherwise noted. MnDOT will also begin updating related documents, including the Traffic Engineering Manual (TEM) and other standards and guidance materials. If you maintain manuals or resources that reference the MN MUTCD, now is the time to review and update them.
For questions or more information, contact Tiffany Kautz.