Q1 Momentum and the Road Ahead

As we close the first quarter of the year, the calendar seems to accelerate. Spring is here, Easter is around the corner, and many are preparing for well-earned Spring Break vacations with family and friends. It’s a natural moment to pause, reflect, and take stock of both the progress we’ve made and the challenges that lie ahead.

In Washington, the pace has been anything but predictable. Congress departed for a two-week recess without fully funding the Department of Homeland Security, an issue that will linger and likely intensify over the next seven months as election season gains momentum. These unresolved funding questions add another layer of complexity to an already challenging legislative environment.

We also saw a significant announcement this week: the retirement of House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves at the end of this Congress. Chairman Graves, an avid pilot and a steadfast advocate for infrastructure investment, has been a strong partner to our industry. His leadership and commitment will be missed, even as we look ahead to the next chapter for the Committee.

Despite this transition, expectations remain that an infrastructure bill will move through Committee this spring, with a full court press toward enactment. That said, the path forward will not be easy. There is growing speculation that a lame duck session (after Election Day) may present the best opportunity to get legislation across the finish line. As always, much will depend on the balance of power and Congressional margins following the election.

This is precisely why our industry’s voice in Washington matters now more than ever. With the expiration of the IIJA approaching in September, continued engagement is critical. We need contractors on the ground in Washington, D.C., participating in the TCC Fly-In and making the case directly to policymakers for sustained and increased investment in infrastructure. Register by clicking here.

Back at home, Q1 has been a testament to the strength and reach of ACPA’s team. Over the past three months, our staff has participated in more than a dozen workshops and delivered over 20 presentations covering jointing, overlays, concrete preservation, and design. In that same timeframe, the technical team responded to more than 60 requests from contractors, state directors, agencies, cement representatives, and industry partners. This level of engagement underscores what we already know, ACPA remains a trusted, go-to resource for expertise across the concrete pavement community.

We also proudly hosted the second annual Emerging Leaders Group workshop this quarter in Pennsylvania. Hosted by the ACPA Foundation in partnership with ACPA/PA, the event was sold out and brought together rising leaders from both public agencies and private industry. The program combined professional development with technical education, reinforcing our commitment to cultivating the next generation of leaders while advancing quality and craftsmanship across the industry.

As we look ahead to Q2, the themes are clear: advocacy, engagement, and momentum. The work we do on Capitol Hill, in the field, and within our own organizations continues to shape the future of infrastructure in this country.

Enjoy the spring season, take time to recharge, and get ready for what promises to be a consequential and fast-moving next quarter. Registration for ACPA’s Mid-Year Meeting is open!

Cheers and Happy Easter!

Save the Date – Upcoming ACPA National Events and Chapter/State Association Workshops:

Stay up to date on upcoming industry events with ACPA’s Calendar of Events. To submit your event details, please contact Vickie Spielman at vspielman@acpa.org.

April 22, 2026                   California Concrete Pavement Conference, Davis, CA
May 12-13, 2026               TCC Fly In, Washington, DC
June 2-4, 2026                  ACPA Mid-Year Meeting, Traverse City, MI