Highway Bill Will Have Cement Consumption on Rise

Words: Dan KamysWith the passage of a five-year federal transportation bill, cement manufacturers will see a rise in consumption according to the Portland Cement Association (PCA). The Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act will provide more than $305 billion to maintain and improve the nation’s roads and bridges. Cement consumptions largest impact will focus on authorizations from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). “FAST represents an average addition of 835 thousand metric tons annually to the cement industry,” said Edward J. Sullivan, chief economist and group vice-president at PCA. “Smaller increases occur in the near term (370 thousand tons for 2016) and larger net increases occur in the out years of the forecast horizon (1.4 million tons for 2020).” FAST is seen largely as an improvement over the previous MAP-21. While funding levels are modestly higher, it also represents a multi-year commitment that allows states to engage in mutli-year projects. More information on PCA is available at www.cement.org.
Designed for the Way Contractors Work Today
September 2026

Every piece of equipment tells a story about the challenges contractors face. For more than 30 years, the EZG Manufacturing team has listened to those stories—through customer relationships, job site visits, dealer feedback, a

Chemicals In Masonry
September 2026

Mason contractors must deal with chemicals on the job site. One of the main ones comes in the form of dust. Another is acid. From high-rise commercial structures to residential facades, masonry work involves handling raw materials that require careful man

Brick Staining Dos and Don'ts: Managing Modern and Historic Masonry Construction
September 2026

Every mason contractor has encountered it, or will. A replacement brick arrives from a different production run. A cast stone repair patch or perhaps a darker panel stands out against the surrounding installation. Mortar color varies unexpectedly. A clea

Gables Republic Square & Hotel ZaZa
September 2026

Gables Republic Square / Hotel ZaZa is a 24-story mixed-use boutique hotel and urban residential tower with street-level retail located on a 0.75-acre site in downtown Austin. Camarata Masonry Systems, Ltd. (CMS) was responsible for the supply and instal