CSBJ Daily

With the total number of highway and bridge construction workers nationwide down 2.4 percent during May compared to a year ago, industry officials expect project activity and employment in related fields to show similar decreases.

The American Road & Transpiration Builders Association reported this month that 357,400 workers were employed in highway and bridge work during May – 5,300 fewer last year.

ARTBA Economist and Vice President of Policy Alison Premo Black said transportation construction industry employment continues to reflect larger market trends, “especially the impact of higher material prices.”

Contractors have seen the cost for a liquid ton of asphalt used in road building increase by 40 percent to 60 percent in a few months’ time. The material used to make asphalt is petroleum-based, and as the market for crude oil used for fuel has soared, less valuable oil derivatives used in asphalt production has declined.

That trend has already had an impact on the Colorado Department of Transportation, which last week announced delays and scaled back road improvement projects for the remainder of 2008.