AASHTO reported in April that state departments of transportation have charted their plans for construction this year. State agencies will be targeting worn pavement, aging bridges, highway safety and expanded transit. In March, ARTBA released numbers on the value of transportation projects expected to break ground this spring.
At $10.1 billion, that’s down some from the $11.7 billion value a year ago and first quarter award activity was down as well.
“The monthly value of awards can be volatile in the first quarter as state and local governments in general put out less work,” according to ARTBA’s analysis.
“Totals can also vary depending on the mix of projects,” the association reported in adding that 25 states increased the value of project awards this March.
States with the highest value of awards last month included: California, Illinois, South Carolina, Texas and New York.
ARTBA noted that states with major monthly percentage gains included: District of Columbia, Delaware, Tennessee, Vermont and Maine.
Top markets last year were California at $15.7 billion, Texas at $15.5 billion, New York, $10.4 billion, Florida, $9 billion and Maryland, $8 billion.
How, Where States Apportioning Project Funds
Iowa DOT announced in April it was supporting nearly $980 million in improvements this fiscal year.
Across the state, crews will focus their efforts on projects that impact motorists and truckers for both local and statewide movement, the agency said.
“Iowa’s interstate and primary highways … are an essential part of our personal mobility and our state’s economy,” the agency said. “As we invest in these projects, we want to help Iowans safely navigate construction and work zones.”
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Frank Leong, district construction engineer, Iowa DOT, said the busy 2026 construction season could see more than 100 different projects during key construction months.
In 2025, the district completed some 80 projects in the season that stretched through every month of the year, said the District 1 construction engineer.
That included everything from covering drainage work to repairing pavement and pavement markings all the way to the electrical systems.
“And we also do about five bridge replacements a year in central Iowa with anywhere from 12 to 14 rehabilitation projects,” he added.
That involves anything from resurfacing to patching, “or just getting the crack sealed so that we don’t have moisture problems on the bridges,” said Leong.
Iowa DOT said the Iowa Transportation Improvement Program five-year plan forecasts an investment of $4.3 billion in state and federal funding. The monies will go to highway right of way and bridge construction throughout the state, according to the agency.
Michigan’s Gov. Gretchen Whittmer said “I’m sorry and you’re welcome” in warning drivers they’d see more orange cones this summer.
State leaders agreed on a funding deal that would boost spending on roads and bridges by at least $1 billion starting this year, reports mlive.com. That funding could be even higher in the years to come as revenue comes in from taxes on gas, marijuana and corporate profits, the news outlet said.
“Drivers, when you hit the road this spring and summer, we ask that you slow down and pay attention, there’s Michiganders at work here,” Whitmer said. “Construction season is officially open and we’re going to continue to fix the damn roads in Michigan.”
According to the governor’s office, Michigan DOT will repair approximately 2,000 lane mi. of state-owned road and nearly 100 bridges this season.
That brings totals to approximately 26,500 lane mi. and almost 2,000 bridges fixed over eight years. Those totals don’t include local roads.
Among the most significant MDOT projects on schedule this year are repairs on I-696 in Oakland County, I-96 and I-94 in Wayne County, reported mlive.com.
U.S. 127 in Ingham and Clinton counties, U.S. 31 in Grand Traverse County, M-46 in Muskegon County and I-69 in Genesee County also made the list.
Minnesota Public Radio revealed that more than 200 projects are planned statewide this year to improve and maintain transportation infrastructure.
In a May press conference, state safety officials highlighted big projects and warned drivers to be careful in construction zones.
Hoping this will be the last year of construction on Interstates 394 and 94 in Minneapolis, MPR.org said lanes will close in each direction
In addition to lane closures, some ramps and bridges also will be shut down, causing backups through November, said the news agency.
The John Ireland Boulevard Bridge over I-94 will be rebuilt. The hoped-for completion is before the October Twin Cities Marathon in October.
MPR.org said the Minnesota State Patrol reported people driving into wet cement or nearly hitting construction workers and asked drivers to take care.
“Sometimes the delays and detours can test our patience,” said Lt. Mike Lee. “But remember this: Impatient and risky driving behaviors are not tolerated.”
‘Taking Care of the System’ Is Goal for State DOTs
AASHTO noted that the Utah DOT will start work on 176 new construction projects this year with a total worth of $2.8 billion. Those projects are all in addition to the ongoing work on 57 current projects within the state.
New contracts include the $225 million SR-177 West Davis Highway extension project in Davis County.
A $43.2 million effort is planned to extend the S-Line streetcar line in Salt Lake City. And at $621 million, the 2100 North Highway construction effort in Utah County will launch this construction season.
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“Every project we start is about taking care of the system Utahns rely on every day,” said Lisa Wilson, Utah DOT deputy director.
The work is focused on making travel safer, more reliable and more accessible, she said.
“At the end of the day, our goal is simple: help people get where they’re going safely.”
The Wisconsin DOT has plans to work on more than 400 highway improvement projects during the 2026 construction season.
AASHTO said the list includes finishing up the I-41 rebuild in Milwaukee County and reconstruction of WIS 21 between Omro and Oshkosh. Reconstruction of the I-39/90/94 bridges over the Wisconsin River in Columbia County also is planned.
As teams ready for another construction season the safety of work crews, industry partners and the public are priority, said Kristina Boardman of the state DOT.
A “record-breaking” $3.4 billion construction season launches this spring in Ohio. It includes a total of 977 new projects, according to AASHTO.
For the 2026 season, 739 bridges and approximately 4,562 mi. of roadway are set for improvements, with 174 safety projects also set to begin.
“As a state that makes and moves things, we must have a safe transportation system that is well maintained,” said Gov. Mike DeWine.
It’s “a testament to [our] focus on building a more resilient transportation system and saving lives,” added Pam Boratyn, Ohio DOT’s director.
“This investment positions Ohio as the heart of the nation’s supply chain and continues to fuel the state’s economic engine.”
The Arizona DOT will continue or start work on a variety of highway improvement projects.
Jobs that have been in winter shutdown, including the $15.8 million I-17 wildlife crossing south of Flagstaff, are resuming, reported AASHTO.
Arizona DOT noted that crews finished most of the I-17 wildlife crossing bridge located 12 mi. south of Flagstaff. Work this spring will include installation of eight miles of new wildlife fencing along the highway, an effort that should wrap up by fall.
The state agency said it also plans to begin work on a $19.4 million State Route 64 Improvement Project north of I-40 in Williams. That contract will resurface 19 mi. of SR 64 between the I-40 interchange and Pipeline Road, add several new left turn lanes and improve turnouts.
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During a National Work Zone Awareness event in April, Missouri DOT Director Ed Hassinger predicted 1,000 work zones would be active this summer.
“I’d say four years ago, it might’ve been half of that,” Hassinger told television station KSHB.com.
The director said funding from a gas tax Missouri increased incrementally from 2021 to 2025 is helping pay for the projects.
According to KSHB, the department also is catching up on work delayed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Finally, the agency is in the midst of a years-long project to expand 200 mi. of I-70 from two to three lanes.
Some projects will be on pause in Kansas City, Mo., during World Cup matches to ease congestion. The DOT will resume projects once matches end.
Greg Bolon, district engineer of MoDOT, said the agency typically has between 100 to 110 projects going on in the Kansas City area.
“We will have about 14 of those projects that we’ll have limited construction basis on,” Bolon said, to “make sure we have all the lanes open we possibly can.”
Next door in Kansas, KDOT also is working to prevent traffic issues with construction around scheduled matches this summer, reported KCTV5.com.
Mike Rinehart, KDOT district engineer, said closures will not be scheduled on major highway routes during the World Cup, from early June to mid-July.
Currently, the K-5 and the 18th Street bridges in Wyandotte County, Kan., are closed and will remain so until necessary work is completed.
In Johnson County, work on the I-35/Gardner Road bridge will continue and the bridge is open to traffic until a new structure opens in late 2027, said KCTV5. CEG
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