Published Nationally
Western Edition
$3.00
® February 22 2026 Vol. XXVII • No. 4
“The Nation’s Best Read Construction Newspaper… Founded 1957.” 470 Maryland Drive • Ft. Washington, PA 19034 • 215-885-2900 • Toll Free 800-523-2200 • www.constructionequipmentguide.com
Inside
Next Phase of Texas SH 71 Project Advances The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) launched a new phase of its State Highway 71 East Corridor initiative on Oct. 26, 2025, when Jordan Foster Construction started work on the $58.5 million SH 71 at Tucker Hill Lane project. The project’s goal is to enhance mobility and alleviate congestion in Bastrop County. The work is expected to be completed in the fall of 2028. “This is an exciting day as we celebrate the beginning of construction on a new overpass on SH 71,” TxDOT Austin District Engineer Tucker Ferguson said. “As population growth and development in Central Texas continue to increase, the project will enhance safety and mobility by removing traffic signals from the main lanes, allowing drivers to move through the intersection without stopping.” This project is part of a larger, corridor-wide effort that will remove all traffic signals on SH 71, allowing drivers to travel between Austin and Houston. “This overpass is a signal of progress for Bastrop County,” state Rep. Stan Gerdes said. “Improving mobility on this major corridor means safer routes for our school traffic, smoother commutes for our families and businesses and more reliable travel between Bastrop and Austin.” The Tucker Hill project builds new eastbound and westbound SH 71 bridges over Dry Creek — each about 310 ft. long — as well as two new 254-ft. main lane bridges over the Tucker Hill intersection. When complete, SH 71 will have two concrete main lanes in each direction and two asphalt frontage-road lanes in each direction. The project also includes upgraded bicycle and pedestrian accommodations. By Irwin Rapoport
CEG CORRESPONDENT
Jeff Martin Hosts Four-Day Florida Auction...75
Alex Lyon & Son Holds Annual Fla. Auction...78
Yoder & Frey Auctions 5,500-Plus Items...80
A new phase of its State Highway 71 East Corridor initiative in Bastrop County, Texas, began on Oct. 26, 2025.
see HIGHWAY page 44
Surety Market Enjoying the Sunshine
Table of Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Bright Picture May Be Mirage Once IIJA Expires in September
Paving Section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31-43
By Lucy Perry
Because of the infrastructure sector, the surety insurance market is achieving profit margins it hasn’t seen in 10 years. Experiencing “a golden era of profitability,” these insurers also can thank the fed for funding the transportation construction initiatives that are feeding steady demand for contractor and developer bonds. Though not without its challenges that could erode big gains, the surety market is looking good. “These stellar results reflect more than simple scaling,” notes the editorial team at Risk & Insurance of the report from global credit rating agency AM Best. CEG CORRESPONDENT
Excavators & Attachments Section . . . . . . . . . .48-71 Auction Section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74-81 Business Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76 Advertisers Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82
see SURETY page 26
Adobe Stock photo
With a hat tip to the Federal Reserve for funding transportation construction initiatives such as the IIJA and IRA, the surety market has seen steady demand for construction bonds.