Coronavirus and Construction

ARTBA Survey: Transportation Projects Are Active in Most States

Traffic barrels at an unidentified highway construction project. *Photo: Getty Images*

Construction crews in most states continued to work on critical transportation infrastructure projects as of late March while taking necessary precautions to protect their workforces from COVID-19, according to a March 31 survey of American Road & Transportation Builders Association members.

The analysis included 225 respondents representing the association’s eight membership divisions: contractors, planning and design firms, traffic safety and equipment manufacturers, materials and services firms, public officials and university professors/researchers.

Latest updates on the coronavirus pandemic

More than two-thirds reported that as of the survey period, March 23-27, they were experiencing changes or adjustments to project schedules. Nearly 75% expected some or major financial impacts on their businesses, according to the survey, conducted by ARTBA Chief Economist Alison Premo Black.

Days after the survey was conducted, the Pennsylvania Dept. of Transportation unfroze 61 highway, bridge and tunnel projects. The projects again became active during the week of March 30-April 3, PennDOT said.

“It just points to what a fluid situation it is. All indications are that as long as work can continue safely, states will continue with bids as planned," says Black. "Some states have even accelerated schedules and started the construction season early.”

Washington State also halted any construction not deemed critical, with a reevaluation on April 6.

Looking for quick answers on construction and engineering topics?
Try Ask ENR, our new smart AI search tool. Ask ENR →

When ARTBA members were asked what messages they wanted to deliver to Congress and the Trump administration relating to the next coronavirus relief bill, the most common refrains were: pass a strong multiyear transportation funding bill to help the economic recovery, “keep workers working” and don’t shut down projects.

Nearly 80% of respondents said they are rotating office employees between work and home or allowing them to work remotely.

Aileen Cho, ENR's deputy editor for infrastructure, is a born-again Angeleno and recovering New Yorker. She studied English and theater at Occidental College, where a reporter teaching the one existing journalism course encouraged her to apply for the LA Times Minority Editing Training Program. Her journalism training led to her first stories about transportation, working as a cub reporter with the Greenwich Time. She has been honored, solo or with ENR colleagues, with several journalism awards. For ENR, she has traveled the world, clambering over bridges, touring airports, and descending into tunnels. She is a regular at transportation conferences, where she finds that airport and mass transit engineers really know how to have fun (bridge engineers aren't far behind). She is always eager to hop on another flight because there are so many interesting projects and people, and she gets tired of throwing her cats off her computer in her home office in Eagle Rock, California. She is a very conflicted Mets/Dodgers fan.

Post a comment to this article

Join Groundbreaking Women in Construction (GWIC) in San Diego from June 14 to 16, 2026. This premier leadership conference brings together women across the construction industry to gain practical strategies, grow their network, and advance their careers. Learn from ENR-curated sessions, connect with trailblazing professionals, and walk away with tools that drive retention, innovation, and impact.

Live: June 23, 2026 at 2:00 pm EDT New market dynamics like competitive pressures and workforce evolutions are forcing construction companies to re-prioritize their investments. To strengthen cash flow, accelerate operations, and boost profits, learn how the focus now must be on optimizing digital transformation and financial management.