The Ohio Asphalt Paving Conference returned to the campus of The Ohio State University on Feb. 4, 2026, bringing together contractors, engineers, agency officials and industry partners for a full day of technical education and collaboration.
Held at the Fawcett Center for Tomorrow, the 51st annual conference continued its long-standing mission of presenting current information on new developments, techniques and practical solutions related to the design, construction and maintenance of asphalt pavements.
Educational sessions addressed a wide range of timely topics, including asphalt materials, mix design innovations, pavement performance and emerging construction practices. The morning session opened with welcoming remarks and an overview of education offerings, followed by an update from the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT). Technical presentations explored long-held asphalt myths, the benefits of warm mix asphalt and current trends in high-reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) mixtures, providing attendees with research-backed insights they could apply directly in the field.
Following a networking lunch, the afternoon program focused on pavement distress identification and repair resources, transit system modernization efforts and infrastructure planning. Speakers represented a cross-section of public agencies, research institutions and industry organizations, reinforcing the collaborative nature of Ohio's asphalt community.
A dedicated conference planning committee guided the development of the program, ensuring balanced representation from state and local agencies, academia, and industry. The committee included leaders from ODOT, Flexible Pavements of Ohio, the Federal Highway Administration, county engineers' offices, municipalities and academic institutions.
In addition to classroom sessions, attendees had the opportunity to visit interactive exhibits throughout the day, where suppliers and service providers showcased products and technologies supporting roadway safety, pavement longevity and construction efficiency.
With a strong mix of technical content, peer-to-peer engagement and industry updates, the Ohio Asphalt Paving Conference once again served as a valuable forum for advancing best practices and strengthening partnerships across Ohio's asphalt paving industry.
For more information, visit flexiblepavements.org. CEG
