Rising asphalt prices delay roadwork

The rising cost of oil-based asphalt means fewer U.S. roads will be repaved this summer.

The mix used to resurface roads consists of a binder called liquid asphalt, which is made from crude oil. As the price of oil rises, so does that of asphalt, said Don Wessel of Poten & Partners, a consulting firm that publishes Asphalt Weekly Monitor.

Asphalt prices are therefore up 25.9% from last year. Some states, cities and counties have said their budgets for road repairs did not take this surge into account, forcing delays.

"We will do what patching we can, but this will truly, truly be a devastating blow to the infrastructure," said Shirlee Leighton, a county commissioner in Lake County, S.D.

The price of diesel fuel, which is used to transport, heat and lay asphalt, has increased as well.

Ken Simonson, chief economist for Associated General Contractors of America, said the asphalt-price rise "may force Congress and the states to find more money for roads sooner than they would have otherwise."