NEW YORK, NY, Jan 28 (MARKET WIRE) -- 
Thirty billion dollars is the current figure specified for highway
construction in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act moving swiftly
toward signature by President Barack Obama. That's a lot of asphalt!

    The President's commitment to a colossal investment in the nation's road
infrastructure is further reinforced by the proposed National
Infrastructure Reinvestment Bank that will invest $60 billion over ten
years and generate nearly two million new jobs. In the all-new report,
Asphalt Manufacturing in the U.S., industrial market research publisher
SBI estimates that as much as 28% of the proposed $60 billion will go
towards increasing paving projects across American roads.

    SBI subsequently expects the domestic asphalt industry to surge over the
next four years and build on the nearly $12 billion the U.S. market for
liquid asphalt cement totaled in 2008, which was a 34% increase from
almost $9 billion in 2007. Through 2013, SBI forecasts the U.S. liquid
asphalt cement market will top $16 billion accompanied by a compound
annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7%. Overall, the U.S. asphalt products
market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10% through 2013 to over $38
billion compared to almost $24 billion in 2008.

    "The major infrastructure spending expected by the Obama administration
and a democratic Congress will mean greater demand for asphalt paving
mixtures following the passage of a bill, which we at SBI expect may
happen as early as spring 2009. The effects will be most noticeable in
2010 and beyond as state and local governments get their hands on much
needed funds for projects already on hold," says SBI Associate Publisher
Shelley Carr.

    Historically, the demand for asphalt is primarily driven by federal,
state, and local governments seeking to fund highways and road
infrastructure construction and maintenance.

    Asphalt Manufacturing in the U.S. provides comprehensive market
information for an asphalt industry certain to benefit from President
Barack Obama's determination to create jobs in the U.S. quickly. Included
are forecasts of what lies ahead for the asphalt industry from 2009-2013.
The report focuses on the primary commodity market (refined liquid
asphalt cement) and the secondary product market (asphalt paving
mixtures).