A closely-watched indicator of asphalt prices that is used by contractors to even out wide commodity price swings on Caltrans asphalt paving projects was delayed being posted to the Caltrans website last week because of a technical glitch, Caltrans officials tell Asphalt Insider.

The “California Statewide Crude Oil Price Index” is linked to known crude oil benchmarks and intended to insulate contractors and suppliers of asphalt, as well as the Department, from sharp price fluctuations after a bid is submitted but before work is performed. In existence since the Arab oil shocks of the 1970s, the index has been widely credited with removing risk for contractors and the department from the uncertainty of future price changes, which can be impacted by global events. A contractor who agrees to participate in the voluntary index system pays Caltrans the difference if commodity prices drop from time of bid to time of consumption. Similarly, Caltrans agrees to pay the difference to the contractor if prices are higher than the price at bid.

The index underwent a revision last year in reaction to recent oil industry announcements that could reduce the amount of California-refined crude oil and related products, pegging the number to the international Brent crude oil index. The index has gained greater prominence after the Feb. 28 start of the U.S.-Iran war in the Persian Gulf, which has disrupted global oil supplies and sent prices worldwide on a jagged upward trend. The Caltrans crude oil price index is posted each month "on or about" the first business day of the month. As a convenience to readers, Asphalt Insider publishes the public Caltrans index number each week. The September index number is $481.4 dollars/ton, up from $455.4 last month and $363.7 a year ago.

Last week, the index number was not posted until Friday, Sept. 4, creating problems for companies preparing bids due earlier in the week for Caltrans projects that include asphalt paving. After inquiries by Asphalt Insider to Caltrans officials, the department said a computer problem delayed the posting of the September number and the department was working to rectify it. The September number appeared on the Caltrans website Friday morning.

"Our external website crashed earlier this week, and we had been unable to gain access to make the update," Jeremy Peterson-Self, Deputy Division Chief of the Caltrans Division of Construction, said in an e-mail response to Asphalt Insider. "We have still been providing updates (to) the requestors that reach out through the email address listed at the bottom of the Asphalt Oil Index webpage."

Peterson-Self said he believed the technical problem has been solved and the department did not anticipate future delays in posting of the Caltrans Crude Oil Price Index.

A previous Asphalt Insider article about the Caltrans asphalt index is HERE. A previous Asphalt Insider report about changes to the refinery market in California is HERE.

Howard Marks, Vice President for Environment Health & Safety for the National Asphalt Pavement Association, a CalAPA partner, participated in Friday's meeting of the CalAPA Environmental Committee meeting to compare notes about national and California-centric environmental regulations and trends.

His appearance comes on the heels of his exclusive Q&A interview that appears in the current issue of California Asphalt, Journal of the California Asphalt Pavement Association. That annual environment-themed issue is on line HERE.

One of the motivators for Marks to check in with the highly regarded CalAPA Environmental Committee is a recent trend for states to be at the forefront of environmental regulations.

"States are definitely picking up the slack on environmental regulations," Marks told the group.

Committee co-chairs Scott Taylor with Taylor Environmental Services and Scott Cohen with Sespe Consulting, a Trinity Company, led the virtual discussions, which included hearing from CalAPA members on the difficulties inherent in dealing with regulatory agencies that may not fully understand the asphalt industry.

A recent profile of the many accomplishments of the CalAPA Environmental Committee on behalf of the asphalt industry in California appeared in the CalAPA magazine and can be accessed on-line HERE.

CalAPA members who would like to be added to the Environmental Committee distribution list to receive meeting notifications and other related news should contact CalAPA at (916) 791-5044.

Spots are disappearing faster than a 2-foot putt for the annual "California Asphalt Open" charity golf tournament to be held Sept. 24 at The Journey in Temecula. On-line registration is HERE.

The annual event, proceeds from which benefit CalAPA's workforce-centric charity, will be preceded the evening of Sept. 23 by an informal member-only "tailgate" style mixer at the Pechanga Resort & Casino RV Park, hosted by Steve Marvin with Labelle-Marvin.

The "California Asphalt Open" includes all the extras that keep people coming back year after year: a championship-caliber course nestled in a scenic venue, complementary food and beverages, golfer "thank you" gifts, raffles and all the creative contests on the course that keep the action fun and lively. And, of course, the networking opportunities are second to none! Sponsoring the event is a great way to build brand identity in the industry.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the California Asphalt Research & Education (CARE) Foundation, an IRS-recognized charity created to promote workforce recruitment and development, as well as the Women of Asphalt California Branch activities. This annual event would not have been possible without the generous support of our sponsors.

For more information, or sponsorship opportunities, contact Jackie Henry, CalAPA Member Service Coordinator, at (562) 233-7585.

The original "Woman of Asphalt," Dr. Rita B. Leahy, stopped by the CalAPA offices in West Sacramento last week. The former CalAPA Technical Director is now retired and living in Sacramento, but still keeping close tabs on her favorite association.

During her informal visit, she compared notes with current CalAPA Technical Director Brandon Milar, P.E., about the state of the industry, agency relations and other technical matters. Her nimble wit and wisdom were in abundance during her visit (including book recommendations).

She also regaled CalAPA staff with tales of retirement that would make any senior envious, including travel, activities and plenty of time spent with family and friends. Since the conversations were "off the record" no quotes will appear here.

A story about Leahy that appeared in California Asphalt, CalAPA's official association magazine, is HERE. She was also pictured on the cover of a special "Women of Asphalt" issue of the magazine HERE. A recent filmed interview with Leahy conducted for the national Women of Asphalt organization is HERE. The interview is conducted by Amy Miller, now the president of the Asphalt Contractors Association of Florida, a member along with CalAPA of the State Asphalt Pavement Associations, Inc. (SAPA). To learn more about the Women of Asphalt California Branch, click HERE.

The second update to the 2026 Asphalt Market Forecast for California, an exclusive member benefit, was distributed last week to CalAPA members in good standing in the form of a "Member Alert." Members who did not receive their copy of this important resource should contact CalAPA at (916) 791-5044.

The comprehensive report contains exclusive insight on trends in the industry and will be a vital reference for anyone making important business decisions today or preparing or updating a budget for 2027.

To learn more about the Asphalt Market Forecast click HERE. To advertise in this c-suite targeted publication, contact Kerry Hoover with Construction Marketing Services at (909) 772-3121.

CalAPA is pleased to welcome its newest paving contractor member, Stalls & Stripes Paving, Inc.

Based in Oakley, Calif., Stalls & Stripes paving is a family-owned small business with over 40 years of combined experience specializing in parking lot maintenance, paving, striping, signage, ADA compliance, bollards, speed bumps, pavement markings, truncated domes, asphalt, thermo-plastic, patch paving and trenching in Northern California locations such as schools, churches, commercial properties, city streets, residential HOA's, property management-directed work and more.

For more information, visit the company website HERE, or contact Rhonda Taylor at (925) 783-4088.

CalAPA offices will be closed on Monday, Sept. 7 in observance of the Labor Day Holiday. The offices will reopen during regular business hours on Tuesday, Sept. 8.

Each week we highlight a word, acronym or other term commonly used in the asphalt pavement industry in California.

DENSE-GRADED ASPHALT PAVEMENT: An overlay or surface course consisting of a mixture of asphalt binder and a well-graded (also called dense-graded) aggregate. A well-graded aggregate is uniformly distributed throughout a full range of sieve sizes. 

Each week we highlight a key point or best practice of interest to asphalt paving crews, inspectors and others working in the field. We welcome suggestions. More tips can be found in our "Asphalt Parking Lot Construction Checklist" HERE. Information on the CalAPA "Quality Paving Certificate" program is HERE.

RECORD RETENTION AFTER PROJECT COMPLETION: Take a final photograph or photographs of the site for your records and retain all records from the project including: copies of all truck delivery tickets and record of all the temperature recordings and compaction readings you took during the project.

Each week we highlight a term that is specific to climate-change issues related to the asphalt pavement industry. This feature is intended to raise awareness of the asphalt industry's climate-change initiatives and the specialized terminology that goes with them. More information on "The Road Forward" asphalt industry climate initiative can be found HERE. A recent CalAPA magazine story on the topic is HERE.

CARBON EMISSIONS: Carbon substances released into the atmosphere.

Editor's Note: As a convenience to our readers, Asphalt Insider reports the most current Caltrans "Statewide Crude Oil Price Index" posting. The department posts this monthly on its public website HERE. The index is used to calculate payment adjustments for paving asphalt under special provisions section "Payment Adjustments for Price Index Fluctuations" in those projects containing the section. The department posts the index on or about the first business day of the month using the daily Brent crude oil prices from the previous month as reported by Business Insider. Inquiries about the index should be directed to Caltrans at: Oil.Index@dot.ca.gov .

Sept. 2026: $481.4 ($/ton)

Last month: $455.4

1 year ago: $363.7

"I was never the best at anything."

– Jon Bon Jovi

We hope you enjoy CalAPA's Asphalt Insider newsletter, widely regarded as the most influential publication of its type in California. We are committed to providing you with the most up-to-date information on technical issues, regulation, news, analysis, people, events and trends in California that is of interest to the asphalt pavement industry and our various agency partners. To subscribe to the newsletter, click HERE. For comments, questions or to suggest a story idea, click HERE. We are committed to promptly notifying our readers of any errors in this publication. Please click on the comment link above to alert the editor of any errors or omissions.

Sincerely,

Russell W. Snyder, CAE

Executive Director

The California Asphalt Pavement Association (CalAPA)®