What civil engineers are reading this week

• Civil engineering salaries keep rising; can the trend continue?

  Civil engineering salaries continue to grow. But other perks play a growing role in industry compensation. What do three experts say about future compensation?

• Why construction mergers and acquisitions are likely to continue in 2026

  Tariffs and new tax laws have given foreign-based engineering firms incentive to establish a beachhead within the U.S. to lower costs, according to an attorney.

• Advocating alphabetically for water reuse – a letter at a time

  It may sound like it’s for kids, but The ABCs of Water Reuse appeals to officials and the public who remember Schoolhouse Rock, effectively driving home the criticality of our most precious resource.

• 8 trends that will shape cities in 2026

  As federal funding becomes less predictable, cities face major shifts in transportation, housing, and climate resilience in the new year.

• What topics will dominate civil engineering in 2026? Leaders break out their crystal balls

  Nobody can see the future, but these engineers do their best. In many cases it comes down to what region of the U.S. they are in. By all accounts, the profession is poised for a big year despite challenges.

• Hi-def mapping at a continental scale: Could it help solve infrastructure inequality?

  Combining high-precision satellite data with on-the-ground information helps a team in Africa, where huge informal settlements lack basic infrastructure, understand inequality at a block-sized scale.