California Asphalt Pavement Association
Vol. 15, Issue 13 || March 28, 2022
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Greetings!
This weekly report contains news and information of interest to the asphalt pavement industry, customers and agency partners in California. Please feel free to distribute this newsletter to others who may be interested in asphalt pavements. To provide feedback or story ideas click HERE. Having difficulty viewing this newsletter? View as Webpage
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Governor doubles down on gas-tax pause proposal despite mounting opposition |
Gov. Gavin Newsom last week doubled down on his proposal to provide relief for high prices at the pump and elsewhere by suspending a scheduled increase in the excise tax on fuel devoted to road and bridge repair, adding additional relief measures that could total $11 billion. The official announcement is HERE.
CalAPA has been a strident opponent of the administration's plan, calling it a "budget stunt" and "highway robbery." A previous Asphalt Insider story on this topic is HERE. The governor's proposal was widely panned, including from members of his own party in the Legislature, who are proposing alternative forms of assisting Californians hit by rising inflation.
Rather than issue a new condemnation, CalAPA posted the following reaction on Twitter: "Since we believe in recycling, we'll recycle our reaction to this bad idea (fuel tax pause is 'highway robbery') when the governor first proposed it back in January." The Tweet included a link to the association statement, which is HERE.
Other reaction was in a similar vein. "Precisely nothing makes sense about Gov. Newsom's $400-per-car plan," was a recent headline in the Los Angeles Times. The plan would direct payments to people with registered vehicles, even if they are millionaires. "There's nothing complicated, or redeeming, or understandable about Gov. Gavin Newsom's proposal to give $400 to each Californian per car they have registered in their name," opinion writer Paul Thornton wrote in summarizing the deluge of letters to the editor on the topic received by the newspaper. Assemblyman Vince Fong, R-Bakersfield, has proposed that relief for Californians should come from the state's massive general fund surplus, not the state highway fund.
CalAPA encourages members to let their elected officials in Sacramento know that raiding transportation funds in an Election Year when thousands of miles of roads and bridges need immediate attention is bad policy.
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Member News: Graniterock 'tech talk' series features CalAPA Technical Director Brandon Milar
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CalAPA member Graniterock is hosting a series of technical knowledge-transfer events for its customers, agency partners and others, including two that will feature CalAPA Technical Director Brandon Milar. The workshops are ideal for architects, contractors, specifiers and key agency decision-makers.
The events take the form of a series of three two-hour sessions being held April 7, 14 and 21. Details about the free events, which require advance registration, can be found HERE.
The April 7 event, which will take place from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., will feature Milar, P.E., who will highlight the asphalt industry's many sustainability attributes, which includes a major climate change initiative, "The Road Forward." A previous Asphalt insider story about that initiative is HERE. Milar will return on April 21 for a presentation on the Caltrans application of the various asphalt mix design elements known nationally as Superpave.
The Graniterock Tech Talks are another tangible example of the collaboration between public agencies, private industry and others to share high-quality information for the betterment of the industry.
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Camaraderie aplenty at annual gathering of asphalt industry legends in Las Vegas |
It started inauspiciously enough back in 1988 – a group of five asphalt industry colleagues spent a day in Las Vegas to have dinner and catch a show, and it grew from there. The “Las Vegas Invitational” eventually blossomed to include friends and friends of friends, but it never lost its easygoing vibe.
“It was no big deal to us – we were just having a good time, a group of friends,” says Carl Rundquist, who was one of the originators. As the event grew over the years, however, it moved from what Rundquist called a “fleabag hotel” to the Mirage Resort & Casino, and various events were added, including golf, skeet and trap shooting and other activities.
After a COVID-19 hiatus, the Las Vegas Invitational returned to the Mirage Resort & Casino for its 2022 edition March 24-25, featuring many names that have become legends in the asphalt industry and are enshrined in the CalAPA Hall of Fame.
“It’s just been fun the whole time,” Rundquist said during a Friday night dinner at the Firefly Restaurant. “I look forward to it all year.”
Added Len Nawrocki, retired from Valero Energy and a longtime participant, “We don’t talk about business. We talk about funny stories that happened, but no business. It’s not about that. It’s just been a great opportunity for people to have camaraderie in the industry. We’ve all been tied together by the same glue, asphalt.”
In addition to taking time to catch up with old friends, the dinner included time also to remember those who are no longer with us. It’s one of those things that has developed organically over the years that is unique to the asphalt pavement industry.
Or as Rundquist said, “There’s nothing like it. My wife likes to say, ‘he’s got asphalt running in his blood.’”
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An informal tradition that dates back to 1988, the 2022 participants of the asphalt industry "Las Vegas Invitational" return to Las Vegas over the weekend after a two-year break due to COVID-19. Many participants, past and present, are members of the CalAPA Hall of Fame. |
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In-person CalAPA events have something for everyone |
With the likelihood increasing by the day that we may have turned the corner on the COVID-19 pandemic, CalAPA is pleased to offer a variety of fun and educational in-person events. Investing time in personal relationships is a proven success strategy in any business, and the asphalt pavement industry is no different. CalAPA events are a great way to build new relationships, strengthen existing ones and have fun at the same time. To see what's coming up, the CalAPA on-line event calendar is HERE.
One of the premier technical educational events for the asphalt pavement industry returns to Southern California in the form of the CalAPA "Tech Tune-Up" educational conference, which will take place on Tuesday, April 5 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Embassy Suites by Hilton-North Orange County, 900 E. Birch Street in Brea, Calif. Caltrans District 7 Director Tony Tavares is the keynote speaker. The program includes presentations on the asphalt industry's climate-change initiatives, eTicketing, Warm Mix Asphalt, update on environmental regulations, a Superpave mix design update, special asphalt pavement specification for local agencies, Cold In-Place Recycling and more. Vendor tables, food and refreshments are included for one low price. Click HERE for details and to register on-line. Hurry! the early-bird discount pricing ends today (Monday, March 28).
A perfect complement to the April 5 Spring "Tech Tune-Up" event is our annual golf outing at the nearby Black Gold Golf Club in Yorba Linda, which will be held Wednesday, April 6. Our previous event was very popular and sold out quickly so early registration is strongly recommended. Check-in is at 7 a.m. ahead of an 8 a.m. shotgun start. The entry fee includes golf, refreshments, prizes and a gala awards luncheon. CalAPA has secured discounted lodging at the Embassy Suites-North Orange County Hotel in Brea, but rooms are limited and are going fast. Click HERE for details and to register on-line. Contact Sophie You of CalAPA at (916) 791-5044 for sponsorship opportunities.
The COVID-19 pandemic forced the postponement of the January CalAPA Annual Dinner at the Jonathan Club in Los Angeles, which has now been rescheduled to Thursday, May 19. Despite the date change, it remains the premier event of its kind for the asphalt pavement industry. The keynote speaker this year is California State Treasurer Fiona Ma. Everything else about this event remains the same as in year's past -- elegant venue, sumptuous steak and lobster dinner and solid-gold networking. Please note: The Jonathan Club has a strict dress code and business attire is required to attend this event. Click HERE for details and to register on-line.
Looking ahead, be sure to mark your calendar for the association's annual "Day at the Races" set for Saturday, July 23 at Del Mar Race Track in Del Mar. CalAPA will be back for this don't-miss event at the kickoff of the thoroughbred racing season at the famed seaside track. Once again CalAPA will have a luxury suite in the Thoroughbred Club overlooking the finish line, featuring a bar, private betting windows, lunch, snacks and refreshments -- everything you need to have a memorable day. This is a family friendly event with special pricing for the kids. Last year's fancy hat contest (pictured above), sponsored by organizers of the local "Women of Asphalt" chapter, had them talking all year long. Details about this year's event can be found HERE. Tickets have just gone on sale. This event sells out every year so be sure to watch for the announcement when on-line ticket sales are available. Contact Sophie You at (916) 791-5044 for details.
All CalAPA events are listed on the association's on-line event calendar, which can be viewed HERE.
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Each week we highlight a word, acronym or other term commonly used in the asphalt pavement industry in California.
BINDER COURSE: A transitional layer of bituminous paving between the base and the surface course.
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Paving Pointer of the Week |
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.
AFTER PROJECT COMPLETION: When working on a parking lot, if scheduling permits, allow the pavement 2-3 weeks to cure before final parking lot striping is added. Schedule a walkthrough with the owner on the completed project to ensure satisfaction with the workmanship and finished product.
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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.
CARBON OFFSETS: Purchasing of carbon credit to comply with emission caps.
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“To desire is to obtain; to aspire is to achieve."
-- James Allen
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CALAPA CALENDAR:
View all CalAPA events HERE.
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Registration OPEN!
CalAPA Spring Asphalt "Tech Tune-up" Educational Workshop
Tuesday, April 5
Embassy Suites by Hilton-North Orange County Hotel, 900 E. Birch St., Brea.
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Sign Up Now!
CalAPA "Spring Tee" Golf Event
Wednesday, April 6
Black Gold Golf Club, 1 Black Gold Drive, Yorba Linda.
On-line registration is HERE.
'Asphalt Pavement 101' class (Virtual)
March 16 & 17 from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. each day
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Registration Open!
CalAPA Annual Dinner
Thursday, May 19, 2022
Jonathan Club, 545 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles
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Welcome back!
"Day at the Races" at Del Mar Race Track, Del Mar
Saturday, July 23
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There's never been a better time to join the California Asphalt Pavement Association! Members receive insight and advanced notice on critical issues that impact every company's bottom line. CalAPA members also receive invitations to exclusive member-only events, in-depth "Member Alerts," our comprehensive asphalt market forecast for California, discounts and industry-specific networking opportunities not available anywhere else. CalAPA's new searchable on-line membership directory helps connect potential customers with member companies. Click HERE to download our Member Service brochure. Click HERE to view Vol. 1 of recent testimonials. Not convinced? Click HERE to view Vol. 2 of recent testimonials. Click HERE to send us an e-mail inquiry, or contact Russell Snyder with CalAPA at (916) 791-5044. |
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We hope you enjoy CalAPA's Asphalt Insider newsletter. We are committed to providing you with the most up-to-date information on technical issues, regulation, news, analysis, events and trends in California that is of interest to the asphalt pavement industry and our various agency partners. Click HERE to contact us with any comments or suggestions.
Sincerely,
Russell W. Snyder, CAE
Executive Director
California Asphalt Pavement Association (CalAPA)®
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The "Asphalt Insider" is an official publication of the California Asphalt Pavement Association. For more information or to inquire about membership, call (916) 791-5044, or click HERE to contact us. Copyright © 2022 California Asphalt Pavement Association -- All Rights Reserved. The CalAPA name (No. 5,621,794) and logo (No. 5,621,795) are registered trademarks with the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office.
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P.O. Box 981300, West Sacramento, CA 95798
1550 Harbor Blvd., Suite 211, West Sacramento, CA 95691
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