California Asphalt Pavement Association
Vol. 15, Issue 25 || June 20, 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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Caltrans to hold hybrid Balanced Mix Design kick-off meeting June 21 featuring NCAT experts |
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is holding a hybrid Balanced Mix Design (BMD) Kick-Off Meeting on Tuesday, June 21. The event will provide Caltrans, the University of California Pavement Research Center (UCPRC) and industry participants the opportunity to meet, learn and discuss the keys to successful BMD implementation.
The hybrid meeting is being hosted by CalAPA and will be broadcast out of the CalAPA offices starting at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, June 21. The Caltrans-industry Pavement & Materials Partnering Committee (PMPC) participants that have expressed an interest in this effort are invited to meet in person at the CalAPA offices, located at 1550 Harbor Blvd., Suite 211 in West Sacramento. Alternatively, stakeholders are invited to participate virtually via the CalAPA "GoToWebinar" Webex platform. Advanced registration to participate remotely must be done via the sign-up page HERE. Once registration is completed, each person will receive a unique web link to participate in the event remotely.
The facilitators for this event include Dr. Randy West and Dr. Fan Yin from the National Center for Asphalt Technology (NCAT) at Auburn University. NCAT has assisted the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) in researching the various test methodologies used in BMD and developing guidance for use by agencies on how to successfully implement BMD in their programs. Their expertise will assist with informing the participants about the importance and key research findings on the utilization of BMD test methodologies and providing insight into issues that agencies and industry should consider for successful and efficient BMD implementation. This information is intended to assist the PMPC participants in developing the scoping documents necessary to develop and implement a successful BMD program.
The participants on the hybrid meeting will include managers and engineers from Caltrans headquarters, materials engineers from Caltrans districts, UCPRC researchers, and industry experts. CalAPA supports the use of BMD as a methodology to understand and design asphalt pavement mixes with varying types and quantities of recycled materials. NAPA’s "The Road Forward" Climate Stewardship Goals include the implementation of BMD, and CalAPA supports this effort at the state and local level in California.
Caltrans has used similar kick-off meetings in the past to align stakeholders with the development and implementation of other large-scale efforts. These include Moisture Sensitivity, Warm Mix Asphalt, and Pavement Smoothness. Industry, Engineer and manager alignment has proven to be a successful model to advance the implementation of new technologies and methodologies and minimize the time to full implementation.
NCAT provides an extensive list of BMD resources on their webpage. Follow this LINK to learn more about BMD from the theory to implementation reports. For more information on this meeting or the use of BMD in your program, please contact Brandon Milar, P.E., CalAPA Technical Director, at (916) 791-5044, or send him an inquiry via the association's contact page HERE. |
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Reminder: Spots still available for 'The Future of Powering Asphalt Plants in CA' webinar June 20 & 'The Future of Powering Fleets' webinar June 27 |
Procrastinator alert! There's still time to participate in a special webinar scheduled for today (Monday, June 20 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. PDT) titled, "The Future of Powering Asphalt Plants in California." The webinar is free and open to anyone, but pre-registration is required. Details and registration is HERE.
The CalAPA Environmental Committee is sponsoring the webinar, which features an impressive lineup of subject-matter experts who will look at the complex topic from many different angles, including examining current and expected regulations, changes in technology, equipment and more. The program will move fast and place a heavy emphasis on providing supplemental information and resources for later reference.
The program will start with an overview of the webinar series objectives from CalAPA Environmental Committee Co-Chairs Scott Taylor with Taylor Environmental Services, and Scott Cohen with Sespe Consulting. Brandon Milar, P.E., Director of Technical Services for CalAPA, will also provide an overview of "The Road Forward," the asphalt industry's ambitious net-zero climate initiative.
Confirmed speakers for the webinar include: Tim Olson with the California Energy Commission; Mark Sippola and Camille Sultana with the California Air Resources Board; Armando Infanzon, Southern California Gas Co.; Katy Lamb, Pacific Gas & Electric; Greg Renegar, Astec; Dennis Hunt, Gencor; Jose L. Lopez-Gallego, Versallis; and Scott Johns, Cleancor.
The second and complementary program in the webinar series, "The Future of Powering Our Fleets in California," will be held on Monday, June 27 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.PDT That program, which will focus on on-road and off-road equipment commonly used by the construction industry, also will feature an impressive lineup of subject-matter experts representing the California Air Resources Board, environmental consultants, equipment manufacturers and alternative fuel providers. Details on that event, which is also free and being delivered in webinar format, can be found HERE. The June 27 webinar requires a separate registration.
For more information on these or other CalAPA educational events, contact CalAPA at (916) 791-5044 or drop us a line HERE. |
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Governor appoints Tony Tavares as Caltrans Director |
Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday announced the appointment of Tony Tavares to be the director of the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). He takes over for Toks Omishakin, who was elevated to Secretary of the State Transportation Agency, a Cabinet-level position, back in February.
"Tony Tavares has dedicated his career to serving the people of California, with decades of leadership and deep experience overseeing critical transportation issues spanning the state,” the governor said in a Friday announcement. "I look forward to his continued partnership in advancing our innovative efforts to create safer and more sustainable communities throughout the state." The official announcement by the Governor's Office is HERE.
Tavares, 55, is well-known to the asphalt pavement industry. He currently serves as District Director of Caltrans District 7, a regional office that oversees operations in Los Angeles and Ventura counties, a position he has held since 2020. Prior to that, he served as District Director of District 4, which covers the San Francisco Bay Area -- the only person in the department's 100-year history to have held both of those positions overseeing two of the most complex regional offices in the state. Other positions he has held include chief of the Caltrans Division of Right of Way and Land Surveys, and Assistant Division Chief of Construction.
However, it was his tenure as Chief of the Division of Maintenance where Tavares earned the respect of the asphalt pavement industry for his unflappable management style and genuine commitment to problem-solving and conflict resolution. As chief of the Division of Maintenance, he oversaw the Caltrans Office of Pavements and inherited the sometimes rowdy Caltrans-Industry Rock Products Committee. Tavares helped guide its transition to a more orderly and highly regarded Pavement & Materials Partnering Committee (PMPC). The PMPC has spearheaded a number of high-profile initiatives to improve standards, specifications and test methods. The joint Caltrans-industry work on new state pavement smoothness specifications earned widespread praise and earned a place on the cover of the CalAPA association magazine, California Asphalt, earlier this year. That issue can be viewed on-line HERE.
"Tony Tavares has distinguished himself as a highly effective leader at Caltrans and is very deserving of promotion to this important position," said CalAPA Chairman Scott Fraser. "His unwavering commitment to excellence, genuine concern for people and mastery of the complex workings of state government will serve him well. He is well-known and highly respected by our industry and we look forward to continuing to work with him in his new role to achieve great things for our state."
Tavares accepted a "Pavement Pioneer" Award for Caltrans in 2013 for the department's work on the Long-life (Perpetual) Asphalt Pavement Strategy. The award was presented by Mike Acott, then the chief executive officer of the National Asphalt Pavement Association. Tavares at the time was chief of Maintenance, under which the Office of Asphalt Pavement resides. Most recently, Tavares spoke at the CalAPA "Tech Tune-Up" event held April 5 in Brea.
"We are becoming a more people-centric organization," he told the attendees, which included representatives from industry, public agencies and academia. At the event he also emphasized the importance of implementing SB1, the $50 billion Road Repair & Accountability Act of 2017, meant to address decades of underinvestment in the state's transportation system.
"That is one of our highest priorities -- fix-it-first," Tavares said. "Keeping our highways, our roadways, safe and in a state of good repair, continuing to advance SB1 and all of the federal funding that will be coming our way. We are focused on fix-it-first and delivering these transportation projects." His words carried the credibility of a former maintenance chief who was responsible for deploying thousands of Caltrans maintenance workers to repair crumbling roadways, often with live traffic nearby. Previous Asphalt Insider coverage of that event is HERE.
The director's position most recently has been filled by the department's chief financial officer, Steven Keck, on an acting basis. The appointment of Tavares will require confirmation by the state Senate.
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Tony Tavares delivers the keynote address at the CalAPA "Tech Tune-Up" conference held earlier this year in Brea. In his remarks, he highlighted the many areas where Caltrans and the asphalt pavement industry have collaborated on innovative solutions to help the department meet its sustainability goals while still providing a good value for the taxpayer, transportation system users and stakeholders. |
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Tony Tavares (left) with Mike Acott, then chief executive officer of the National Asphalt Pavement Association at the 2013 Fall Asphalt Pavement Conference in Sacramento. Acott presented the department with a "Pavement Pioneer" award for its innovative work on Long-Life (Perpetual) Asphalt Pavement Designs. Several Caltrans projects since then have also won state and national recognition. |
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Tony Tavares (right) with Bill Farnbach of Caltrans at a meeting of the old "Rock Products Committee," which later became the Pavement & Materials Partnering Committee. Tavares is a longtime champion of industry-agency cooperation. Farnbach, now retired was heavily involved in Long-life Asphalt Pavement designs. |
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Special pavement preservation-themed issue of CalAPA magazine arriving in mailboxes |
A special pavement preservation-themed issue of the official CalAPA magazine, California Asphalt, is arriving in mailboxes across the state this week. An electronic version of the issue can be viewed on-line HERE.
The issue spotlights a high-profile pavement preservation project on State Route 62 leading into scenic Joshua Tree National Park, which was a partnership between Caltrans District 8 and CalAPA member George Reed/VSS International. The issue also features a profile of prominent Northern California paving contractor member McGuire and Hester, as well as industry and association news.
California Asphalt, the Journal of the California Asphalt Pavement Association, features exclusive content not available anywhere else, including "deep dive" articles on industry issues and trends, project and company profiles and exclusive interviews with key influencers. An archive of past issues of the magazine can be found HERE. The magazine is published six times per year for CalAPA by Construction Marketing Services (CMS). For advertising information, contact Kerry Hoover of CMS at (909) 772-3121.
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Each week we highlight a word, acronym or other term commonly used in the asphalt pavement industry in California.
ROADBED: The graded portion of a highway within the top and side slopes, prepared as a foundation for the pavement structure and shoulders.
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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.
SITE PREPARATION: If overlaying an existing or milled surface, has the surface been cleaned/swept and given a full "tack coat" (a bonding agent between the two surfaces)? What is the specified coverage rate for the prime/tack coat? Is the application uniform? Has the material been given enough time to "break" (evaporate the water)?
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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.
OUR COMMON FUTURE: The 1987 United Nations report that defined sustainable development.
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"Resolve to be thyself; and know that he who finds himself loses his misery.”
-- Matthew Arnold
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CALAPA CALENDAR:
View all CalAPA events HERE.
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"The Future of Powering Asphalt Plants in California" webinar (FREE!)
Monday, June 20, 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
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"The Future of Powering Our Fleets in California" webinar (FREE!)
Monday, June 27, 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
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Caltrans Balance Mix Design Kick-off Hybrid Meeting for Stakeholders, featuring NCAT experts
Tuesday, June 21, 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
CalAPA Offices, 1550 Harbor Blvd., Suite 211, West Sacramento or "virtually" via web-platform. Click HERE to register.
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Women of Asphalt California Branch meeting (Virtual)
Thursday, July 14, Noon to 1 p.m.
Details & registration HERE.
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Welcome back!
"Day at the Races" at Del Mar Race Track, Del Mar
Saturday, July 23
Details and registration HERE.
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Save the Dates!
Fall Asphalt Pavement Conference
Oct. 27-28, 2022
Hilton Sacramento Arden West Hotel, 2200 Harvard Street, Sacramento.
For exhibitor and sponsor information, contact Sophie You at (916) 791-5044.
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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. With so much changing in the asphalt pavement industry, what you don't know can cost you! 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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