A broad coalition of pro-infrastructure stakeholders wrote a letter to the governor and the California Transportation Commission last week to voice "significant concern" over a "dangerous" campaign to undermine transportation funding. A copy of the letter, which includes CalAPA, is HERE.

"We are writing to express our significant concern about organizations that are waging an escalating lobbying campaign pushing to significantly erode and even eliminate funding for infrastructure projects that may potentially increase vehicle miles traveled," the Jan. 23 letter states. "Make no mistake: this extreme approach to defund critical transportation projects is a total affront to the voters of California who have overwhelmingly and repeatedly voted – including 81% of voters who passed Prop 69 in 2018 – to dedicate transportation funding to transportation improvement and expansion projects. It’s also an affront to millions of voters in 25 counties that have passed local transportation funding measures with dedicated funding to local streets and roads."

The letter goes on to state, "This dangerous approach to eliminate transportation funding will negatively impact the quality of life for tens of millions of Californians who rely on well-maintained streets and roads, safe bridges and overpasses, and navigable freeways and highways every single day. In particular, these policies disproportionately harm low-income and historically disadvantaged communities of color who have longer commutes and who can least afford the wear and tear caused by deteriorating and congested roads."

The letter represents a shot across the bow to the Newsom administration and policy-makers about a war being waged in windowless conference rooms and in road-repair budgets across the state over road funding. Specifically, despite the "Road Repair & Accountability" title of SB1, which raised more than $50 billion to fix roads and bridges, bureaucrats have been inventive in utilizing the funds for products not directly related to fixing pavements. CalAPA has been a strident voice on this issue, as have others, including the CalAPA-supported Transportation California coalition.

The letter comes as the Legislature begins work on the state's 2024-25 budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1. Gov. Gavin Newsom released his draft budget earlier this month, which contains cutbacks to respond to sharp decline in state tax revenue. The magnitude of the decline is in dispute, but state Sen. Roger Niello, R-Fair Oaks, a CPA by training, told the CalAPA Annual Dinner audience that he expects the budget imbalance is much worse than the administration is predicting. A previous Asphalt Insider story featuring his remarks is HERE.

SB1, the Road Repair & Accountability Act of 2017, raised fuel taxes and fees to generate more than $50 billion over a decade to address the documented deteriorating state of California's roads and bridges. Along with the passage in 2022 of the $1 trillion federal Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act, the measures were touted as historic investments in critical transportation infrastructure. But a series of studies have continued to show that funds have not made it to pavement repairs, one of the chief priorities for voters and taxpayers. The problem is not exclusive to California. In a presentation delivered to a meeting of the State Asphalt Pavement Associations, Inc. Winter meeting in Florida on Friday, John Hickey, Executive Director of the Asphalt Pavement Association of Oregon, presented information indicating that funding is not making it to roads, which are deteriorating rapidly and heading to a "fiscal cliff." Hickey is chairman of the SAPA group this year. For more information on the SAPA organization, which includes CalAPA as a member, click HERE.

The coalition letter of more than 40 organizations representing business, labor and local government, pulls no punches in pointing out that the will of the voters, as well as the California Constitution, which protects transportation dollars, must be honored.

"We urge you to protect the overwhelming will of California voters and the welfare of the majority of Californians by rejecting extreme, exclusive policy proposals that would defund necessary transportation infrastructure improvements," the letter states.

Previous Asphalt Insider coverage of the governor's proposed state budget for 2024-25 is HERE.

The 2024 CalAPA Spring Asphalt Pavement Conference & Equipment Expo, scheduled for Thursday and Friday, March 7-8 in Ontario, will have a sustainability focus and presentations from nationally recognized experts. Details and on-line registration can be found HERE.

Some of the hottest topics in the world of asphalt pavements today will be on the program, including the use (and potential misuse) of Environmental Product Declarations, the use of reclaimed tire rubber in asphalt mixes, as well as fibers and plastic.

Breathtaking advances in technology also will be highlights, including eTicketing and the use of Artificial Intelligence technology, which is already starting to impact the industry.

Back this year is the tradeshow floor, outdoor equipment displays and a gala reception. There are ample sponsor opportunities. Special group discount pricing is available, as well as an early-bird rate exclusively for agency personnel who register before Feb. 23.

Issues of interest to agency personnel also will be prominently featured at the conference, with presentations by Dr. John Harvey with the University of California Pavement Research Center, and Erik Updyke with the SB1-supported City & County Pavement Improvement Center. Those presentations, in particular, are geared toward helping agency personnel stretch their pavement maintenance dollars. The timed agenda of topics and presenters is HERE.

For information on registration, as well as the many sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities, contact Sophie You of CalAPA at (916) 791-5044.

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has announced the appointment of three regional directors to serve in acting capacities as the department continues to fill its top leadership positions.

In an internal e-mail sent Jan. 19 by Caltrans Chief Deputy Director Mike Keever, it was announced that Sergio Aceves would temporarily helm District 3, Grace Magasayo would be acting lead for District 10 and Everett Townsend would head up District 11.

"Please welcome everyone in their new roles," Keever wrote to Caltrans managers. He noted that an advertisement will be posted soon for the currently vacant position of Deputy Director for Maintenance & Operations, which was being filled on a temporary basis for the past five months by Aceves (pictured), who is technically the chief of the Division Maintenance for the department. Aceves is well-known to the asphalt industry, having served previously as the State Materials Engineer before being promoted. In taking over in District 3, which is based in Marysville and covers a wide swath of the Central Valley, Aceves follows another former State Pavement Engineer, Amarjeet Benipal, who retired late last year. A previous Asphalt Insider story on Benipal's retirement announcement is HERE.

District 10 covers a slice of the Central Valley and is headquartered in Stockton. Magasayo, a graduate of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering, started her engineering career as a junior civil engineer for a structural design firm in the Bay Area. She joined Caltrans in 1998. Since then, she has worked in Districts 4, 6 and 10. For the past 17 years, she has worked in District 10, serving as a Project Manager and most recently as the Deputy District Director for Program Project and Asset Management.

District 11 covers San Diego and Imperial counties, including the international border with Mexico. Townsend has over 30 years with the department, most recently serving as District 11’s Chief Deputy for Maintenance and Operations while assisting with oversight of the district’s day-to-day activities. He has held several leadership roles including the District Division Chief of Maintenance and the District Division Chief of Construction, as well as roles in Design and Traffic Operations. Early in his career he helped deliver landmark projects including segments of the Interstate 15 Express Lanes in San Diego and the State Route 7 Expressway in Imperial County. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from San Diego State University, and a Master’s in Public Administration from Norwich University, and is a licensed Civil and Traffic Engineer.

In his announcement, Keever thanked those who have helped fill vacancies on a temporary basis, including Kristen Kingsley (District 2), Dave Moore (District 3) and Eric Mather (District 10).

The Caltrans web page that lists all the various executive managers and biographies for the department is HERE.

CalAPA is pleased to welcome its newest paving contractor member, A-1 Advantage Asphalt, based in Sacramento.

A-1 Advantage Asphalt performs asphalt paving repairs and maintenance in the greater Sacramento area, specializing in assessing pavement conditions, and then performing pavement repair and maintenance work on a wide array of pavement surfaces, including roads, parking lots and other asphalt pavement applications. The company has expertise in sustainable practices, Americans With Disabilities (ADA) compliance, and effective pavement maintenance strategies so project owners can extend the life of their pavement assets.

For more information, call the company at (916) 388-2020, or visit their website HERE.

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

RECLAIMED ASPHALT PAVEMENT (RAP): Removed and/or reprocessed pavement materials containing asphalt and aggregates.

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.

PREPARING FOR ASPHALT DELIVERY: Ask yourself: Has a pre-paving meeting been held with the paving foreman to inspect the sub-base? Have you checked the site for possible safety issues?

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.

SPEED OF CONSTRUCTION: Quick construction techniques, practices, and materials for satisfaction.

"Simplicity is the key to brilliance."

– Bruce Lee

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. To subscribe to the newsletter, click HERE. For comments, questions or to suggest a story idea, click HERE.

Sincerely,

Russell W. Snyder, CAE

Executive Director

California Asphalt Pavement Association (CalAPA)®