It seems as though references to climate change are all around us of late, and in the case of asphalt pavements, right under our feet. As has been reported in this publication and in the CalAPA magazine for many years, the convergence of these two issues is often in the form of Environmental Product Declarations. Our latest California Asphalt magazine issue devoted to that topic is HERE.

But while EPDs may be getting all the attention these days, another sustainability stalwart is quietly working behind the scenes -- Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement, or RAP. Regular readers of this publication know that asphalt pavements are the most recycled product on the planet, and since 95% of paved surfaces in California are surfaced with asphalt it makes sense to exploit this valuable resource. Reusing existing roadway material over and over, it turns out, is a major boon to sustainability as well as relieving pressure on our dwindling aggregate sources. The asphalt pavement industry in California has for many years been promoting the merits of higher RAP, including raising the level of knowledge and awareness of the unique properties of RAP in pavement mix designs and construction. This comes in many forms, including presentations at CalAPA conferences, support for research and pilot projects, inclusion in technical classes and more. Our epic deep-dive magazine investigation on this topic with the provocative title, "Who killed high RAP?" is HERE.

Now comes the Asphalt Institute, a CalAPA partner, with another deep-dive examination of RAP in their own magazine with another provocative title, "Is RAP just a black rock?" authored by Asphalt Institute Regional Engineer Grover Allen. The article, of course, focuses on the binder contribution to RAP and the evolving knowledge and emerging consensus on that topic. The issue can be viewed on-line HERE.

We welcome thoughtful examinations of this important topic to inform engineering decisions made in the mix design stage that will result in the most durable, sustainable and cost-effective pavement projects possible.

The CalAPA Technical Advisory Committee, which reports its activities to the CalAPA Board of Directors as it develops industry policy and positions, continues to have robust discussions on RAP and other finer points of asphalt pavement mix design, construction and performance. To be added to the TAC distribution list (CalAPA members only), contact CalAPA's Director of Technical Services, Brandon Milar, P.E., at (916) 791-5044.

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For decades the various programs, goals and other initiatives aimed at boosting opportunities for disadvantaged businesses in California have been among the most controversial in the construction industry, despite the high-minded aspirations that pretty much everyone agrees with.

Part of the controversy centers around the barriers to entry for emerging firms, and the maddeningly complex bureaucracy that has grown up to manage these programs. Toss in a few bad apples who have attempted to "game" the system and you have a recipe for frustration, and the original intent gets lost by the wayside.

At Caltrans, the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) is the main office that heads up the department's work on DBEs, with some heavy involvement from the Division of Construction, where the bulk of contracted work is administered. According to the OCR website, it is "dedicated to increasing the participation of Small Business (SB), Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) firms in both federal and state contracting procurement." The website, which has additional details on various goals, activities and resources, is HERE.

California Asphalt magazine highlighted the asphalt industry's commitment to boosting the profile and opportunities for underrepresented groups with our special Workforce Diversity issue last year, which is on-line HERE. This issue, by the way, was our most clicked-on digital issue of the year, giving an indication of the high degree of interest in this topic. In the issue we profiled the inspirational story of Allison Ragan, president of Black Diamond Asphalt, a woman-owned business that has managed to navigate the various barriers to entry to find success. The clear message: it shouldn't have to be this hard.

A promising development has emerged in this space recently in the form of the Caltrans-industry mentor-protege program for the construction industry, which was piloted in Caltrans District 4 in the San Francisco Bay Area and has been recently expanded statewide with the strong support of Caltrans Director Tony Tavares (a former District 4 Director) and Division of Construction Chief Ray Hopkins. As its name suggests, the idea is for experienced firms to "mentor" emerging firms to help them succeed in the industry (and avoid missteps that could imperil any small business). CalAPA associate member CPM Logistics has been helping guide the statewide rollout of the mentor-protege program under the passionate leadership of Bonny Nyaga, the former District 4 mentor-protege champion who moved to the Director's Office in Sacramento and brought all his knowledge, experience and limitless optimism with him. A previous Asphalt Insider story on this topic is HERE.

One proactive approach to helping grow the pie of qualified DBE firms is to help them understand the opportunities that are available, and how to position themselves to access them. Education is a big part of this. Trucking firms, in particular, could greatly benefit from upcoming construction work, but being a certified DBE firm, and understanding how to find and respond to the various trucking opportunities, is essential. That certification, in turn, could open up many opportunities for asphalt industry trucking. One proactive example of this educational effort is related to the massive Kiewit Shea Traylor joint venture to build the Valley Transportation Authority's BART Silicon Valley Phase II extension project. Information on that project is HERE.

CPM Logistics is hosting a free Trucking DBE Application Assistance Workshop in support of that joint venture, but obviously this workshop would be beneficial for any small trucking firm that is looking to access public works opportunities. At the workshops experts at certification will be on hand to answer questions and help prospective DBE firms with the various paperwork needed to achieve certification and unlock these opportunities. The workshop will be held Tuesday, March 26 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. in Santa Clara. For additional details and to register for this free workshop click HERE.

Helping small businesses succeed in the construction industry? Now that's something everyone can support. If you know of someone who could benefit from this information, please pass this along.

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Last week in this newsletter we profiled asphalt's speed of construction attributes as they relate to some high-profile projects and exacting requirements of California racetracks. A link to that article is HERE.

This week we are reminded of another kind of speed as embodied by legendary construction company owner Clinton Charles "C.C." Myers, who passed away Feb. 14 at the age of 85. A larger-than-life figure in California, Myers gained international fame with his rapid reconstruction of Interstate 10 in Los Angeles following the 1994 Northridge Earthquake, and many other high-profile successes. In a cover profile, Comstock's Magazine, the publication called him "The World's Fastest Man." Perhaps some Olympic track and field athletes might take exception to this characterization, but no one in the construction industry would. That profile is HERE.

This reporter will be the first to admit bias on this topic, having worked for Caltrans District 7 during the Northridge Earthquake and seeing Myers' work first-hand, and ghost writing a "lessons learned from the Northridge Earthquake" story for the Project Management Institute magazine, as well as for a Transportation Research Board publication. My conclusion: Myers knew his stuff, had the relationships, a highly motivated team behind him, and stayed focused on the project and the needs of the project owner. It also helped that he had a sterling reputation for backing up his words with action, and the courage of a riverboat gambler, marshalling resources and materials even before he got a contract, betting that he could beat all competitors by finishing the project early -- way early -- to maximize early-completion bonuses. Think this wasn't a big deal? Vice President Al Gore and Gov. Pete Wilson were on hand when the I-10 opened to traffic in 1994 just 66 days after Mother Nature turned four concrete bridges into a pile of rubble. Gore and Wilson might have been the government mucky mucks, but Myers was the star of the show.

A CalAPA member, Sam Hassoun with GLA Inc., famously tells the story of when, during administration of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Myers took it upon himself during an AGC meeting at the Capitol to make an unscheduled visit to the Governor's Office, with exasperated AGC staffers in tow. No one just walks into the Governor's Office without an appointment. No one, that is, except C.C. Myers. When he told the receptionist he was there to speak to the governor, some awkward phone calls ensued. Schwarzenegger was out of town, he was informed, but within minutes the governor's Chief of Staff, Susan Kennedy, popped into the reception area to greet Myers like an old friend and listen to his concerns. Only C.C. Myers could do that.

The official obituary of Myers can be found HERE. A celebration of his life was scheduled for Feb. 29 in Sacramento. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the AGC Construction Education Foundation that he supported for so many years. A link to the AGCCEF is HERE.

CalAPA's Legislative & Political Action Committees will be keeping a close watch on the results of this week's primary election in California, of course, but so will many others. That's because control of the House of Representatives next year could come down to a handful of congressional races in California, so who makes it out of the primaries to the November General Election will be an early indicator of things to come.

With control of the Congress almost equally divided, flipping a few seats from blue to red, or vice-versa, could determine who holds the Speaker's Gavel next January. Of 16 House districts won by Joe Biden in 2020 but currently held by Republicans, five are in California. None other than the Atlantic-centric New York Times recently proclaimed California as a "linchpin" for Democratic hopes for retaking the chamber. In the Democratic crosshairs: U.S. Reps. John Duarte (CA 13), Mike Garcia (CA 25), Young Kim (CA 40), Michelle Steel (CA 48) and David Valadao (CA 21). Duarte's re-election in 2022 was the second-closest in the nation as he bested Democratic Assemblyman Adam Gray by 564 votes. Kim's race in 2022 was also considered a tossup, but she ended up winning by more than 7,000 votes.

With California's "jungle" primary, in place since 2012, the two top vote-getters in the primary election, regardless of party affiliation, make it to a November runoff. In the case of the races listed above, not only the top vote-getter, but the second-place finisher, will be an indicator of what is in store for November.

After the primary election dust settles, it will be a sprint to the finish for the Nov. 5 General Election. If things stand as they do now, it may be a late night (or early morning) before California vote tallies come in and render the final verdict on whether the Speaker of the House in 2025 will be a Republican or Democrat. Which is another way of saying, every vote counts.

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

REVISED STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS (RSS): Refers to revisions of the Standard Specifications published periodically by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans).

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.

TONNAGE CALCULATION: Ask yourself: Are there enough trucks on the run to haul the mix needed to complete the job? If you have five trucks on the round each carrying 25 tons = 125 tons per round. If each round takes one hour to make, then the production rate is 125 tons per hour. If the job requires 1,000 tons at 125 tons per hour = eight hours to get the mix to the job. 

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.

THINLAY: Pavement preservation technique that adds 3/4- to 1 1/2 inches of structure. 

"We’re led to believe we’re free by the exercise of meaningless choices."

– George Carlin

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

The California Asphalt Pavement Association (CalAPA)®