Stop us if you've heard this one before. Congress, unable to agree on a long-term plan for transportation funding, approved another short-term "patch" before heading off to a holiday weekend recess.

Congress' approach to road funding.

Transportation advocates were crestfallen.

The patch, the 11th passed by Congress in the last six years, not including 18 budget patches, lasts until July 31. It does nothing to address the Highway Trust Fund insolvency crisis.

Undaunted, transportation funding advocates are pushing a grass-roots campaign to bring attention to the crisis, including letter-writing campaigns, promotional videos and more. Click HERE to view the latest and very clever video about the highway bill's difficult route to the Capitol.

The National Asphalt Pavement Association has created an automated website to send an updated letter to your elected representatives on the federal transportation funding issue. Access it HERE.

Similarly, CalAPA member Astec Industries is lending its support by

Help the highway bill get to D.C.

promoting its "Don't Let America Dead End" website (click HERE to visit) and advocacy tool resource. CalAPA's "Legislative Action" page, with fact sheets and other information tailored to California, can be found HERE.

Numerous elected officials have told CalAPA that if they don't hear from constituents, they assume an issue is not important. With House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (CA-23) emerging as a key roadblock to a long-term transportation funding bill, CalAPA members in the Bakersfield area are strongly encouraged to reach out to him and make your opinions known.

The awards were announced May 21 at a luncheon in downtown Sacramento attended by many transportation luminaries, including Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty and Assemblyman Jim Frazier, D-Oakley, chairman of the Assembly Transportation Committee, who was named "Elected Official of the Year."

The aviation project entailed the much-anticipated improvements to

Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport.

the Charles M. Schulz / Sonoma County Airport. The $25 million project bringing the airport to current Federal Aviation Administration standards by extending Runways 14 and 20, constructing new runway connector taxiways, constructing a new taxiway "Brovo," the re-alignment of Airport Creek and the construction of new service roads, lighting and signing improvements, tower control modifications and FAA localizer relocation.

The project team overcame numerous challenges, including federal funding holdups and a government shutdown. The others who shared the award were Sonoma County, the Sonoma County Airport, Mead & Hunt, Royal Electroic, Bauer Associations, and LSA Associates.

In 2014, the Port of Long Beach successfully completed the West Anaheim Street Reconstruction Project on-time and within budget. The portion of Anaheim Street that won the CTF Award is a critical link for the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles to the I-710 Corridor. It is also vital arterial for businesses and the surround community.

Before (top) and after shots of Anaheim Street.

The project team formed a robust outreach program to determine the impacts and remediation needed for all local businesses and the surrounding community. Major beautification, with sustainable design, pedestrian and transit station amenities, were an integral part of the new streetscape. The project also incorporated new technology to filter and treat storm-water runoff.

Sharing the award with CalAPA members Sully-Miller Contracting Co. and LaBelle-Marvin were the Port of Long Beach, the Long beach Pulbic Works Department and Psomas.

For a complete list of the award winners, and the finalists, click HERE.

Avoiding pitfalls in bid protests, prevailing wages, statutes of limitations and liens will be a featured topic at the June 9 CalAPA Southern California Contractors' Dinner in Pico Rivera.

Kimberly Wind, a senior associate at the law firm of Hart King, a new CalAPA member that specializes in construction law, will outline recent legal decisions that will have an impact on any paving contractor that performs or is contemplating bidding on public works projects.

Also at the meeting, Executive Director Russell Snyder will give an

Kimberly Wind

overview of the many threats that have swirled around the asphalt pavement industry this year, from onerous regulations to pucker-inducing bills introduced in the state Legislature. The latest update on transportation funding as association activities also will be highlighted.

The evening also will feature local agency updates, technical and insurance "news you can use" and plenty of networking.

The dinner will take place at the Dal Rae restaurant, 9023 E. Washington Blvd. in Pico Rivera. Networking begins at 5:30 p.m. and the dinner program begins at 6:30 p.m. Pre-registration is required and must be completed on-line HERE.

For more information abut the program, contact Tony Grasso at (909) 362-9192. For registration questions, contact Sophie You of CalAPA at (916) 791-5044.

 

An article in last week's Asphalt Insider newsletter on FHWA-sponsored training incorrectly referred to it as "intelligent compaction." The workshop is to learn about "ProVAL" software (Profile Viewing & Analysis). Details about the June 24 workshop in Fontana can be found HERE.