California Asphalt Pavement Association
Vol. 16, Issue 16 || April 17, 2023
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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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Action by Senate Transportation Committee on Warm Mix Asphalt bill is postponed |
A bill introduced in the Legislature on Warm Mix Asphalt, scheduled to be heard last week by the Senate Transportation Committee, was withheld from consideration at the request of the authors and sponsors.
The bill, SB312, is authored by state Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, and Sen. Angelique Ashby, D-Sacramento. The text of the bill can be found HERE. An analysis of the bill conducted by the Senate Transportation Committee staff can be found HERE.
The concept of reducing temperatures during the production of asphalt has been around for many years, and there are various methods utilized for this purpose, from equipment installed at a plant to additives added to the mix. Lower temperatures achieved in asphalt production can help reduce energy consumption and Greenhouse Gas emissions.
Because of the high degree of interest in this bill, CalAPA scheduled a special "all member" meeting via virtual technologies to hear from the bill sponsors and to give members an opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback. A previous Asphalt Insider story about that meeting is HERE. For any CalAPA member who could not make the March 29 meeting, a recording of the meeting is available upon request in keeping with CalAPA's standard practice of openness and transparency about issues that may impact the industry.
The bill was originally set to be heard March 28 by the Senate Transportation Committee, but action was postponed until April 11. The bill was removed from the April 11 meeting committee agenda at the request of the bill authors. The authors continue to gather input from stakeholders on the bill and changes to the bill language, in the form of amendments, are possible. CalAPA will continue to monitor the bill, solicit feedback from members, and provide updates as events warrant.
For more information on CalAPA's advocacy efforts, click HERE to visit the advocacy page on the CalAPA website. |
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CalAPA members welcome visiting asphalt industry delegation from Australia in advance of April 18 event in Sacramento |
CalAPA and its members rolled out the asphalt carpet for a visiting industry delegation from Australia last week. The activities are a prelude to a special "Where the Rubber Meets the Road" educational workshop being organized by CalAPA on Tuesday, April 18 in Sacramento. Details and on-line registration for that event is HERE.
CalAPA members Sully-Miller/Blue Diamond Materials and CRM Inc. conducted tours of their facilities April 14 from the visitors representing the Australian Flexible Pavement Association (AfPA). CalAPA has a special relationship with the industry, having hosted a previous delegation to California in 2014, followed shortly thereafter by a visit to Australia for a series of educational presentations by former CalAPA Technical Director Rita Leahy.
In addition to the knowledge-sharing activities, CalAPA and member supplier Prism Worldwide, led by noted wine connoiseur Scott Dmytrow, hosted the visitors for a tour of a winery and vineyard in scenic Sonoma, Calif.
The Australian delegation will be part of the program during a special educational workshop on Rubberized Hot Mix Asphalt being put on by CalAPA on Tuesday, April 18 from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Hilton Hotel Arden West, 2200 Harvard Street in Sacramento. The educational event features several subject-matter experts who will take a 360-degree view of RHMA history, technology, standards, best practices, grant opportunities and more. There are in-person and on-line opportunities to participate in the workshop. Advanced registration is required and can be done via the event website HERE. The event agenda, which includes topics and speakers, is HERE. |
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A delegation representing the Asphalt pavement industry, including members of the Australian Flexible Pavement Association, is visiting California to learn more about asphalt technical issues, sustainability and the use of recycled rubber in asphalt pavements. During a tour of the Sully-Miller/Blue Diamond Materials plant in Irwindale on Friday, April 14, pictured (left to right) are: Tammie Miller, Tyre Stewardship Australia, Anna D'Angelo, Executive Director Technology & Leadership of AfPA, and Eddie Carillo, Sully Miller/Blue Diamond Materials. |
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During a tour of CRM's facility in West Rancho Dominguez on April 14, by a visiting delegation representing the asphalt industry in Australia are, from left: Christine Brooks, CRM; CalAPA Technical Director Brandon Milar, P.E.; Tammie Miller, Tyre Stewardship Australia; Anna D'Angelo, Executive Director Technology & Leadership, AfPA; and Barry Takallou, CRM. CRM was one of the sponsors of the visit to California by the Australians. |
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Barry Takallou with CalAPA member company CRM Inc. and a noted expert on RHMA, gives an orientation to a visiting asphalt delegation from Australia on April 14 prior to a tour of CRM's facility in West Rancho Dominguez. CRM, a leading supplier of recycled crumb rubber that is used in Rubberized Hot Mix Asphalt and other applications, is one of the sponsors of the visit by the Australian delegation. |
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Sometimes where the rubber meets the road does not end well |
Regular readers of this publication know that fixing California roads is a regular focus of our attention. Promoting prudent investments is protecting and enhancing our state's pavement infrastructure is Job 1, closely followed by guarding that those tax dollars are used for their intended purposes.
Periodically, an organization that goes by TRIP, a national transportation research group, produces reports on the cost of rough roads to residents in our state, which can run between $1,400 to $2,700 per motorist per year depending on where you live. Ouch. Add to that the recent damage to state and local roads and bridges due to the historic storms that swept through California this winter, projected to cost more than $1 billion, and you have a pretty bleak picture.
Sure, when former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger took it upon himself recently to fill a pothole near his Brentwood home (his Instagram post is HERE), it made international headlines, but this is really no laughing matter. Take the case of CalAPA Member Services Manager Sophie You, who shared with us the damage done to the family vehicle by a pothole in the Sacramento area. Thankfully, no one was hurt, but we shudder to think about the repair bill.
Sure, the cost of not fixing our roads can sometimes seem like an abstraction, but it is a jarring fact of life and unites all Californians, and their wallets. Even the Governator knows that.
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California Asphalt Market Forecast Update available |
The Asphalt Market Forecast for California, an exclusive CalAPA member benefit, includes periodic updates throughout the year to keep the information current and relevant. The popular report has become an essential business planning tool for asphalt industry executives and others who want to stay on top of fast-moving events, identify opportunities and avoid threats.
The latest update, dated April 17, includes data and analysis since the annual report was published on Dec.1. The update was scheduled to be sent to all CalAPA members in good standing via e-mail on April 17 at 8:30 a.m. PDT in the form of a "Member Alert."
CalAPA members who did not receive their copy of the report should contact CalAPA at (916) 791-5044, or contact the association via our on-line form HERE, to request that the report be resent to them. |
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Each week we highlight a word, acronym or other term commonly used in the asphalt pavement industry in California.
AMERICAN WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA): A federal law passed in 1990, and generally referring to subsequent laws and guidance, that mandate that public facilities be made accessible to persons with physical disabilities.
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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.
ASPHALT MIXTURE: Ask yourself: Is this the correct mix type for the project and the layer you are constructing? Verify that the truck delivery ticket matches the approved mix design.
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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.
KYOTO PROTOCOL: A 1997 international treaty where nations detailed emission reduction targets for first time.
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"We grow because we struggle, we learn and overcome."
– R.C. Allen
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CALAPA CALENDAR:
View all CalAPA events HERE.
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REGISTRATION ENDS SOON:
"Where the Rubber Meets the Road" RHMA Educational Workshop, April 18 from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Hilton Sacramento Arden West, 2200 Harvard St., Sacramento (and also streaming "live").
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Women of Asphalt DPS Live Demo
Thursday, April 20, 10 a.m. to noon OR 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. San Jose (exact location to be e-mailed to participants). Register HERE. |
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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 © 2023 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 120, West Sacramento, CA 95691
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