Winter 2024

PCAV Members Promote Precast at 2024 Legislative Day

Precast Concrete Association of Virginia (PCAV) members spent January 24, 2024, at the Virginia General Assembly meeting with legislators to promote PCAV’s goals and priorities for the year. Our members with Senators and Delegates from both sides of the aisle to highlight the precast concrete industry’s strong economic impact on Virginia and how to ensure this impact continues through 2024.

In meeting with Delegate McNamara, PCAV members highlighted the influence PCAV member, Ed Page’s Concrete P&P has had on the local economy and how small businesses drive employment. Senator McGuire reaffirmed the importance of small businesses roles in supporting the growing infrastructure of Virginia when meeting with PCAV’s members.

Senator Suetterlein noted the changes the General Assembly has had over the last year and its potential impact on labor policy. Senator Carroll’s legislative aide, Kayla Enoch, also met with members and discussed the importance of job creation in the district. PCAV remains committed to its mission and working with legislators to ensure that the precast concrete industry remains a growing industry.

Chair of the House Transportation Committee, Delegate Delaney’s Legislative Aide, Justin Srsic, met with PCAV members where they discussed the precast concrete industry’s role in the Commonwealth’s growing transportation industry. Specifically, they discussed the resiliency of precast products to ensure the Commonwealth is investing its transportation dollars wisely.

Senator Boysko’s Legislative Aide, Luke Priddy, met with PCAV members where they discussed the value of precast’s resiliency and the importance of investing transportation dollars initially when building roads as to avoid requiring replacing them sooner than needed.

Jay Ashley with Nansemond Precast Concrete Products met with his Delegate, Buddy Fowler, to discuss the strong economic impact of his operations in the district. Members also met with Senator Bill DeSteph and Delegate Ennis to show the impact of the precast industry and its importance in the economy and Virginia’s infrastructure.

PCAV looks forward to welcome legislators to their districts to educate them on the industry and meet the hardworking individuals that keep the Commonwealth’s transportation industry thriving.

In Memoriam

The Precast Concrete Association of Virginia mourns the loss of a long-time contributor to the association- Darrell Wilson.

Darrell, 64, of Reidsville, NC, passed away peacefully at home on January 11, 2024, after a 17-month battle with pancreatic cancer.

He leaves behind his loving wife and caregiver of 35 years Linda Pickerill Wilson and their sons Justin Bryant Wilson and Travis Walker Wilson.

He was proceeded in death by his father Bryant Malton Wilson, mother Mary Lurleen Walker Wilson, sister Gwendolyn Childers, and brother Donald Wilson.

Darrell was employed for nearly 42 years at Eco Material Technologies (formerly Boral Materials). His many coworkers and customers became like family, and their love and support have not gone unnoticed.

His active participation and camaraderie within the precast industry in Virginia was wonderful and always appreciated. He treated us like friends first and business associates second.

Rest in peace, friend.

PCAV Member Product News

Gillespie Precast drainage solution now a part of Virginia’s rich history

by Malinalli Gomez, Gillespie Precast

Just a few yards from a brand-new Appomattox River crossing consisting of nine sections of Gillespie Precast 9’ x 4’ Twin Cell Precast Concrete Box Culvert are the remnants of a 200-year-old concrete bridge used to allow mill workers from the village of Ettrick to access the jobs provided by the cotton and flour mills on the south side of the river in Petersburg, Virginia in the 1800’s.

Campbell’s Bridge was critical to General Robert E. Lee’s retreat in April of 1865. A testament to concrete over any other new age alternatives, this bridge, that still stands in part today, was used by Confederate troops to flee the Union army which had instructions to head west to Amelia County. Just a few days following this crossing, Lee would surrender to Grant in Appomattox on April 9, 1865.

This was not an easy set. The contractor had to maneuver the first two upstream pieces of 9’ x 4’ Twin Cell (approx. 20 tons per full section) under power lines and slide piece three under existing fiber optics that the city wouldn’t allow to be removed as they serviced the university and surrounding communities. The Culpeper, Virginia-based client did a masterful job of navigating this project and the culvert went together beautifully. All involved were impressed and extremely satisfied with the finished product, the quality, and the service that Gillespie provided.

Now with some finishing touches, the Gillespie Precast box culvert will span the river at the foot of Virginia State University connecting students with housing and resources offered by the city. This VDOT bridge replacement is just one of many box culverts that Gillespie Precast is providing the state but given the historic nature of this one we wanted to show it off to the world.

Industry Event Spotlight

Will we see you at the VA Concrete Conference?

The 2024 Virginia Concrete Conference will be held March 14-15, 2024, at The Westin Richmond. This year's theme, "Concrete is the Resilient Solution," places an emphasis on technical advancements/improvements and the viability of concrete for transportation applications. Industry and government experts will share their knowledge and experiences in their field of expertise. Topics include the Harry W. Nice Memorial Bridge (US 301), Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel, and Underneath the Pavement: FDR Paver-Laid in Richmond.

PCAV is a sponsor of this event, and we encourage you to stop by our exhibit booth to say hello and help us spread the word about the value our organization brings to this industry.

Calendars

Click here to download

Industry Event Calendar

March

11-12

Maryland Concrete Conference

March

14-15

Virginia Concrete Conference

View all upcoming activities on our website