Virginia Transportation Construction Alliance

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VTCA Calendar

VTCA 2012 Winter Meeting

January 11, 2012 - January 15, 2012 - Loews Miami Beach Hotel, South Beach, FL

The 2012 VTCA Winter Meeting is being held at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel in Miami Beach, FL, January 11 – 15 , 2012. Watch for details and registration information to plan your trip.

VTCA 2011 Spring Conference & Trade Show

April 06, 2011 - April 08, 2011 - Hampton Roads Convention Center & Embassy Suites, Hampton, VA

Join your industry peers at Virginia’s only statewide conference for transportation contractors, aggregate producers, consultant engineers, material suppliers, and government transportation officials.

Registration information will be released in early 2011.

Transportation Construction Management Institute

February 16, 2011 - February 25, 2011 - Virginia Tech, Blacksburg

Give your company a chance to thrive tomorrow by giving your up-and-coming leaders the tools they need to survive today. The prestigious Transportation Construction Management Institute at Virginia Tech is set for February 16-25, 2011.

Designed specifically for transportation construction industry professionals, TCMI benefits those who are responsible for the completion of projects – those whose work focuses on communication and leadership in addition to the more technical construction management subjects. This year a special emphasis will be added to the curriculum that focuses on the preparation and management of Design-Build contracts and insightful information on building and maintaining a safe working culture for your organization. Additionally, the rigorous and rewarding Institute will improve participants’ ability to:

Administer contracts and make decisions.
Establish effective teams and maintain strong relationships and high trust levels with and within VDOT and the road building industry.
Resolve disputes on-site and complete projects in a more cost-effective and competitive manner.
Apply newly acquired leadership, management and interpersonal skills to areas of increased responsibility and authority.

Registration information will be released in late 2010.

VTCA 2011 Winter Meeting

February 03, 2011 - February 06, 2011 - Mansion on Forsyth Park, Savannah, GA

The 2011 VTCA Winter Meeting is being held at the Mansion on Forsyth Park in Savannah, GA. February 3-6, 2011. Watch for details and registration information to plan your trip.

Northern Virginia District Dialogue

November 16, 2010 - Marriott Fairfax at Fair Oaks, Fairfax

Join your fellow VTCA members on Tuesday, November 16, 2010 for this unique opportunity to meet the VDOT Northern Virginia District staff and discuss the important issues that affect you as you do business within the Northern Virginia District.

Registration details coming soon.

ESCCC

November 12, 2010 - Holiday Inn Koger Conference Center, Richmond

VTCA, in conjunction with VDOT, is offering the Erosion and Sediment Control Contractor Certification Program. This course is intended to train individuals involved in implementing Erosion and Sediment Control Plans on VDOT projects and rights-of-way. Participants who complete the course and pass the examination will receive a certificate of completion. This certificate meets VDOT’s E&S certification requirements.

If you wish to attend this course please fill out the enrollment form and submit it along with your payment to VTCA. All course materials, breaks and lunch will be provided; lodging is the responsibility of the participant.

Please contact VTCA’s with any questions.

Online Registration

November 12, 2010 ESCCC Printable Registration Form

Hampton Roads District Dialogue

October 08, 2010 - Omni Newport News Hotel, Newport News

Join your fellow VTCA members on Friday, October 8, 2010 for this unique opportunity to meet the VDOT Hampton Roads District staff and discuss the important issues that affect you as you do business within the Hampton Roads District.

We will begin with presentations on what’s currently going on in the District and contracting, construction, maintenance, operations, consultant engineering and CEI business opportunities in the next 24 months. Next, we will have an interactive panel discussion on project and program delivery in the Hampton Roads District. Third, we will open the floor for discussion on today’s most important industry issues. What’s on your mind? Submit your questions on the registration page. Last, and most dynamic, discussion will continue at lunch Round Tables where VDOT professionals will host topic tables—you choose your topic and sit with those VDOT experts.

Don’t miss the opportunity for your company to sponsor one of these Round Table Discussions. Register to sponsor a table today! Topics are first come, first served.

If you wish to attend the Dialogue please register online or fill out the registration form and submit it along with your payment to VTCA. Please contact VTCA’s with any questions.

Online Registration

Printable Registration Form

ESCCC

October 08, 2010 - Holiday Inn Tanglewood, Roanoke

Please contact VTCA’s with any questions.

Online Registration

October 8, 2010 ESCCC Printable Registration Form

Basic Belt Drive Principals

October 05, 2010 - Division of Mineral Mining/DMME, Charlottesville

This two-hour session is dedicated to developing an understanding of basic belt drive principals. Completion of the seminar will assist you in identifying the proper belt for the application, how to select the proper belt drive system, when to use single vs. banded v-belts as well as when to replace the belts and pulleys. You will also learn the effects of improper tension and how to set the proper belt tension using a tension tester.

This session is being organized and conducted under the direction of Jeff Place with Applied Industrial Technologies.

If you wish to attend this seminar please fill out the registration form and submit it along with your payment to VTCA. Please contact VTCA’s or with any questions.

Online Registration

Printable Registration Form

ARTBA National Convention - 2010

October 03, 2010 - October 06, 2010 - New York, NY

ARTBA National Convention, New York Marriott Marquis, New York, NY

Hillard Charity & Fellowship Outing

October 01, 2010 - Bowling Green Country Club, Front Royal

Join your friends and colleagues for the next Hilliard Charity and Fellowship Golf Tournament, October 1 in Front Royal, Virginia at Bowling Green Country Club.

Hilliard Charity and Fellowship Golf Tournament Registration Information

Fall Smoke Schools

September 25, 2010 - September 29, 2010 - Glade Spring, Manakin & Blue Ridge

VTCA will be sponsoring Visible Emissions (Smoke) Schools in the Fall. The schools are designed to produce qualified observers who can make plume opacity determinations that are accurate and minimally affected by variable field conditions.

We are offering three Smoke Schools for the Fall session:

September 25, 2010 - Mountain Materials, Glade Spring, VA
September 28, 2010 - Luck Stone, Manakin, VA
September 29, 2010 - Boxley, Blue Ridge, VA

Please contact VTCA’s with any questions.

Online Registration

Fall Smoke School Printable Registration Form

VTCA-VDOT Consultant Forum

September 24, 2010 - Holiday Inn Koger Conference Center, Richmond

Join us for the only conference dedicated to the consultant industry engaged in transportation design and inspection. The 2010 VTCA-VDOT Consultant Forum is intended to provide VDOT, municipalities, and the consultant engineering industry an opportunity to meet and discuss the challenges specific to transportation in Virginia.

Registration Information
Online Registration >>
Register by Mail or Fax: Download Registration & Sponsorship Package >>

This year’s planned program topics include:

Updates on the Federal Transportation Reauthorization and Virginia’s state funding status
The latest VDOT initiatives, policies and updates from VDOT’s Commissioner Greg Whirley, Chief Engineer Mal Kerley and Chief Financial Officer Reta Busher
Federal initiatives from FHWA’s new Virginia Division Administrator, Irene Rico
Two special discussion panels: Past VDOT Commissioners discuss their views on the future of VDOT and a panel of academic representatives from Virginia’s engineering colleges will discuss how they are preparing engineering students for a future in transportation
VDOT Program Updates from the Design and Inspection Divisions
The latest on the Urban Initiative Program
2010 VTCA Engineering Awards and Scholarship Presentations

Tentative Program Agenda >>

VTCA is proud to offer Professional Development Hours (PDH) for this year’s Forum. PDHs will be available for individual sessions and may vary with program changes. Details of the PDH program will be available at the Forum.

Immediately following the afternoon general session the Forum will close with a networking reception for all attendees.

Registration - Early Registration Ends September 10, 2010!

The registration cost includes all sessions, lunch and complimentary reception. Prior to September 10 registration for VTCA members is $140.00 per person, and $165.00 for non-members (AFTER SEPTEMBER 10 THE REGISTRATION COST WILL BE $165.00 PER PERSON FOR VTCA MEMBERS, $180.00 FOR NON-MEMBERS).

Forum Sponsorships
Demonstrate your company’s commitment to Virginia’s transportation program by being a sponsor of this year’s forum. As a sponsor your firm’s commitment will be promoted and recognized throughout the event. Sponsorships are available starting at $300.

Registration Information
Online Registration >>
Register by Mail or Fax: Download Registration & Sponsorship Package >>

2010 VTCA-VDOT Consultant Forum Sponsors
Conference Sponsors
Rice Associates	AI Engineers, Inc.
AECOM	RK&K
Schnabel Engineering	Whitman, Requardt and Associates, LLP
Lunch Sponsors
The Louis Berger Group, Inc.	Belstar, Inc.
McDonough Bolyard Peck	Woolpert, Inc.
Greenhorne & O’Mara, Inc.	Dewberry
Reception Sponsors
Austin Brockenbrough & Assoc., LLP	Schwartz & Associates, Inc.
H.W. Lochner, Inc.

	as of 9/7/10

ESCCC

September 17, 2010 - Marriott Fairfax at Fair Oaks, Fairfax

Please contact VTCA’s with any questions.

Online Registration

September 17, 2010 ESCCC Printable Registration Form

I-66 Pavement Rehabilitation Design-Build RFP Posted

September 08, 2010 -

VDOT has posted an RFP for the I-66 Pavement Rehabilitation Project located in Fairfax County. The project includes providing full-depth patching of the existing concrete pavement on approximately 6.5 miles of I-66 and selected interchange ramps, and overlaying the pavement with asphalt. The deadline for submitting the Proposal is October 27, 2010 at 4 p.m. A pre-proposal meeting will be held September 15, 2010, at the Northern Virginia District Office of the Virginia Department of Transportation, 14685 Avion Parkway, Chantilly, Va. 20151, beginning at 10 a.m. (prevailing local time) in the Fairfax Conference Room.

Details and the RFP are available on VDOT’s web site at http://www.virginiadot.org/business/request-for-proposals.asp

Williams Mullen Announces New Public-Private Partnership Team

September 07, 2010 -

William Mullen is pleased to announce the formation of a new Public-Private Partnership Team. Chaired by Charles E. “Chuck” Wall, this Team will work with clients to identify and facilitate opportunities that build on the common ground shared by business goals and public policy objectives. Team professionals have extensive experience with successful PPTA proposals and agreements as well as design-build projects. Beyond transportation, they have crafted partnering arrangements that span a variety of projects and industries. With a thorough understanding of legal, financial and competitive influences, the Team will assist clients in developing innovative ways to accelerate project delivery, mitigate risk and maximize return. Contact Chuck at , 804-420-6498.

Staff News from GeoStructures

September 07, 2010 -

Demand for foundation support on commercial and transportation construction projects has led design-build contractor GeoStructures to promote some staff and add others. Among the recent changes are the promotion of Wes Barton to foundations superintendent, and the following new hires:

Tim Yezerski, Project Manager
John Chernitsky, Project Manager
Stephen Pause, Project Engineer
Saed Abusaif, who will lead the CAD Department

Coupled with the recognition as one of the country’s fastest-growing private firms (#1,864) from Inc. magazine for the second time, these staff additions point to GeoStructures as a company that continues to grow in the foundation support, earth support and roadway structures marketplace on the east coast.

Don Hillock Retires from National Capital

September 07, 2010 -

After twenty years of dedicated service Don Hillock has retired from National Capital Industries as their Sales Manager. Leah, Don’s wife had already retired and was coaxing him to move to Maryland’s Eastern Shore. After contemplating it for many months Don decided to join the ranks of the retired and spend more time with his family. Congratulations, Don!

Bob Speakman is serving as Acting Sales Manager. He can be contacted at 410-644-0300 or .

Chris Bucher Passed Away

September 07, 2010 -

Chris Bucher, Senior Vice President with Shirley Contracting, passed away suddenly on Saturday. Chris was a former VTCA Board member and long-time colleague and friend. We are shocked and devastated to lose Chris as such a young age. We ask that you keep his wife, his daughters and his extended family in your prayers. Information on arrangements follows.

BUCHER CHRISTOPHER A. BUCHER (Age 51) Of Leesburg, VA, passed away at his home on Saturday, September 4, 2010. Beloved husband of Sherry Cramer Bucher; devoted father of Mackenzie Marie Bucher and Madison Nicole Bucher; cherished son of Rosemarie Bucher; brother of Jeanmarie Bucher Reahl, Kenneth Bucher, and James Bucher. He is also survived by nephews Jacob Bucher and Zachary Reahl, nieces Samantha Bucher and Stephanie Bucher. Friends may call on Tuesday, September 7, 2010 from 6 to 8 p.m., at Colonial Funeral Home of Leesburg, 201 Edwards Ferry Rd., Leesburg, VA 20176. Services will be held on Wednesday, September 8, 2010 at 1 p.m. at Cornerstone Chapel, 742 Miller Drive, Leesburg, VA. Interment to follow at Union Cemetery, Leesburg, Virginia. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to John Hopkins Oncology, ATTN: Hatim Husain, 1650 Orleans St., CRB-1,186, Baltimore, MD 21231. Condolences can be sent to www.colonialfuneralhome.com

Stone Bids for September 2, 2010

September 03, 2010 -

Bluetop Newsletter September 2010

August 31, 2010 -

Governor Releases Results of Research Council Audit

August 24, 2010 -

Governor Bob McDonnell recently received the results of an independent review of the Virginia Department of Transportation’s (VDOT) Research Council. The audit was one of four performance audits of Virginia’s transportation programs called for by the Governor and approved by the 2010 General Assembly. Delegate Joe May (R-Loudoun), who serves as Chairman of the House Transportation Committee, championed the effort in the General Assembly. Results of the audit, released to Secretary of Transportation Sean T. Connaughton, include six major recommendations to improve the value of Virginia’s transportation research program.

Speaking about the results of the audit, Governor McDonnell remarked, “The review identified opportunities and recommendations to transform the Research Council into a champion for innovation to benefit all who use Virginia roads, rail, and transit. We now intend for this program to identify, research, test and implement creative solutions that will fuel Virginia’s multi-modal transportation program and make it the best state transportation research organization in the country. Audits such as this one are part of this Administration’s comprehensive efforts to improve transportation in the Commonwealth. A modern, integrated and cost-efficient transportation system is crucial to job creation and economic growth in the years ahead. ”

The Federal Highway Administration’s Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center and B.T. Harder Inc. of Philadelphia conducted the independent evaluation of the Virginia Transportation Research Council (VTRC). Virginia annually spends between $10 million to $13 million on research.

The review found that while Virginia’s current business model for research is sound, comprehensive implementation and utilization of research results was lagging. The audit recommends that Virginia improve performance by instituting a more formal and rigorous implementation process as well as early involvement of personnel from the field. Steps for accomplishing this include developing internal reporting and management processes and utilizing field personnel to support research efforts. It also recommends setting up pilot programs to test research results and, upon successful completion of a pilot, bringing into practice these innovations, process changes, new specifications and other changes.

The research program will also give greater focus on innovative strategies to reduce congestion and to maximize the utilization of current transportation infrastructure, such as active traffic management, better designs, and more through planning. In addition, it is intended to broaden the current research program to be multi-modal instead of focusing primarily on highway construction and infrastructure. In recognition of this, it is proposed to rename the “Virginia Transportation Research Council” to the “Virginia Transportation Innovation Center. “

“The new name is intended to reflect the broader mission of the program and the role we need it to play,” Secretary of Transportation Sean Connaughton said. “Virginia is facing multifaceted and complex transportation challenges that we need innovative ideas and practices to overcome. The Virginia Transportation Innovation Center will be at the forefront of reinvigorating a culture of innovation within VDOT and Virginia’s other transportation agencies.”

The Virginia Transportation Research Council (VTRC) was created in 1948 as a partnership between VDOT and the University of Virginia. VTRC now also works closely with the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute and other areas in Virginia Tech. The report recommends that the new Virginia Transportation Innovation Center (VTIC) maximize the value of its research capabilities through stronger partnerships with universities in Virginia and leveraging current funding opportunities. The report says that such partnerships “increase capacity while providing VDOT with a reliable source of highly qualified internal technical support.” Consequently, the VTIC will increase outreach with other state universities to develop “niche expertise areas” and cooperative agreements for grant funding for transportation research in such areas as policy, transit, rail and environmental. This will create opportunities for VTIC to expand its support for all agencies of the Transportation Secretariat.

Two other areas for improvement call for enhancements in the VTIC’s advisory committee process, which taps the expertise of experts from government, academia and the private sector to develop proposals for new research.

The effort to implement the audits results will begin immediately. The full report is available online at http://www.governor.virginia.gov/tempContent/Memo_VTRC_Evaluation.pdf

Stone Bids for August 19, 2010

August 19, 2010 -

Davis Bacon - Letter to USDOL

August 16, 2010 -

VDOT to Devote $200 Million to Pavement Program

August 16, 2010 -

In FY 2011 VDOT will devote a minimum of $200 million contract value annually to the pavement schedule program. The paving season will generally run from April 1st to December 1st (in accordance with existing specifications). Contract language will include a provision that will limit contract payments for work completed in April to June to 25% of the contract dollar value, regardless of the amount of work executed. Any outstanding or unpaid balance for worked completed on a contract will be paid in the first estimate period after July 1st. More details are attached.

VDOT TO DEVOTE $200 MILLION TO PAVEMENT PROGRAM

August 16, 2010 -

Bill Bauer, Jr., PE of CH2M Hill Passes Away

August 10, 2010 -

William J. “Bill” Bauer, Jr., PE, passed away July 28 at the age of 48 after fighting a heart infection. Bill was a senior engineer at CH2M Hill in Richmond. He was a 1983 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh where he earned a degree in mining engineering. Bill was a member of the Professional Engineering Society, where he held various offices. He loved hunting, fishing and the Pittsburgh Steelers. He touched many lives and will be sadly missed by all that knew him. Funeral services were held on August 2.

John Litton, Co-founder of Thompson & Litton, Passes Away

August 10, 2010 -

John W. “Sonny” Litton, PE, co-founder of Thompson & Litton, Inc., passed away on August 1 at the age of 89. A graduate of Norton High School and Virginia Military Institute, Mr. Litton served in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He earned the distinguished Purple Heart after the invasion of Southern France in 1944. He then served in the Virginia State Highway Department from 1945 to 1948. He founded Thompson and Litton in 1956 with his friend William Thompson, Jr. His dedication to his profession, his country, his family and his faith earned him numerous awards and distinctions throughout his life. Funeral services were held on August 4.

Stone Bids for August 5, 2010

August 05, 2010 -

VDOT Issuss Addendum #1 for Meadowville Interchange

August 04, 2010 -

VDOT has posted addendum #1 on their website for the I-295/Meadowville Interchange Design Build proposal. Details can be downloaded from VDOT’s website at http://www.virginiadot.org/business/request-for-proposals.asp

Kilpatrick Named VDOT Chief Deputy Commissioner

July 30, 2010 -

Bluetop Newsletter August 2010

July 30, 2010 -

AM10 Effective Ways to Build Successful Teams

July 30, 2010 -

AM10 Managing Stress

July 30, 2010 -

$900M of Work on the Street by Year End

July 23, 2010 -

VDOT to Put $900M of Work on the Street by Year End

July 23, 2010 -

At the VTCA Annual Meeting last week, VDOT Chief Engineer Mal Kerley announced that between July 19, 2010 and December 31, 2010, VDOT will put nearly $900 million worth of work out to advertisement. The goal is to spend down some of VDOT’s cash balances and have work under contract for the 2011 construction season. There are over 250 construction, maintenance and locally administered projects that have been scheduled for advertisement by year end with a value of $878.5 million. You can find a breakdown, by district, value of projects along with a list of projects here.

This list will be updated periodically, and we will provide our members with these updates.

Tech log072310

July 23, 2010 -

Stone Bids for July 22, 2010

July 22, 2010 -

Pavement Material Shortage Update

July 22, 2010 -

VA Free Commentary on Trasnportation Funding

July 20, 2010 -

AM10 Member Report

July 20, 2010 -

AM10 Contract Clauses

July 20, 2010 -

AM10 VDOT Presentation

July 20, 2010 -

VTCA Board of Directors Meeting

July 15, 2010 - Wyndham Virginia Beach Oceanfront, Virginia Beach, VA

The VTCA Board of Directors is scheduled to meet in conjunction with the VTCA Annual Meeting, Virginia Beach, VA. For details of the specific time and location please contact VTCA.

VTCA 2010 Annual Meeting

July 15, 2010 - July 18, 2010 - Wyndham Virginia Beach Oceanfront, Virginia Beach, VA

The VTCA Annual Meeting will be held July 15-18, 2010 at the Wyndham Virginia Beach Oceanfront – on the tranquil north end of Virginia Beach. This meeting offers a unique opportunity to benefit from valuable programs, network with business colleagues from both the public and private sectors, spend time with friends and relax with family.

Follow the link below to learn more about the great speakers and sessions, the silent auction, the golf tournament, programs for the kids and casino night for the adults. We will also hold our Annual Business Meeting and elect new officers and Board members.

Registration fees have not increased since our last meeting at the beach. We are diligently working to protect your membership investment while providing quality programming that will benefit you and your company.

Registration Information
Online Registration >>
Register by Mail or Fax: Download Registration Package >>
Register for the Kids Program by Mail or Fax: Download Kids Program Registration Package >>

VDOT Issues Addendum for Rt 460 Improvements Project

July 13, 2010 -

RICHMOND – The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has issued an addendum to the solicitation for conceptual proposals to build the U.S. Route 460 Corridor Improvements Project, a Public-Private Transportation Act project to build a new Route 460 between Petersburg and Suffolk. The addendum to the solicitation for proposals is designed to update industry on important changes to the current procurement, opportunities for value enhancements and certain commercial terms of the project.

Last May, VDOT’s Commissioner Gregory A. Whirley terminated the previous procurement process that started in 2006, due to changes in market conditions. VDOT then issued a new solicitation for proposals seeking private partners with new ideas and innovative financing methods to move the project forward.

VDOT will host an industry briefing (virtual meeting) from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. eastern standard time on Tuesday, July 20, 2010, to provide an overview of the proposed project. The program will consist of key project information and enhancements in the current procurement, along with a question and answer period. Speakers include Whirley, among others.

The addendum, industry briefing registration information and additional information regarding the U.S. Route 460 Corridor Improvements Project are available at www.route460ppta.org.

VDOT VETERAN NAMED COMMISSIONER

July 09, 2010 -

Stone Bids for July 8, 2010

July 09, 2010 -

Austin Brockenbrough Receives Award

July 06, 2010 -

Austin Brockenbrough & Associates has received the 2010 Employer All Star Community Involvement Award from the Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce, the Richmond Society of Human Resource Management and the Richmond Times-Dispatch. The award recognizes employers who demonstrate stewardship through the sharing of time and resources to support community programs.

Lochner Promotes Christine Fix

July 06, 2010 -

Christine H. Fix, AICP has been promoted to Associate with H.W. Lochner, Inc. Since joining the firm in 2006 as an Environmental Planner, Ms. Fix has made strides in the growth and development of the firm’s rail program. She holds a Masters of Planning degree as a 1999 graduate from the University of Virginia and a Bachelor of Arts in Art History from Hollins College.

Joe Gomer Passes Away

July 06, 2010 -

Joseph L. “Jo Jo” Gomer of J.L. Gomer Equipment Company in Richmond passed away on June 22 after a battle with cancer. Joe had a long history of community service, donating his time, money and equipment to many causes, especially those involving children. A memorial service was held on June 26. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.

I-295/Meadowville Road Interchange RFP Posted

July 02, 2010 -

VDOT has posted an RFP for the I-295/Meadowville Road Interchange project in located in Chesterfield County. The proposal requests design, environmental permitting, utility relocation, construction, quality assurance/quality control and overall project management. The project includes the first phase of construction for a new interchange on Interstate 295 (I-295) at Route 618 (Meadowville Road) and will provide access to the Meadowville Technology Park. The deadline for submitting the Letter of Submittal/Price Proposal is August 13, 2010 at 4 p.m. A pre-proposal meeting will be held July 15, 2010, at the Richmond District Office of the Virginia Department of Transportation, 2430 Pine Forest Drive Colonial Heights, VA 23834, in the Auditorium beginning at 1:00 p.m.

Details and the RFP are available on VDOT’s website at http://www.virginiadot.org/business/request-for-proposals.asp

Tech log070210

July 02, 2010 -

Bluetop Newsletter July 2010

July 01, 2010 -

Tech log063010

June 30, 2010 -

Stone Bids for June 17, 2010

June 25, 2010 -

CTB Adopts New SYIP and Annual Budget

June 17, 2010 -

At yesterday’s Commonwealth Transportation Board meeting, the CTB adopted both a new Six-Year Improvement Plan and annual budget. The Fiscal Years 2011 - 2016 Six-Year Improvement Plan allocates $23.0 billion over the period. (The revised FY 2010 - 2015 Plan was $22.5 billion, and the revised FY 2009 - 2014 Plan was $24.4 billion).

For more information see the Heard Along the Highway published 6/17/10.

CTB Adopts New SYIP and Budget

June 17, 2010 -

Federal Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for DBE Program

June 17, 2010 -

Joe Allen Joins JMT

June 16, 2010 -

JMT is proud to announce that Joseph D. Allen has joined the Construction Management group as a Construction Project Manager for inspection projects. He will work out of the Richmond office. After 35 years of service with VDOT, Joe has been working for consultant engineers for the past 10 years. He has experience working on urban and suburban highway widening and signalization projects as well as performing constructability reviews. He is fully VDOT certified and maintains his DCR Inspector Certification.

Aicholtz Joins Louis Berger

June 14, 2010 -

The Louis Berger Group is pleased to welcome Fred Aicholtz to the firm as a Senior Structural Engineer in the Richmond office. Fred is a 27-year veteran of the structural and bridge engineering industry. A graduate of Virginia Tech, he is a licensed Professional Engineer in Virginia, North Carolina and Washington, DC. You may reach Fred at 804-228-4330,

ESCCC

June 11, 2010 - Holiday Inn Tanglewood, Roanoke

Please contact VTCA’s with any questions.

Online Registration

June 11, 2010 ESCCC Printable Registration Form

VDOT Releases Guidance for Pavement Marking Raw Materials Shortage

June 09, 2010 -

ECLC Combined Meeting Minutes 5/5/10

June 09, 2010 -

ECLC Meeting Minutes 5/5/10

June 09, 2010 -

ECLC Combined Meeting Minutes 3/3/10

June 09, 2010 -

ECLC Meeting Minutes 3/3/10

June 09, 2010 -

ECLC Combined Meeting Minutes 1/6/10

June 09, 2010 -

ECLC Meeting Minutes 1/6/10

June 09, 2010 -

CLC Meeting Minutes 4/14/10

June 09, 2010 -

APLC - Operations 4/29/10

June 09, 2010 -

APLC - Operations 1/22/10

June 09, 2010 -

APLC - Tehnical 1/19/10

June 09, 2010 -

APLC - Safety & Health 4/27/10

June 09, 2010 -

APLC - Safety & Health 1/12/10

June 09, 2010 -

APLC-Marketing 1/20/10

June 09, 2010 -

APLC - Environmental 5/6/10

June 09, 2010 -

APLC - Environmental 1/26/10

June 09, 2010 -

APLC Meeting Minutes 4/14/10

June 09, 2010 -

APLC Meeting Minutes 1/27/10

June 09, 2010 -

Virginia Highway Workers Golf Tournament

June 08, 2010 - Hunting Hawk Golf Club, Glen Allen

Come one, come all and enjoy this beautiful course which was ranked 3rd best public course in the nation by Golf Digest. You will be assured of fun and fellowship with your friends and business associates, while raising money to benefit Virginia highway workers by funding the Virginia Highways Workers Scholarship and supporting other VTCA scholarships.

Registration & Sponsorship Information

Staunton Rt 60 Bridge Replacement Design Build Posted

June 04, 2010 -

VDOT has released an RFQ for the Rte. 60 – Main Street Bridge Replacement Design Build Project in the Staunton District. The RFQ for the project can be downloaded at the following location http://www.virginiadot.org/business/request-for-qualifications.asp

Stone Bids for June 3, 2010

June 04, 2010 -

Bluetop Newsletter June 2010

June 02, 2010 -

Audit of Virginia’s PPTA Program Recommends Changes

May 27, 2010 -

Luck IV Serving NSSGA

May 26, 2010 -

Charles S. Luck, IV, President & CEO of Luck Companies, has been chosen to serve as Chairman of the Government Affairs Committee of the National Sand, Stone and Gravel Association. He will be serving a two-year term.

Stone Bids for #0000111943

May 25, 2010 -

ARTBA Federal Issues Program & TCC Fly-In

May 24, 2010 - May 26, 2010 - Washington, DC

ARTBA Federal Issues Program & TCC Fly-In, Hyatt Regency Washington, Washington, DC

Stone Bids for May 20, 2010

May 21, 2010 -

ESCCC

May 21, 2010 - Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center, Abingdon

Please contact VTCA’s with any questions.

Online Registration

May 21, 2010 ESCCC Printable Registration Form

Working Draft 2011-2016 SYIP Posted for Review

May 19, 2010 -

The Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) has posted the Working Draft Fiscal Years 2011-2016 Six-Year Improvement Program (SYIP) for public review in advance of four public hearings to solicit public comments about essential rail, transit, transportation demand management, bicycle, pedestrian and highway projects. The SYIP is now available at www.VirginiaDOT.org and www.drpt.virginia.gov for review.

The $7.7 billion Working Draft SYIP proposes $5.6 billion for highway construction and $2.1 billion for rail and public transportation, focusing on four main principles:

Funding deficits on projects under way
Maximizing the use of federal funds
Funding projects already under way and those with new phases starting in fiscal year 2011
Funding deficient bridges and pavements

The SYIP also programs $103 million in federal funding held in reserve in the previously adopted program due to uncertainty in transportation funding at the federal level. Releasing this reserve:

Provides partial funding for three stimulus contingency projects
- I-66 paving in the Northern Virginia District
- I-581 improvements at Elm Avenue in the Salem District
- Route 50 Courthouse Road improvements in the Northern Virginia District
Partially funds VDOT project development costs on the Midtown Tunnel public-private partnership project in Hampton Roads
Provides funding for the Route 164 Median Rail project in Hampton Roads administered by the Virginia Port Authority
Provides special program funding (enhancement program, congestion mitigation and air quality funding and regional surface transportation program project

Rail and public transportation funding in the SYIP is similar to levels in the revised Fiscal Years 2010-2015 SYIP. However, these levels represent a 10 percent decrease from the SYIP adopted by the CTB in June 2009. The state match for eligible capital expenses is 56 percent, and 36 percent for operating expenses, the lowest in Virginia history.

Public transportation investments focus on key priorities such as the state of good repair, capacity expansion, and security and technology enhancements. Rail investments focus on priorities outlined in the Rail Resource Allocation Plan and advancement of passenger rail demonstration projects in the Interstate 95, Interstate 81 and Route 460 corridors.

Detailed briefing presentations for highway, rail and public transportation changes in the Working Draft SYIP will be available on www.ctb.virginia.gov following the conclusion of the CTB meeting in Richmond today.

Public Input Sought

The CTB will host four public meetings to solicit input on the proposed plan before it is adopted in June.

Richmond, Culpeper, Fredericksburg Districts
VDOT Central Office Auditorium
1401 East Broad St.
Richmond, VA 23219
May 19, 2010
Elected officials’ open house, 5 p.m.
Public meeting, 6 p.m.

Northern Virginia District
Fairfax City Hall
10455 Armstrong St.
Fairfax, VA 22030
May 26, 2010
Elected officials’ open house, 6 p.m.
Public meeting, 7 p.m.

Hampton Roads District
Chesapeake Conference Center
900 Greenbrier Cir.
Chesapeake, VA 23320
June 2, 2010
Elected officials’ open house, 5 p.m.
Public meeting, 6 p.m.

Salem, Bristol, Lynchburg, Staunton Districts
New River Community College
5251 College Dr.
Dublin, VA 24084
June 3, 2010
Elected officials’ open house, 5 p.m.
Public meeting, 6 p.m.

All projects in the SYIP eligible for federal funding will be included in the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program, which documents how Virginia will obligate its share of federal funds. Copies of the draft SYIP will be available at the public hearings and on VDOT and DRPT’s web sites at www.VirginiaDOT.org and www.drpt.virginia.gov prior to the hearing.

Written comments may be submitted via mail or e-mail until June 11, 2010 to:

Public Information Office
Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation
600 E. Main St., Suite 2102, Richmond, VA 23219
drptpr@drpt.virginia.gov

Programming Director
Virginia Department of Transportation
1401 E. Broad St., Richmond, VA 23219
six-yearprogram@vdot.virginia.gov

PAC and Legislative Council Roster

May 18, 2010 -

Board of Directors Roster

May 18, 2010 -

Oberstar Stymied on Transit Bill

May 18, 2010 -

It was supposed to be a career-defining moment for Rep. James Oberstar (D-Minn.). He finally held the gavel of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, after four decades of waiting and had a like-minded president in office to help enact his sweeping vision for highways and public works.

But Oberstar was cut down before he even got started. Hours after he began circulating his plan last spring for a six-year, $500 billion investment in roads and rail, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood simply called for an extension of the 2005 highway bill — effectively cutting off long-term expansion plans.

“That was the beginning of a less-than-good working relationship,” said John Horsley, executive director of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.

The relationship soured from there, as a frustrated Oberstar slammed White House economic advisers “who never had a shovel in their hands or a callus on their fingers.”

So, while the nation’s infrastructure continues to age and crumble, Washington is stuck with a neutered transportation chairman, a White House distracted by more pressing issues and congressional leaders who lack the political will to raise gas taxes for a new $500 billion measure. And Oberstar is left without the incredible power that once came with a Transportation chairmanship — picking and choosing where to send billions in highway pork.

“I don’t know why they [the White House] don’t want to move forward” on a new highway bill, Oberstar’s top lieutenant, Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.), lamented in a recent interview. “Somewhere in the bowels of the White House economic team, they said, ‘Hey, we don’t want to deal with transportation.’”

For the Obama administration, deep-sixing the bill was a political necessity, because raising the gas tax is a nonstarter in an election year. And until Oberstar or another lawmaker can find a viable alternative method to raise the $200 billion plus needed to fully fund his legislation, it is likely to stay stuck in no man’s land.

That leaves the entire transportation industry, from bridge builders to bike boosters, waiting in vain for a breakthrough that might jump-start Oberstar’s efforts. Meanwhile, stimulus infrastructure dollars have not stopped construction unemployment from topping 20 percent, and some insiders are bracing for a funding impasse that lingers indefinitely.

“There has to be some way for all of the disparate interests to get together and try to motivate action on this,” said Janet Kavinoky, chief infrastructure lobbyist of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “Because regardless of what you’re looking for, you won’t be able to achieve that until the priority is put on transportation.”

Despite his complaints about the administration’s lack of attention to his main issue, Oberstar remains at a loss for how to pay for his bill without a gas-tax hike.

“Right now, we’re looking at bake sales,” quipped his spokesman, Jim Berard.

Oberstar explained in an interview that his broadsides at the administration were intended “to push them” toward a deal on a long-term bill. He’s gotten nowhere.

“They’ve sat down to talk with us, but they don’t have a plan for financing the future of transportation,” he said.

Some of Oberstar’s biggest K Street allies are also having trouble lining up support for the legislation. Rank-and-file lawmakers still do not know how much transportation money their states would get under Oberstar’s plan, and while the Senate recently has made progress on its version, the upper chamber is no closer than the House to finding new funding.

“We have to get out of the expectation that there’s going to be some magic moment where there’s an epiphany about financing,” said Dave Bauer, senior lobbyist for the American Road & Transportation Builders Association. If the political will to pass a transportation bill depends on finding the funding, Bauer warned that the result could be “a circular, never-ending process.”

Oberstar is hardly the first transportation committee chairman to face stop signs from his own party. The late Rep. Bud Shuster (R-Pa.) mounted a PR campaign to help pass his 1998 highway bill over the objections of House Republican leaders, and GOP Rep. Don Young of Alaska was forced to relent on the size of his 2005 bill after the Bush administration rejected his call to raise gas taxes.

But Oberstar lacks the bare-knuckled political instincts of Shuster and Young, relying instead on his famous policy acumen to get things done.

“He’s not a wheeler-dealer kind of guy,” a veteran transportation advocate said of Oberstar.

For now, Oberstar — and the entire transportation industry — is in limbo wondering whether the $500 billion bill will get a serious look this year.

“Not over the indifference and even opposition of an administration,” said former Sen. Slade Gorton (R-Wash.), co-chairman of the Bipartisan Policy Center’s infrastructure reform project.

The White House, while aligning with Oberstar’s policy reforms, is still looking to put off the new bill until spring 2011. LaHood “shares Chairman Oberstar’s goal,” spokesman Olivia Alair wrote in an e-mail and is working on “a set of principles that we hope will bring us closer” to a new bill.

But with Democrats expected to lose a significant number of seats in the midterm election, Oberstar will have a diminished committee — or may even be forced to hand over the gavel to ranking Republican Rep. John Mica of Florida.

For his part, Mica is sympathetic to the administration’s reluctance to engage on a six-year bill until supporters of a tax increase — whom he described as “smoking the funny weed” — find an alternative.

“They are probably politically correct in not moving forward,” Mica said in an interview. “Probably Mr. Oberstar needs to be a little more flexible.”

By: Elana Schor, Politico

Plans to Fix Aging Roads Yield to Budget Limits

May 18, 2010 -

Ask Gov. Bob McDonnell about his transportation efforts since taking office and he can point to filled potholes, reopened rest areas, a federal request for interstate tolling authority, the sale of nearly $500 million in road bonds and the renewed search for a private company to expand U.S. 460.

What he hasn’t done, so far, is present a comprehensive plan to finance needed improvements to the state’s aging network of roads.

Despite a pledge made during last year’s campaign that transportation would be an early-term priority, signals are emerging from McDonnell’s administration that finding new money for roads might have to wait until 2011.

“Within the next year, no later than next session, we’ll have a set of proposals that we will make to the General Assembly to address transportation funding,“ McDonnell said recently.

Extending that timeline isn’t welcome news in Hampton Roads and Northern Virginia, Virginia’s two most populous and gridlocked regions. A 2009 National Traffic Scorecard indicates the areas are the 31st- and fourth-most congested in the nation, respectively.

“Our two economic engines, Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads, are still ranked as some of the most congested areas in the country, and we’ve seen no major investment to improve that area other than the Capitol Beltway in Northern Virginia,“ said Jeffrey C. Southard, executive vice president of the Virginia Transportation Construction Alliance.

Declining revenues in recent years have caused officials to slash the transportation budget and direct much of the available money to maintaining older roads rather than building new ones.

Southard likened Virginia’s aging road network to an ailing person “in critical condition.“

“By 2011, we’re expecting that 40 percent of Virginia’s secondary roads will be classified as substandard,“ he added. “And probably a third of the entire system will be substandard.“

Replacing the scores of structurally deficient bridges in the state would cost $3.7 billion, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation. An additional $1 billion is needed to fix deficient pavement on state roadways, officials note.

With each day, the cost of improvements grows.

Inflation and delays add roughly “$300 million annually” to the cost of transportation projects on the region’s wish list, said Dwight Farmer, executive director of the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission.

The $1 billion price tag once associated with an expansion of the Midtown Tunnel and an extension of the Martin Luther King Freeway is now closer to $2 billion, he added.

At the same time, the weak economy has diminished some of the state’s buying power.

For example, $493 million in recently approved state road bonds are part of a $3 billion bond package the legislature passed in 2007. McDonnell criticized his predecessor, Timothy M. Kaine, for failing to issue any of the bonds.

Now, instead, the state plans to issue about $2.3 billion in bonds over the next six years because the state’s capacity to repay the debt has faltered.

Notwithstanding financial limitations, state officials are working on other ideas to improve transportation.

Virginia has engaged an outside auditor to examine VDOT, particularly inefficiencies in its maintenance operations, Transportation Secretary Sean Connaughton said.

And he said officials are prepping for a special session of the General Assembly on government reform, where the administration is expected to ask lawmakers to approve “a fairly robust list of statutory changes… that would make our transportation program more effective.“

Among them is a plan to privatize the more than 300 state- operated liquor stores and use the profits for transportation.

While there may be transportation measures considered in that session, the indication from the governor’s office is that most road-funding bills are for another day.

“The governor has made quite clear that he will only call a special session on transportation if he feels he has a consensus that will actually lead to some sort of package that the General Assembly will pass,“ Connaughton said.

That phrasing is not unlike the pitch state Sen. Creigh Deeds offered during the 2009 gubernatorial campaign. At the time, McDonnell said Deeds’ vague consensus-building concept didn’t qualify as a true funding plan compared with his detailed proposal.

“Am I surprised that he’s now adopting it? Not at all,“ Deeds said, adding he hopes McDonnell is successful.

“It’s an issue that is not going away. It’s just getting worse every day,“ he added.

The same divisions over how best to pay for new roads remain among Virginia’s state lawmakers.

The governor and many in the Republican-controlled House of Delegates are firmly opposed to new taxes to pay for roads, which Deeds and his fellow Democrats in the state Senate believe must be part of any funding package. That’s why reaching consensus might be as difficult for McDonnell to achieve as it has been for his recent predecessors.

Some of the alternatives to taxes McDonnell has mentioned are public-private arrangements using tolls to build roads - the plan for U.S. 460 - and the dedication of certain future revenue growth and surpluses to transportation.

But tolls aren’t a panacea, said Southard, who is hopeful that action on a funding plan will come in 2011.

“We certainly can’t wait much longer,“ he said.

Julian Walker, The Virginian-Pilot

Middle Ground Blvd Design Build RFQ Posted

May 17, 2010 -

VDOT has released an RFQ for the Middle Ground Boulevard Extension Design Build Project in the Hampton Roads District. The RFQ for the project can be downloaded at the following location http://www.virginiadot.org/business/request-for-qualifications.asp

Proposals are due July 20, 2010 at 4 p.m. and a project information meeting will be held May 27, 2010 at the City of Newport News City Center Conference Facilities, 700 Town Center Drive, Newport News, Virginia 23606 in the James Center Conference Room.

VDOT Updates Parts 3 - 5 of Design Build Templates

May 17, 2010 -

VDOT has updated and posted updated template design-build documents (Parts 3-5) and Exhibit 1 to the Lump Sum Agreement. The new templates and exhibit 1 can be found on VDOT’s website at http://www.virginiadot.org/business/design-build.asp

VTCA Engineering Award Applications Now Available

May 17, 2010 -

VTCA is proud to announce the second annual VTCA Transportation Engineering Awards. This program has been created by VTCA’s Engineering Consultant Leadership Committee to recognize outstanding achievements in engineering design in Virginia’s transportation construction program.

Submitted projects will be judged by a panel of three judges comprised of a Civil Engineering professor, a Virginia Department of Transportation Senior Engineer and a Public Engineer. Projects will be rated based on innovation and implementation of the design, benefits of the project to the public, and the total benefit of the project to the engineering and transportation professions.

There are two main categories, VDOT and Municipal. A Grand Prize will be awarded in each of the two main categories and an Honorable Mention will be given in each of the four subcategories. Winners will be announced in a VTCA press release and will be recognized at the VTCA Consultant Forum held in September 2010.

Completed applications must be received no later than June 1, 2010.

VTCA Transportation Engineering Award Application

Boxley Acquires Concrete Plants In Wytheville, Marion & Abingdon

May 13, 2010 -

Boxley is pleased to announce its acquisition of P&T Concrete with sites in Wytheville and Marion, Virginia and of W&S Concrete in Abingdon, Virginia. These acquisitions increase Boxley’s operations to a total of ten active plants and one portable plant. Boxley is currently operating the Wytheville and Abingdon plants and plans to initiate operations at the Marion plant in response to market opportunities. The Marion plant ceased operation in 2006.

“Boxley chose to use the downtime created by the recession’s reduced business levels to evaluate how we can improve every facet of our organization and position the company for continued growth and longevity,” said Larry Bullock, Boxley’s Vice President-Concrete. “We see tremendous growth potential throughout this region and are pleased to have the opportunity to become a contributing member of these communities.”

Each plant’s environmental operations will be evaluated and necessary improvements made to prepare them for Green-Star Certification by the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association. Boxley’s other eight concrete plants achieved Green-Star Certification in 2009.

Transportation Project Management Institute

May 11, 2010 - May 20, 2010 - UVa, Charlottesville, VA

The Transportation Project Management Institute (TPMI) is a 9-day intensive residential training program exclusively designed for VDOT and industry project managers responsible for managing the development phase of transportation projects. The program’s objective is to enhance the knowledge and skills of project managers in order to complete projects on-time and on-budget. Participants will be able to directly apply their learning of project management principles, practices, and techniques to their day-to-day job. Six continuing education units (CEUs) will be awarded to participants upon successful completion of the program.

TOPICS

This comprehensive program is comprised of course modules covering a wide range of areas. The curriculum has been designed to provide participants with all the necessary tools needed to effectively manage projects through the development phase. Course modules include:

Understanding Personality
Leading the Project Team
Communication Skills
Project Development Process
Project Planning
Risk Management
Project Scope Management
Scheduling
Estimating
Ethics
Effective Consultant Relationships
Consultant Procurement Process
Negotiation
Effective Presentations

In addition, participants will work collaboratively to complete an institute project that will be presented to program faculty and key transportation leaders at the completion of the institute.

Additional details and registration information are available on the TPMI web site.

620 Moorefield Park Drive, Suite 120, Richmond, Virginia 23236-3692

(804) 330-3312 Fax: (804) 330-3850 E-mail:vtca@vtca.org