Here we are at the start of another paving season. It goes without saying that we all wish for a safe and productive year. To that end, VAA wants to remind each of you to keep your head up, watch your buddy, and always, always be aware of your surroundings. Have a great paving season and be safe out there!

The agenda is set, and the registration is open for the 2019 Virginia Pavement Research & Innovation Symposium (VPRIS). Research presentations will cover the I-64 Reconstruction Project, Mitigation of Reflective Cracking and Ideal-CT testing. Innovation presentations will be grouped into different areas such as asphalt mix additives, e-construction, and mix testing equipment. A description of each presentation and all registration details can be found on VAA's website. 

Decision-makers and specifiers for contractors, consultants, VDOT and local government agencies are strongly encouraged to attend. Don’t miss the opportunity to hear what''s new and what technologies may address your current and future needs.

With the weather warming and the trees and flowers starting to bloom, it''s finally time to play golf again! Join us for the RJ Schreck Scholarship Golf Tournament at Riverfront Golf Club in Suffolk, VA to support a great cause and enjoy a terrific tournament. There is still time to register at RJ Schreck Golf. Put together a foursome and meet us on the course April 3rd at 10:00 a.m. for a shotgun start. 

Sponsors, we need your support! Showcase your company and help support the future of the asphalt industry. 

If you or someone you know who qualifies for the RJS Scholarship is planning on applying in 2019, the deadline for applications is April 1st. After this date, no applications or parts of applications will be accepted (applications must be received IN FULL by the April 1st deadline date).

Applications and criteria for applying can be found on VAA's website under Membership/RJ Schreck Scholarship. Questions can also be answered by Carter Iseman at (804) 288-3169 or ciseman@vaasphalt.com.

VECAT continues to grow its exceptional group of instructors with the addition of Scott Quire, Testing Director at Bluegrass Testing Laboratory in Kentucky.  Scott will be helping to teach the Mix Design classes. Scott is currently registered as a professional engineer in both Kentucky and Alaska, PAIKY, NAPA and Flexible Pavements. He received a BS in Civil Engineering from the University of Kentucky. In his spare time, Scott enjoys farming, hunting, fishing and hiking.

VECAT classroom classes scheduled for 2019 are almost complete. If you attended a class but have not completed the exam portion, please make sure to schedule and take the exam BEFORE MAY 1. Germanna will be switching to a new student record system and wants to ensure that all records are in the proper accounts before the transition.

If you still need to complete training and plan to do so online, you can register at www.germanna.edu.

Recently Carter Iseman (VAA), Dave Helmick (Superior Paving) and Sunni Burton (Superior Paving) participated in a podcast driven by Henrico County’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) program.

Connect to the podcast and hear what our VAA members have to say about VAA, VECAT, and asphalt industry career opportunities.

If you are interested in hiring an apprentice in the summer/fall timeframe of 2019 or have an employee(s) who you think shows promise for future upward mobility, information is available regarding the VECAT Apprenticeship program from Carter Iseman at ciseman@vaasphalt.com.

VECAT has been in contact with county high school Career and Technical Education (CTE) centers to set up Asphalt information sessions and to recruit students interested in career opportunities. If you don’t have any employees in mind for an apprenticeship but are still interested in the program, or would like VECAT to help you find qualified candidates to interview, we can help. Contact Carter Iseman for more information.

VDOT Press Release

Governor Ralph Northam announced that the Commonwealth of Virginia has selected Hampton Roads Connector Partners, a design-build team, to deliver the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel (HRBT) Expansion Project, the largest construction project in Virginia''s history. The fixed price ($3.3 billion) and fixed completion date (November 1, 2025) contract is expected to be executed in April 2019.

"This project supports and expands critical transportation infrastructure, creating opportunity for families, military personnel, and businesses in the Hampton Roads region,” said Governor Northam. "I am proud of the hard work and negotiations that have taken place over this past year to deliver significant improvements that will relieve daily congestion, increase safety, and drive economic growth throughout this important corridor.”

For the complete press release click here.