Since 2010, VDOT and VAA have hosted regional seminars across Virginia to educate and inform industry (i.e., contractors, consultants and VDOT personnel) about changes that will impact their work in the coming paving season. This year will be no different! The regional seminars will focus on three main areas – worker safety, on-going initiatives, and specification changes. The first two presentations will focus on safety – the soon to be implemented OSHA Silica regulations and Work Zone Safety. The OSHA regulation deals with silica dust generated in various construction and lab processes. The Work Zone Safety presentation will include 2016 accident statistics from Virginia.
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VECAT has been abuzz throughout the months of January and February with successful completions of two Asphalt Field schools and an Asphalt Plant school with Asphalt Mix Design, Surface Treatment and Slurry Surfacing schools still to come.
So far, we have had over 400 students complete the classes and exams. As with any new endeavor, there are always things that go off as planned and others that present challenges to address. In just one month of classes, the VECAT team has rolled out new class formats and materials, and added technology allowing students greater flexibility in determining when and where they want to complete their courses. As we all know, change carries with it challenges, but with challenge comes opportunity. Our Field and Plant school students have provided us with valuable feedback for how to better meet their needs and strengthen the core of the VECAT program, and we are listening! One such suggestion was placing textbook page numbers on the slides. This has helped students to quickly locate the information shown in presentations in their student workbooks so that they have that information for exam support and future reference.
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![](https://www.naylornetwork.com/vaa-nwl/assets/elaine-chao.png) Elaine Chao was confirmed as the nation’s 18th U.S. Transportation Secretary. In her confirmation testimony, Secretary Chao said she believes the Trump administration will support more federal funding for infrastructure as well as private financing.
Chao is now responsible for fleshing out Trump's infrastructure plan, pushed during his campaign as a trillion-dollar investment in the nation’s roads, bridges and airports. However, GOP leaders in Congress have seemed less likely to endorse a big budget infrastructure proposal.
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Our colleagues at the Plantmix Asphalt Industry of Kentucky (PAIKY) have produced an excellent five-part video series describing the basics of asphalt. This series provides brief explanations of various aspects of asphalt production and placement.
This 3rd video looks at the specialized equipment that make up the asphalt paving train and how they work together to create smooth, safe roadways.
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A Mix Additive & Paving Materials Member
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Two VAA Members earned NAPA's Quality in Construction Awards during the recent NAPA Annual Meeting. Allan Myers award was in the under 50,000 tons category for their work on I-83 in Chesterfield; I-95, I-195 and I-295 in Henrico and I-295 in Henrico. Superior Paving Corp's award was in the over 50,000 ton category for their work on SR 17 in Stafford. Congratulations to both!
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Join us in congratulating these 2016 Virginia recipients of NAPA's Diamond Commendation Program
Diamond Achievement Commendations
Allan Myers: Powhatan Plant, Rockville Plant | Boxley: Lynchburg Plant | Branscome Inc.: Dominion, Hampton, Lee Hall, Norfolk, ortable Plant, Suffolk | Branscome Richmond: Chesterfield Plant, Deepwater Plant, Doswell Plant | Sawyer Paving Co, Inc: Salem Plant
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B & S Contracting Inc has been providing superior asphalt paving services in Staunton, VA and surrounding areas since 1982. Our locally owned and operated company specializes in all phases of new asphalt paving and maintenance or repair of existing asphalt surfaces. |
https://www.bandscontracting.com/ |
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*Class Enrollment Reminder*: 2017 VECAT schools are still open for sign up on the Germanna Community College website; however, the Culpeper and Fredericksburg locations have mostly filled for the remaining 2017 classes. Paul D Camp and Virginia Western campuses still have seats available if either of these satellite locations are within manageable driving distance.
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![](https://www.naylornetwork.com/vaa-nwl/assets/debbi-deep.png) Welcome Debbi Deep, Technical Services Manager - Pavement Preservation at Ingevity, who will be joining us as an instructor for the 2017 Slurry Surfacing schools.
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1. 2017 General Assembly Session Update. Virginia’s General Assembly session is underway. Cross-over occurred on February 8, and the session ends on February 28. We will provide a summary of the session and enacted environmental legislation in our March update.
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Joint VAA/VDOT One Day Regional Seminars
Roanoke – Sheraton Roanoke Hotel – February 23, 2017
Fredericksburg – Fredericksburg Expo Center – February 28, 2017
Richmond – Jefferson Hotel – March 1, 2017
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March 7-11, 2017
Las Vegas, NV
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July 16-19, 2017
Chicago, IL
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