photo courtesy of Branscome, Inc. To be successful, one must learn from past experiences. These can be your experiences or the experiences of others. Not all experiences are positive, so we use a softer term, "lessons learned." For the use of high polymer asphalt, VDOT and industry have been learning lessons since the initial project in Northern Virginia. Haul distance and temperature are very critical to success. Minimal handwork should be performed given the viscosity or stiffness of the mix. Binder production, testing, transport and storage can all impact the success of a project. The most recent project to utilize highly polymer modified asphalt mixes is the I-64 Phase I widening project in the Hampton Roads District. This project’s scope included the addition of a new travel lane and inside shoulder along with incorporating the existing jointed reinforced concrete pavement (JRCP) to increase highway capacity. The JRCP lanes were extensively patched and repaired before being overlaid with asphalt concrete. Originally, the pavement design called for the overlay of the JRCP with THMACO (Thin Hot Mix Asphalt Concrete Overlay) with a standard polymer modified binder and then that layer being overlaid with SMA using PG 64E-22 (i.e., PG 76-22). However, based on the initial performance of the high polymer asphalt mixes and the need to delay reflective cracking due to the underlying JRCP, the binder for the THMACO and SMA was changed to high polymer [PG 76E-28(HP)]. Additionally, the SUPERPAVE Mix (SM-12.5) was modified to use the high polymer binder as well. In all, the paving contractor, Branscome, Inc., laid over 18,000 ton of THMACO, 35,000 tons of SMA and 14,000 tons of SM-12.5.

The 2018/2019 VAA Membership Directory is now available as a new online digital edition. Members should receive a printed version by mail within the next week. VAA has a limited number of extra printed copies available. If you did not receive a directory and would like one, contact us.

 

graphic courtesy of college tidbits The cost of education in today’s world is a very real challenge for many students (and their families) who desire that next step toward higher education. Research conducted on the cost of the average bachelor’s degree in the United States shows a staggering number of $127,000 resulting in nearly 70 percent of students having to take out a school loan to make this dream a reality. Also, according to this research, over 20 percent of students with loans owe more than $50,000, and roughly 5.6 percent owe more than $100,000 at the end of the four-year period. Add accruing interest to the overall expense of receiving a higher education, and the whole journey becomes significantly higher for the average student. The figures don’t even include the expenses that come with the college lifestyle: room, board, food, books, social adventures (can’t forget spring break trips!) and the always growing pile of laundry that can’t be ignored. While the cost of a four-year college or university is steadily rising on an annual basis, the average trade school degree costs $33,000, which, compared to a $127,000 bachelor’s degree, means an instant savings of $94,000. Furthermore, if you assume that a student is paying an additional 4 percent in interest over a re-payment of 10 years (or more), which brings the bachelor’s degree to a grand total of around $154,000 (or more). Add that same interest amount to the trade school degree period, and you are looking at about $40,000 in total cost. That’s a savings of $114,000 on just the degree.

Please remember that MCS certifications for Plant I, Plant II and Mix Design classes ARE NOT complete until the proficiency tests have been performed and passed. Proficiency tests that must be completed for each class are:

GOVERNOR NORTHAM CONTINUES TO ADD ENVIRONMENTAL APPOINTMENTS TO HIS ADMINISTRATION On June 8, Governor Northam appointed Joshua Saks as Deputy Secretary of Natural Resources. Mr. Saks will be returning to Virginia where he previously worked for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, among other organizations. Most recently, Mr. Saks served as Legislative Director at the National Wildlife Federation’s National Advocacy Center in Washington, D.C., with a particular focus on climate change and carbon reduction, climate resiliency, public lands and the Endangered Species Act.

Reprint Washington Business Journal 

Pavia System has announced a partnership with Virginia Department of Transportation and Virginia Asphalt Association to utilize HeadLight inspection and verification technology to streamline state and contractor information sharing workflow.

Pavia Systems’ HeadLight provides industry-leading photo-driven inspection and verification technology. It helps teams succeed by transforming their pen and paper processes into a real-time inspection and verification program that greatly improves communications and data sharing among teams. By collecting high-quality data first and then using it to populate required forms rather than the other way around, organizations significantly increase the usability of that data for consumption by the many audiences that need it, reducing project liability and overrun risks.

Full Story in Washington Business Journal 

Full Story in Yahoo Finance 

Secretary Valentine announced that Lynn J. McDaniel has been named director of the Office of Innovation within the Transportation secretariat, effective May 29. The new office will reside within the Office of Intermodal Planning and Investment (OIPI) and will focus on coordinating innovation among the commonwealth’s transportation agencies including Aviation, the Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT), Virginia Space, the Virginia Port Authority, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and the Department of Motor Vehicles.

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DIAMOND Allan Myers American Paving Fabrics Associated Asphalt Bitumar USA Boxley Branscome, Inc. Branscome Paving Company Chemung Contracting Corp. Colony Construction, Inc. James River Equipment National Asphalt MFG. Corp.

Slurry Pavers Superior Paving Corp. S. L. Williamson Co., Inc. PLATINUM Astec, Inc. B & S Contracting, Inc. Blacklidge Emulsions, Inc. Carter Machinery Company, Inc. F. O. Day Lee Hy Paving Corp. Virginia Paving Company