** California Buy America Webinar **

De Minimis Cost Waiver Workbook

May 6, 2026, 9am–10:30am PT

Join Caltrans for this free virtual session on the purpose and usage of its Build America Buy America (BABA) De Minimis Cost Waiver Workbook; a set of Excel spreadsheets that can help simplify the calculation and tracking of your project's allowable foreign materials.

Webinar Topics:

• How to use the De Minimis Cost Waiver Workbook (v1.1)
• Review of a Waiver Example
• How to Invoke the Small Grants Waiver

Webinar: Keeping

Right-of-Way Projects on Track

May 6, 2026, 11am–12pm PT



OpenGov's free webinar Keep Right-of-Way Projects on Track from Permit to Public Works showcases how to bring Right-of-Way permitting and field operations together in one connected system.

By replacing manual processes with streamlined, digital workflows, teams can improve coordination, reduce delays, and deliver a better experience from application to completion.

Learning Objectives:

• Coordinate Right-of-Way permits & field work in one connected system
• Automatically trigger work orders & inspections from approved permits
• Eliminate manual handoffs between departments
• Track progress & upcoming work on a shared GIS map
• Improve compliance, transparency, & efficiency across teams

Webinar: Understanding Economic Statistics

May 12, 2026, 1pm–2:30pm PT

The Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) is hosting a free webinar on “Understanding Economic Statistics From the U.S. Census Bureau” to explore tools for understanding economic trends.

Learning Objectives:

• Availability of estimates on revenues, expenses, payroll, and employment
• Using AIES data to understand market trends and economic conditions
• Using the Economic Census as benchmark for current economic activity
• New data content introduced in the 2022 Economic Census
• Modern data access tools, enhanced visualizations, and accelerated release schedules

Training: Asphalt

Pavement Equipment & Operations

May 12, 2026, 11:30am–1:30pm PT

Join Arkansas LTAP for this 2-hour presentation Asphalt Paving 1: Equipment & Preparation, which introduces the equipment and prep steps necessary for a quality asphalt paving project.

By understanding best practices for paving, a consistent, high-quality mat can be constructed that will serve the public for many years.

Presenters:

• Patrick Thomas, Arkansas LTAP Program Manager
• Dr. Stacy G. Williams, Arkansas CTTP Director

** FINAL PUSH **

2026 SS4A Applications

May 13, 2026, 9am–10am PT

Join the Safety Navigator for California Communities (SNCC) for a free webinar to learn how to draft and submit applications for the 2026 Safe Streets & Roads for All (SS4A) program.

SS4A provides funding to help communities reduce roadway fatalities and serious injuries. This webinar covers the basics of the program, including eligibility, funding types, and what makes a strong application.

With a focus on local and tribal communities, speakers will share practical strategies for identifying safety priorities, developing competitive applications, and moving from planning to implementation.

Training: Transportation

Design & Contracts Training

May 13-14, 2026, 8am–4pm PT

The Center for Tribal Transportation is holding a two-day in-person training on transportation design and construction contracts, designed specifically for tribal transportation professionals, to provide in-depth instruction on federal construction contracting as it applies to tribal transportation programs.

This course covers the full spectrum of contracting processes from planning and procurement through construction administration, closeout, and maintenance, within the unique regulatory framework governing tribal transportation projects.

Training: Tribal Transit Workshop

August 18-19, 2026, 8am–4:30pm PT

The Western TTAP is hosting a 2-day Tribal Transit Workshop designed using the framework established by the National RTAP Transit Manager’s Toolkit, an online resource designed to help new rural transit managers operate efficiently and comply with federal FTA Section 5311 regulations.

This training covers Administration, Operations & Planning, Compliance, and Tribal Transit, with references to key federal circulars. Regularly updated, the Toolkit provides current guidance and allows users to suggest new topics for practical, day-to-day management support.

Other Upcoming Trainings & Events

Sustainability Professional Credential | May 4-7, 2026, 9am–11am

APWA is offering live online Envision Training to help infrastructure stakeholders implement more sustainable projects

Managing Roadway Drainage Systems | May 5, 2026, 8:30am–11am

This training provides local agency staff and maintenance professionals the opportunity to develop essential skills for effective drainage management

National Tribal Road Maintenance Symposium | May 5-7, 2026, 8am–4pm

The 2nd National Tribal Road Maintenance Symposium is being held this year at the Box Elder Events Center in Box Elder, SD, just outside of Rapid City

SYNCHRO & SimTraffic | May 5-14, 2026, 8am–12pm

This online course provides beginning-to-intermediate training in Synchro and SimTraffic software and the recently updated Highway Capacity Manual

SCAG 2026 Regional Conference | May 7-8, 2026, 8am–4pm

SCAG has opened registration for the 2026 Regional Conference & General Assembly, SoCal's largest gathering of elected and industry leaders

Innovative Funding Processes for Rural Safety | May 7, 2026, 10am–11am

Part of a new series of webinars, FHWA presents strategies for using non-traditional funding to improve safety efficiently across all types of rural roads

FAS: Environmental Requirements | May 12, 2026, 8:30am–4:30pm

This online training covers the environmental review process for federal-aid transportation projects from scoping through monitoring

Pavement Sustainability | May 12-14, 2026, 2pm–4pm

This 4-hour course will introduce definitions and metrics for assessing and improving the sustainability of pavements across the life cycle

National Public Works Week | May 17-23, 2026, 8am–4pm

APWA presents their annual National Public Works Week (NPWW) celebration honoring the professionals who keep our communities running

ATSSA Flagger Training | May 19, 2026, 8am–12:30pm

This workshop covers why proper flagger operations are important, the skillset of a good flagger, standard flagger control references, and best practices

EDC Round 8 is Here!

FHWA’s Every Day Counts (EDC) program is rolling out six powerful initiatives designed to help transportation agencies deliver projects faster, manage infrastructure smarter, and build safer, more efficient transportation.

Efficient Project Delivery:

• Beyond Bid Build: Innovative Project Delivery Methods
• Integrated Digital Project Delivery

Innovative Infrastructure Management

• Subsurface Utility Engineering
• Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) 2.0

Safer, Efficient Transportation

• Advancing Nighttime Work Zone Safety
• Connected Corridors

PWX Radio: Sentinel Animals

The latest edition of the APWA Public Works Radio Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road? To Serve Our Communities discusses the benefits of sentinel animals with three experts in the field.

Sentinel animals are used as early warning systems for hazards or disease. Florida and South Carolina examples showcase why sentinel animal programs are a vital link between public works and public health, acting as early warning systems for mosquito-borne diseases before they reach human populations.

Steel Bridge Collaboration Guidelines

AASHTO and the National Steel Bridge Alliance (NSBA) have jointly released two new steel bridge collaboration publications.

The Specification for Structural Duplex Stainless Steel Bridge Plate Materials offers a single unified set of guide specifications developed for duplex stainless steel plate girder bridges.

The Specification for Design of Structural Duplex Stainless Steel Bridges provides design provisions for I-girder bridge superstructures fabricated from duplex stainless steel.

Transportation Planning

 in Non-Metropolitan/Rual Areas

NCHRP has released Synthesis 663 to highlight strategies employed by state DOTs to ensure effective coordination with non-metropolitan officials.

The report covers governance and rural planning structures; roles and responsibilities; cooperation with local officials; capacity building; transit and multimodal planning; and key challenges and barriers. It also identifies observed practices that may support effective coordination and areas where additional research is needed.

Other Recordings, Research, & Reports

Roadside Pollinator Program

The RPP allocates a total of $3.8M for activities that benefit pollinators on roadsides and highway rights-of-way.

APWA Reporter Magazine: April 2026

The April 2026 issue of Reporter Magazine showcases safety lessons from Australia & New Zealand, explains variable speed limits, and more

Recording: Accelerate Delivery of Road Safety Projects

The recording of FHWA's February 26 webinar successful implementation of modular designs & materials is now available.

NCRRS Celebrates 59 RSCP Graduates

The National Center for Rural Road Safety is celebrating the graduation of 59 participants of its Road Safety Champion Program

The Life-Saving Role of Post-Crash Care

A recent NPR segment highlights a major advancement in trauma care: administering blood transfusions directly at the scene of an emergency

APWA Reporter Magazine: April 2026

The April 2026 issue of Reporter Magazine showcases safety lessons from Australia & New Zealand, explains variable speed limits, and more

PWX Radio: The Emerging Leaders Academy

The latest edition discusses how APWA encourages professional growth through intensive leadership and management training in PWX

APWA Career Zone

CareerZone is a comprehensive resource that provides tools and information to support career development and workforce planning.

FRCC Highway Maintenance Management Degree

FRCC's Highway Maintenance Management degree helps you develop the management skills you need to advance your career in highway maintenance.

Annual Asphalt Pavement Industry Survey

NAPA has published the results of its 2024 Asphalt Pavement Industry Survey on Recycled Materials & Warm-Mix Asphalt Usage.

More Training Coming Up in May

Need a closer look? Stop by CALTAP.org for a calendar view of upcoming training and events focused specifically on local agency project success.

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