The Illinois Asphalt Pavement Association continues to monitor the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19) on our industry. The impact of the COVID-19 outbreak remains extremely fluid and any status may change rapidly. Here are updates as of March 17, 2020:
The Illinois Department of Transportation a call today at 3:30 PM with industry and labor. Secretary Osman stressed the importance of continuing to build and let construction projects. Therefore, the intent is to keep all projects moving forward. In addition, design work and Professional Transportation Bulletin (PTB) is planned to continue as schedule. The Department has sent home non-essential staff who will work remotely. Department Operations and field staff will remain available to ensure safety of existing infrastructure. The Illinois Comptroller plans to continue to operate payroll processing for agency staff and bill processing to pay Contractors.
The Federal Highway Administration IL-Division has suspended all employee travel. Therefore, employees may only attend meetings virtually. In addition, employees have been given maximum flexibility to telework and all functions of the Division Office will continue.
The Illinois Department of Agriculture has suspended certification of large scales including scales at asphalt plants. However, any currently certified scale will remain certified until Department of Agriculture is able to reschedule inspection appointments. In addition, scales that have been repaired or new scales need to be inspected and placed in service by a registered service company prior to being fully certified by the Department of Agriculture. It is recommended to discuss new/repaired scales directly with the Department of Agriculture.
The Illinois Department of Transportation
announced
, effectively immediately, consultants who currently have a “Documentation of Contract Quantities” certification set to expire between December 1, 2019, and December 1, 2020, will hereby be granted a one (1) year extension in their documentation certification status. For example, if their documentation certification is set to expire March 27, 2020, it is now set to expire March 27, 2021. Consultant personnel who have already taken the doc class or retest and attained certification this training season (between December 4, 2019 and March 12, 2020) for the next 4 years will NOT receive an extension in their certification.
Governor Pritzker has issued an
Illinois Emergency Declaration
and the Illinois Department of Transportation has
authorized
for overweight trucks up to 88,000 lbs or 10% over legal weight through April 12, 2020.
The Illinois Manufacturers' Association has established a
COVID-19 web page
that contains useful information for businesses.
Please do not hesitate to contact me directly with any questions.
Kevin Burke III, P.E.
Executive Vice-President
Illinois Asphalt Pavement Association
burkeiii.kevin@comcast.net
217.725.0135
