California Asphalt Pavement Association
Vol. 15, Issue 47 || Nov. 21, 2022
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Greetings!
This weekly report contains news and information of interest to the asphalt pavement industry, customers and agency partners in California. Please feel free to distribute this newsletter to others who may be interested in asphalt pavements. To provide feedback or story ideas click HERE. Having difficulty viewing this newsletter? View as Webpage
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Midterm Election Postscript: Local transportation measure is defeated despite lower bar for passage |
One of the more disturbing outcomes from the Nov. 8 Midterm Elections took place in Sacramento County, where a local measure to boost transportation funding went down to defeat.
On the ballot as Measure A, the measure would have raised local sales taxes by 0.5 percentage point to generate about $8.5 billion to fund transportation improvement projects in the county over 40 years, including paying for deferred road maintenance, transit and building of a 34-mile expressway between Folsom and Elk Grove to serve the growing area.
Unlike other sales-tax hike initiatives devoted to transportation, which the California Constitution requires a two-third vote to pass, Measure A only required a simple majority because it was the first time it was put on the ballot via a signature-gathering campaign. In the 25 other counties that have similar sales-tax hikes devoted to transportation, they were put on the ballot by a local governing entity, such as the Board of Supervisors, and required a two-thirds approval by voters to be approved. Measure A was put on the ballot through the submission of 75,000 signatures of registered voters in the county. The state Supreme Court ruled in 2017 that simple-majority citizen initiatives are valid.
Despite the lower bar for passage, Measure A was falling far below the majority needed for approval. The measure had received only 44.6 "Yes" votes to 55.3 "No" votes, according to the latest figures posted by the County of Sacramento. Environmentalists campaigned against the measure, arguing that it will not reduce air pollution and will contribute to sprawl. Anti-tax groups also opposed it. Supporters included Sacramento Mayor Darryl Steinberg, Folsom Mayor Kerri Howell, business and labor groups.
Transportation funding is often represented as a three-legged stool, with local, state and federal funding sources representing each leg. With Measure A coming up short, local transportation advocates will head back to the drawing board to try to figure out how to pay for important transportation improvements with one leg of the funding stool missing.
The Secretary of State election results website is HERE. The Sacramento County election results can be found HERE.
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FHWA releases reports on thin-lift overlays, crack-attenuating mixtures; Schedules free webinars on BMD, Delta Tc binder Specification Parameter |
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has recently released new technical reports on high-performance thin-lift asphalt overlays and crack-attenuating mixtures. Both reports are case studies from state transportation departments.
The FHWA also announced two free educational webinars on the Delta Tc Binder Specification Parameter, and on Balanced Mix Design.
The case studies are part of the FHWA's "Every Day Counts" initiative in a sub-category known as EDC-6 "Targeted Overlay Pavement Solutions (TOPS)." The first technical report is a case study from the New Jersey Department of Transportation on "High-Performance Thin Overlays." That report can be downloaded directly HERE.
The second case study is from the Texas Department of Transportation regarding "Crack Attenuating Mixtures." The Texas case study can be downloaded directly HERE. Both studies are examples of state DOT implementation of initiatives. All documents related to the TOPS program can be viewed HERE.
The free webinar on the Delta (Δ) Tc Binder Specification Parameter will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 29 beginning at noon PST. The webinar will help participants understand the role of Delta Tc as an indicator of the effect of aging and additives on the asphalt rheology; awareness for possible deployment of the Delta Tc as a specification parameter; and learning about possible implementation barriers and implementation steps. To register for the webinar, click HERE.
A second webinar is titled, "Eight Tasks Towards Implementation of Balanced Mix
Design (BMD) for Asphalt Mixtures." The webinar will cover the overall benefits of BMD, recognizing the overall planning and coordination effort associated with the implementation process of BMD, identifying the tasks needed to be completed, being familiar with successful key state DOTs in practices and experiences related to BMD, and raising awareness of available external technical information and support. The webinar will take place on Wednesday, Dec. 21 beginning at noon PST. To register for the webinar, click HERE.
For questions about the reports or webinars, contact Tim Aschenbrener of the FHWA at timothy.aschenbrener@dot.ca.gov or at (720) 963-3247.
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Women of Asphalt California Chapter to hold tour of Caltrans transportation laboratory Dec. 9 |
The Women of Asphalt California Chapter will hold a special tour of the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) transportation laboratory in Sacramento on Friday, Dec. 9 from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The educational and networking event is free, but advanced registration is required HERE.
Jackie Wong, an engineer who is part of the Caltrans Materials Engineering & Testing Services branch, will lead the group in a tour of the famed facility, which is known worldwide by its nickname, "TransLab." The renowned facility has hosted visitors from around the world, and was the model for a similar materials laboratory built in South Africa. Wong helped deliver a presentation on Caltrans test methods at last month's Fall Asphalt Pavement Conference in Sacramento.
Space for the tour is limited, so pre-registration is required to attend. A social event following the lab tour may be announced at a later date.
The tour is being organized by leaders of the California Branch of the national Women of Asphalt organization. The mission statement of the group is "empowering women in asphalt industry careers." Learn more about the Women of Asphalt California Branch HERE.
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Report warns of a $25 billion budget deficit next year; transportation could be targeted for cuts |
The Legislative Analyst's Office is a non-partisan entity that advises lawmakers on California's fiscal outlook and other policy matters. It is generally regarded around the Capitol as a straight shooter, which makes its most recent report all the more jarring.
The LAO is warning that high inflation and a likely recession could result in a $25 billion state budget shortfall next year. In classic Orwellian fashion, the LAO refers to it as a "budget problem." The jarring figure is all the more shocking when compared to the LAO's previous projection, a $97 billion surplus, which triggered a spending spree by the Legislature on various aid programs that may now face the chopping block.
The LAO forecast says a substantial portion of the shortfall could be offset by spending cuts, including to transportation. "Reflecting the threat of a recession, our revenue estimates represent the weakest performance the state has experienced since the Great Recession." That economic downturn, often called the worst since the Great Depression of the 1930s, hit California particularly hard in 2008 and 2009, resulting in severe budget cuts.
The state has been accumulating a "rainy day fund" and is expected to have $22 billion in general fund reserves by the end of the 2023-24 fiscal year to address budget shortfalls, but that money can evaporate quickly in a recession. In January the governor is expected to release his proposed state budget for the 2023-24 fiscal year that begins on July 1. In his previous budget, he proposed pausing collection of state taxes devoted to transportation, but ultimately backed down in the face of withering criticism by CalAPA and others. CalAPA called it a "budget stunt" and "highway robbery." Given the Newsom Administration's track record so far, it wouldn't be surprising for transportation to be back in the governor's crosshairs next year.
The full LAO budget report is available for download HERE.
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CalAPA offices will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 24, and Friday, Nov. 25 in observance of the Thanksgiving Holiday. |
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Each week we highlight a word, acronym or other term commonly used in the asphalt pavement industry in California.
EMULSIFIED ASPHALT: An emulsion of asphalt cement and water that contains a small amount of an emulsifying agent, a heterogeneous system containing two normally immiscible phases (asphalt and water), in which the water forms the continuous phase of the emulsion and minute globules of asphalt form the discontinuous phase. Emulsified asphalts may be either anionic, electro-negatively-charged asphalt globules or cationic, electro-positively-charged asphalt globules, depending upon the emulsifying agent.
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Paving Pointer of the Week |
Each week we highlight a key point or best practice of interest to asphalt paving crews, inspectors and others working in the field. We welcome suggestions. More tips can be found in our "Asphalt Parking Lot Construction Checklist" HERE. Information on the CalAPA "Quality Paving Certificate" program is HERE.
CALL BEFORE YOU DIG: Call 8-1-1 prior to construction when planscall for any type of excavation so that the location of underground utilities can be verified and marked. More information on the 8-1-1 program in California can be found HERE.
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Each week we highlight a term that is specific to climate-change issues related to the asphalt pavement industry. This feature is intended to raise awareness of the asphalt industry's climate-change initiatives and the specialized terminology that goes with them. More information on "The Road Forward" asphalt industry climate initiative can be found HERE.
RECYCLING: The collection and reprocessing of a resource for reuse.
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"Remember, no effort that we make to attain something beautiful is ever lost."
– Helen Keller
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CALAPA CALENDAR:
View all CalAPA events HERE.
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"Women of Asphalt California Branch" event: Caltrans TransLab tour in Sacramento.
Friday, Dec. 9, 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
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"Quality Asphalt Paving" on-line class
Tuesday, Dec. 13, 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
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"Asphalt Pavement 101" on-class (2 sessions)
Dec. 14 AND Dec. 15 from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
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Registration Open!
CalAPA Annual Meeting & Awards Dinner
Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023
Hotel Intercontinential, 900 Wilshire Blvd. in Los Angeles
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SAVE THE DATE!
Topgolf Networking Event
Wednesday, March 22, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Topgolf Sports & Entertaining Complex, 1050 N. Archibald Ave., Ontario.
Details soon!
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SAVE THE DATES!
2023 Spring Asphalt Pavement Conference & Equipment Expo.
Thursday & Friday, March 23-24
Doubletree Hotel Ontario Airport, 222 N. Vineyard Ave., Ontario, CA
Registration opens soon.
For exhibitor and sponsor information, contact Sophie You at (916) 791-5044.
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There's never been a better time to join the California Asphalt Pavement Association! Members receive insight and advanced notice on critical issues that impact every company's bottom line. CalAPA members also receive invitations to exclusive member-only events, in-depth "Member Alerts," our comprehensive asphalt market forecast for California, discounts and industry-specific networking opportunities not available anywhere else. CalAPA's new searchable on-line membership directory helps connect potential customers with member companies. Click HERE to download our Member Service brochure. Click HERE to view Vol. 1 of recent testimonials. Not convinced? Click HERE to view Vol. 2 of recent testimonials. With so much changing in the asphalt pavement industry, what you don't know can cost you! Click HERE to send us an e-mail inquiry, or contact Russell Snyder with CalAPA at (916) 791-5044. |
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We hope you enjoy CalAPA's Asphalt Insider newsletter. We are committed to providing you with the most up-to-date information on technical issues, regulation, news, analysis, events and trends in California that is of interest to the asphalt pavement industry and our various agency partners. Click HERE to contact us with any comments or suggestions.
Sincerely,
Russell W. Snyder, CAE
Executive Director
California Asphalt Pavement Association (CalAPA)®
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The "Asphalt Insider" is an official publication of the California Asphalt Pavement Association. For more information or to inquire about membership, call (916) 791-5044, or click HERE to contact us. Copyright © 2022 California Asphalt Pavement Association -- All Rights Reserved. The CalAPA name (No. 5,621,794) and logo (No. 5,621,795) are registered trademarks with the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office.
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P.O. Box 981300, West Sacramento, CA 95798
1550 Harbor Blvd., Suite 211, West Sacramento, CA 95691
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