CalAPA's official association magazine, California Asphalt, is arriving in mailboxes this week. The issue is packed with exclusive content available nowhere else, including an exclusive Q&A with Caltrans Director Toks Omishakin and a deep-dive on a model asphalt pavement specification, more than 10 years in development, designed specifically for cities and counties. An on-line version of the issue can be viewed HERE.

In the Omishakin interview, he takes on numerous topics of interest to the asphalt industry, including the role of asphalt in climate-change policy, the recent release of the controversial Caltrans Disparity Study, the relationship between the agency and the construction industry and more. The full interview is featured in the magazine. A few excerpts previously were published in Asphalt Insider HERE.

The story on the model specification for asphalt pavements designed for cities and counties, known as the "HMA-LG" specification, features interviews with several key figures in industry, academia and agencies who were instrumental in the development of the specification, as well as observations from local agency experts who have used the specification on local streets and have evaluated its performance. A sidebar even includes the top reasons cities and counties should consider using the specification. The specification is hosted on the University of California Pavement Research Center's "City & County Pavement Improvement Center" website and is available for download (in the "Sample Specification" area) HERE.

The magazine also features a story about the recent passage of the $1.2 trillion "Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act," and what the federal bill will mean for the asphalt pavement industry in California. A tally of how California's 53-member Congressional delegation voted on the bill is also featured.

California Asphalt magazine, in its 24th year, is the most authoritative source of in-depth information and insight about the asphalt industry in California. To view an archive of recent issues of the magazine, click HERE. For advertising information or to be added to the magazine mailing list, contact Kerry Hoover of Construction Marketing Services at (909) 772-3121, or send CalAPA an inquiry via our website feedback form HERE.

A well-known name to the asphalt industry, Cathrina Barros has been named as acting chief of the Office of Asphalt Pavement within the Caltrans Division of Pavements. The official announcement was made Friday at a meeting of the joint Caltrans-industry Pavement & Materials Partnering Committee.

“I’m very pleased to be able to get back to my engineering roots and bring my background and departmental expertise to the Office of Asphalt Pavement," Barros told Asphalt Insider shortly after the announcement. "I always enjoyed working with the asphalt pavement stakeholders and partners to improve standards, policies and processes that would improve California’s roadway system. Work on asphalt pavement policies, specifications and materials on such projects as warm mix asphalt, the thin overlay task group, and the Independent Assurance program have always been rewarding to me personally and I feel benefit everyone in the state and the industry. I look forward to taking on this challenge and working with everyone in Caltrans and Industry."

According to her official biography, Barros has 25 years working in Materials, Geotechnical and Pavement Engineering throughout her Caltrans career. In District 4, which covers the San Francisco Bay Area, she worked in Engineering Services and Construction before her promotion to District Materials Engineer. As DME, she was responsible for running the District 4 Materials Laboratory, Independent Assurance Branch and Quality Control/Quality Assurance (QC/QA) program. She moved to the Headquarters transportation laboratory known as Translab to work in the Office of Asphalt Concrete as the Independent Assurance Program coordinator. While at Translab, she worked with the Districts, academia and industry to implement the use of Warm Mix Asphalt in Caltrans. She also supervised the Reference Sample Program and Skid Testing Unit. In 2015, she acted as the AASHTO/WASHTO coordinator for Caltrans and then worked in the Americans with Disabilities Act Infrastructure Program (ADA IP) in the Office of Civil Rights. She has spent the past two years as the manager for the ADA IP, Contract Evaluation Branch and Engineering Support Branch. A registered civil engineer, she is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago, as is also recognized nationally by the industry as a prominent "Woman of Asphalt."

In addition to interacting the asphalt industry at numerous technical meetings, conferences and other knowledge-sharing events over the years, she was a featured speaker at a special conference put on by CalAPA in 2009 devoted to the topic of Warm Mix Asphalt. Then-Caltrans Director Randy Iwasaki joined her on the program. CalAPA Technical Director Brandon Milar, P.E., who was also on the program, served as co-chair with Barros of the WMA committee.

"She has comprehensive knowledge of asphalt and will be able to engage from Day 1," Milar said. "Her recent effort with the ADA IP has resulted in the development of her connections with District asset managers and maintenance engineers," Milar added. One of CalAPA's emphasis areas in its engagement with Caltrans is to encourage more active participation by districts and headquarters to ensure consistency in how standards and test methods are applied statewide.

Toni Carroll, Director of Quality for Graniterock and current vice chair of the CalAPA Board of Directors, told Asphalt Insider: "Cathrina has been a long time partner in our pursuits with Caltrans. She's perfectly suited for this role as she has exhibited a level head and fact-based assessment of decisions to be made. We are excited to see her step into this new leadership role and look forward to what she will bring to the table."

Barros takes over for Tom Pyle, who was recently promoted to Deputy Division Chief heading up the Office of Pavements, a position that comes with the additional title of "State Pavement Engineer" and chair of the PMPC. A previous Asphalt Insider story about his appointment is HERE. Pyle took over for Sergio Aceves when he was promoted to head of Maintenance for Caltrans, continuing a trend of rapid upward mobility for those in the department who participate in the PMPC and help advance materials-related issues. In an era when climate change and Greenhouse Gas reduction is at the top of the policy agenda, construction materials and smooth pavements are playing an increasingly prominent role in helping the state meet its ambitious climate-change goals. Engineers who make their mark in that area have suddenly found themselves in high demand.

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The California Asphalt Pavement Association recently reached a significant milestone in its history: more than 200 member companies.

All associations have member growth and retention among their goals, but actually achieving growth can be more challenging. The associations that have found success have demonstrated a compelling value proposition (return on investment) for existing and potential members, who recognize that the exclusive products, services and insight that can only be accessed via membership not only help them work more profitably, but also give them an advantage in a competitive marketplace.

Engaged members also bring energy and expertise, and help influence the direction and priorities of the industry to ensure that it remains strong long into the future. Upward trajectory in membership growth -- CalAPA has more than doubled its membership in a dozen years -- indicates this is recognized not only by existing members but also by potential members, or as they are referred to by CalAPA staff as "future members."

Next week the association will be announcing one the most significant initiatives in its six-decade history. It has been years in the making, and developed with extensive member input, as well as input from our partners in the public and private sectors and academia. None of this could have been done without the support of CalAPA members. It will build on other association initiatives that elevate the industry and cement asphalt's status as the pavement of choice in California.

As we emerge from a pandemic and set our sights on 2022 and beyond, CalAPA's leadership wishes to once again extend its thanks to those who make everything possible: our members.

PAVEMENT REHABILITATION: Structural enhancements that extend the service life of an

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.

SITE PREPARATION: If overlaying an existing or milled surface, has the surface been

"Without a sense of urgency, desire loses its value."

-- Jim Rohn

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,

Executive Director

California Asphalt Pavement Association (CalAPA)®