Scholarship Golf Outing in July

Plan on joining us for a fun day of golf, food and beverages for the 2nd Annual Golf Outing on Tuesday, July 8, 2008, 9:00 a.m. at the Hawk Hollow Golf Course in Bath, Michigan.

Coming Soon: The Golf Outing brochure and the sponsorship opportunities flyer - be sure to look for it!

Please direct any questions to Beth

APAM Scholarship Fund Update

The 2008-09 Scholarship Applications have been sent out to APAM Contractors, Associate Members, and to the Michigan colleges and universities listed in the APAM directory. If you know of a student that you feel would benefit from this scholarship, and meets the criteria that may not be covered in the above lists, contact the APAM office and we will get an application to them.

The scholarship amount has been increased to $2000 this year. Applications must be submitted by October 1st.

To see the cover letter and application click on this link.

2008 PWL Spreadsheet Available on MDOT Website

The 2008 PWL Spreadsheet that we have been anxiously awaiting is now available for downloading from the MDOT C & T website. Click here to go to the webpage:

The 2008 version is to be used in conjunction with either of the following frequently used special provisions:

(FUSP) 03SP504(C) Superpave Hot Mix Asphalt Percent Within Limits (PWL) dated September 28, 2007

(FUSP) 03SP504(C) Superpave Hot Mix Asphalt Percent Within Limits (PWL) dated October 17, 2007.

The new version incorporates all of the specification changes including the Initial Production Lot (IPL) Split Sample Testing Comparison. Plus other enhancements will allow for more detailed and extensive data analysis including mix placed on shoulders or produced under alternate acceptance methods.

"Paving the Way" Now Available

The annual state highway construction map is now available from the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT). The free guide, called "Paving the Way," is updated each year to help motorists locate major road and bridge projects across the state. The 2008 map will be available at MDOT's Transportation Service Centers and Travel Michigan's Welcome Centers, and posted at state rest areas.

To request copies of "Paving the Way," contact the MDOT Office of Communications in Lansing at 517-373-2160.

Seasonal Weight Restrictions Partially Lifted April 16, 2008

MDOT recently issued a bulletin lifting the weight restrictions for the following trunk line highways:

THE SOUTHERN MICHIGAN BORDER NORTH TO AND INCLUDING US-2 FROM I-75 TO THE WISCONSIN STATE LINE IN IRON MOUNTAIN IN THE UPPER PENINSULA.

Click here to view the entire bulletin.

Engineering Operation Committee Minutes

The Engineering Operation Committee (EOC) Minutes for February 6, 2008 have been published. Click to here to view the minutes.

MDOT Links

Click here to view a listing of Construction Advisories

Click here to view a listing of Instructional Memorandums

Click here to view a listing of EOC Minutes

The Smooth Road

Over the last month, Chuck Mills, APAM's Director of Engineering, has spent time visiting with regional managers to find out what issues the APAM members are facing in the marketplace. It is also important to find out who are the key decision makers in different areas around the state. It seems that the continued marketing of HMA Ultra-Thin as an alternative to chip seals and micro-surfacing treatments is very important. Another issue is the education of engineers in the benefits of using HMA. Chuck attended an Asset Management Workshop for local agencies, put on by the Michigan's Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP), on April 2nd. APAM will be working with LTAP to put together regional seminars this Fall that will be the an important step in the education of local engineers.

Porous asphalt continues to be a very hot topic. Chuck has already completed five "lunch and learn" sessions, and is working on setting up more sessions. There has been interest from both local communities and also the consulting engineers.

Ted Molesworth Passes Away

We just learned that Ted Molesworth passed away on April 11, 2008 at the age of 73. The funeral was held on Monday, April 14.

Ted took over the family business, Molesworth Contracting, in 1960 and by the time he retired in 1998 he also owned Molesworth Paving and Kammer Asphalt. Molesworth Paving Company was a member of Michigan Asphalt Paving Association and Ted was MAPA President from 1982-83.

Ted served as member and president of the Michigan Road Builders Association and Yale School Board. He also proudly served as a member of the National Asphalt Pavement Association, Association of General Contractors, Yale City Council, Yale Hospital Board, Yale Lions Club and Yale Masonic Lodge.

Out of all of his business interests, associations and memberships, Ted will be remembered for his sense of humor and infectious laugh. If a good time was not to be had, he made it one! He will also be remembered for his big heart. He will be missed!

APAM wishes to express our condolences to his family and many friends.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made in Ted's honor to:
Yale First United Methodist Church
5 South Main St.
Yale, MI 48097

To read the entire obituary, click here.

Don Rosenbarger Goes West

Don Rosenbarger has resigned his position as Secretary / Treasurer for the APAM Board of Directors. Don was the Regional Manager for Barrett Paving Materials in Michigan. Colas, the parent company of Barrett and various other companies, acquired a new company in North Las Vegas, Southwest Ironworks, and Don was chosen to become the President.

The address there is 2606 Losee Road, North Las Vegas, NV 89030 if you want to contact him. Congratulations Don on your new appointment, we wish you good luck!

NAPA Publication Will Help You Save $$

"101 Ideas to Reduce Costs and Enhance Revenue" (QIP-127) is based on an excellent educational session that was presented at NAPA's 2008 Annual Meeting in Phoenix. At this session, executives from several hot-mix asphalt production companies presented some of the innovative ways that their companies and others have improved the bottom line for their firms. In this publication, a fictional company, Skidmark Asphalt, goes from an annual loss of $600,000 to profitability by implementing "101 Ideas". The 101 ideas are presented in a narrative format, in a way that emphasizes the savings that can be realized through implementation of the ideas. Additional ideas for worker safety are also presented.

Click here to order.

Asphalt Smooth Rider Motorcycle to be Raffled

The NAPA Associate Member Council has organized a NAPAREF fundraiser to purchase laboratory equipment for the National Center for Asphalt Technology at Auburn University, Alabama. A custom made chopper, Smooth Rider, will be raffled off to raise the funds. Smooth Rider made its debut at the recent CONEXPO-CON/AGG Show in Las Vegas. The winning ticket will be drawn March 12, 2009 at the World of Asphalt in Orlando, Florida. Tickets are $100 each.

Since 1986, NCAT has supported the HMA industry through it's world class research and education. This is a great opportunity to return the favor.

Please visit www.smoothrider.org to purchase your tickets. Detailed specs on the chopper and a list of laboratory equipment needed is also available on the website.