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Happy St. Patrick's Day!
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Feature Article |
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Paving Conference - Informational and Enjoyable
The 52nd Annual Asphalt Paving Conference was held at the Best Western Sterling Inn, Sterling Heights Michigan. Over two hundred forty people braved the snowy elements to attend the event.
The vendor exhibits opened at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, February 26th and stayed open through the evening reception where delicious food and drinks were enjoyed. Prior to the reception two educational sessions were held. Best Practices for Designing & Controlling HMA Mixtures and Hot Topics in Warm Mix Asphalt were the topics presented. (Please click on the links to view the PowerPoints)
Wednesday started with the opening general session where MDOT Highway Delivery Bureau Director John Friend spoke to a room capacity crowd about a variety of MDOT initiatives including an alternate pavement bidding pilot program, the Governor's Economic Stimulus road and bridge projects and a Design/Build/Finance project to be bid later this summer. He also talked about a new operational philosophy for the HMA Operations Committee which builds on past successes, but allows more flexibility in identifying and solving important issues. John also shared MDOT's plan to add an Asst. Division Administrator/ Pavement Operations Engineer to the C & T Division who would oversee all activities related to asphalt and concrete pavements plus the pavement management system and pavement type selection.
Our keynote speaker, Denis Stoddard, spoke on the book by Stephen M.R. Covey entitled "The Speed of Trust". The basic concept of this is that trust within your organization speeds up business and drives down the cost. Click here to view PowerPoint
The educational sessions continued on Wednesday. The topics were:
The Speed of Trust - Part II
Cold Milling Best Practices (This may take awhile to load)
HMA - Your Best Value (This make take awhile to load)
MDOT Update
We thank the speakers for their time in presenting these sessions. Please click on the links to view the PowerPoint presentations.
This Conference would not be the same without the generous support of our sponsors. AIS, Marathon Petroleum and Michigan CAT - Platinum Sponsors. Aggregate Industries, BP Bitumen, Edw. C. Levy Co., Ontario Trap Rock and SemMaterials - Gold Sponsors. Seneca Petroleum - Silver Sponsor and Aloha Equipment Co. - Bronze Sponsor.
A special thank you to AIS Companies for sponsoring the breakfast!
Thanks to all our sponsors for coming through once again!
Congratulations to Tony Rutger, of Sealmaster for winning the 32" HDTV from the door prize giveaway at lunchtime.
If you have any comments about this year's conference or have suggestions for next year, please email dphillips@apa-mi.org or call the APAM office.
 AIS  MiCAT
 Seneca  Dillman
 Reception  Tony Rutger,
Winner of TV
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APAM Happenings |
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APAM'S 2nd Annual Scholarship Golf Outing Date Announced
We have reserved Tuesday, July 8, 2008 at the Hawk Hollow Golf Course in Bath, Michigan. Please mark your calendars and plan to attend. Last year's event was great as we raised over $13,000. We awarded (4) $1,000 Scholarships. Please consider sponsoring this event. We need cash sponsors, hole sponsors, prizes give aways and silent auction items.
Please direct any questions to Beth
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MDOT News |
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MDOT Issues Construction Advisory
MDOT has issued the following Construction Advisory, (Click on the link to view):
CA 2008-04, Job Mix Formula and Plant Inspection Practices The purpose of this advisory is to improve communication between the delivery/project engineer, contractor, and region and statewide Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) staff by providing clarification of practices with regard to plant inspection and certification, and Job Mix Formula (JMF) changes.
Click here to view a listing of Construction Advisories
MDOT Issues Instructional Memorandum
MDOT has issued the following Bureau of Highway Instructional Memorandums, (Click on the links to view):
2008-05, Bridge Weight Restrictions
This IM clarifies the procedures for implementing weight restrictions based on a bridge load rating analysis or design.
2008-07, Moratorium on the use of Adhesive Anchors in SustainedTensile-Load-Only Overhead Applications
Effective immediately, a moratorium is being placed on the use of adhesive anchors in sustained, tensile- load-only overhead applications. This moratorium applies to all existing and future contracts until further notice.
Click here to view a listing of Instructional Memorandums
Spring Weight Restrictions
It is that time of year again, weight restrictions are currently in place in many counties. Effective Monday, March 17th, MDOT has placed spring weight/load restrictions from the Southern Michigan Border North to (and including) the Mackinac Bridge.
To check the status of any current restrictions on MDOT trunkline routes click here. To check the status of any current restrictions on county jurisdiction roads click here.
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The Smooth Road |
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The Smooth Road
Chuck Mills, APAM's Director of Engineering, has begun in his new role of Marketing HMA for APAM. This is the first installment of "The Smooth Road", which will update the APAM membership on APAM's marketing efforts.
It seems as though porous asphalt is a very hot topic. Chuck has already completed three "lunch and learn" sessions, with two more already scheduled in April. The three sessions completed include: SSOE, located in Troy, Rowe, Inc., located in Flint and Carl Walker, in Kalamazoo. The next session is scheduled for April 15th, for Bloomfield Township. That will be followed by a session with Oakland County on the 17th.
Also, Chuck has started setting up meetings with members' area managers to gain insight into which municipalities to contact, and what some of the issues are. Thanks to those of you who have sent Chuck your list of contacts. If you have not done so, please send them to Chuck
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