APAM Seeking Scholarship Applications

Scholarship applications have been distributed to contractor members, associate members and college and universities. To date we have only received 2 applications. The deadline for submittal is October 1, 2008. Please remind all interested parties that this is just days away. After all with today's economy who couldn't use an extra $2,000.00? If you have any questions call either Beth Wilson or Chuck Mills at the APAM office.

Scholarship application

2008 Asphalt Paving Awards Deadlines Approaching

By now you should have received the 2008 APAM/MDOT Asphalt Paving Awards Rules and Nomination Forms. If you need a form they are posted on our website at www.apa-mi.org. The Superior Region deadline is fast approaching Monday, October 6, 2008. If you have any questions regarding the nomination process you can contact Chuck Mills or Beth Wilson at the APAM office at 517.323.7800. Please reserve Thursday, December 11, 2008 and plan to attend the Awards Banquet at the Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center in East Lansing. When submitting your award forms keep in mind the deadlines and include 3 digital photos and the project location map.

Deadlines for 2008 Project Submittal:
Superior Region: Monday, October 6th
North Region: Monday, October 13th
All Other Regions: Monday, October 20th

APAM Annual BBQ A Success!

Over 60 people attended the BBQ on September 9, 2008. It was held right here on the grounds of the MITA Building under the big top. We had a beautiful day, good food, cold drinks, door prizes and a great opportunity to mingle among our industry friends. APAM appreciates your continued support to the association. To check out the action shots from the BBQ visit the Photo Album section on the website.

Lab Qualification Program Deadlines Soon

The HMA Lab Qualification Implementation Team has extended the deadline for Contractor Lab Evaluations. As part of the Lab Qualification Program, a Contractor's Lab Evaluation must now be completed by Friday, October 3rd, 2008.

Per the HMA Production Manual (pg. 63), in order to perform testing on any MDOT Project, "QC Labs must be evaluated by an internal/external source annually to ensure compliance with the Quality Manual." The checklist on page 67 must be completed as part of this process.

Documentation of the lab evaluation should be sent to Marc Beyer by email beyerm@michigan.gov or you can mail Marc a copy at: MDOT- Construction and Technology Division, 8885 Ricks Road, Lansing, MI 48909.

Also, as part of the Lab Qualification Program, contractor QC Technician evaluations must be completed by Friday, November 14th, 2008. Per the HMA Production Manual (pg. 64), "HMA QC Technicians must be evaluated on a yearly basis using an internal and/or external source." The checklist on page 69 of the HMA Production Manual must be completed as part of this process.

A copy of these technician evaluations is to be included in the QC Labs Quality Manual. Because the Quality Manual's have already been submitted, a copy of each technician's evaluation should be sent to Marc Beyer by email beyerm@michigan.gov or you can mail Marc a copy at: MDOT- Construction and Technology Division, 8885 Ricks Road, Lansing, MI 48909.

DBE Asphalt Cement Summit Held

In early July, APAM and MITA were notified that the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) was considering no longer certifying DBE companies in any of the work classifications for liquid asphalt/petroleum product supply. This contemplated elimination of the DBE certification code "TB" would apply to all companies designated as manufacturers, dealers, and/or brokers, and would eliminate the DBE credit given for the work of those companies on MDOT projects.

On September 19th, representatives from MDOT, FHWA, industry associations and DBE AC dealers/ brokers met to discuss concerns raised by FHWA regarding practices which may not meet the requirements for providing a Commercially Useful Function (CUF).

Follow up meetings will be held to continue discussions. The shared goal is to work together to insure a successful DBE Asphalt Cement supplier/ broker program which complies with FHWA regulations.

Watch for future updates in APAM news.

MDOT Issues New SP for Use of Crushed Concrete

MDOT recently released the Special Provision for Crushed Concrete, dated 08-14-08.

The SP contains a number of significant changes regarding the use of crushed concrete for dense graded aggregate bases and open graded drainage courses.

Click here to view 03SP205 (B)

Engineering Operations Committee Minutes for August

The minutes for the Engineering Operations Committee meeting held on August 7, 2008 have been released. Please click on the link to read the minutes.

August 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

This week, APAM mailed a letter to cities, counties and consultants that included an updated HMA Ultra-Thin brochure which contains updated cost comparisons. The letter discusses how HMA Ultra-Thin can help preserve pavements by providing a more cost effective alternative when compared to other surface treatments. It also highlights how the use of RAP can help contain cost and preserve resources. We also included a list of APAM member companies as additional contacts to get more information about using RAP or HMA Ultra-Thin.

Chuck Mills will be taking a Porous HMA pavement model to the 11th annual Oakland County Heritage Conference on Thursday, September 25th. The conference brings together individuals from various backgrounds, who deal with the built and natural environment, to discuss ways to improve their communities through environmental sustainability.

Quality in Construction Awards Deadline Nears

The deadline for submission of NAPA's Quality in Construction Awards is October 3rd. Forms are available through the "Members Only" section on NAPA's website. For more info please contact Tracie Christie

Grand Rapids Asphalt Earns Diamond

APAM joins NAPA in congratulating Grand Rapids Asphalt, a Michigan Paving & Materials Company plant, on earning their first Diamond Achievement Commendation for Excellence in Hot-Mix Asphalt Plant / Site Operations. Way to go!

The Diamond Achievement program is open to all asphalt pavement producers in the United States. The deadline to apply for either a new or a renewal is November 1st.

For more info email the Diamond Coordinator

New Director of Communications at ACEC

Dennis Raymo has been named Director of Communications by ACEC exective director Ron Brenke. Raymo brings more than 20 years of media and public relations experience.

Tim Murphy's Training Seminar on Commercial HMA Applications
October 1st in Chicago.
Click here for complete information and registration form.

Young Leaders Conference & Tour
October 7-8, 2008, Atlanta, GA Conference Info

NPHQ Annual Meeting
The National Partnership for Highway Quality (NPHQ) Annual Meeting in San Antonio Texas on November 6-7, 2008 at the Hyatt Regency Riverwalk Hotel.
Visit http://nphq.org/ for more information

Warm Mix Asphalt Conference
November 11-13, 2008
Conference info

HMA Energy & Recycling Symposium
December 3-4, 2008
Info

NAPA's 54th Annual Meeting
January 18-21, 2009
Meeting Info

2009 World of Asphalt
March 9-12, 2009 For more info click here