ARTBA Washington Newsline

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NewslineWashington

Reauthorization Conference Heating Up

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House Rejects Plan to Crash Transportation Programs

Deadline Tomorrow for TransOvation & Women Leaders Awards

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

Marsh and ARTBA Launch Heavy Highway Insurance Program. Contact ARTBA’s Rich Juliano at 202.289.4434 for more information.

It could be a long, hot summer in Washington with pressure rising on congressional leaders and members of the surface transportation reauthorization conference committee as the June 30 expiration of the federal highway and transit programs approaches. Conference Committee Chair Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and Senate Environment & Public Works Committee Ranking Member

James Inhofe (R-Okla.) jointly offered a compromise last week to House negotiators. While details of the compromise offer are not public, reports indicate that it dealt primarily with policy and did not address the financing components of a final bill. House Republicans are making a series of counter-offers to the Senate, beginning with a proposal for the Transportation Enhancements Program.

Further raising the stakes, both Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) June 7 began discussing potential legislative actions in the event the transportation conferees fail to reach an agreement by June 30. Reid suggested part of the Senate transportation bill’s finance package could be used instead

ARTBA National Convention 110th Anniversary Special: Register by July 1 and save $110!

Tomorrow, June 12, is the entry submission deadline for the ARTBA Foundation’s “TransOvation” and “Women Leaders Awards” programs. The inaugural “TransOvation Awards” honor innovative transportation infrastructure-related products, services, technologies and techniques that provide a high return-on-investment by improving safety, saving transportation users and

The House of Representatives June 8 voted 323-82 to reject a motion to instruct transportation conferees offered by Rep. Paul Broun (R-Ga.) that would have halted the federal highway and public transportation programs in FY 2013. Specifically, the motion would have instructed conferees

2 ARTBA Washington Newsline

Upcoming EventsVisit our Events Page for more information.

TransOvation WorkshopJuly 25-27Leesburg, Va. [Add to Calendar]

National ConventionSeptember 11–14 Memphis, Tenn. [Add to Calendar]

LōTrans Virtual Conference & Innovation ShowcaseSeptember 18 - 20[Add to Calendar]

P3s in Transportation ConferenceOctober 11–12 Washington, D.C. [Add to Calendar]

4th Annual Construction Law & Regulatory ForumOctober 24-25Washington, D.C.

Western Regional MeetingNovember 27-28San Francisco, Calif.[Add to Calendar]

Central Regional MeetingNovember 29-30Chicago, Ill.[Add to Calendar]

Southern Regional MeetingDecember 3-4Atlanta, Ga. [Add to Calendar]

Northeastern Regional MeetingDecember 5-6Boston, Mass. [Add to Calendar]

2012

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June 12 Awards Deadlines

ND

SD

WY

ID

IA

MN

WI

NE

KSCO

VA

OH

PA

NY

ME

MDUT

NV

OR

WA

MTVT

NH

MA

RI

CTNJ

DE

12 month state and local government highway & bridge contract award totals

Mar 2011 to Feb 2012 vs. Mar 2010 to Feb 2011

MI

IN

WVCA

IL

MOKS

OKAR

MS AL

SCNM

TN

KY

NC

VA

AZ

TX

FL

DC

Source: ARTBA analysis of McGraw Hill Data, adjusted for inflation

AK

HI

This state increased the value of contract awards more than 5%

This state increased or decreased the value of awards by 5%

This state decreased the value of their

contract awards by more than 5%

WV

LA

GA

taxpayers time and/or money, or making our transportation infrastructure more environmentally sustainable.

The “Women Leaders in Transportation Design and Construction Awards” recognize the extraordinary efforts of individuals, companies and public agencies that have demonstrated leadership and dedication to innovation in the transportation construction field, as well as the promotion of women leaders within the industry.

This year’s winners will be recognized at a black-tie optional dinner July 26 held in conjunction with ARTBA’s “TransOvation Workshop” at the Lansdowne Resort & Conference Center in Leesburg, Virginia.

Nomination forms are available at www.transovation.org, or by contacting ARTBA’s Holly DiGangi at 202.289.4434.

3ARTBA Washington Newsline

Products & Services

Conference Heating UpContinued from page 1

Connect with Industry Leaders: Advertise in ARTBA’s Digital Buyers Guide

Promote your firm’s products and services before a wide audience of material suppliers, manufacturers, design firms and contractors.

Contact ARTBA’s Peter Embrey for more information.

Bill Swisher RememberedRoad construction equipment pioneer, ardent transportation investment advocate and long-time ARTBA Board member G.W. “Bill” Swisher, Jr., passed away May 31, after a long illness.

Swisher, who was 82, founded the Oklahoma-based equipment manufacturing firm CMI in 1964, building it into a $200 million-per-year global business that employed 2,000. He was widely recognized as an equipment innovator. His 50 patents revolutionized concrete paving as the nation entered the Interstate Highway construction era. CMI’s mainstay product was

the AUTO-GRADE, a two-lane trimmer that automatically guided, leveled and controlled speed.

Swisher was elected an inaugural member of the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) “Construction Equipment Hall of Fame.” In 2002, ARTBA recognized him as one of “The Top 100 Private-Sector Transportation Design & Construction Industry Professionals of the 20th Century.”

The Swisher family asks that memorial contributions be made to the Last Frontier Council of the Boy Scouts of America, 3031 N.W. 64th, Oklahoma City, OK 73116; Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, 825 N.E. 13th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73104; or to the Children’s Center, 6800 NW 39th Expressway, Bethany, OK 73008.

to keep student loan rates from doubling July 1. Boehner told reporters that he would propose a six-month extension of current law, thereby pushing the reauthorization debate past the November elections.

President Obama June 8 added to the chorus during a nationally-televised press conference by urging action on a transportation bill before the June 30 program expiration: “It is critical to take the action we can to strengthen the American economy right now…we’ve got a lot of deferred maintenance in this country. We could put a lot of people back to work rebuilding our roads and bridges.”

ARTBA’s July 25-27 TransOvation, which is focused on helping industry executives build innovative thinking into their professional skill set, will feature a collabora-tive workshop that aims to address real-world challenges. Attendees will work together to develop strategies for dramatically reducing the toll of U.S. deaths and injuries from motor vehicle crashes on the nation’s highways that focus on design and infrastructure solutions. At the conclusion of the two-and-a-half day event, the groups will present their proposals—live—to Federal Highway Admin-istrator Victor Mendez, top industry leaders and other FHWA officials.

The FHWA’s Center for Accelerating Innovation is also working with state DOTs to send a “change maker” from their agency’s leadership team to participate. Net-working opportunities with the FHWA, state DOTs and other high-profile thought leaders and journalists should make TransOvation a “no brainer.”

World-class innovators will be on hand to demonstrate new approaches to prob-lem solving that can lead to new markets, increased efficiency, productivity and profit.

Among the confirmed speakers:· Danny Forster, host of the Discovery Channel series “Build It Bigger”· Victor Mendez, FHWA administrator· Sean Connaughton, Virginia secretary of transportation· Ross Smith, Microsoft director of test· Ted Zoli, HNTB vice president/national bridge chief engineer· John Hillman, HC Bridge Company president & CEO· Raymond Chiu, 3M Traffic Safety Systems technical director

The event is being held at the Lansdowne Resort & Conference Center in Leesburg, Va., which is conveniently located near Dulles International Airport.Space is limited. To reserve your spot, visit www.transovation.org or contact ARTBA’s Ed Tarrant at (202) 289-4434.

Reducing Road Fatalities Focus of ARTBA’s July TransOvation Workshop

4 ARTBA Washington Newsline

Overheard

“ ”

TRB Newsletter: June 5 Highlighting new research, technologies, industry best practices and information resources available to the transportation design and construction industry.

A service of ARTBA’s multi-modal councils, it features current transportation developments making news across all modes and regions. Contact: Caitrin Reed to become a subscriber.

Fostering Innovation

MultimodalNews

“The most important single step toward a brighter future is to repair our economy as soon as possible. And one of the surest ways to do so is a large and immediate infrastructure refurbishment program.”

Robert H. Frank, economics professor at the Johnson Graduate School of Management at Cornell University, in a June 3 “New York Times” op-ed “Repairing roads can end all kinds of gridlock.”

“The transportation bill has provided a case study of a dysfunctional Congress, the failures of those who seek to find a middle ground and the struggle House Speaker John A. Boehner (R-Ohio) has faced in capitalizing on his party’s majority in the House.”

“The Washington Post” transportation reporter Ashley Halsey in a June 5 article, “Sens. Boxer, Inhofe deliver transportation proposal to House.”

“Throw in Social Security and interest on the debt, and by 2025 there’s no tax revenue left to do other things government is supposed to do. Forget about building roads and funding scientific research. The entire defense budget would be deficit-financed.”

June 5 “Wall Street Journal” editorial, “Obama’s Debt Boom.”

“If I were President Obama, I’d focus my entire campaign now on an effort to reforge a “grand bargain” with Republicans based on a near-term infrastructure stimulus tied with a Simpson-Bowles long-term fiscal rebalancing.”

“The New York Times” columnist Thomas Friedman in a June 5 article, “What the Locusts Ate.”

Legislative & Regulatory News

to restrict Highway Trust Fund outlays to $37.5 billion in FY 2013. According to the Congressional Budget Office and the U.S. Department of Transportation, nearly all the outlays that would be allowed under the Broun motion are already dedicated to paying prior year commitments for previously authorized—and currently underway—federal-aid highway projects. ARTBA and its industry colleagues in the Transportation Construction Coalition and the Americans for Transportation Mobility coalition wrote all representatives June 7 urging them to reject the motion.

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House Rejects Broun Proposal

House Panel Approves Status Quo Investment Levels

House Panel Passes Bill Preventing EPA Wetlands GuidanceThe House Transportation

Appropriations Subcommittee June 8 approved, by voice vote, legislation that would provide $39.1 billion in federal highway investment and $10.2 billion for the transit formula and

fixed rail programs in FY 2013. The proposal, like its Senate counterpart, would preserve highway investment at the FY 2012 level—which is $2 billion less than what was provided in FY 2011. The measure, however, would cut the transit capital program by $138 million, whereas the Senate would increase this program by $89 million. The proposal would also provide $1.8 billion to Amtrak, primarily for capital improvements, including $500 million in grant funding to build and maintain rail bridges and tunnels in local communities, and $3.35 billion for Airport Improvement Program capital grants—the same as FY 2012. The committee left open the possibility of appropriating additional funds for the highway and public transportation programs should Congress pass a reauthorization bill.

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee June 7 voted 33-18 to pass H.R. 4965, ARTBA-supported legislation introduced by Committee Chairman John

5ARTBA Washington Newsline

Download a PDF copy of the digital “Washington Newsline.”

ARTBA News

Thirty-four transportation design and construction industry “rising stars” came to Washington, D.C. May 29 to participate in the ARTBA Foundation’s 17th annual Young Executive Development Program (YEDP). The program, which aims to develop the next generation of industry leaders, included sessions on the federal legislative and regulatory processes, highway/transit financing, economics, environmental issues, public-private partnerships and industry innovation. It was held in conjunction with the association’s annual Federal Issues Program, providing YEDP fellows the chance to meet with their congressional representatives and urge completion of the surface transportation bill.

This year’s participants also

heard from Kathy Ruffalo, government affairs consultant and a former commissioner of the National Surface Transportation Infrastructure Financing Commission and visited the Federal Highway Administration’s Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center.

“The program was very eye opening as well as gave me a renewed sense of purpose with my job,” commented 2012 YEDP fellow Melisa Bittancourt, PMT Regional Engineer at Parsons Brinckerhoff in California. “I now understand the importance of advocating transportation spending to the elected officials as well as the general public.”

To date, over 400 young executives from nearly 200 firms and agencies have completed the program. View a list of this year’s graduates.

ARTBA Supports Portland Cement Settlement

Mica (R-Fla.), Ranking Member Nick Rahall (D-W. Va.), Representative Frank Lucas (R-Okla.) and Representative Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) that would prevent the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from issuing guidance that potentially expands federal Clean Water Act jurisdiction. ARTBA wrote all House members May 8 supporting the measure and warning of the potential EPA action noting “roadside ditches are not, and should not be regulated as, traditional jurisdictional wetlands since they are an essential part of any transportation improvement project and contribute to the public health and safety of the nation by dispersing water from roadways.” The legislation is now ready for a full House vote.

On a related note, ARTBA Vice President for Environmental and Regulatory Affairs Nick Goldstein participated in a June 8 webinar organized by the Waters Advocacy Coalition explaining the potential effects of the EPA guidance on all sectors of the economy, particularly transportation.

ARTBA submitted comments to the U.S. EPA June 7 noting its support for a federal court settlement regarding the agency’s clean air standards concerning the production of portland cement—the most common type of cement in the world. The settlement, subject to federal court approval, would provide an additional two years for the standards to be developed. ARTBA’s comments stressed the settlement would

ensure enough time for the development of a high quality rule that reduces emissions of hazardous air pollutants while allowing sufficient production of a material critical to the nation’s infrastructure. ARTBA’s comments can be found in the “regulatory” section of www.artba.org.

Move the Country Forward Through Transportation Investment ARTBA President Pete Ruane participated in a June 5 blog chat with Steve Anderson, managing director of “Infrastructure USA,” on the need for federal investment in transportation, the politics surrounding the issue in Washington and what is needed for the country to move forward. Listen to highlights from the interview.

Transportation from the Eyes of Tomorrow’s LeadersARTBA’s Research and Education Division has launched a national student-produced video contest to document and demonstrate, from a young person’s perspective, views on transportation infrastructure, finance, operations and long-term needs. Two winners will be selected from a nationwide pool of submissions—with the top videos shown at ARTBA’s National Convention in Memphis, Tenn. this September.

Students of all ages are encouraged to offer their perspective while addressing any aspect of U.S. transportation. Some suggested topics include:• U.S. Transportation

Infrastructure 101.• How infrastructure is

built and paid for.• What are the costs

and financing needs of transportation infrastructure?

• What are the impacts of congestion and changing travel demands?

• What are the “man on the street” impressions of the industry versus reality?

• Recent transportation and urban design/development patterns.

Entrants should create an

original 2-4 minute video. One winner will be selected

from each of the following categories:• elementary, middle, and

high school students• students in a post-

secondary programWinners will also receive

a $500 cash prize and be announced to national and trade media outlets.

For more information, contact ARTBA’s Lital Shair.

Industry “Rising Stars” Complete Annual ARTBA Young Executive Development Program

2012 ARTBA-TDF Young Executive Development Class

LōTrans™ 2012, the Local Transportation Asset Management Virtual Conference & Innovation Showcase featuring “Best Practices in Work Zone Safety,” is scheduled for September 18-20 at a computer near you.

This industry-first event is primarily aimed at public officials and will feature more than 30 educational sessions from national industry leaders.

There are no travel costs. No booth shipping and set-up costs. You can monitor activity from your office computer and talk with visitors to your booth in real time.

You’ll also have the ability to select from a series of booth options and we’ll help you put it together.

Most importantly, LōTrans™ will help you reach your target audience: key decision-makers at public agencies.

View the exhibitor prospectus by clicking on the image below or visit: www.lotransvirtualconference.org.

Questions? Contact ARTBA’s Peter Embrey or Ed Tarrant: 202.289.4434.

LōTrans™ will bring world-class companies with products and services that can help deliver safer and more efficient transportation services to taxpayers—together with public agency decision-makers.

Become an exhibitor today!

Current sponsors & exhibitors:

• Federal Highway Administration

• 3M

• “Better Roads”

• Caterpillar

• HCSS

• Honeywell Safety Products

• National Steel Bridge Alliance

• National Association of County Engineers

• National Local Technical Assistance Program Association

• National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse

• “Roads & Bridges”

• Transpo Industries

8connections collaborations solutions

Standard two “node” booth: $1,900 ARTBA member; $2,600 non-member

“Innovation Showcase” Exhibit Hall: Standard Booth Package Options

Jetson Aperture

Ellipse Flare

View standard and expanded branding booth options at www.lotransvirtualconference.org.

1connections collaborations solutions

LoTrans™ 2012Local Transportation Asset Management

Virtual Conference & Innovation Showcase

Featuring Best Practices in Work Zone Safety

September 18-20 at your desktop

Exhibitor Prospectuswww.lotransvirtualconference.org

LōTrans™ 2012 Exhibit Opportunities

Information provided by the National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse, award #DTFH61-06-H-00015, does not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Federal Highway Administration, (FHWA) or the American Road & Transportation Builders Association-Transportation Development Foundation. References to specific products and services do not imply endorsement by the Clearinghouse or FHWA.

Best Practices in Work Zone Safety @ Local Transportation Asset Management

Virtual Conference & Innovation Showcase

We know that budgets are tight and travel limited. That’s why the National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse is bringing a 21st century educational and exhibit experience directly to you…virtually! No registration fees. No travel expenses. No time out of the office or away from family. Scheduled for September 18-20 at your desktop or laptop, the Clearinghouse will host the comprehen-sive “Best Practices in Work Zone Safety” at the Local Transportation Asset Management Virtual Conference & Innovation Showcase, or LoTrans™ 2012. Top industry firms will be exhibiting their products and services, and the following industry leaders are confirmed for presentations on these topics: Roadway Safety+ Series • Don Elisburg, consultant: “Overview of Roadway Safety”• Melisa Finley, Texas Transportation Institute associate research engineer: “Speed Management in Work

Zones”• Emmett Russell, IUOE safety and health director (retired): “Preventing Runovers & Backovers”• Travis Parsons, LHSFNA senior safety and health specialist: “Work Zone Safety: Motorcyclists & Bicyclists”• Omar Lopez, ARTBA safety and Spanish training specialist: “Occupational Hazards” (Spanish) Hot Topics • Dave Fosbroke, NIOSH statistician: “Internal Traffic Control Plans”• Tim Gardner, manager, regulatory affairs, performance safety materials, 3M Occupational Health &

Environmental Safety Division: “The Art of Conspicuity”• T. Bella Dinh-Zarr, FIA Foundation safety director: “Decade of Action for Roadway Safety”• Bob Johnson, Granite Construction Company director of safety: “Best Contractor Safety Practices”• Bud Wright, Barrier Systems transportation policy consultant: “Why Investment in Safety Pays Back”• Jim Keaton, Barrier Systems vice president of sales and marketing: “Moveable Barrier in Work Zones”• Eric Hedman, marketing operations manager, 3M Traffic Safety Systems Division: “Sign Management

Strategies”• Kelly Hardy, AASHTO highway safety program manager: “Towards Zero Deaths”• Tracy Scriba, work zone program manager, FHWA Office of Operations and Paul Pisano, work zone team

leader, FHWA Office of Operations: “Work Zone Safety – The Federal Government’s Perspective” Free registration is available now: www.lotransvirtualconference.org. Contact Clearinghouse Communications & Project Manager Lisa McCluskey with any questions.

www.lotransvirtualconference.org LoTrans™ 2012

September 18-20, at your desktop

save the date

LōTrans™ 2012 Exhibit Opportunities