Who is ready for some concrete paving awards? ACPA’s 61st Annual Meeting registration is now open, and we are ready to host you for a fantastic educational, celebratory and exciting networking event December 3-5 in Phoenix, AZ at the Camby, Autograph Collection. The preliminary program is available here and while the preliminary program is subject to adjustment, the room block is open with favorable room rates and plenty of space for you and your team. Concrete Paving University, Open Forums, and ACPA Committee meetings will cover topics from Environmental Product Declarations, FHWA’s Low Carbon Transportation Materials (LCTM) grant program, FAA and Tri-Services updates and of course our Excellence in Concrete Pavement Awards program. Register early today!

Thank you to Chairman Ernie Peterson, Ash Grove Cement Company, Incoming Chair Don Weaver, Weaver-Bailey Contractors, Inc., and Oklahoma/Arkansas Chapter Executive Director Brent Burwell for hosting me at the Arkansas Concrete Conference in Hot Springs, AR. It was an impressive turnout of policy makers and agency officials. The OK/AR markets continue to be promising for concrete thanks to the hard work of the chapter members and Burwell. We look forward to hosting many of these folks in Washington, DC next year as we advocate for more infrastructure funding.

Congress adjourned for its August recess before passing THUD appropriations. As the fiscal year expires September 30, a continuing resolution is expected since Congress may quickly recess to focus on the heated elections this November. Appropriations may be a product of the lame duck once the elections are over. ACPA will have an analysis and an update at our Annual Meeting.

Thanks also to Cemex for hosting ACPA and member contractors, such as Pulice, at the annual Beaverdilly event. Typically reserved for dam builders, many highway contractors gather at the events in Napa, CA and Los Angeles, CA twice a year to celebrate dam and highway construction.

Cheers!