Executive Update: Wisconsin Springs into the Paving Season
The warmer weather signals the start of another construction season. Even as the Wisconsin asphalt paving community is getting to work on new projects across the state, many have taken the time this spring to participate in events dedicated to the constant improvement of our industry and our product. From outreach with lawmakers to technical … Read more
Executive Update: National Research — Wisconsin Leads and Learns
As we previewed in last month’s Executive Update, national research took center stage at the Transportation Research Board annual meeting in January and was prominently featured at the National Asphalt Pavement Association meeting as well. We saw at both events that national research will continue to have a significant influence on the evolving state of … Read more
Executive Update: Making National Connections at the NAPA Meeting
The annual meetings of the National Asphalt Pavement Association and the Transportation Research Board always make for a busy January. These events bring together Wisconsin’s counterparts from all 50 states—contractors and consultants, DOTs and local agencies, researchers and experts—as well as federal representatives and national advocates. The dialogue covers everything from policy and funding to … Read more
Executive Update: 2014 in Review — Successes and Opportunities
The close of 2014 marks the completion of my first full calendar year as WAPA’s executive director. In that time I have come to know and work closely with many of you, and I appreciate your dedication to improving Wisconsin’s transportation system and ensuring that our asphalt pavements are second to none. Our successes as … Read more
Executive Update: News and innovations at the 2014 WAPA conference
The asphalt pavement industry in Wisconsin is engaged and energized, and nowhere was that more evident than at WAPA’s 2014 conference held earlier this month in Madison. Given the many exciting asphalt pavement innovations and the ever-evolving landscape for transportation funding, the conference provided an unmatched setting for sharing the latest updates in technologies, funding … Read more
WAPA Conference Program and Presentations are Online
The 2014 WAPA Conference Full Program [PDF] is online. It includes a detailed agenda, speaker bios, descriptions of the technical breakout sessions, and information about our sponsors and exhibitors. Main conference session and technical breakout session presentations may also be found on the 2014 WAPA Conference Page.
WAPA Statement on WisDOT’s 2015-17 Budget Request
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Monday, November 17, 2014 Contact: Brandon Strand, (608) 609-8024 Madison, WI – Brandon Strand, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Asphalt Pavement Association, released the following statement regarding the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) 2015-17 Budget Request: “Wisconsin’s transportation system is the foundation of our economy. As our infrastructure ages and the demands … Read more
Executive Update: Transportation is big election day winner
The votes are tallied and the confetti swept away. In the wake of another closely watched election season, we wanted to take a closer look at the results and pass along a few highlights. Here are the outcomes and issues that are sure to have an impact on our state’s asphalt pavement industry. The big … Read more
New WAPA Website
Welcome to the all new WAPA website! We have completely upgraded our web experience with a modern look, and the information you need is organized to help you find it quickly. We hope you find the expanded Resources section particularly helpful, with featured publications on Economics, Engineering, and Environmental topics from WAPA and national experts. … Read more
President Signs Highway Funding Fix into Law
On Friday, August 8, President Obama signed into law the $11-billion, ten-month Highway Trust Fund patch that Congress passed on July 31 to extend funding for the federal surface transportation law, MAP-21, through May 2015. H.R.5021, Highway and Transportation Funding Act of 2014 is a temporary fix that avoids a cash crisis in the Highway … Read more
WisDOT’s Secretary Highlights Wisconsin’s Asphalt Industry
Mark Gottlieb, Secretary of Wisconsin DOT, took the opportunity to spotlight WAPA and Wisconsin’s asphalt industry at a national research summit held in Madison on July 22. Gottlieb addressed a group of some 80 individuals representing the state research directors at a meeting of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. Gottlieb discussed … Read more
In Memoriam: Ned Bechthold
We are saddened by the loss of Payne & Dolan’s Ned Bechthold, who passed away on May 9. Please see the full obituary for Ned and visit the memories and condolences page. Ned will be dearly missed by all who knew him.
Securing Transportation Funding for Wisconsin’s Future
Nothing More Costly Than Not Funding Transportation. When both Republicans and Democrats agree on something as big as transportation funding, that means it’s important. In keynote addresses, Gov. Scott Walker and President Barack Obama highlighted the importance of investing in our infrastructure and all the industries that rely on a strong transportation system. With federal … Read more
Vote YES for Transportation
WAPA is among a long list of organizations, associations and companies supporting a proposed amendment to the state constitution to create a transportation fund. If approved, the amendment would require that revenues generated through the use of the state transportation system be deposited into a fund for the exclusive purpose of funding the state’s transportation … Read more
Higher Recycled Pavements are Coming to Wisconsin
In the Fall 2013 issue [PDF] of Wisconsin Asphalt News, we discussed the benefits of asphalt mixes with increased levels of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) and recycled asphalt shingles (RAS). The message: With the right engineering and attention, neighboring states are making this technology work. We can now report that exciting developments are happening here … Read more
Earlier Maintenance with Thin Layers Pays Off
Thin asphalt overlays are generating a lot of excitement nationally. The article Thinlays for Pavement Preservation in the March/April 2014 issue of NAPA’s Asphalt Pavement magazine spells out the strategies for extending pavement life through the use of thin asphalt overlays. The article explains that these thin overlays are “specifically engineered for preservation [and] can … Read more
At-the-Site Recycling Delivers the Three E’s
Asphalt is already the most recycled product in the world, and one particularly green technique allows it to be reused on the spot. Cold in-place recycling (CIR) is a rehabilitation technique where existing pavement is incorporated straight into a new pavement. With CIR, an old pavement is converted to RAP by milling, planing or crushing. … Read more
New WAPA Director of Engineering Deb Schwerman
WAPA welcomes Deb Schwerman as our new Director of Engineering. Schwerman brings more than 20 years of experience to the position, having worked both for state government and in industry. She brings a wealth of technical knowledge on asphalt pavement materials, mechanistic design, construction processes, and specifications and will be a great asset in the … Read more
54th WAPA Conference – Presentations are Online
General session presentations from WAPA’s most recent annual conference are now online. WAPA thanks all presenters for taking the time and effort to share their expertise.
Wisconsin Asphalt News – Fall 2013
In the Fall 2013 WAPA newsletter: 2013 Conference to Feature Professional Development Hours Gearing Up for High-RAP Asphalt. Asphalt Maintenance Requires Proper Planning and Execution. Performance Testing Helps Advance Pavement Innovation. Featured Member: Pavement Technology, Inc. Roll Out the Welcome Mat for Lawmakers.