This Executive Update features the latest industry updates as well as dates for the 2022 Annual Conference and Business Meeting.
Report: Asphalt Industry is a Big Winner in Infrastructure Plan
The New York Times published a story earlier this year about the asphalt pavement industry's support for and potential benefit from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). The article begins by stating that while a range of special interests lobbied for infrastructure dollars, the asphalt industry may have been the most successful:

"We are America's No. 1 most recycled product," said Jay Hansen, the executive vice president for advocacy at the National Asphalt Pavement Association. A 21-page letter the association sent to [President] Biden's transition team late in 2020 titled "Build Back Better with Asphalt," suggested asphalt was... critical to job creation and economic recovery.
When the IIJA passed, it was a success for our industry and a win for the country. As part of surface transportation coalitions, we have sought steady funding for years. But the IIJA represents a big increase in funding, and naturally drew media interest. Overall, the article presents positive perspectives and dynamic photos of our industry. While it does raise some environmental questions, it gives much more space to the industry's benefits: like the fact that we're America's most recycled product, that surface transportation funding brings together Americans from all parties, and that this funding means we can hire more American workers.

If you'd like to access the full Times article, please contact WAPA.
Wisconsin's Roads Benefit From Federal Funds
Over the past few months, WisDOT has kept us updated on how the additional federal highway aid money will be used in Wisconsin.

A general summary of the plan indicates that Wisconsin will receive nearly $283 million for the current fiscal year. Of that, $123.6 million will go into the state highway rehabilitation program, $83.8 million will go towards local transportation facility assistance, and $60.7 million into local bridge improvements.

We are pleased to share details, including a preliminary list of 22 projects added to the state highway rehabilitation program to be let with the additional federal highway formula aid, as well as 65 local road improvement projects.

The first 40 local road projects are slated for communities with 50,000 or fewer residents and an additional 25 projects were selected for urban areas with populations of at least 50,000 residents. Another 21 road projects, which must be let by WisDOT by the end of 2022, will be announced at a later date.

The list of additional projects across the state that will be funded with federal dollars illustrates the impact of our industry's efforts to secure new funding.

Now let's get to work!

FHWA Supports Perpetual Asphalt Pavements
In a description of its video, Asphalt Pavement Principles: Long-Life Pavements, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) praises perpetual pavement design, writing "Long-Life Pavements, traditionally called perpetual pavements, are multi-layer pavement designs built from the bottom up, with each layer engineered to maximize pavement life. Long-Life Pavement designs provide agencies with an approach that reduces the life-cycle costs of a pavement. With this approach, asphalt roads can be built with a structure that lasts many decades with only periodic surface renewal and maintenance required, making it an ideal choice for drivers, engineers, and the traveling public."

FHWA also states that industry best practices and proven resources are available to help agencies better design long-life pavements and get longer service life from their roads. WAPA fully endorses the proven design and performance of deep-strength, perpetual asphalt pavements as a way to fix our highways for less money.

The Asphalt Pavement Alliance video, How to Design a Road to Withstand Time, Traffic, and Taxpayers (below) offers further insight for designing a road to last indefinitely, while saving money on initial construction costs and low future taxes with quicker, easier, economical maintenance.
OSHA Releases Heat Illness Prevention Plan Checklist
Last month, OSHA released its Heat Illness Prevention Plan (HIPP) Checklist, which identifies key requirements that employers should implement to ensure workers are safe from excessive outdoor heat. Additional information regarding employers' responsibilities can be accessed at OSHA's Heat Illness Prevention website. Additionally, OSHA just released a thorough Heat Illness Prevention Program through their Harwood Grant Program; including a template for a "Model Heat Illness Prevention Plan." With a number of comprehensive and potentially complicated model HIPPs available, the asphalt industry is working to develop customized materials for road construction.
2022 Industry Directory Available
This year's edition of the Wisconsin Transportation Construction Industry Directory & Buyer's Guide is available on our website.

This handy reference guide is chock-full of helpful information, from technical details like bid schedules and regional maps to upcoming events and compelling narratives about WAPA and other industry associations. When you're looking to learn more about the members of the state's transportation construction industry, Wisconsin's government officials and other contacts, be sure to check this directory first.

In Closing
Please save the date for our 2022 conference:

WAPA's 63rd Annual Conference and Business Meeting
November 29 - November 30, 2022
Kalahari Resort
Wisconsin Dells

We will also be offering a free webinar series again this fall to complement our annual meeting. A tentative agenda will be published shortly with registration to follow soon after. Please look for updated information on our website, in our newsletter and through email communications in the coming weeks.

Also, for WAPA members, our Wisconsin Asphalt Industry Insider will have an October 2022 issue. Please look for details soon on how to participate. Remember, this is a unique outreach opportunity that is included in your membership at no additional cost.

As always, if you have any questions about this information or if we can be of assistance in any way, please don't hesitate to contact us.

Thank you,