Note: Before we present the new products offered for the 2020 construction season -- and I'm certainly proud of what we've been working on -- I do think it's important for all of us to recognize the global health pandemic caused by the coronavirus and COVID-19 disease.

We have entered a very challenging economic time in our country due to the public health emergency, and we have communities throughout our state that will be directly impacted. Our industry is no exception.

Operationally, this is something we've never experienced before. There are a whole host of concerns that we are working through right now. First on that list is making sure that all of our employees are safe. Our industry and association, like all organizations, are contending with disruptions to operations that will impact our workplace. We will keep you updated on any changes to meeting schedules, construction project details, impacts on workforce, and anything that might affect your business operations. So that's been the top-level concern.

The full extent of the impacts from the pandemic are not fully known, but WAPA will continue to keep the industry informed of pertinent information as it becomes available. As always, please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns and we'll be as of much assistance as possible.

Lastly, I hope that everyone will do their best to aid others in what will continue to be a very trying time in our state and likely throughout the country as we move forward together.

This Executive Update features the new publications and updated guidance from WAPA as well as dates for the 2020 Annual Conference and Business Meeting.
Design
Asphalt Design Guide Updated for 2020

WAPA has published a new edition of our Asphalt Pavement Design Guide for 2020. Like the 2018 edition, the guide builds on core information provided in Wisconsin DOT's Standard Specifications to address a wide range of topics related to asphalt pavement design in Wisconsin.

The key 2020 updates include the following items:
  • Incorporation of the latest WisDOT design guidance found in the 2020 standard specifications recently published by WisDOT.
     
  • Emphasis of a chapter added in 2018: Using WisDOT Specifications on Non-WisDOT Projects, which outlines the impacts of including or omitting selected WisDOT specification items for smaller, non-WisDOT asphalt pavement projects.
     
  • Additional updated guidance and links throughout the guide.
This publication communicates the fundamentals and fine points of asphalt pavement design, construction, and rehabilitation. It is intended for use by architects, engineers, developers, owners, and officials at all levels of government.

If you have any questions, or if you wish to receive a printed copy of the 2020 Asphalt Pavement Design Guide, please let us know.
Driveway
New Driveway Owners Guide from WAPA

A well-designed, well-built, and well-maintained hot mix asphalt driveway adds value to a home. It is economical, durable, long-lasting, and easy to maintain. So when it comes to their driveways, customers often ask how to get the perfect asphalt pavement for their homes, and how to you take care of it.

WAPA addresses these questions and more in a new Driveway Owners Guide web page tailored to residential pavement owners.

This guide provides simple steps anyone can take to make sure their driveway is built properly and provides worry-free performance year after year.

The guide provides the information in the following sections:
 
• Design is Key
• What to Expect
• Best Practices
• Maintenance
• Get Assistance
 
Please use this resource with your customers and let us know if you have any questions or need any additional information.
Leadership
Updated Environmental Leadership Awards Criteria

In 2000, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and WAPA created the Environmental Leadership Award to recognize asphalt plants that have exceeded the already high environmental standards that are set for our industry.

This year, plant evolution criteria and inspection forms have been updated to January 2020 and can be found here:
As always, recipients need to demonstrate they have achieved environmental excellence above and beyond what is required of them by meeting established criteria for permanent and portable plants.

The award is only granted to plants that achieve evaluation standards in each of the five award categories:
  • Environmental Compliance - All permit requirements, record keeping and other regulatory requirements must be at 100 percent compliance.
  • Safety - Plants must have an employee safety policy manual and demonstrate that all employees have received training. There must be posted speed limits and a clearly established truck and loader travel pattern.
  • Environmental Control Measures - Points are scored for low visible emissions, clean storm water, minimizing fugitive dust emissions and good management of petroleum products. Other important criteria are noise and odor control. Incorporating recycled asphalt into mixes and using reclaimed oil as fuel are also encouraged.
  • Plant Appearance - An award-winning plant will be a nicely painted plant with attractive landscaping at the entrance and interior. The plant site will be neat, clean and orderly.
  • Community Relations - The scoring team reviews the plant's activities for plant tours, of school sponsorship programs, support of local charities and in-kind donations, such as asphalt or use of equipment. Proactive involvement of plant officials with local government and neighbors is encouraged.
Combined
Updated Combined Mix/Bid Design Tool and Reference Guide

Since 2016, WisDOT has required that asphalt mix and PG binder prices be combined into one bid item.  In addition, submitted bids must use an updated nomenclature that streamlines the various components of the bid item. 

In response, WAPA created a web-based design tool and companion reference guide to help familiarize users with the updated nomenclature and provide examples of how to discuss bids under this revised method.

Late last year, WAPA updated the design tool and reference guide to reflect 2020 WisDOT standard specifications. As before, the tool provides step-by-step guidance with a simple interactive interface.

Please contact WAPA if you have any questions about how to use these resources or need any additional information.
Date
 2020 Conference - Save the Date!

Please save the date for our 2020 conference:

WAPA's 61st Annual Conference and Business Meeting
December 1-2, 2020
Kalahari Resort
Wisconsin Dells

Please look for more details on our website, in our newsletters, and by email later this year.

As always, please let me know if you have any question or if WAPA can be of service. As winter turns to spring, we wish everyone a safe and successful paving season.