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Newsline Washington
June 10, 2013
Contractor Leo Vecellio & Rep. Petri Receive ARTBA’s Highest Honor
Transportation Leaders Address MAP-21 & Highway Trust Fund Challenges
Leo A. Vecellio, Jr., chairman, president & CEO of the Floridabased Vecellio Group, Inc. and Wisconsin Rep. Tom Petri (R-Wis.) were presented with the 2013 “ARTBA Award” June 3 during a gala dinner held in conjunction with the Federal Issues Program in Washington, D.C. Known as ARTBA’s highest honor, the award recognizes individuals from the private and public sectors for outstanding contributions that have Continued on page 2
New Hours of Service Rules Subject of June 20 ARTBA Webinar New rules for motor carrier drivers’ hours of service scheduled to take effect next month will be the subject of a June 20 webinar. The federal rules governing the number of hours drivers can operate certain commercial vehicles are a critical issue for many transportation construction Continued on page 4 Follow ARTBA:
Key lawmakers and Obama Administration officials told more than 400 attendees of the ARTBA Federal Issues Program and Transportation Construction Coalition Fly-in they are heeding the organizations’ call to start thinking now about next year’s planned reauthorization of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21). Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Chairman Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.)
emphasized the importance of building effective coalitions in support of transportation investment, and said “we’re going to come up with a list of five or six things very soon” to address the long-term stability of the federal Highway Trust Fund. She also indicated the committee will hold hearings on the reauthorization “very soon.” House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-Pa.) said that transportation is a
clear federal responsibility as mandated in the U.S. Constitution and that he will be stressing that point to his colleagues on the Republican side of the aisle as they approach next year’s reauthorization debate. Outgoing U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood said he would like to see a five- or six-year bill that invests a total of $600 billion into infrastructure—but noted Continued on page 3
Register for ARTBA’s 25th Annual P3 Conference July 24 - 26. ARTBA Washington Newsline
ARTBA Award Winners
ARTBA Award Private Sector Recipient: Leo A. Vecellio, Jr. (right), The Vecellio Group, with ARTBA President Pete Ruane.
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advanced the broad goals of the association. Vecellio was recognized for his 40 years of private sector service in the transportation design and construction industry, his many leadership roles within ARTBA, including 2007 chairman and currently as chairman of the Foundation, his support of the “Transportation Makes America Work Campaign,” and his family’s many philanthropic activities. Petri, a long-time member of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee and chair of the Highways & Transit Subcommittee, was recognized for his effort in helping pass surface transportation reauthorization legislation and protecting federal investment in transportation infrastructure.
ARTBA Award Public Sector Recipient: Rep. Tom Petri (R-Wis.)
Upcoming Events Visit our Events Page for more information. 25th Annual ARTBA P3 Conference July 24-26 Washington, D.C. [Add to Calendar]
ARTBA National Convention September 8-10 Milwaukee, Wis. [Add to Calendar]
Dr. J. Don Brock TransOvationTM Workshop & Awards Program October 28-30 San Jose, Calif. [Add to Calendar]
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ART BA Washington Newsline
Local Transportation Management Virtual Conference & Innovation Showcase (LoTransTM 2013) November 19-20 [Add to Calendar]
Regional Meetings
Western: December 2-3, Austin, Texas Central: December 4-5, St. Louis, Mo. Southern: December 9-10, Charlotte, N.C. Northeastern: December 11-12, Baltimore, Md.
2013
TCC Fly-In
ARTBA Past Chairmen
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that would only scratch the surface of national transportation infrastructure needs. He lamented the recent viewpoints on infrastructure of some of his former congressional colleagues noting, “we’ve gotten very chintzy on infrastructure in the last couple of years.” LaHood also hinted President Obama will unveil a way to pay for these investments after other national priorities, such as immigration reform, are addressed. He said the proposal would be “multi-year and paid for” and that “the President is going to be big and bold about what his vision is for infrastructure.”
Products & Services
Left to right: Bill Cox, Corman Construction; Larry Tate, Caterpillar Inc.; Jim Madara, Gannett Fleming, Inc.; John Rutter, ARTBA Life Member; Steve Wright, Wright Brothers Construction; Max Sproles, AECOM; and Gene McCormick, Parsons Brinckerhoff. During a June 5 reception at ARTBA HQ, this group of past chairmen shared their experiences and offered the 2013 YEDP fellows advice about how they can assume leadership roles within ARTBA.
The 2013 Young Executive Development Program Graduating Class
June 12 (1 p.m. EST) Webinar: Suretyship for Transportation Contractors
While most construction projects have a surety bond requirement, the surety’s vital role is often misunderstood. Whether you are a contractor or a supplier, an owner or a construction manager, this 60-minute webinar will provide valuable insight into the law of surety bonding and answer the following questions: •
What is the purpose of surety bonding?
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How does it differ from insurance?
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Does the bond form matter?
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What are the rights and remedies of the principal, oblige, and surety?
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What defenses are available?
In what was the largest Young Executive Development Program (YEDP) class in ARTBA history, nearly 50 industry executives came to the Nation’s Capital, June 3-6, to learn more about the federal legislative and regulatory processes, and ARTBA’s role in shaping transportation policy. This 18 th annual class hailed from more than 20 different states and represented all sectors of the transportation construction industry.
Instructor: Chris Anzidei, attorney, Law Offices of Christopher Anzidei ARTBA Members: $99 Register: www.artbastore.org ARTBA Washington Newsline
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Overheard “We need to decide how we’re going to fund transportation long term. It is my goal…and my pledge to find a long-term solution and find it now.” EPW Chair Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) speaking at the June 4 Transportation Construction Coalition (TCC) Fly-in.
“Don’t get your hopes up because it’s not going to happen…But we still have to recognize we have a problem there and it’s a problem we’re going to have to address.” Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) on U.S. DOT Sec. Ray LaHood’s wish to see $600 billion in the next surface transportation bill during the June 4 TCC Fly-in. “I believe that we’re at a tipping point. We’ve got to figure out if we can find another source of revenue, or if we need to look at the old sources to find the answer to fund the highway bill.” U.S DOT Sec. Ray LaHood speaking at the June 4 TCC Fly-in.
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ART BA Washington Newsline
Legislative & Regulatory News Foxx Faces First Confirmation Vote June 10 The Senate Commerce Committee will vote June 10 on the nomination of Charlotte, N.C., Mayor Anthony Foxx to serve as the next U.S. Secretary of Transportation. Both Committee Chairman Jay Rockefeller (D-W. Va.) and Ranking Member John Thune (R-S.D.) have indicated they will support the nomination and Foxx is expected to clear the committee easily. The nomination would then head to the Senate floor for a vote. President Obama nominated Foxx to the cabinet post April 29 to replace current Secretary Ray LaHood.
T&I Adds New Member Newly-elected representative Mark Sanford (R-S.C.) will reportedly join the House T&I Committee following his May 7 special election victory. Sanford previously held the same congressional seat from 1995 to 2001 before serving as governor of South Carolina from 2003 to 2011.
chairman Dr. Michael Walton from the University of TexasAustin and fellow ARTBA members Mort Downey of Parsons Brinckerhoff and Peter Vigue of Cianbro Companies on the committee’s inaugural roster. The National Freight Advisory Committee will meet June 25.
ARTBA News Hours of Service Webinar Continued from page 1
contractors. While ARTBA continues to advocate for an industry exemption, drivers still need to comply until we are successful in this effort. The 60-minute session will be led by one of the nation’s foremost experts on motor carrier safety policy and a prominent practicing lawyer in related fields, Annette Sandberg, principal, Trans Safe Consulting, LLC. Ms. Sandberg served as administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration under President George W. Bush and was previously chief of the Washington State Patrol.
Iwasaki Named to MAP-21 National Freight Council ARTBA leader Randy Iwasaki, executive director of the Contra Costa Transportation Authority, will serve on the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Freight Advisory Committee. The committee—a direct result of last year’s MAP-21 surface transportation law—is a diverse group of professionals that will provide recommendations on how DOT can improve its freight transportation policies and programs. Iwasaki joins ARTBA 2006
She will present a detailed presentation about the upcoming hours of service revisions, as well as insight into related regulatory changes that may be on the horizon. Participants will also have the chance to ask questions. Registration is $99 for ARTBA members and $150 for non-ARTBA members. Register today, or contact ARTBA’s Brie Johnson for more information.
ARTBA Supports Coal Ash Bill ARTBA Vice President of Environmental & Regulatory Affairs Nick Goldstein took part in a congressional briefing June 5 to express support for H.R. 2218, the “Coal Residuals Reuse and Management Act of 2013.” The legislation would prevent the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency from assigning a “hazardous” designation for coal ash. Goldstein referenced a 2011 ARTBA study finding that designation of coal ash as “hazardous” would result in $104.6 billion in increased costs to the transportation construction industry over the next 20 years. The House Environment and Economy Subcommittee approved the legislation, which will now go before the full House Energy and Commerce Committee.
Multimodal News
Fostering Innovation
A service of ARTBA’s multimodal councils, it features current transportation developments making news across all modes and regions. Contact Sara Jones to become a subscriber or visit www.artbamultimodal.org.
TRB Newsletter: May 28
Highlighting new research, technologies, industry best practices and information resources available to the transportation design and construction industry.
Six Industry Giants Inducted Into ARTBA Hall of Fame
Left to right: ARTBA Foundation Chairman Leo Vecellio with the 2012 & 2013 Hall of Fame classes: Jim Madara, Gannett Fleming; Gene McCormick, Parsons Brinckerhoff; Bobby Briant Jr., UTCA of New Jersey (representing his father, Bob, Sr.); Nick Ivanoff, Ammann & Whitney (representing company founder Othmar Ammann); Dr. J. Don Brock, Astec Industries; and Taylor Bowlden, 3M (representing former president & CEO, Harry Heltzer).
One of America’s top engineers, an asphalt equipment manufacturing innovator, a 40-year New Jersey construction association executive and the founder of a leading engineering firm were inducted June 3 into the 2013 ARTBA Foundation’s “Transportation Development Hall of Fame.” Launched in 2010, the Hall honors individuals or families from the public and private sectors who have made extraordinary contributions
to U.S. transportation development during their careers. In the “Industry Innovators” category, the honor was bestowed upon Dr. J. Don Brock, founder of Astec Industries in Chattanooga, Tenn., and Othmar Hermann Ammann (posthumously), founder of Ammann & Whitney Consulting Engineers, now based in New York. Gene McCormick, a senior vice president of Parsons Brinckerhoff in Naples, Fla., and
Bob Briant, Sr., (posthumously), the long-time CEO of the Utility & Transportation Contractors Association of New Jersey, were inducted in the “Industry Leaders” category. The 2012 Hall of Fame class, announced last November, was also inducted and included Harry Heltzer, former chairman and chief executive officer of 3M Company (posthumously) and Jim Madara, senior vice president of Gannett Fleming in Allentown, Pa.
Book Your Room for ARTBA’s P3 Conference Now! Make sure to book your hotel room for the 25th Annual ARTBA P3 Conference taking place at the Grand Hyatt Washington, D.C. July 24-26. Rooms for conference attendees have been reserved at a special rate of $255 through June 26. Reserve your room at the discounted rate online or call the Grand Hyatt Washington at 1.888.421.1442 and use the
group name “American Road & Transportation Builders Association.” You won’t want to miss this special anniversary event celebrating the past 25 years in alternative project delivery and forecasting new business opportunities with presentations from transportation officials in Ohio, Texas, Pennsylvania,
California, Florida, Maryland, Virginia, Minnesota, Illinois, and Colorado, just to name a few. The conference will also feature a special gala awards dinner that you won’t want to miss and several networking opportunities. For more program information, visit the P3 website or contact ARTBA’s Hank Webster.
Community Relations Programs Honored with National Awards Transportation design and construction firms and public agencies from across the nation were recognized for “excellence in community relations and public education” June 3 during the ARTBA Foundation’s 2013 PRIDE Awards ceremony. In the category “Community Relations: Private Sector” • First place went to O.C. Jones & Sons, Inc. for their “TLC for Kids Sports” program, which renovates youth sports facilities in underserved communities. • Second place went to The Shelly Company, an Oldcastle Materials Company for their Themed Truck Program “Rolling Billboards” that provides charities with free advertising for their fundraisers. • Third place was awarded to FIGG for the “South Norfolk Jordan Bridge” community outreach program, which included a ceremonial pile drive and bridge run. In the category of “Public-Media Relations/ Education: Public Sector” • First place went to the Utah Department of Transportation and their comprehensive communications outreach campaign known as the “I-15 Corridor Expansion Public Information Program.” • Second place went to the Texas Department of Transportation and HNTB “U.S. 290 Program,” which built public and political support for the extensive widening and reconstruction effort.
Download a PDF copy of the digital “Washington Newsline.” ARTBA Washington Newsline
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