2021 VTCA-VDOT Consultant Forum A Huge Success!
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THE VIRGINIA TR ANSPORTATION CONSTRUCTION ALLIANCE May 2021
2021 VTCA-VDOT Consultant Forum
A Huge Success! Highlights
Every year, VDOT leadership, locality representatives, and industry professionals
gather in Richmond to celebrate the past year’s successes and gear up for the up-and- VTCA’s Spring Scholarship
coming challenges that we all face in delivering Virginia’s transportation construction Golf Challenge • P. 2
program.
CLC Looking For Members • P. 3
Unfortunately, the pandemic has been wreaking havoc on in-person events over the
past year plus, so we had to postpone the 2020 Consultant Forum. Luckily, with a
great crew here at VTCA, and a very ambitious lineup of professional speakers, we Gravel Road Driving Surface
were able to pull off the largest Consultant Forum and virtual event in our history! Aggregate Meeting • P. 4
We were fortunate to have Secretary Shannon Valentine, FHWA VA Division
Member News • P. 5
Administrator, Thomas Nelson, VDOT Chief Engineer, Bart Thrasher, and the VDOT
Director Cost Estimation Office, Mitch Ball, speak to a group of over 730 professionals
across the Commonwealth. New Member, FAY Southeast Inc. • P. 6
The April 15th Consultant Forum consisted of four concurrent breakout tracks,
totaling 12 one-hour sessions, regarding important topics surrounding aggregates,
design, CEI, and the Locally Administered Program. Multiple industry partners
presented on Design-Build Pursuits, State of Good Repair Project Estimating, the Upcoming Events
Interstate Operations and Enhancement Program, eConstruction, Utility Coordination
in Localities, E-Ticketing, and more!
VTCA would like to thank our sponsors for helping make this Forum a huge success!
VTCA Annual Meeting
July 29 - August 1
Omni Homestead - Hot Springs, VA
Details coming mid-May!
2021 VTCA Spring Scholarship
Golf Challenge
A good time was had by all that joined VTCA for the first ever VTCA
Scholarship Golf Challenge. VTCA thanks all sponsors, golfers and
volunteers for supporting the VTCA Scholarship Programs at the first
VTCA Scholarship Golf Challenge! The event was a huge success and not
to mention huge undertaking as it was comprised of 3 simultaneous golf
events held at 3 locations across the Commonwealth.
We had a total of 192 golfers signed up to play and 40 sponsors for the
events!
Many who attended stated that this was a great opportunity to network
with colleagues, customers and vendors and support a great cause in
raising not only awareness, but the funds necessary to maintain and
increase the VTCA Scholarship Programs!
While proceeds from the Golf Challenge for the scholarships is not quite
finalized, we think everyone will be pleasantly surprised with the final tally.
VTCA will certainly publicize the contributions once the totals are known.
First, Second and Third Place Team Awards as well as skill prizes were
awarded at each location. Winners were recognized at the VTCA-VDOT
Consultant Forum on April 15.
VTCA would also like to thank Roger Hilliard and Rich McDonough and all others involved with the Hilliard Charity Fellowship
Golf Outing for their assistance in promoting the VTCA Scholarship Golf Challenge and especially thank them for their
generous contribution to all four VTCA Scholarship funds!
VTCA Staff is also to be commended for a job well done...this was quite a mission!
Call For 2021 TPMI Applications
The University of Virginia’s Center for Transportation Studies, in partnership
with the Virginia Department of Transportation and the Virginia
Transportation Construction Alliance, is preparing to offer the twelfth
annual Transportation Project Management Institute (TPMI) from June
22 – July 1, 2021 in Charlottesville. The Institute is designed for a cohort
of 35 midcareer, emerging leaders from state and local government and
industry. Past participants have exclaimed that the Institute provided them
with a unique opportunity to develop their skills, while establishing strong
relationships that have benefitted their professional careers. To learn more
about the Institute, please visit https://bit.ly/3ehaqZp.
A particular benefit for private sector participants is the opportunity to
gain direct experience with the VDOT project management process, while
navigating the Program alongside other Industry and Department emerging
leaders.
PAGE 2
VTCA’s Contractor Leadership Committee Looking For Members
Every year VTCA’s Contractor Leadership Committee has several seats on the committee open due to expiring terms. This
June three members of the Contractor Leadership committee (CLC) will complete their terms and the CLC is currently soliciting
VTCA Contractor members interested in serving on the committee. The CLC will review the interest of candidates and identify
three candidates to serve a three-year term; those selected to replace the three expiring terms will begin their tenure in July
2021.
As one of VTCA’s four leadership committees, the CLC was established to represent the interests of the Contractor members
of the Alliance. The committee typically meets monthly to discuss the most current issues impacting the contractor
membership. The group also regularly interacts directly with VDOT staff to address issues, provide industry insight and work
toward resolution of the challenges encountered. Each of the leadership committees serve under the oversight of the VTCA
Board of Directors.
If you are interested and would like to be considered for one of the open committee seats, please forward your name,
company information and brief description of your experience to Tom Witt by e-mail: tom@vtca.org by May 21st.
For questions regarding the CLC and the selection process please contact Tom Witt.
Commonwealth Transportation Board Releases Six-Year
Improvement Plan For Public Comment
VDOT has scheduled several meetings inviting the public to provide feedback on the FY 2022-2027 Six-Year Improvement
Program. The virtual meetings began in late April with several districts wrapping up their meetings in early May. Public
comments can be made online and must be submitted by May 17, 2021.
The full schedule, the Draft FY22 SYIP, and other resources are available on the CTB’s website at https://bit.ly/3nHWISu.
DMM Releases 2020 Metal/Nonmetal Production Figures
The Division of Mineral Mining has recently released the 2020 Annual Metal/Nonmetal production figures. Producers are
required by the State to submit their annual production to DMM.
In 2020 there was 72,097,330 tons of metal/nonmetal aggregate production in the Commonwealth, an increase of 6%. The
hours worked also saw an increase of 6%, from 4,686,093 hours in 2019 to 4,976,131 hours in 2020. However, the number of
people employed by metal/nonmetal producers decreased by 164 workers, a reduction of 6%.
VTCA Members involved in aggregate production in Virginia represent 93% of all the metal/nonmetal aggregate produced, a
total of 65,983,010 tons! VTCA Members currently operate 119 of the active mines in Virginia and operate the top 28 mines by
production volume and 84 of the top 100 mining operations.
Metal/Nonmetal mineral production is the largest mining segment in Virginia by a wide margin. In comparison, the second
largest mining segment is coal production. Virginia Division of Mining reports that in 2020 there was 44 active coal mines in
Virginia that produced 9,856,216 tons in the same period.
This full report is available at https://www.dmme.virginia.gov/dmm/miningdata.shtml.
PAGE 3
Virginia State
Water Control Board
Seeks To Set
Turbidity Standards
For Surface Waters
The Virginia State Water Control Board has
directed the Department of Environmental
Quality to develop standards for turbidity for
surface waters.
Turbidity is a measure of water clarity and the
VTCA Conducts Quarry Tour And degree to which water loses its transparency.
Gravel Road Driving Surface Turbidity is influenced by suspended particles
such as clay, silt, sand, organic matter, plankton,
Aggregate Meeting and microorganisms, as well as color and dyes.
Substances that produce turbidity are included in
Over the past few years, VDOT’s Research Council has been engaged
Virginia’s general criteria 9VAC25-260- 20 among
in developing an aggregate material that will perform better as a
a list of substances to be controlled in order to,
riding surface for unpaved roads. This research stems from a region in
for example, avoid direct or indirect interference
northwestern Virginia that aims to keep the rural-rustic appeal attained
with designated uses of state waters.
with unpaved roads.
Environmental experts with VTCA contend
Many of these unpaved roads carry traffic counts that would normally
the establishment of turbidity standards for
result in these roads qualifying to be paved surfaces in a region of
Virginia’s surface waters could lead to additional
the state that is relatively mountainous and hilly. VDOT’s challenge is
stormwater discharge restrictions, erosion
the maintenance of these roads. The local residency spends a lot of
control measures and monitoring for aggregate
resources keeping these unpaved roads passable.
producers and construction projects in the
Since 2017, the Research Council has been exploring methods to Commonwealth.
reduce maintenance costs for theses unpaved roads. Methods include
VTCA has engaged a team to address this effort.
different pavement structures (Full Depth Reconstruction) and different
The team includes environmental experts,
aggregate gradations.
engineers, and attorneys. VTCA will also submit
On April 8, members Gravel Road Driving Surface research team and comments and request at least two positions on
VDOT Leesburg Residency attended a Quarry Tour at Luck Stone’s the Technical Advisory Committee.
Leesburg operations. Following the tour, a hybrid in-person/virtual
meeting was conducted with the research team, residency officials and
VTCA’s Marketing and Technical Committees.
Being able see firsthand the process of altering base stone gradations
and subsequent discussions, the VDOT officials are reevaluating their
ideas and may look at research utilizing currently produced materials.
All in all, the tour was successful, and the industry is continuing to work
with the Research Council to develop materials and methods that can
lead to lower maintenance for unpaved roads.
PAGE 4
Member News
JMT Celebrates 50 Years Brown Edwards Partner Recognized
JMT was originally founded in 1971 by As Honoree Of CFMA’s 40 Under 40
Charles Johnson, Michael McCordic, and Billy Robinson, a partner and firm coordinator of construction services
Bruce Thompson under the name of Johnson, at Brown Edwards, has been selected as an honoree of the first ever
McCordic & Thompson, P.A., in Silver Spring, Construction Financial Management Association’s (CFMA) 40 under 40
MD. program.
In 1979, Fred Mirmiran joined the partnership This honor is presented by the Construction Financial Management
with the goal of expanding into the public Association (CFMA) in celebration of their 40-year anniversary
works market by focusing on transportation and in recognition of the next generation of construction financial
engineering for federal, state, and local public management leaders.
agencies.
Billy Robinson is one of twelve Certified Construction Industry Financial
In 1980, JMT expanded its public works market Professionals (CCIFPs) at Brown Edwards and has served as the firm
into Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, and coordinator of construction services since 2015. He focuses his area
the name of JMT was changed to Johnson, of practice on construction and real estate related companies, family-
Mirmiran & Thompson. owned businesses, and governmental agencies.
Today, JMT provides consulting services to a Under Billy’s leadership, the construction services team has doubled
varied client base of public and private entities. the number of accountants who hold CCIFP certificates, ranking Brown
This diversification of markets and services has Edwards in the top 10 nationally for number of CCIFPs on staff. While
resulted in considerable geographic expansion, Billy is very proud of his construction team, he has also spearheaded
providing services across the United States. construction industry conferences and webinars for Brown Edwards
and is frequently requested to share financial education in the industry.
Join us in celebrating JMT’s 50th anniversary!
“We are very proud to have Billy Robinson recognized in this class of
40 under 40 nominees. His dedication to the industry and our clients
represents the core values we expect from our team members and
recruits,” said CEO Jason Hartman.
Got Some Member News To Share?
Submit your member news to Kayla Singleton at kayla@vtca.org and
you could be featured in the next VTCA Blue Top!
PAGE 5
Welcome To Our Newest Members
Fay Southeast is a diversified infrastructure contractor recognized for innovative
solutions to complex construction projects, serving the geographical region from
A monthly publication of the
Southern Virginia through the Carolinas. The firm is committed to providing
Virginia Transportation
construction services in a manner that ensures the safety of employees,
Construction Alliance
customers, and the neighboring communities.
Gordon N. Dixon
Fay Southeast Inc. specializes in bridge structures, such as the Route 35 Bridge
Executive Vice President
Design-Build Replacement project; marine construction, the new St. Petersburg
Pier; as well as pilings and deep foundations on projects, like the AREVA Nuclear
Thomas M. Witt
Plant Site Preparation, where they drove 5,800 concrete piles.
Engineer Director
5700 Thurston Avenue, Suite 211
Jeff Bragdon, P.E., PMP Virginia Beach, VA 23455
Program Manager of (757) 468-1500
Engineering Consultants and
Associates VTCA Contact: Durant Walters
http://www.shikunusa.com/our-family-of-companies/faysoutheast/
Rob Lanham
Aggregates Program Manager
Stephanie L. L. Rusnak
Professional Development
Manager
Dana C. Morris
Administrative Operations
Manager
Kayla Singleton
Membership Services &
Communications Coordinator
(Editor)
Greg Hoffman
Business Manager
Note: Companies listed in
bold italics in the Blue Top are
members of VTCA.
VTCA Office closed
May 31 in observance
of Memorial Day.
PAGE 6
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