NJAPA has been working to keep our membership informed and up to date about COVID-19 related developments which impact our industry and will continue to advocate for the best interests of our member firms. To that end we have established a web page at www.njapa.com which includes a wide range of COVID-19 related materials and resources.
NJAPA Newsletter
Federal Funding/Stimulus
President Trump and Democratic Congressional Leadership have all made statements which indicate that infrastructure funding will be included in the next round of stimulus legislation. Republicans in the House and Senate, however, have resisted the inclusion of up to $800 Billion in infrastructure funds in the next stimulus bill which could lead to the funds being delayed until a future bill. At the moment, it still appears that renewal of the FAST Act which expires September 30, 2020, will remain a stand-alone bill that the Congress deals with later in the year. A number of National Transportation advocacy organizations are pushing a plan by the American Association of State Highway & Transportation Officials (AASHTO) to include $50 Billion of aid to State DOTs and further to temporarily suspend the State required match for funding since State tax collections have been reduced so dramatically. Please see a letter and fact sheet which provide an overview of this proposal. National Asphalt Pavement Association is also supportive of this proposal, their letter to Congressional Leadership is attached here.
NJ Department of Environmental Protection Issues (RAP and Dirty Dirt)
The NJ Legislature is actively moving legislation which would extend a range of DEP and DOT permits so that pending developments would not be stalled or otherwise impacted by COVID-19 related delays. NJAPA worked cooperatively with the NJ Concrete and Aggregate Association to gain an amendment to the bill which would specifically extend the timeframe for compliance with the recently enacted “Dirty Dirt” legislation. While it appears the bill will move forward soon, it was not approved in advance of the DEP registration deadline. NJAPA has sent several communications to members regarding this matter and have advised members to file the initial registration and if they believed the legislation should not apply to their operations, they should also include language to that effect, reserving their rights to cease compliance in the future once the issue was clarified. NJAPA and NJCAA have written to DEP on this matter and we have had numerous discussions with Senior Staff at DEP. Our joint letter to NJDEP is linked here.
NJAPA also continues to aggressively push NJDEP to respond to industry concerns and move forward cooperatively with us on the RAP Guidance/Regulations required by the RAP Legislation which we wrote and had signed into law. NJAPA staff continues to have calls and video-meetings with key legislators on this matter should we need clarifying legislation and/or legislative oversight.
William J. Abbott Memorial Scholarship Application
Revisions to NJ Asphalt Pavement Association Scholarship Program for 2020
We have heard from many potential scholarship applicants this year who have advised of issues and delays with compiling the information typically required to complete the NJAPA Scholarship Application. Issues include the availability of transcripts and difficulties gathering letters of recommendation.
In recognition of the unique circumstances we are all facing, the NJAPA Scholarship Committee is revising the application process for 2020. To be eligible for an NJAPA Scholarship applicants will simply need to complete and return the one page application linked here:
Please return the completed application by email to StaceyL@NJAPA.com by 5pm on May 11, 2020.
If you have already submitted an application, either by mail or email, we ask that you complete this application as well.
If you have any questions please contact:
Stacey Lindenmuth
StaceyL@NJAPA.com
Phone: 609-838-1867
NJDOT Bidding and Awards
NJAPA staff speaks with NJDOT senior staff every day to review, engage and advocate on a range of issues. Urgency in continuing to bid and award work, specifically paving work, is always the top agenda item. Recent discussions with the Director of Construction Services, Director of Operations & Maintenance, Assistant Commissioner of Capital Programs, Deputy Commissioner and Commissioner all confirm that NJDOT is working to bid all work originally planned for FY2020 (which ends June 30) within that same time frame.
Some notes regarding FY2020 work status as of 4/23/2020
• 65 projects bid with a low bid value of approximately $852 Million
• 17 of these projects were paving specific with a low bid value of approximately $176 Million
• 38 projects awarded thus far with an award value of approximately $651 Million
• 9 of these projects were paving specific with an award value of approximately $68 Million
• Awarded projects include approximately 470,000 asphalt tons, total asphalt tonnage awarded for FY2019 was 1.71 million, total for FY2018 was 1.27 million.
• 9 projects currently advertised through May 14, 3 of which have significant asphalt quantities, total asphalt tonnage of approximately 430,000 tons.
• 2 Additional Maintenance Roadway contracts to be bid in advance of May 31, 2020
• 14 Additional Capital Projects with a bid range of $128-$285 Million, 4 of which are paving specific with a bid value of $16-$35 Million.
Environmental Impacts of RAP Research Study Completed
Rowan University, in collaboration with Columbia University and the Stony Brook, has completed a 2-year study of the environmental impacts of RAP. This study was conducted on samples of RAP from stockpiles throughout New Jersey. The conclusions of the study are that RAP has no detrimental impact on the environment.
Continue reading “Environmental Impacts of RAP Research Study Completed”
Update on FY2017 Project Funding
Following the reauthorization of the Transportation Trust Fund and the voter approval of Public Question # 2, The New Jersey Department of Transportation has announced plans for a $900 million Capital Program for FY2017.
NJDOT Announces Operations Project List
The NJ Department of Transportation has recently provided a list of FY2017 Construction projects to be let by the Operations Division. The list includes 50 projects valued at a minimum of $175 Million.
NJDOT Plans $900 Million in Capital Projects for FY2017
Following the reauthorization of the Transportation Trust Fund and the voter approval of Public Question # 2, The New Jersey Department of Transportation has announced plans for a $900 million Capital Program for FY2017. The Department also plans approximately $150 million in Operations projects for the current Fiscal Year.
Continue reading “NJDOT Plans $900 Million in Capital Projects for FY2017”