Materials Group: Multi-year, not multi-month highway funding commitments

The Highway Materials Group, a coalition of concrete, cement, aggregate and asphalt interests, is calling on Congress to pass a multi-year transportation authorization bill following a temporary patch lawmakers approved before their August recess. 
“We are grateful Congress averted a fiscal cliff by continuing transportation funding through May 2015, but it missed the opportunity to provide the certainty that states, localities and industries, like ours, require for road, highway and bridge projects,” says National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association CEO Mike Johnson. “Congress needs to return to work in September and develop a multiyear surface transportation authorization that includes a sustainable funding mechanism. America cannot afford to wait until more bridges collapse and roads crumble. Transportation historically has united the parties in pursuit of what was good and needed for America to compete and thrive. Congress must continue the tradition of bipartisanship that resulted in passage of H.R. 5021.”

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FMCSA shifts on electronic logs, FHWA hears Concrete Bridge Council

From the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association … To provide federal, state and local motor carrier enforcement officials uniform information regarding computer software and devices heavy duty truck drivers use in recordkeeping, Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration has issued guidance indicating it will accept electronically generated hours of service record of duty status logs with electronic signatures.

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Precast Concepts hosts Colorado lawmaker delegation

ACPA-I

After flooding and wildfires have increased scrutiny of materials used in the state’s roadway systems, Precast Concepts hosted a Colorado Senate and House Transportation Committee tour of its Henderson pipe and drainage structures plant, west of Denver, informing lawmakers on infrastructure quality, safety, design and life cycle costs.

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Department of Energy issues final rule updating EISA legislation

WEG Electric Corp.

From Atlanta-based WEG Electric Corp. … A coalition of NEMA electric motor manufacturers and energy advocates have been working with the U.S. Department of Energy for the past three years in order to provide maximum energy benefits for all users of low voltage motors. The DOE is required by law to review the appropriateness of the energy regulations based on current materials and manufacturing technologies.

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Teamsters hold shuttered RM producer to ‘effects bargaining’

National Labor Relations Board Administrative Law Judge Melissa Olivero has ordered Champaign Builders Supply Co. principals to bargain with Teamsters Local 26, Champaign, Ill., regarding the effects of the company’s September 2013 closing of a ready mixed plant staffed by a driver, yard staff and loader operator unit.

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OSHA to hear more on electronic injury, illness records submission

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has extended to mid-October the comment period on a proposed rule for tracking of workplace injuries and illnesses. A proposal published in November 2013 would add to the agency’s recordkeeping regulation specific requirements for electronic submission of information employers already maintain.

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Asphalt contractor’s tab for firing hours of service-wise staff nears $1M

Finding Asphalt Specialists Inc. violated the Surface Transportation Assistance Act by terminating a foreman and two truck drivers who had expressed hours of service compliance concerns, Occupational Safety and Health Administration has ordered the Pontiac, Mich., paving contractor to pay $954,000 in back wages plus compensatory and punitive damages.

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Texas producers lead the way

Management and staff optimism resonated in recent visits to Texas precast/prestressed producers, old and new alike. As with many of their neighbors and peer operators, they find much to like about their home turf these days: Business-friendly government, strong investment in public and private transportation infrastructure, plus healthy commercial and residential building levels. 

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