CONCRETE PAVEMENT PROGRESS 4 WWW.ACPA.ORG On March 12 the Federal Highways Administration (FHWA) announced the release of applications for the Low-Carbon Transportation Materials (LCTM) grant program. In play, this provides approximately $2 billion in funding for state DOTs and other qualifying entities to make changes to programs and projects that will prioritize a reduced-carbon approach. In response to this announcement, ACPA, the National Concrete Pavement Technology Center (CP Tech Center) and other engineering partners launched the Reduced Carbon Concrete Consortium (RC3), a joint effort to help disseminate information on the program to eligible groups. RC3 is available to advise on qualifying programs and projects and assist with the application process. If used properly, the grant funding will allow agencies and others to take creative approaches to transform conventional thinking and application of lowercarbon projects. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) are funding once-in-a-lifetime investments. Now is the time for action, innovation and bold thinking while the funding is there. Follow this QR code to learn more about RC3: Spring Editorial Speaking of funding, AASHTO recently sent a letter to Congress expressing concerns about the anticipated $8.5 billion allotted to a practice known as August Redistribution. If not claimed by states, the funding lapses. Having concerns about the previous year’s large redistribution amount, AASHTO addresses the concern that some members of Congress may perceive the funding to be excessive or “free money.” As we all know, America’s infrastructure is still in need of repair, innovation and in some areas, new capacity. Every dime is needed to improve our roads, highways and runways. With construction inflation at a record high, money isn’t going as far as it used to, so it is imperative that DOTs and other agencies take advantage of this opportunity and plan accordingly, as it may not come again. In this edition of Pavement Progress, ACPA makes the case that over the long term, healthy competition in paving programs helps stretch dollars and saves taxpayers’ money. Is there anything more American than using competition to stimulate markets, cause innovation and change and benefit the consumer? The same can be said for paving. In this edition, ACPA walks the reader through necessary steps to jumpstart a competitive paving program. ACPA is a trusted resource on grants, fostering competition, sustainability, resiliency and much more. Don’t forget to register for ACPA’s upcoming MidYear Meeting from June 4–6, 2024, in Kansas City, MO, where all of these topics will be discussed including progress on the LCTM grant applications and updates on Environmental Progress Declarations (EPDs). ACPA has been tirelessly acting as a resource to educate contractors on EPDs and help with their creation while obtaining necessary benchmarking information. Hope to see you all there! Laura O’Neill Kaumo President & CEO American Concrete Pavement Association Laura O’Neill Kaumo President & CEO American Concrete Pavement Association
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