
NOVEMBER 16-18, 2022
HERSHEY, PA
Seminar Agenda
Tentative Agenda
The agenda listed may be subject to change.
Wednesday, November 16, 2022
1:00 pm
Event Check-in / On-site Registration / Information Desk
- Registration Check-in & the APC Information Desk is open from 7:30 am – 5:30 pm.
4:30 to 8:00 pm
Icebreaker Reception with Exhibitors
The reception is open to all seminar registrants.
Thursday, November 17, 2022
7:15 am
Continental Breakfast with Exhibitors
7:30 am
Event Check-in / On-site Registration / Information Desk
- Registration Check-in & the APC Information Desk is open from 7:30 am – 5:30 pm.
9:15-11:30 am
Keynote Speaker
Todd Blackledge – more info.
APC Membership Meeting / Advocacy Wrap-Up
Robert E. Latham, Executive Vice President, Associated Pennsylvania Constructors
Remarks
Mark Compton, CEO, PA Turnpike Commission
Yassmin Gramian, P.E., Secretary, PA Dept. of Transportation
11:45 am
Lunch with Exhibitors
Lunch will be available from 11:45 am – 1:00 pm.
Tentative Agenda
The agenda listed may be subject to change.
1:00-2:00 pm
Concurrent Workshop Sessions
Best Practices in Regulated Fill / 1:00-2:00 PM
Room: Empire ABCD
Al Hoffman
President, Road-Con, Inc.
Jeff Obrecht
RKK
Paul Caulfield
Dering
Todd Trautz
Micheal Baker International
Josh Farley
PA Turnpike Commission
Vaughn Schlachter
PennDOT
Description
This session engages TQI team members from PTC, PennDOT, ACEC-PA, and APC in a panel discussion of their recommendations for the management of fill in a variety of civil construction import, export and reuse conditions. Among the topics addressed are understanding owners’ and contractors’ perspectives and expectations, environmental due diligence and soil classifications, and compliance with Pennsylvania’s soil management regulations, permits, and policy. Panelists will cover both design and construction considerations and will share the team’s recommendations for construction special provisions.
Lessons Learned in Tuscarora Tunnel / 1:00-2:00 PM
Room: Magnolia ABCD
Dave Bateman
PA Turnpike Commission
Trevor Engle, P.E.
PA Turnpike Commission
Description
Presentation focusing on the Commission’s Tunnel Program and the issues and lessons learned from the Tuscarora Tunnel Rehab Project. The presentation will highlight the design considerations and construction challenges faced in rehabbing an 80 year old tunnel.
Family Feud: APC Edition / 1:00-1:30 PM
Room: Crystal A
Robert Latham
Executive Vice President, Associated Pennsylvania Constructors
Jim Kutz
McNees Wallce & Nurick LLC
Description
Cheer on Eastern PA vs. Western PA team members as they compete (with your help) in guessing what the “survey says” about different aspects of APC membership…and learn a little about your benefits while you play.
Lane Reservation / 1:00-1:30 PM
Room: Crystal A
Brian Crossley
Manager, Temporary Traffic Control Unit, PennDOT
Ryan McNary
Manager, Traffic Systems and TSMO Performance Unit, PennDOT
Description
Will be posted when available.
Clearing the Air – OSHA Regulation of Airborne Exposuress / 1:00-2:00 PM
Room: Wild Rose AB
Jeffrey C. Bright, Esq.
Shareholder, Saxton & Stump LLC
Lisa Bolin, CIH, CSP, CIAQP
Manager of Environmental Health and Hygiene at High Environmental Health & Safety Consulting, Saxton & Stump LLC
Stehen J. Matzura, Esq.
Shareholder and Co-Chair of Environmental, Saxton & Stump LLC
Description
Airborne exposures in the workplace remain a priority for OSHA enforcement, including at construction sites for highways and bridges. Compliance with standards for silica, chromium, lead, and other airborne contaminants, including isocyanates, can be technical and complex, implicating controls through engineering, work practices, training, and respiratory protection. This panel will address the OSHA regulatory framework for airborne contaminants and legal, technical, contractual, and practical considerations to protect workers, mitigate noncompliance, and respond to OSHA inspections and enforcement.
Exploring Six Risk Factors in Design Build Projects / 1:00-2:00 PM
Room: Cocoa Terrace/Cocoa 1
Ananth Prasad
Florida Transportation Builders Association
Anthony Bednarik
Vice President of Design Build/Major Pursuits, Wagman Heavy Civil, Inc.
Kevin Cornish
Senior Vice President, TYLin
Description
Risk remains an issue in transportation construction. This panel will discuss risk through the lens of “traditional” design-build procurement. The panel will address six major risk areas:
- Proposal/Procurement Approach
- Unknown Conditions
- Scope Expectations
- Schedule
- Standard of Care (SOC)
- Liability Audience participation is encouraged
2:00-2:30 pm
Break
WORKSHOP TRACKS
PA Turnpike
PENNDOT
RISK MANAGEMENT
STRUCTURES
PENNDOT
WBE/EEO/DIVERSITY
MATERIALS
Professional Development Hours
Professional Development Hours (PDH), required for renewal of PE registration, will be available for as many of the workshop sessions as possible.
2:30-3:30 pm
Concurrent Workshop Sessions
PA Flex Beam: Pilot Construction Project and Field Testing Research / 2:30-3:00 PM
Room: Empire ABCD
Mark Nicholson
District Bridge Engineer, PennDOT District 1-0
Richard Sause
Professor, Lehigh University
Description
A new modular superstructure type conceptualized by PennDOT District 1-0 Bridge staff, the Flex Beam is an inverted structural T cast into a precast concrete deck. The section was developed, modelled and tested by Lehigh University and the current BD-663M was created after the findings of that research. A pilot bridge was built in 2021 in Erie County on SR 3010. Lehigh University, as a follow up to the development project, performed live load instrumentation and field testing of the bridge to correlate the in-situ performance of the bridge with the modelling used to develop the standards. The presentation will give background, overview on the pilot project, and discussing of the instrumentation and testing of the bridge.
The History of Latex Modified Concrete in PA / 3:00-3:30 PM
Room: Empire ABCD
Al Kenz
Modified Concrete Suppliers, LLC
Description
This presentation looks back at the early research and development of Latex Modified Concrete and the many structures that have LMC preserving them, highlighting some of the longest performing overlays in the Commonwealth.
PA Turnpike - All Things ORT / 2:30-3:00 PM
Room: Magnolia ABCD
Don Steele, P.E.
Facility/Special Projects Manager, PA Turnpike Commission
Steve Dale
Senior Project Manager, PA Turnpike Commission
Ed Skorpinski
Engineer Project Manager 2, PA Turnpike Commission
Description
This presentation will provide a brief update on the Pa Turnpike’s conversion to Open Road Tolling. It will also cover the Commissions Fiberoptic network construction.
PA Turnpike - PTC Sustainability / 3:00-3:30 PM
Room: Magnolia ABCD
Keith Jack
Director of Facilities, PA Turnpike Commission
Chris David
Regional Facilities Manager West, PA Turnpike Commission
Description
Connecting DBE's w/ the Industry Through Mentor Protégé Program / 2:30-3:00 PM
Room: Crystal A
Daryl St. Clair
Special Assistant to the Highway Administration Executive Office, PennDOT
Matt Weaver
Prequalification Officer, Bureau of Design and Delivery, PennDOT
Debra Allen
Equal Opportunity Specialist 3, PennDOT
Kyron Robinson
Pro Rank Business Solutions, LLC
Description
Will be posted when available.
FHWA Proposed Changes to DBE Participation / 3:00-3:30 PM
Room: Crystal A
Daryl St. Clair
Special Assistant to the Highway Administration Executive Office, PennDOT
Angela Roberson
WSP
Keyla Evans
Chief, Disadvantaged and Small Business Enterprise and DBE Program Administrator, PennDOT
Kevin Duris
Trumbull Corp
Dan Lucas
Tye Bar
Description
Will be posted when available.
Pivot Road Safety on Branching Transition / Anchored Cross Bolt Barrier / 2:30-3:00 PM
Room: Wild Rose AB
Jesse Hopkins
Director, Road Safety Group, Pivot Safety Products USA
Description
In this session we will explore two new road safety infrastructure devices that have been crash tested to AASHTO MASH 2016 guidelines. A Branching transition that has the capacity to connect a string of temporary concrete barrier to permanent concrete barrier creating a safe working space and protection for motorists. The second product is an anchored cross bolt temporary concrete barrier that has only 2 inches of dynamic deflection. Each product will improve safety and versatility on the road network.
Understanding Precast Safety Barrier Crash Testing/Deflection / 3:00-3:30 PM
Room: Wild Rose AB
Heather Abbs
Director of Operations, S B & K Enterprises
Forrest Schultz
President, S B & K Enterprises, Inc.
Description
A discussion around the requirement for deflective Safety Barriers in the Work Zone and how MASH crash testing is being used to define the performance of each barrier. What to expect:
- Crash test videos
- Explaining MASH testing criteria
- Deflection
- What is it
- How is it measured
- Defining Dynamic, Permanent and Working Width
- What barriers are acceptable
- Interpreting the Bulletin 15
- Q&A
Geophysics: A Long-Standing but Constantly Innovative Resource for Transportation Engineering / 2:30-3:00 PM
Room: Cocoa Terrace/Cocoa 1
Felicia Kegel Bechtel
Senior Geophysical Advisor and Special Projects, RETTEW
Description
In transportation engineering, there is a wide range of potential questions (e.g. determining rebar conditions and patterns, detection of faults or fractures, analyzing the seismic response of bridges, etc.), a wide range of media through which one might like to “see” (e.g. asphalt, concrete, soil, rock, water), and a very wide range of problem “scale” (e.g. characterizing landslide or sinkhole potential over large areas for project routing down to locating a single manhole or valve box that has been paved-over). The rapid expansion of digital, and now wireless, technology has led to innovative geophysical instruments and methods for addressing all scales, nearly all materials, and many potential questions about the subsurface.
This review of the roles of geophysics in transportation engineering will emphasize the importance of matching both old and newly-emerging technologies with the critical questions and site conditions using case histories spanning different applications, materials and scales. These examples will also illustrate what several recent accounting studies have shown: money budgeted for geophysics starting early in any transportation project returns many times that money in later project stages or lifetime through early detection and elimination of surprises.
Concrete Pavement Initiatives / 3:00-3:30 PM
Room: Cocoa Terrace/Cocoa 1
John Becker, P.E.
ACPA
Richard Jucha P.E.
Vice President, ACPA/PA
Description
This presentation will highlight innovative approaches being developed and implemented for improving the durability and cost-effectiveness of long-life pavements.
3:30-4:00 pm
Break
4:00-5:00 pm
Concurrent Workshop Sessions
Implementation of Balanced Mix Design/Asphalt Mix Performance Tests at PennDOT & Other Hot Topics / 4:00-4:30 PM
Empire ABCD
Charles C. Goodhart, P.E.
Executive Director, PA Asphalt Pavement Association
Mary Robbins
Director of Technical Service, PA Asphalt Pavement Association
Description
Hernando de Soto Bridge Emergency / 4:30-5:00 PM
Empire ABCD
Richard Schoedel, P.E.
Great Lakes Regional Technical Manager – Bridge
Michael Baker International
Description
The Transportation Quality Initiative’s (TQI) Daily Commitment / 4:00-5:00 PM
Room: Magnolia ABCD
Todd Trautz, P.E., PTOE
Senior Associate & Traffic Department Manager, Michael Baker International LLC
Description
Did you know that the Transportation Quality Initiative (TQI) Program has an organized and focused group of industry leaders and professionals from the PTC, PennDOT, APC and ACEC-PA that work daily to minimize owner-contractor conflicts and to address industry issues that represent barriers to mutual project successes? Come learn more about the ongoing workings of TQI and hear about what is being worked on in the areas of supply chain impacts, regulated fill, shop drawing reviews and processes, stormwater design and training, and dispute resolution.
Women in Industry: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome in the Highway Construction Industry /4:00-4:30 PM
Room: Crystal A
Roseline Bougher
President/Owner, A.D. Marble
Padideh Moghaddam
Practice Development Manager, RK&K
Terri Deemer
Production and Inventory Manager, B&K Enterprises
Description
Imposter syndrome: What is it? How is it affecting women in the highway construction industry? And, most importantly, what can be done to combat it? Join a panel of women who will discuss their experiences with this challenge that most women experience at some point in their careers, as well as strategies used to overcome it.
PennDOT: E-Certification / 4:30-5:00 PM
Room: Crystal A
Michael Smeal
Transportation Construction Manager, PennDOT
John Burnett
Transportation Construction Manager, PennDOT
Description
Will be posted when available.
Future of the Safety Professional / 4:00-5:00 PM
Room: Wild Rose AB
Frank Baxter
Director of Loss Prevention, Construction Risk Partners
Description
This presentation will discuss the employment outlook for the Safety Profession. Describe what make someone a safety professional and how to spot up and coming employees that could be safety professional by understanding what are some key aspects that make up a good Safety Professional. Lastly, give great examples of why and how a Safety Professional could help the bottom line.
PennDOT: Digital Delivery / 4:00-4:30 PM
Room: Cocoa Terrace/Cocoa 1
Allen Melley, P.E.
Digital Delivery Team Lead, PennDOT
Jennifer Steen, P.E.
Highway and Local Roads BIM Director, HDR
Description
The PennDOT Digital Delivery Directive 2025 is embarking in its second year of the implementation of the strategic plan developed in 2020. During this presentation, the speakers will provide a brief update on the Directive, then dive into the details of the pilot projects that are utilizing 3D model deliverables for each milestone submission. The presentation will cover details related to the process of developing the Digital Delivery Guidelines document and coordination with contractors, inspectors and external stakeholders through digital sandboxes.
PA Turnpike: Digital Delivery / 4:30-5:00 PM
Room: Cocoa Terrace/Cocoa 1
Stephanie Rindosh, P.E.
Infrastructure Solutions Specialist – Microdesk, PA Turnpike Commission
Mark Anderson
Assistant Design Services Manager, PA Turnpike Commission
Description
Will be posted when available.
5:30-7:30 pm
Informal Interaction
8:00-11:00 pm
APC Hospitality Suite
Professional Development Hours
Professional Development Hours (PDH), required for renewal of PE registration, will be available for as many of the workshop sessions as possible.
Friday, November 18, 2022
7:30-9:00 am
Breakfast
8:30 am - 12:15 pm
Closing General Session
Presiding
Scott Grannas, Vice President, Associated Pennsylvania Constructors &
President, Grannas Brothers Stone & Asphalt Co.
CSVT Project Status and Highlights
Matthew Beck, P.E. – Assistant Plans Engineer, PennDOT District 3-0
Ted Deptula, P.E. – Assistant Construction Engineer, PennDOT District 3-0
Description
Mon-Fayette Expressway Update
Brian Mostek – Senior Project Manager, PA Turnpike Commission
Craig White – Project Manager, Johnson, Mirmiram & Thompson Inc.
Description
10:00-10:30 am
Refreshment Break
Fern Hollow Emergency Bridge Replacement
Description
Posted when available.
PA Turnpike Capitol Plan 2023
Bradley Heigel, P.E., Chief Engineer, PA Turnpike Commission
2023 PennDOT Program Forecast
Michael C. Keiser, PE, Acting Deputy Secretary for Highway Administration, PennDOT