States have committed federal funds to support more than 56,000 eligible transportation improvements in all 50 states during the last two years, spanning nearly every U.S. county, according to a review of the latest available federal data conducted by the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA). President Joe Biden signed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) into law November 15, 2021. To…
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Commercial Explosives Industry Applauds Legislation to Incentivize Hiring, Retaining CDL Drivers
The Institute of Makers of Explosives (IME) sent a letter to Representatives Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.) and Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.) in support of their bipartisan legislation that would offer tax incentives for companies to hire individuals and retain employees who qualify for commercial driver’s licenses (CDL). The Strengthening Supply Chains Through Truck Driver Incentives Act (H.R. 2450) would provide a $7,500…
Read MoreWelcome to The Aggregates Almanac, 2023 Edition
Welcome to the 2023 edition of the “Aggregates Almanac: The Ultimate Information Resource for Quarry Operators.” Published now for the seventh year in a row, feedback from our readers indicates that this publication is widely used and valued; and retained as a go-to information source. Rock Products’ Benchmark 2023 survey indicates that aggregates operators are highly interested in: Equipment upgrades.…
Read MoreARTBA: 222,000 U.S. Bridges Need Repair
More than 222,000 U.S. bridges need major repair work or should be replaced, according to the American Road & Transportation Builders Association’s (ARTBA) analysis of the recently released U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) 2023 National Bridge Inventory (NBI) database. That figure represents 36% of all U.S. structures. If placed end-to-end, these bridges would stretch over 6,100 miles and take…
Read MoreA Recession Isn’t Going to Happen
I speak at various industry conferences, sometimes as often as 10 times a year, and I also write this regular monthly column along with one for our sister publication, as well as occasional other articles. This gives me a great pulpit to occasionally espouse our firm’s go-against-the grain view of the general economy, and our industry in particular, especially when…
Read MoreNSSGA Applauds VMT Pilot Initiative
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 (IIJA) requires the U.S. Secretary of Transportation to establish a national pilot to “test the design, acceptance, implementation and financial sustainability” of a Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) fee system. It requires the creation of a Federal System Funding Alternative Advisory Board that will provide an annual report to Congress and ultimately create…
Read MoreThe Rock Products Interview: Seth Hankowski
The New NSSGA Chair Talks About The Infrastructure Investment And Jobs Act, Young Leaders And The Best Business Advice He Ever Received. By Mark S. Kuhar Rock Products: As you begin your term as chair of the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA), what is the number-one thing you would like to accomplish?Seth Hankowski: I would like to use…
Read MoreTRIP: North Carolina Roads Need Further Investment
While additional state and federal transportation investment will allow North Carolina to improve its transportation system, the state’s ability to keep pace with growing transportation needs is threatened by the reduced purchasing power of motor fuel tax revenues due to inflation, improved vehicle fuel efficiency and the adoption of hybrid and electric vehicles. This is according to a new report…
Read MoreThe Pulse
By: Allen-Villere Partners and Rock Products.
Read MoreNSSGA’s Johnson: Biden Administration Must Follow Buy America Exclusion
The National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA) President and CEO Michael Johnson issued a statement on the industry’s bipartisan Buy America exclusion that was issued as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act legislation. In his State of the Union address, President Biden reiterated the expansion of the Buy America provision for construction materials, which was included in…
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