The Latest News!
Secretary LaHood at AASHTO
Traffic Signal Section of Publication 408-Construction Specifications
This message is being sent on behalf of Daryl St. Clair, P.E., Acting Director, Bureau of Highway Safety and Traffic Engineering (BHSTE).
Please see the attached Clearance Transmittal and attachments regarding the traffic signal sections of “Publication 408 – Construction Specifications.”
penndot publication 408 traffic signal modifications
Still Time to Register for March Meetings!
There is still time to register for these ACEC/PA March meetings. For more information, go to the events list on our Web site.
Government Affairs Breakfast
ACEC/PA Government Affairs Breakfast is scheduled for March 10, 2010, at the Crowne Plaza, Harrisburg, Pa.
Speaker of the Month: Jack Wagner, Auditor General of Pennsylvania and Democratic Candidate for Governor
Western Chapter Meeting
The ACEC/PA Western Chapter Meeting will be held on March 12, 2010, beginning at 11:30 a.m.
Speaker: Ody Mackin, Mackin Engineering
Topic: Engineering Industry Perspective – 50 Years as a Consulting Engineer
Central Chapter Meeting
The ACEC/PA Central Chapter Meeting will be held on March 17, 2010, beginning at 11:30 a.m.
Speaker: Scott Hursh, CPA, CCIFP
Topic: The 2010 Economic Outlook
Click here to login to register
Clearance Transmittal D-10-004, Fill Height and Cover Over Pipe Culverts
This message is being sent on behalf of Brian G. Thompson, P.E., Bureau Director, Bureau of Design.
The due date for comments is, March 19, 2010.
This clearance transmittal includes revisions to:
- Publication 13M
- Publication 15M
- Publication 72M
- Publication 218M
- Publication 408
- Publication 584
This Step 2 Clearance Transmittal is to address comments received in response to the Step 1 revisions to the above publications to make distinction between fill height and cover over pipe culverts. Cover is defined as the material from the top of pipe barrel to the subgrade elevation. Fill height is defined as the material from the top of pipe barrel to the riding surface.
NOTE: In order to open the Clearance Transmittal from the FTP server, please right click the file and save to your computer.
Jobs Bill Update
The Senate bill has four main components:
- SAFETEA-LU extension through December 31
- $19.5 billion infusion to Highway Trust Fund
- Build America Bonds extension
- Payroll tax break for certain new hires
We support the bill because it at least provides a bit of certainty for state DOTs through the end of the year, and bolsters the balance of the Trust Fund. I’ve copied a letter we did when the Senate took it up a couple weeks ago.
Unlike what the House first passed in December, it does not include additional funds for infrastructure programs (water, wastewater, energy, housing, transportation). Senate leaders have said that they want to do a series of jobs bills, including additional infrastructure investments, which we will be pushing heavily.
View Letter: senate jobs bill letter 2.23.10
Register for the Improving Energy Performance in the Building Envelope Seminar
American Council of Engineering Companies of PA
In Partnership With
AIA Pennsylvania, Delaware Valley Green Building Council, Pennsylvania Society of Professional Engineers, and Penn State Great Valley
presents
Improving Energy Performance in the Building Envelope
Date: Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Time: 7:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Place: The Conference Center at Penn State Great Valley, 30 East Swedesford Road, Malvern PA, 19355-1443
Cost:
Current Penn State Student – $89
Member of partnering organizations and national affiliate – On or before March 22 – $139
Non-Members – On or before March 22 – $159
Highlights
- Delivering Energy Efficient Air and Vapor Barrier Systems
- Achieving Energy Efficient Roofing with Building Integrated Photovoltaics, Green Roofs, and Energy Star Design
- Insulated Cladding Solutions for High Performance Buildings
- Elements of Commissioning and Testing for High Performance Building Enclosures
Registration Details
Registration includes continental breakfast, lunch, session materials and certificate of attendance. Register online: www.sgps.psu.edu/energyperformance or call 610.648.3274
Continuing Education Credits
- 5 PDH
- 5 AIA Sustainable Design HSW Learning Units for Architects AIA Learning Units qualify for Professional Engineers PDH in New York State, and may qualify in other states. Check with your state Licensing Board to confirm.
Save the Date!
THE THIRD ANNUAL
LEGISLATIVE reception
HOSTED BY
Monday, May 24th, 2010
5:00 to 8:00pm
Harrisburg Hilton
One North Second Street
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Details and Sponsorship Opportunities Coming Soon!
Federal Highway Extension Update
As you may have already heard, last week Congress failed to pass an extension of highway and transit programs under SAFETEA-LU. The last extension expired on Sunday, February 28th. Until Congress passes another extension, no funding can be expended from the Highway Trust Fund. This has implications both for state project payments and for federal DOT employees whose salaries are paid out of the Trust Fund. It does not impact the collection of gas taxes and other transportation revenues, which proceed under separate authority.
Here is a link from the U.S. DOT webpage that explains the implications of the shut down: http://www.dot.gov/affairs/2010/dot3610.htm
At FHWA, reimbursement to states for ongoing highway projects will stop, as will approvals of new projects funded out of the Trust Fund. The only projects to be shut down immediately are projects carried out directly by USDOT on federal lands (a list of which was provided in the DOT press release), although if reimbursements are suspended long enough, cash flow problems will shut down projects in many states.
Once FHWA employees are furloughed tomorrow, they will no longer be present at work to approve projects funded from the general fund, either, including new projects under the Recovery Act (ARRA). FHWA is required by law to redistribute unobligated ARRA highway formula funding on Tuesday, March 2, but it is unclear if this will take place if all FHWA employees are out on furlough.
The problem arose when the House and Senate passed different versions of a long-term extension as part of a larger jobs bill. The House jobs bill extends the program through September 30th and treats certain programs differently from the recently passed Senate jobs bill, whose extension runs through December 31st. An effort to pass a 30-day extension and give time to resolve the differences between the two bills was blocked by retiring Senator Jim Bunning (R-KY), who objected to the deficit spending in the extension. Efforts to persuade Senator Bunning have been unsuccessful.
There are two options for Congress to resolve this situation: either the Senate can pass the 30-day extension, which is unlikely to happen under Senate procedures until Thursday, or the House can pass the Senate jobs bill with the extension through December 31. This could happen as early as tomorrow or Wednesday, but there are Democratic objections to other provisions in the Senate jobs bill, and it is not clear that they have the votes to pass the Senate bill without changes.
ACEC will continue to pressure Congress to resolve this crisis as quickly as possible. States are already slowing projects down and not issuing new projects while the shutdown persists and uncertainty lingers. We will pass along additional information as the situation develops. Also, look for information in this week’s Last Word.
Steve Hall
Vice President, Government Affairs
American Council of Engineering Companies
Please Join ACEC/PA for Its Annual Meeting at Kiawah Island Golf Resort April 14-18, 2010
Schedule
April 14
2 p.m. – Board of Directors Meeting followed by Annual Meeting
5-7 p.m. – Welcome Reception
April 15
8 a.m. – Breakfast
8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – Educational Sessions
Afternoon – ACEC/PA Golf Outing (additional fee)
Evening – Group Dinner (additional fee)
April 16
8 a.m. – Breakfast
8:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m. - Educational Sessions
Evening – Group Dinner (additional fee)
April 17
6:30 p.m. – President’s Reception
7:30 p.m. – President’s Dinner
Publication14M, Design Manual Part 3 Plans Presentation
This message is being sent on behalf of Brian G. Thompson, P.E., Director of the Bureau of Design.
| Please review the electronic version of revisions to DM-3 (Pub 14M) to incorporate changes to Chapter 12, Computer Aided Drafting and Design (CADD) System Procedures and Chapter 13, Engineering Graphic Standards
Please return all comments by March 26, 2010 |
ACEC Member Action Needed Now on Infrastructure Investments in Jobs Bill
ACEC members’ grassroots engagement is needed to support ongoing lobbying efforts by ACEC and its coalition allies to pressure the Senate to create an infrastructure-based jobs bill modeled after legislation already passed by the House, which contains more than $48 billion for transportation, water, energy, school renovation and housing projects. The U.S. Senate is expected to begin consideration early next week of a $15 billion package that includes a payroll tax holiday for certain new hires, expansion of the popular Build America Bonds program, and small business capital expensing. The measure also contains a $19.5 billion infusion into the Highway Trust Fund to support full reimbursement payments to states and extends the current authorization for federal highway and transit programs—set to expire at the end of the month—to December 31, 2010 to avoid any interruptions to state transportation programs. ACEC members are encouraged to write to their Senators today to strongly advocate for new investments in transportation, water, energy and other critical infrastructure programs as part of the overall jobs agenda. Click here for a sample letter to send to Senators. Members are encouraged to FAX letters to Senate offices—click here for a list of fax numbers.
Save Pennsylvania Jobs, Support Tolling of I-80
ACEC/PA Adopts Strategic Goals
After a year long process that began with our member survey in 2008, the ACEC/PA Board of Directors adopted strategic goals at their February 4th meeting. These goals are the the result of hours of hard work from board members and committee chairs.
These goals will serve to guide the actions of the council for the next four years, but will be subject to review and updating.
Governor Proposes Elimination of Certain Sales Tax Exemptions
This includes professional services and a reduced rate of 6% to 4%. Details to follow.
74 Sales Tax Exemptions to be Repealed – Governor’s 2010-11 Budget
- Accounting, auditing and bookkeeping services
- Administrative services
- Advertising, public relations & related services
- Air transportation
- Airline Catering
- All other professional and technical services
- Amusement & recreation industries
- Architectural, engineering, & related services
- Bad Debts
- Basic television
- Call Center Credit
- Candy and Gum
- Caskets and Burial Vaults
- Catalogs and Direct Mail Advertising
- Charges for Returnable Containers
- Coal
- Coin Operated Food and Beverage Vending Machines
- Commercial Vessels (Construction & Repair)
- Commercial Vessels (Equipment, Maintenance)
- Common Carriers
- Construction of Memorials
- Consulting (scientific, environmental, & technical)
- Custom programming, design & data processing
- Dry-cleaning & laundry services
- Electric – Residential
- Electrical, plumbing, heating & AC service fees
- Financial Institutions Fees
- Firewood
- Fish Feed
- Flags
- Fuel Oil/Gas – Residential
- Funeral parlors, crematories & death care services
- Gratuities
- Helicopters
- Horses Sold To Out of State Purchasers
- Hotel-Permanent Resident
- Information services
- Investment Metal Bullion & Investment Coins
- Legal
- Liquor or Malt Beverage Purchased From Retail Dispenser
- Magazines
- Mfg. Exemption (Public Utility)
- Motor Vehicles (Out-of-State Purchases)
- Museums, historical sites, zoos, & parks For-Profit
- Newspapers
- Non-Prescription Drugs
- Other transportation
- Other: personal services
- Parking lots & garages
- Personal care services
- Personal Hygiene Products
- Rail Transportation Equipment
- Recreational parks, camps & campgrounds
- Rental of Films for Commercial Exhibition
- School Buses
- Scientific research & development services
- Services to Buildings and Dwellings
- Specialized design
- Spectator sports admissions (excludes schools)
- Stair Lift Devices
- Telephone – Residential
- Temporary Usage
- Textbooks
- Theater, dance, music & performing arts admissions For-Profit
- Tourist Promotion Agencies
- Transit & ground transportation
- Trout
- Truck transportation
- Uniform Commercial Code Filing Fees
- Veterinary fees
- Warehouse Storage
- Waste management and remediation services
- Water and Sewage Services
- Wrapping and Packing Supplies
Construction Community Training Announcement, Geotechnical Aspects of Construction for Inspectors
This message is being sent on behalf of Rebecca S. Burns, P.E., Acting Director, Bureau of Construction and Materials.
Please see the attached training announcement regarding the Geotechnical Aspects of Construction for Inspectors. If you have any questions, please contact Kathleen Baddick at 717-705-4176 or c-kbaddick@state.pa.us.
ACEC Supports Pennsylvania Application to Toll I-80
ACEC President Dave Raymond sent the following letter to US Secretary of Transportation supporting Pennsylvania’s application to toll I-80.
Additional I-80 tolling information:
County populations and Turnpike Revenue
Transportation needs without I-80 6-25-09
Support full funding of Act 44: Click Here to support tolling of I-80. Send an e-mail to Senators Casey and Specter and your congressman supporting Pennsylvania’s joint application to toll I-80 and meet the funding commitments of Act 44.
ACEC/PA Recently Updated Its Position Papers for the 2010 Elections
We will be meeting with major gubernatorial campaigns to deliver the papers and discuss issues important to ACEC/PA members. In addition, we will be sending the papers to candidates for the PA General Assembly. We encourage members to discuss the positions with their local candidates. To view the position papers, click here.
