A Message from President Don Stark :
 The "passing of the torch" – outgoing Section President Rob Prophet hands off to incoming Section President Don Stark at the April Section Meeting |
transportation funding bill wrapped up under my Christmas tree (still looking!) I’ll go out on a limb here and guess that none of you did either. So like Charlie Brown we all get to say, “Rats, no Christmas cards (presents) for me!” Despite that I hope everyone had an absolutely wonderful holiday season.
As we move into the New Year, a leap year at that, we need to look forward with hope that our great political leaders will develop a grand vision, work together by putting aside party politics, and tackle the great financial disaster that has engulfed us for the last couple of years. Ok, so collectively as you all read this there will likely be a large sigh and a groan of not a chance! One can always hope, though, and as we leap into this New Year we have one saving grace - it is an election year. We have the ability to make this a year of change. If the political leaders cannot summon up the courage to do it, then we must, and send a clear signal at election time that we want things to change.
Speaking of change, it’s time get off the soap box and change the topic. 2012 is shaping up to be a great year for the Delaware Valley Section of ASHE. We will start with our annual joint meeting with ASCE in January; have another joint meeting in February, this time with MASITE; and then wrap up the year in March and April with Project of the Year, Scholarship recognition, and our own change of leadership. The meeting topics are set and will begin in January with a discussion on the New Jersey Turnpike widening.
You really can’t get to northern New Jersey from the Philadelphia area without being impacted by the widening construction going on between Interchanges 6 and 9, and the number one driver distraction for an engineer is a Work Zone. We have to see what is going on, what the contractor is doing today, spout out to our passengers what the different numbers are for the signs alongside the road, or ask the proverbial question of how come they can get away with that in the field when we’re not allowed to design it that way? Most people only realize that work is progressing by the change in the traffic pattern, sort of a “wow, this wasn’t this way yesterday!” This is a sure tip to any engineer that they really need to look over the work zone, see what is going on, analyze it, and comment (mentally if alone or out loud if with someone) on whether they are really doing it correctly. Cell phone distractions pale in comparison to an engineer in a work zone!
Now if you’re driving through this work zone in New Jersey and actually doing all that and not paying attention to all the traffic zipping around, then you really are distracted. So if you have decided that you really need to pay more attention to that nut case driver next to you than the work zone, come out to the January meeting and get the low down, the buildup, and the what to look for next scoop on the New Jersey Turnpike. Oh yeah, you’ll also get a PDH!
2011 Project of the Year
The Delaware Valley Section of the American Society of Highway Engineers is seeking nominations for the “2011 Project of the Year.” Two awards will be presented at the April 2012 meeting.
The award categories will be broken down into two categories – one award for larger projects and one award for smaller projects. Once the applications have been received, the Project of the Year Committee will determine the breakout between large and small categories based upon the total construction cost of the projects.
To be eligible, project construction must have been completed between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2011. The project is to have been constructed within the geographic boundaries of the Delaware Valley Section and be submitted by a member in good standing with ASHE. The selection will be based on the information submitted and on the rating criteria found on the enclosed nomination form.
Nominations must be received by March 2, 2012. If you have any questions, please contact me at (610) 992-1465. We look forward to reviewing your nomination.
Mail nominations to:
CHA Consulting, Inc.
1008 W 8th Avenue, Suite C
King of Prussia, PA 19406
Attn: Bill Laird, P.E.
Download Application (doc - 602KB)
Questions:
wlaird@chacompanies.com
P: (610) 992-1465
ASHE Mission Statement:
"Provide a forum for members and partners of the highway industry to promote a safe, efficient and sustainable highway system through education, innovation and fellowship."