For Immediate Release: November 1, 2008 The article titled, _No Work Zone: asphalt shortage *_ is a bit mystifying. Apparently, the article was written months ago when the price of anything related to crude oil reached new heights. Perhaps things are different in Seattle where this article has its origination. In Ohio there's no asphalt shortage and prices have been dropping since their high in August. The reason? Crude oil, as you have reported, has fallen to March '07 prices. The asphalt industry is not complacent. We understand the volatility of asphalt's raw materials. To that end the industry has engaged recycling in a big way. In Ohio we annually recycle over 3 million tons of old asphalt taken from roads and parking lots. That's enough asphalt to pave a two­lane road from Columbus to Los Angeles. Recycling asphalt creates huge raw material savings and dollars to agencies like ODOT, Franklin County, and the City of Columbus. Our conservation efforts do not end there. The asphalt industry is exploring new technology called Warm Mix Asphalt. It's a "green" technology that reduces energy needs and provides other environmental benefits. As well, many asphalt companies are using alternate fuel sources such as recycled used oil. The article speaks of the possibility for road maintenance program delays. If road maintenance programs are delayed it won't be asphalt's fault. At the root of delayed maintenance is insufficient funding. By all measures funding for needed road improvements has fallen woefully short yet the demands on Ohio's roadways have been growing. As a result, many Ohioans will have to wait for their road to get a fresh coat of smooth asphalt. The dollars simply are not there. Your readers can do something about this. 2009 is a critical year. Legislators in Washington will be crafting our Nation's future transportation system and its price tag. Dispatch readers may wonder if there's a connection between their street being paved and what happens in D.C. You bet! Your readers can make a difference by contacting their representatives and senators and expressing their desire for better roads and better funding. Having better roads is key to moving goods, getting our economy rolling and creating prosperity for everyone. Clifford Ursich P.E. Executive Director Flexible Pavements of Ohio Flexible Pavements is Ohio's trade association for the asphalt paving industry. Our membership is comprised of asphalt manufacturers, contractors that place asphalt, material suppliers, equipment vendors, architectural and engineering firms, and various municipalities and county engineers form around Ohio ­ all with the common mission of providing high quality asphalt pavements to Ohio citizens. *The Associated Press article appeared through out the US on Nov. 9 and 10. See the full article as published in the Columbus Dispatch at: http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/business/stories/2008/11/12/asphalt_shortage.ART_ART_ 11­12­08_C8_Q7BS4PN.html?sid=101