FPO responds to news article "asphalt shortage"

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: 
By Andrew Gall 17 Apr, 2024
Date: April 30-May 2, 2024 Location: Ohio University Lancaster Campus ; 1570 Granville Pike; Herrold Hall; Lancaster, OH 43130 (Directions to Classroom will be Posted in Lobby) Online registration for this event is closed. Please contact FPO at (614) 791-3600 with questions or for additional information. Flexible Pavements of Ohio (FPO) offers this training course to prepare individuals having basic lab familiarity to take the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) Level 2 Asphalt Technician Exam. Individuals who pass the written test will be scheduled for the practical laboratory exam. Select the link for course and registration information or register online below.
By Andrew Gall 28 Mar, 2024
Date: April 25, 2024 Time: 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM Location: The Conference Center at OCLC; Lakeside Room; 6600 Kilgour Place; Dublin, OH 43017 Online registration for this training is closed. Please contact FPO at (614) 791-3600 or info@flexiblepavements.org for additional information. This seminar provides the training required personnel with a minimum two years of experience with asphalt paving operations to become approved to perform the Field Quality Control Supervisor (FQCS) function required under ODOT specifications or to acquire re-approval after five years since the previous training. This session will include training on paving fundamentals and best practices as well as Porous Asphalt Pavement construction to receive an endorsement to construct Porous Asphalt Pavement. Course Content: • Introduction and review of the purpose of the FQCS program and Ethics for QC personnel; • Overview of Quality Control and Quality Assurance • ODOT Asphalt Mixture Overview • Review of FQCS Role in Obtaining Density & Smoothness • Overview of ODOT Specifications for Asphalt Concrete Field Operations • Review of Common Paving/Mat Deficiencies • Design, Materials, Construction and Maintenance of Porous Asphalt Pavements Select the link for course and registration information or register online below.
By Andrew Gall 06 Feb, 2024
Online registration for this event is closed. Please contact FPO at (614) 791-3600 with questions or for additional information regarding this event. Date: Tuesday, March 12, 2024 - Wednesday, March 13, 2024 Event Location: Columbus/Polaris Hilton Hotel, 8700 Lyra Drive, Columbus, Ohio, 43240 The Asphalt Expo is Ohio’s premiere asphalt pavement event with multiple concurrent educational sessions and an indoor and outdoor trade show and exhibition. If you construct, inspect, manage or maintain local or private transportation infrastructure the Ohio Asphalt Expo has the information you need to ensure a successful, long-lasting asphalt pavement. A block of rooms has been reserved at the Hilton Columbus/Polaris at a special conference rate of $210. The special room rate will be available until the group block is sold-out. Select the link to access the conference room reservation page, contact the Hilton directly at (614) 885-1600 or visit www.hilton.com . ↧ 2024 Ohio Asphalt Expo Registration Form ↧ 2024 Ohio Asphalt Expo Program ↧ 2024 Ohio Asphalt Expo Exhibitor Memo ↧ 2024 Ohio Asphalt Expo Exhibit Space Registration Form ↧ 2024 Ohio Asphalt Expo Indoor Exhibit Layout ↧ 2024 Ohio Asphalt Expo Outdoor Exhibit Layout ↧ Hilton Hotel Exhibitor Services Order Form
By Andrew Gall 05 Feb, 2024
Date: April 10, 2024 Time: 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM Location: The Conference Center at OCLC; Lakeside Room; 6600 Kilgour Place; Dublin, OH 43017 This training has reached maximum capacity and registration is closed. Please contact FPO at (614) 791-3600 with any questions or for additional information. This seminar provides the training required personnel with a minimum two years of experience with asphalt paving operations to become approved to perform the Field Quality Control Supervisor (FQCS) function required under ODOT specifications or to acquire re-approval after five years since the previous training. This session will include training on paving fundamentals and best practices as well as Porous Asphalt Pavement construction to receive an endorsement to construct Porous Asphalt Pavement. Course Content: • Introduction and review of the purpose of the FQCS program and Ethics for QC personnel; • Overview of Quality Control and Quality Assurance • ODOT Asphalt Mixture Overview • Review of FQCS Role in Obtaining Density & Smoothness • Overview of ODOT Specifications for Asphalt Concrete Field Operations • Review of Common Paving/Mat Deficiencies • Design, Materials, Construction and Maintenance of Porous Asphalt Pavements Select the link for course and registration information or register online below.
By Andrew Gall 24 Jan, 2024
Date: March 19-21, 2024 Location: Ohio University Lancaster Campus ; 1570 Granville Pike; Herrold Hall; Lancaster, OH 43130 (Directions to Classroom will be Posted in Lobby) This training has reached maximum capacity and registration is closed. Please contact FPO at (614) 791-3600 with any questions or for additional information. Flexible Pavements of Ohio (FPO) offers this training course to prepare individuals having basic lab familiarity to take the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) Level 2 Asphalt Technician Exam. Individuals who pass the written test will be scheduled for the practical laboratory exam. Select the link for course and registration information or register online below.
By Andrew Gall 24 Jan, 2024
Date: Wednesday, February 7, 2024 Event Location: Fawcett Center, The Ohio State University; 2400 Olentangy River Rd.; Columbus, OH 43210 Registration for this event has reached maximum capacity. Please contact FPO at (614) 791-3600 or by email at info@flexiblepavements.org. The Ohio Asphalt Paving Conference is a collaborative effort of state and local government, academia and the asphalt industry to present practical, usable technologies and strategies for the design and construction of asphalt pavements. The 2024 OAPC is offered as either an in-person or virtual event. Please select your participation preference during registration. Registrants for virtual participation will receive an email with a link to access the event. Virtual registrations will not be accepted after February 2, 2024 to accommodate the distribution of information to access the online event.
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