Meetings dominated the month of May, maybe adding to the absence of material put on this blog during that time.
The Road Builders had a very successful convention in historic Boston, Massachusetts. The convention was highlighted by a through update from ARTBA about national transportation issues such as reauthorization, climate change and many other proposed laws that would affect the industry. State news was also a major topic as we head into the summer month construction season. Many also were also able to tour the "Big Dig" - the largest public works project in the United States. It was a series of tunnels for all different forms of transportation through downtown Boston and its harbor.
(Pictures of "Big Dig" control room with our tour group)
AASHTO (American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials) held their spring meeting in Natchez while many Road Builder members attended supporting MDOT's Butch Brown. Mr. Brown currently serves as President of AASHTO. People were in attendance from all over the nation. One of the highlights was the lighting of the Mississippi River bridge.
(Road Builder members at the President's Reception on the Mississippi River bluff)
ARTBA (American Road and Transportation Builders Association) held their annual Washington, D.C. Fly-In in late May. The first order of business was trying to influence Congress to approve a new six year reauthorization for highway funding. Other important federal legislative issues were also discussed. Senators from Mississippi were also briefed on a few major projects from MDOT.
