AGC's Highway and Utility Contractors Issues Meeting scheduled for November 12-14, 2009, at the PGA National Resort in Palm Gardens, Fla., will provide the latest cutting edge information for contractors involved in the highway, bridge, transit, railroad and utility markets. Among the outstanding speakers are the following:
- Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) is a member of the House Ways and Means Committee and has been a leading advocate for increasing Highway Trust Fund revenue to address transportation needs and creation of a Clean Water trust Fund to address water infrastructure needs. He is also working on legislation to provide tax credits for contractors to replace their off-road diesel powered vehicles to meet clean air requirements. Rep. Blumenauer will discuss the outlook for highway reauthorization and increased infrastructure funding.
- Federal Railroad Administration's Deputy Administrator Karen Rae will present the Administration's high speed rail initiative and the construction opportunities that will result from this investment.
- A forum on the use of computer modeling (BIM/virtual design) for highway and water projects will include representatives from software companies Bentley and Autodesk and will feature a jobsite presentation from an experienced contractor. Caterpillar will have a representative to describe the latest developments for integrating construction equipment into the BIM model.
- Attorney John Mullen will report on the top legal decisions of the year that may impact your business.
- State DOT representatives will discuss the use of contractor performance measures for prequalification, latest design-build developments including a financing option, alternate bid items for selecting concrete or asphalt pavements, performance specifications, value engineering/practical design and recycled materials in concrete and asphalt.
- How will Green Construction initiatives impact highway construction projects?
- Washington update on legislation currently being addressed in Congress.