2024 VTCA Annual Meeting a Success!

As we move forward after the Annual Meeting, it is with great pride and satisfaction that we reflect on some of our achievements over the past year. 

Legislative Representation: Advocating for Our Members 

The political landscape saw significant changes with Democrats gaining the majority in both the House and Senate. This shift brought in 34 new House members and 18 new Senate members, necessitating robust advocacy efforts to ensure our industry's interests were well represented. 

During the 2024 legislative session, we secured several important victories: 

• Work Zone Safety: Implementation of moving violation fines for enhanced safety. 
• Funding Allocation: Secured budget allocations for transportation, including critical projects like the I-81 and I-64 GAP. 
• Advancing Infrastructure: Progress in design work for I-81 and funding for 218 VDOT positions shows the legislature's confidence in VDOT & industry to deliver on key projects.  
• Defeating Restrictive Legislation: Successfully opposed restrictive mining legislation and worked toward eliminating the DPOR mandate that the entrusted engineer be a full-time employee of the contractor. 

Advocacy: A Unified Voice for Transportation Construction 

Our advocacy efforts focused on engaging with VDOT and state regulatory agencies to ensure the best outcomes for our industry. Key achievements include: 

• Accelerated Project Delivery: Collaborated on strategies to expedite project completion and improve design options. 
• Turn-Key Projects: Promoted private sector involvement in 33 turn-key projects, resulting in $25 million in design and $125 million in construction value. 
• VDOT Cooperation: Conducted 15 reviews and in-person meetings with VDOT since January 2024, improving change orders and the claims process. 
• Environmental Engagement: Actively defended against proposed county ordinance amendments and continued collaboration with DEQ on environmental issues. 

Professional Development and Networking: Investing in Our Future 

VTCA has been committed to providing top-notch professional development programs to our members. Over the past year, we have: 

• Emerging Leaders Group: Continued to nurture future leaders within our industry. 
• Extensive Training Programs: Offered more than 15 schools and seminars, including district dialogues, safety seminars, and workforce development taskforce seminars. 
• Enhanced Membership Engagement: Improved engagement through various activities and added 939 new contacts to our communication list. 

Stewardship and Financial Health: Ensuring Sustainable Growth 

Financial stewardship remains a cornerstone of our mission. Highlights from the past year include: 

• Stable Operating Budget: Maintained a $2 million operating budget with a cap on member dues for the past 19 years. 
• Strategic Investments: Focused on advocacy and public education initiatives, including the workforce task force and public education on mandated project labor agreements. 

Looking Ahead: Strategic Planning for 2024-2026 

Our newly developed three-year strategic plan outlines ambitious objectives to further our mission: 

• Engage Localities and Other Owners: Establish effective relationships with top localities to enhance collaboration and project funding. 
• Champion Sustainable Transportation Funding: Protect existing funding and explore new avenues to grow transportation investments. 
• Support Workforce Development: Connect members with resources to attract, develop, and retain a skilled workforce. 
• Advocate on Labor and Environmental Issues: Educate stakeholders on the impact of project labor agreements and environmental regulations. 
• Grow Membership Engagement: Enhance member experience, retention, and recruitment through targeted campaigns and strategic partnerships. 
• Develop Staff and Board: Focus on succession planning and skills development to ensure strong leadership for the future. 

As we look back on a year of significant achievements and forward to the opportunities and challenges ahead, we remain committed to advocating for our members, fostering professional growth, and promoting the vital role of transportation construction in Virginia. Thank you for your continued support and dedication to the Virginia Transportation Construction Alliance. Together, we will build a brighter future for our industry. 

The Annual Meeting

	Ben Brubeck, ABC and Gordon Dixon, VTCA discussing PLA's
	Senator Williams Graves

PLA Discussion 

One of the top priorities and threats to VTCA members is stopping the growing legislative support for mandated project labor agreements. Ben Brubeck, Associated Builders and Contractors, and Ben Young, Georgetown Public Affairs, joined Gordon Dixon, VTCA, to provide a blunt understanding of the growing threat of mandated project labor agreements gaining support in Virginia. The trio laid out VTCA’s aggressive strategy to push back on the mandated project labor agreement rhetoric used to grow support for mandated PLAs amongst Virginia state legislators.   

VTCA will be offering a series of member discussions over the next several months to help members better understand all the traps embedded in Collective Bargaining Contracts in PLAs.  To learn more about PLAs go to: www.Virginians4fairness.org.

VTCA Welcomes State Senator Williams Graves  

VTCA welcomed State Senator Angelia Williams Graves from Norfolk, VA. Senator Graves is a small business Democrat and sits on several committees important to VTCA members:  Transportation, Agriculture, Conservation & Natural Resources, Local Government, and Rehabilitation and Social Services. While new to transportation and aggregate issues, she has experience as a former delegate and city council member.  

VDOT Session 

The Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner and Chief Engineer had an informal discussion with members on a range of topics including work zone safety initiatives and an update on the Speed Enforcement Cameras and asked VTCA for assistance if there is an effort in the legislature to repeal Speed Enforcement Cameras in work zones on highways. In addition, the Commissioner laid out the situation with Prince George’s County, MD, attempts to stop VA’s South side Express Lanes initiative. VTCA was part of the leading coalition to ensure the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board moved forward with Visualize 2050’s Air Quality Conformity Analysis and demonstration we are working to meet Air Quality Conformity under the National Environmental Policy Act. This effort gives us a year to work with the communities in Maryland and Washington, D.C. to secure express lanes that will provide better travel time and higher air quality. 

VDOT discussed meeting market capacity in the next six years and, in particular, how all the work in the Hampton District will be completed.   

• VTCA pledged to continue to collaborate with VDOT and the District to keep the additional lanes moving on time.    
• VDOT discussed how it plans to utilize additional staff granted to it by the legislature.   
• The Chief Engineer discussed the pilot turn-key projects by Consulting firms. Most were in the room and had a chance to discuss those key projects with the Chief and Deputy. We will provide more updates at the Consultant Forum.   
• VTCA announced an effort to support a dedicated professorship focused on Civil Construction at Virginia Tech with additional support by VDOT and the Beavers Foundation.

The Bowtie Economist

	Elliot Eisenberg

Annual Meeting attendees were treated to a very animated session on the current economy, warning signs of faltering, and how road builders chose one of the safer sectors to build their careers.

Elliot Eisenberg, popularly known as "The Bowtie Economist," is a renowned economist and public speaker known for his engaging presentations and insightful analysis of economic trends. With a distinctive style characterized by his signature bowtie, Eisenberg delivered complex economic concepts with humor and clarity, making them accessible to our diverse audience. His expertise spans various topics, including real estate, housing, and economic forecasting, and he is frequently sought after for his ability to translate data into actionable insights for businesses and policymakers.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Keynote Sponsor

Casino Night Bar Sponsors

James River Equipment

Carter Machinery