Every two years NCDOT and Carolinas AGC jointly host combined training conferences to assure that employees of the Department of Transportation and employees of the highway contracting industry (who help the DOT implement its program) hear the same messages about program delivery. During the three conferences—held in Atlantic Beach, Raleigh and Asheville-- representatives of the construction engineering and inspection private engineering community were also invited to attend since they now represent a significant portion of the inspection and engineering forces on DOT projects across the state. Almost 1,000 attendees were at the three conferences.
Transportation Secretary Jim Trogdon spoke at each of the conferences and expressed the need for a concerted, combined effort to deliver the Department’s program on the expected schedules to meet legislative expectations.
Since CAGC member firms represent over 95% of the firms that work on DOT projects, the conferences provide a good opportunity for Carolinas AGC members to participate and help shape policies and procedures that DOT uses. This year’s focus was on effective project team communication and timely decision making on the project level that enable projects to proceed as expected. CAGC members offered suggestions on ways to improve delivery in a cost-effective manner; DOT staff took note of the suggestions, indicating that many could and would be implemented.
Project safety, work zone traffic management, environmental compliance, federal regulation requirements, and many other issues were also discussed so that all knew and were aware of needed compliance issues.
Participation of CAGC firms in these types of meetings is one of the most valuable benefits of CAGC membership, as it provides a seat at the table to help provide input and influence on the rules and regulations that ultimately govern work in the transportation market.
For more information contact
Berry Jenkins, CAGC NC Government Relations & Highway-Heavy Division Director at (704) 372-1450 x5723.