Los Angeles County Establishes Asphalt-Rubber Technology Transfer Center

The Los Angeles Public Works Department has entered into a $1.5 million dollar interagency agreement with the California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) to establish a statewide Technology Transfer Center to assist local agencies in the use of crumb rubber in asphalt paving. CIWMB is designating this use of part of its "Tire Fund" because it believes the use of scrap tires in pavements has the best potential for use of the state's discards as well as providing longer lasting streets and roads. LA County has placed over 200 Asphalt-Rubber projects since 1994, which makes it one of the largest and most experienced user agencies in the nation. The purpose of the center is to promote wider usage of the material by California's cities and counties. The Center will provide technical assistance and consultation for local public works agencies and laboratories in practical use of the rubberized materials as well as developing an outreach program through workshops and seminars. Lynn D. Nicholson will serve as Executive Director for the Center which will be located in LA County Public Works, Materials/Engineering Laboratory at 1537 Alcazar Street, Los Angeles, CA, 90033. Parties interested in the Center's services may call Mr. Nicholson at (626) 458-1719. A website and a 888 phone line will be available in the near future and will be published by RPA as soon as it is operational.

RPA Welcomes Three New Members in July

International Surfacing Systems (ISS), an Asphalt-Rubber contractor operating through the southwest, joined the Association on July 1, 1997. ISS is one of many companies operated by Basic Resources of California. The President is Jeff Reed , who also heads Valley Slurry Seal of Sacremento (916) 375-7500 and the Technical Director is Joe Cano who is based in the Chandler, AZ office (602) 268-0874.

K&B Tires of Phoenix, AZ, a full service recycling company founded in 1992 and Speedie and Associates, a geotechnical, environmental and materials engineering firm, also located in Phoenix, AZ became Associate Members. Lea and Johnny Benson, owners of K&B Tires, are the company contacts and can be reached at (602) 257-9395. Don Cornelison, P.E. is the contact for Speedie and Associates and can be reached at (602) 997-6391.