WASHINGTON, D.C. - "Every hour spent planning construction eliminates 100 hours of problems during construction" - those were the words of North Carolina Turnpike Authority Chief Engineer Steve Dewitt describing the value for attendees of the inaugural "International Conference on Transportation Construction Management," held Feb. 9-12 in Orlando, FL.

During the conference, more than 250 industry officials received real world information about proper planning and management techniques aimed at ensuring transportation improvement projects are delivered on-time, on-budget and with minimized risk during construction.  The American Road and Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) managed the event on behalf of the Federal Highway Administration.

The program featured nearly 80 presentations from industry experts on these topics: project delivery and construction management, construction performance specifications, alternative contracting and procurement systems, cost escalation and containment, safety, risk management, public-private partnerships, environmental accountability, and innovative contracting techniques.

2009 ARTBA Chairman Charlie Potts, chief executive officer of Indiana-based Heritage Construction and Materials, spoke at the event.  He outlined the industry's efforts to boost transportation investment in the economic stimulus package, and the challenges associated with project delivery under the bill's accelerated construction timelines. 

Potts also highlighted ARTBA's proposals for the next multi-year federal surface transportation investment authorization bill, due later this year.  ARTBA is advocating a significant boost in the core highway/transit program to preserve past infrastructure investments, and creation of a national "Critical Commerce Corridors" program to facilitate the safe and efficient movement of freight.