On January 29, 2025, the U.S. Senate confirmed Sean Duffy as Secretary of Transportation in a decisive 77-22 vote. His confirmation has been met with both optimism and urgency from key industry leaders who see him as a critical figure in shaping the future of America’s transportation infrastructure.

A Bipartisan Mandate for Progress

Industry stakeholders, including the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA) and the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA), have expressed their support for Duffy’s leadership. NSSGA Interim CEO Michele Stanley commended the Senate’s swift confirmation, emphasizing the importance of his experience as a former congressman.

“We applaud the efforts of the Senate to confirm the nomination of former Rep. Sean Duffy quickly. His knowledge and experience, as a former member of Congress, is essential in leading the modernization of our transportation systems and the continued growth of our infrastructure networks,” Stanley stated.

ARTBA President and CEO Dave Bauer echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the bipartisan nature of Duffy’s confirmation. “Sean Duffy’s decisive confirmation as secretary is a testament that bipartisanship remains key to advancing meaningful transportation policy.”

Key Issues on the Horizon

One of the most pressing concerns following Duffy’s confirmation is the long-term certainty of infrastructure funding. The NSSGA has voiced its concern over the Biden administration’s executive order freezing federal aid, warning that it could have significant consequences for the aggregates and asphalt industries.

“We urge Secretary Duffy to work with industry stakeholders to find a solution that will provide for long-term certainty in both DOT federal aid programs and Highway Trust Fund revenues in order to continue boosting long-term U.S. competitiveness,” Stanley emphasized.

Similarly, ARTBA has underscored the need for sustained federal investment in critical infrastructure projects, including highways, bridges, public transit, and airports. Bauer stated, “We are eager to partner with him and the U.S. Department of Transportation team to highlight the vital economic and safety benefits of robust federal investment…and to reduce the regulatory burdens that increase project costs and delays.”

Looking Ahead: Opportunities and Challenges

Duffy takes the helm at a pivotal moment for transportation policy. With the reauthorization of federal surface transportation programs due in 2026, his leadership will play a key role in shaping the next phase of infrastructure investment.

Duffy’s past legislative record provides some insight into his potential approach. He co-sponsored legislation in 2012 to advance the construction of the St. Croix River Bridge between Wisconsin and Minnesota, voted in favor of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21) Act, and signed a bipartisan letter in 2015 advocating for a sustainable revenue source for the nation’s transportation network.

While these actions indicate a track record of support for infrastructure, the challenges ahead will require strong collaboration between federal, state, and local agencies, as well as private-sector stakeholders.

What This Means for the Asphalt Industry

For contractors, suppliers, and stakeholders in the asphalt industry, Duffy’s confirmation brings both optimism and uncertainty. On the positive side, the industry has strong support from voters—ARTBA reported that 77% of 370 state and local ballot initiatives were approved in November 2024, generating $41.4 billion in new and renewed funding for roads, bridges, trails, and rail projects.

However, concerns remain over federal funding stability and the potential impact of executive orders on transportation projects. As the new secretary settles into his role, the asphalt industry will be watching closely to see how he navigates these critical issues.

One thing is certain: the road ahead is paved with both opportunity and challenges. Secretary Duffy’s ability to work with stakeholders and push for long-term, sustainable funding solutions will determine the success of America’s transportation infrastructure in the years to come.

Trimble®, Westminster, Colorado, announced in November 2024, the availability of its Trimble Siteworks Machine Guidance Module for compact track loaders. Siteworks Machine Guidance extends the capabilities of Trimble Siteworks Software from surveying and layout to support on-machine guidance and operator assistance, now on compact track loader buckets. This marks the first new machine type for the Siteworks Machine Guidance Module since it was introduced for excavators in 2023 and is Trimble’s first machine guidance solution designed for compact track loader buckets. The solution gives users the ability to move the system among multiple machines and jobsites, and to utilize their existing technology on-machine quickly and easily, with the addition of a simple-to-install machine kit and the Siteworks software module, according to the company.

The Siteworks Machine Guidance system includes the Trimble SPS986 or Trimble R780 GNSS Smart Antenna with tilt compensation and the Trimble ProPoint® positioning engine, and any bring-your-own-device or Trimble field tablet that supports the Siteworks software. The module enables contractors to use Siteworks off the machine to design, measure and lay out projects. Contractors can then transfer the GNSS receiver and field tablet from the pole to the compact track loader or excavator to provide in-cab, 3D machine guidance and grade checking capabilities without the need for a surveyor.

In addition to increasing efficiency in the field, contractors can easily share designs, access remote support and keep projects moving from the road using Trimble WorksManager Software, according to the company. Using a Trimble correction service such as CenterPoint® RTX, contractors can experience greater mobility without the constraints of a local base station or VRS network, and benefit from high-level accuracy delivered worldwide via satellite or cellular/IP. Siteworks Machine Guidance sales and support for compact track loaders is available worldwide now through the SITECH distribution channel.

If you have equipment that will not be used over the cold and snowy months, make sure you give it the best chance for a hassle-free spring startup. The best place to start is with the owner’s manual. Did that get lost five years ago? No worries. Most OEMs have those bad boys stored in pdf online. You can read it there or print it out for best tips on your specific machine’s over-winter needs.

(Just a side note: If you have a skid steer or other equipment that will perform during the winter season, check for a cold-weather-operation kit/option from the OEM. This may be a retrofit you can add if it wasn’t purchased along with the machine. If you’re using equipment in inclement weather, make sure you’ve double-checked your tires/tire pattern and you have a robust lighting package installed.)

Beyond cleaning every inch of the equipment with biodegradable release agent, blowing out hoses and lines, and getting the equipment to a sheltered area off the ground, look to the battery. When storing your machine over winter, a battery maintainer is worth its weight in gold. Be sure part of your cleaning routine includes using terminal cleaner and a terminal brush to get grime and corrosion resolved.

Keep in mind, DEF can freeze, but experts haven’t seen this as a problem. They’ve shared that the freezing doesn’t contaminate or degrade DEF. What can be a detriment to storing DEF overwinter is its expiration date. Pay attention to dates and store accordingly.

If you can’t park equipment in a climate-controlled garage for the winter season, make sure you at least have it covered and protected from winter elements. Unattended batteries will degrade, so this is where the battery maintainer can save you future heartache. Periodically start up the machine during the down-season to coat the cylinders and move the fuel.

Do you have a mechanic who should’ve received this tip? Go ahead and forward it to him or her now and if more folks in your team need to sign up for these tips, they can do that here.

Thunder Creek Equipment, Pella, Iowa, has named David Bertino as its new territory sales manager for the southern United States, including New Mexico, Oklahoma, Alabama, Texas and Louisiana. Bertino joins Thunder Creek after a long career in both compact and heavy equipment sales and territory management, serving manufacturers and the dealer sales channel.

Thunder Creek designs and manufactures fueling and preventative maintenance solutions that are used in a variety of industries including construction, roadbuilding, oil and gas, and utility construction.

“I’ve lived in the southwestern U.S. almost my entire life, and I’m fortunate to represent a great American brand like Thunder Creek to contractors and businesses in my territory,” Bertino said. “Once fleet managers understand the benefits that Thunder Creek provides their businesses, fueling practices throughout this territory will become more efficient and more profitable.”

For more information, visit http://thundercreekequipment.com/

HCSS, Sugar Land, Texas, announced in November the newest release of HeavyBid, an estimating software for civil construction. The latest release features an improved takeoff integration designed to drive faster estimating and more accurate bids than previous iterations, to streamline the pre-construction process and form a solid foundation for a successful overall construction project.

HeavyBid’s takeoff integration allows customers to import takeoffs into an estimate in HeavyBid. With this feature, customers can directly link takeoff items or create items from the takeoff, instead of manually entering data. With the ability to link or create new line items, users can build estimates from scratch or update them as needed, even as change orders occur. When changes happen, the updated takeoff quantities can be re-uploaded, and specific changes can be selected for integration into the estimate.

“The greatest value this new integration workflow brings to your estimating team is a quality checkpoint,” said Amanda Ayles, group product manager of estimating at HCSS. “There will be a clear message on the project if your estimate is not using the latest quantities from an updated takeoff.”