From pioneering sustainable asphalt technologies and mentoring future engineers, to leading multi-billion-dollar infrastructure projects and driving innovation at state transportation agencies, four trailblazing women were honored with the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) Foundation’s Women Leaders in Transportation Design & Construction Awards. The winners were announced Sept. 29 during the association’s national convention in Irving, Texas.

Ethel S. Birchland Lifetime Achievement Award 

Named after an ARTBA executive from the mid-1920s, this award is given to individuals who demonstrate outstanding leadership, long-term service in the industry’s public or private sectors, and dedication to the advancement of innovation and other women leaders.  

Michelle Dippel, executive vice president, Western U.S. president, HNTB  

During her 35-year career in transportation, Dippel has risen from archaeological project manager to president of HNTB’s West Region, leading 2,000 employees across 13 states. She has contributed to many high-impact projects including the Trans-Texas Corridor and Colorado’s Front Range Passenger Rail. In 2022, she became the first woman on HNTB’s board of directors. Dippel advances the transportation industry through active engagement with groups like WTS, the Transportation Research Board (TRB), and ACE Mentor Program, using each platform to influence policy and elevate the next generation of women leaders across the industry.

Catherine McGhee, P.E., chief deputy commissioner, Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) 

For more than three decades, McGhee has inspired others through her passion for transportation. Beginning her career at VDOT’s Transportation Research Council (VTRC) in the early 1990s, McGhee’s intellect and ideas earned many awards. In 2016, she became the Council’s first female director of research and in May 2022, was named the first female chief deputy commissioner of VDOT. A longtime champion of innovation, McGhee helped embed forward-thinking practices into the agency’s culture, supporting the DRIVERS program, which invites input from all levels of the department. She also established the Office of Strategic Innovation within VTRC to advance novel solutions. Beyond VDOT, McGhee served as president of the Intelligent Transportation Society of Virginia, chaired a TRB committee for four years, and is active within the WTS Central Virginia Chapter.

Excellence in Academia Award 

This award is given annually to at least one woman in academia or a research institution who has demonstrated outstanding leadership, mentorship, and significant educational and/or research contributions in the transportation industry.   

Dr. Amy Epps Martin, Ph.D., professor, Texas A&M University 

For 25 years, Dr. Amy Epps Martin has advanced the field of civil engineering materials. A nationally recognized leader in safe and sustainable asphalt technologies, she guided 12 state DOT research initiatives and seven national research projects. She served as division head of the Transportation and Materials Division at Texas A&M University and was named Women of Asphalt’s “20 to Watch.” Her leadership extends across the profession as past president of the Association of Asphalt Paving Technologists. Dedicated to mentoring the next generation, Dr. Epps Martin has chaired the committees of 49 graduate students, many of whom have gone on to become leaders in academia and industry.

Dr. Elham (Ellie) Fini, Ph.D., associate professor, Del E. Webb School of Construction, Arizona State University 

Dr. Fini is a transformative figure in transportation and construction whose work spans groundbreaking research, inclusive education, global leadership, and mentorship. A trailblazer in sustainable materials, she pioneered bio-based and bio-inspired binders—renewable alternatives to petroleum products—resulting in nine patents and 16 pending patents. With over 230 publications, 10,000 citations, and a widely used textbook, she has laid the foundation for a more sustainable transportation sector. Her work has been covered by media outlets such as Wired, CNBC, and BBC Women in STEM. Dr. Fini has taught more than 2,000 students, built project-based learning models, and mentored 73 student researchers. Internationally, she has launched student exchanges and fostered collaborations across Europe.

About the Foundation 

The ARTBA Foundation, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt entity, “promotes research, education and public awareness” about the impacts of transportation investment. The Foundation supports an array of initiatives, including educational scholarships, awards, professional development academies, roadway work zone safety and training programs, cutting-edge economic reports, and an exhibition on transportation at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History.

When you’re a paving contractor, you juggle multiple tasks during a given shift. Depending on the time of day, that can include educating your next client on what treatment their pavement system needs. When you find a property manager whose parking lots and residential streets only need surface treatment, which one do you offer? Here’s a quick cheat sheet of options.

• Cape Seal: This consists of a chip seal treatment covered by either a slurry seal or micro surfacing treatment.
• Chip Seal: This consists of one or more layers of asphalt binder and embedded aggregate.
• Crack Seal: This consists of placing adhesive material into working cracks.
• Fog Seal: This is a single application of emulsified asphalt onto an asphalt surface.
• Microsurfacing: This is a single or double application of a proportioned mix of asphalt emulsion, aggregate, water, mineral filler and additives, uniformly spread across a prepared surface.
• Rejuvenating Fog Seal: This is similar to a fog seal, but it uses rejuvenating emulsions.
• Scrub Seal: This is similar to a chip seal, but the asphalt distributor pulls a type of broom that guides emulsion into cracks.
• Slurry Seal: This consists of a proportioned mix of asphalt emulsion, mineral aggregate, water and additives, spread across the pavement surface at a single-stone thickness.
• Ultra-thin lift HMA: This consists of a hot-mix asphalt treatment (paving-grade asphalt and aggregate) applied at a compacted depth of ¾ to 1 inch thick.

With advancements and innovations taking place all the time, updates and additions to these treatments, including specifications for emulsions and additives, happen at state and municipal levels. What surface-level treatments would you add to this list?

What caveats or warnings would you share with your colleagues about these methodologies when they pitch them to a property manager? Let’s get a conversation going on the AsphaltPro social media channels.

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The Associated Equipment Distributors Foundation (AEDF) announced in July that Warrick Pathways and Career Center in Booneville, Indiana, had become the 115th Recognized High School Program under its national workforce development initiative—Vision. The Vision campaign was launched in 2020 to address the skilled technician shortage facing the equipment industry.

“The future of our industry—and our country—depends on today’s youth,” said Bob Brucken, CEO of Diamond Equipment Inc. and AED member. “With AI rapidly evolving, we need bright, driven students to help build our industrial and commercial landscape—and that path doesn’t always require a college degree. Warrick Pathways and centers like it are shaping the future, and Diamond Equipment is proud to support their mission. Skilled trades offer rewarding careers, and we rely on that talent to drive our success. We encourage more schools to partner with the AED Foundation to grow the industry.”

Since Vision’s inception, the AED Foundation has delivered 5,600+ technicians through accredited programs and certified nearly 5,000 more through industry-aligned testing while raising over $8 million.

Beyond education, Vision is building a comprehensive support network that includes nearly $10 million in public funding secured to expand Registered Apprenticeships and over $500,000 returned to industry partners through grants.

To learn more, visit www.aedfoundation.org.

Lippmann, Cudahy, Wisconsin, announced in July, PacWest Machinery is its newest authorized dealer, expanding Lippmann’s presence and service capabilities in the Pacific Northwest. PacWest will provide sales, rentals, and aftermarket support for Lippmann’s full line of crushing and screening equipment, bringing a wealth of experience and resources to aggregate producers in the region. With six full-service branches located in Seattle, Spokane, Mount Vernon, and Pasco, Washington; and Portland and Eugene, Oregon, PacWest Machinery offers comprehensive coverage throughout the Pacific Northwest.

The updated P-Tier Wheel Loaders from John Deere, Moline, Illinois, feature an integrated suite of smart systems designed to simplify maintenance and aid in getting machines “ready to run.” Advanced on-board diagnostics include daily fluid checks, fluid loss detection, and battery health monitoring, which are all accessible through the in-cab display.

Let’s look first at the John Deere exclusive QuadCool™ Cooling System available in the updated P-Tier Wheel Loaders. Redesigned rear hoods, grilles and cab roofs eliminate the need to climb on the machine for maintenance, while side-access planes simplify cleaning of the condenser and radiator. The newly relocated axle cooling system is now easier to access and maintain, and a reverse fan clears debris out through the side doors, designed to minimize buildup beneath the machine. In addition, the rear door opens independently from the sides, making daily maintenance more convenient.

Inside the cab, operators will now have a new, next generation primary display, a 7-inch primary touchscreen that offers a larger interface and intuitive navigation that helps to enhance operator focus and simplify operation. This display enables a new in-base rear camera view and supports the ability to run two applications simultaneously, including the backup camera. Also, physical buttons have been removed from the display face to improve user experience, while key machine functions remain easily accessible. An optional G5 secondary display is available.

The P-Tier models can now be equipped with SmartDetect™ from the factory. To support greater material handling efficiency, the P-Tier Wheel Loaders are now available with new high-strength steel buckets featuring extended lips. These are updates to the next generation 524, 544 and 624 P-Tier Wheel Loader models.

For more information, visit your local John Deere dealer.

Finlay®, a Terex Brand, has introduced the J-1280 Jaw Crusher, a new addition to its tracked mobile crusher lineup. Designed to bridge the gap between the J-1175 and the larger J-1480, the J-1280 delivers its performance in a more transport-friendly package, making it a solution for medium-sized quarries and larger contractors seeking high capacity without the logistical challenges of heavier equipment.

Featuring a large 1200mm x 820mm jaw chamber, the J-1280 offers a wide gape and robust throughput capabilities for hard rock applications. Despite its size, the machine is engineered for easier transport, weighing less than the J-1480.

One of the standout features of the J-1280 is its hydrostatic drive system. The hydrostatic setup allows the crusher to continuously operate in reverse. This functionality is critical for clearing blockages without the need to manually lift material from the chamber. The ability to unblock not only improves safety by reducing the need for working at height but also minimises downtime by eliminating the need for lockout/tagout procedures during unblocking.

The J-1280 is available in three feed-in configurations: a standard vibrating grizzly feeder (VGF), a pre-screen option, and an extended pan feeder with pre-screen.

For more information, contact your local Finlay distributor.