Highways Committee gives MI its views on provincial chip seal specification
The MHCA has
submitted its response to Manitoba Infrastructure’s request for input on a
review of its specifications for its asphalt chip seal specification for highway
surfacing.
“There have
been quite a few revisions of the specifications for highway surfacing and
industry is seeking clarity on the best way to supply aggregates within the
specs, for use on MI projects,” MHCA President Chris Lorenc said.
MHCA
submitted the response to MI January 13.
The
association is also asking that there be a return to regular meetings, through
an industry-department committee, for review of specifications prior to changes
being made.
“A joint
MI/MHCA Spec Review Committee (SRC) with subject matters experts, whose mandate
would be to review and consider any amendments or the introduction of new
specifications, would be an effective and collaborative clearing house for such
discussion,” Lorenc said.
Regular
meetings with MI to review the highways program and the experience of the most
recent construction season is on the agenda for the MHCA Highways Committee.
Such meetings, until recent years, were routine with MI.
The meetings
are intended to discuss views on tender advertising, specifications, operations
and general industry or department concerns and comments regarding the highways
program.
Some of the
issues discussed at the January 11 committee meeting included the timeliness of
payment to contractors for progress or completion of projects, the experience
to date with end-product specification and the length of time for bid validity
on tenders.
Lorenc noted
that the MHCA, as well, is meeting with Finance Minister Scott Fielding to make
its submission in the lead up to the 2022 provincial budget. MHCA is pressing
for an elevated role for Manitoba Infrastructure to ensure that core and
transportation infrastructure investment is regarded, across the departments,
as a prime enabler of economic growth.
