Wrap up of Partners in Quality Meetings – Key Topics  

241 total attendees in 2025! 

We want to send out a big thank you to all the folks and of course the attendees that helped our 11th year of PIQs a success! 

I will do my best to compile the major topics that were discussed in your district and perhaps outside as well for future discussions.  

In each district SCAPA did a Menti Poll for those attendees that had cell service to respond to the survey questions. We tried to not only get everyone to interact but also try and dig up some questions that may eventually spark up conversations in each program. We plan on publishing the results in the coming weeks ahead and sharing the common issues with SCDOT. These are future training opportunities for us to work on to improve our asphalt here in SC.  

We discussed some ongoing legislative topics that the industry is facing this year at the state house and provided a SCAPA update. 

Most of the District Construction Engineers, DEAs, and Contracts Engineers gave updates on staffing updates, current and future project outlooks, etc. 

Several District did a update on SCDOT use of e-ticketing using Haul Hub 

Topics of discussion were not limited to: 

• Common issues like attention to detail on manholes and valves, having the correct risers, cleaning up millings and waste. 

• FDP – getting smoothness with half and full width patches, using the straightedge to ensure smooth transitions. 

• Installing valley-gutter correct with consistent slope. 

• Having a Plan “B” when a asphalt plant breaks down. 

• Being responsible and having oversight and constant communication with your subcontractors – timeliness of paint and RPMs, signs, milling subs, and installation of loops. 

• Coordination / Communication with local municipalities – knowing when to sample and test CMRB – anticipation of widening – asking for additional aggregate for structure, ensuring that the cement coverage is uniform applied. 

• Sampling ahead of lettings / contracts- SCDOT needs to investigate with cores for depths, use CEI contracts if necessary. 

• Traffic Control – Use common sense and do not allow detour through parking lots, you cannot close the road down completely. 

• Signs – Install correctly, do not turn 90 degrees! Cover if necessary, remove plastic and throw away in trash, completely remove signs when work is complete. Notified RCE when signs are being installed. Discuss with RCE when there may be duplication of effort when there are back-to-back projects and we have double the signs, etc. Can this be resolved? 

• Flagman – Have paperwork onsite to prove certifications, remind and instruct them to be attentive and courteous to public. 

• Paving Markings – paint needs to be installed correctly, mark it out, make sure the material is correct width and thickness (mils.) Too much lag time in getting permanent thermoplastic applied, lack of enough subs. 

• 3rd Party Inspection – need for more training and attempt to keep same inspector on the job from one day to the next. SCDOT reported that they are close to 70% of the inspection done by CEI. 

• Verification projects failing to compare - more in 2024 in some districts. Using different LASA products in the field, ensure correct dosage for product and contract. Some DAMs prefer boxes over sample bags for split verification tests, contractor option. 

• QMT is checking and finding issues with tack rates not being done, using same rate for milled vs new pavements. Explanation of yield rates is not hitting target rate, roller patterns not being documented correctly, ensuring FDP is done correctly with cleaning and tack operations, etc. Need for proper documentation for certifications on materials. Some of this is done remotely using AWP, etc. 

• Increased volume of work, and the need for SCDOT to staff the jobs accordingly. Need for more seasoned / experienced staff of both contractor and inspection side, need for knowledge of specifications and making decisions. 

• Communication – Don’t assume that everyone knows the plan, you need to have a toolbox/tailgate discussion each day. Showing up on time for work to properly coordinate the day’s plans and ask questions. 

• Punchlist items – need to pay subcontractor but work is not complete, agree to fix later but moved into next month estimates, continued to be pushed back. 

• Several districts showed good and bad paving practices - examples of cleanup and storage of millings, removal of debris pushed behind guardrails, paving project limits at bridges, intersections, RR crossings, and private drives. 

• Skipping drives and paving others, need to saw cut some out to properly install the asphalt. 

• Questioning some of the roads – some roads don’t need to be widening nor have the room due to existing drainage. Call ahead to maintenance if you know there is a drainage issue or broken pipe.  

• Required: Use safety edge on roads requiring 150#/SY or greater. 

• Aramid fibers are being used in some districts to help with reflective cracking, trial projects will continue with single and double dosed mixtures. 

• Taking the time to mark and review over the FDP ahead of paving to determine start and stopping points. 

• Safety – Being mindful of parking vehicles between equipment and using PPE. 

• Watch for end load segregation, being mindful of paver speed and number of trucks. 

• FDP – accurately quantity not using the number of SY in the contract, and contractor is being held to rideability. 

• CMRB – consider using 200#/SY or more, 175# is not enough material. Need for more leveling to be used to make roads smooth. 

• FDP – Tearing up the existing road between the marked patches. 

• SMA – Update on the specification for July 2024, using GTR as an option. 

• Need for update QC plans from all producers / plants for 2025. 

• TSR – some reported issues with LASA and compatibility with certain PG binder sources. Ensure DAM and AME get results from ITS tests. 

• Increased pressure from SCDOT HQ to increase percentage of pavement preservation, likely more crack seal and single treatments. 

• Responsibility of the Prime Contractor for their own subs. 

• Concerns over future availability of materials, aggregate and sand to get work done, possible use of double lifts of ST-B in lieu of Int B and ST-B to use more fines. Also consideration of using sand asphalt base (Base C) to use more quarry screenings. 

• Concerns with turnaround time with mix designs at OMR, need for more staff to handle workload. 

• Mix Temperature – making sure inspectors are checking with calibrated thermometer and checking against contractor prior to rejecting loads of mix that meet temp requirements. 

• The need for SCDOT is to develop portal or other means of collecting material certifications to help with project closeout process, show what needs to be sent in, etc. 

• CMRB- going too deep, need for investigation with cores, documentation of the moisture content, depth of water, need for maintenance to get ahead of construction and clear ditches to remove excess standing water. Utilities are an issue, especially in small towns and need to relocate or use other processes like mill and fill. 

• FDP – cut sheets are not accurate, planning projects 2-3 years out, no stationing, staffing issues to mark out in advance. 

• Timeliness – looking ahead 3-4 weeks out is too far out. Schedules change every day, the willingness for all staff to be flexible, we work outside!