Congressman Brad Ellsworth Comments on Transportation Projects in the 8th District

Congressman Brad Ellsworth stopped by the J.H. Rudolph Green River Road Asphalt Plant to get a better understanding of current and future transportation projects in his district. Employees from J.H. Rudolph, Mulzer Crushed Stone and representatives from Build Indiana Council and Asphalt Pavement Association of Indiana met with Congressman Ellsworth during his visit to answer questions and speak to him about issues facing the transportation construction industry in our area. Alvin Evans, President of J.H. Rudolph & Co., Inc., showed Congressman Ellsworth how J.H. Rudolph is using recycled shingles, tires and asphalt for many of projects. After discussing the ‘green’ innovations that asphalt plants are performing on a daily basis, Congressman Ellsworth commented, “when it comes to cap and trade, offering incentives to businesses is a better way to achieve conservation.” Other topics discussed included I-69 and the Reauthorization of the Federal Highway Bill. Congressman Ellsworth did not expect the Reauthorization bill to be passed this year but does expect a stop gap highway spending extension to pass this fall. Jeff Mulzer, Vice President of Administration at Mulzer Crushed Stone, Inc., stated, “It is our hope that a reauthorization bill can be passed. That is the best way to provide stable funding to states so they can continue to develop and repair our road system”.