FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 11, 2000

Long Beach, California – The National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) has named Tennessee the "Most Innovative State" of 2000 for developing an innovative use of whitetopping technology that results in a practical alternative to the reconstruction of asphalt runways. Tennessee Aeronautics Division Director Robert Woods and Project Manager Ron Fitzgerald accepted the award during a ceremony today at NASAO’s 69^th Annual Convention and Trade Show in Long Beach, California.

The process, Ultra-Thin Whitetopping, involves laying a thin lift of Portland Cement Concrete over the old asphalt runway after preparations to the existing surface are completed. The Tennessee Department of Transportation has used ultra-thin whitetopping for high-traffic intersections. However, it has never before been used to resurface an entire asphalt runway. Tennessee’s positive results have the FAA considering ultra-thin whitetopping as an AIP eligible alternative to the reconstruction of asphalt runways.

The process is economical, can reduce the length of airport closures due to reconstruction, will increase the useful life span of the airport, results in increased pavement strength and a high quality, low maintenance surface which can accommodate heavier aircraft, and will enhanced safety at the airport. One unanticipated benefit was the increased visibility from the air of the cement versus an asphalt runway.

In presenting the award NASAO President Henry Ogrodzinski said, "Tennessee’s innovative use of existing technology to develop a process and product that reduce costs, takes less time to accomplish and provides a high quality/low maintenance runway surface is an outstanding example of the caliber of work being done in state aviation departments nationwide."

To select the winner of the Most Innovative State Program Award, NASAO convened a distinguished panel of judges consisting of Robert Bartanowicz, FAA New England regional administrator; Edward Bolen, General Aviation Manufacturers Association president; Spencer Dickenson, American Association of Airport Executives executive vice president; Deborah McElroy, Regional Airline Association president and Anna LaNave, Air Transport Association director of state government affairs.