Conaway Conference 2025

With the “official start” of ODOT’s 2025 construction season still six weeks away, the earliest-held Conaway Conference in more than 10 years served as a “soft opening” to this year’s anticipated record year.

The 24th Conaway Conference was held February 18 & 19 at the Hyatt Regency in Downtown Columbus. The annual day-and-a-half conference provides a forum for ODOT leaders and OCA members to share heavy/highway construction best practices and innovation as well as discuss the past and current years’ accomplishments and goals.

Due to scheduling issues with the Downtown Columbus venue and several OCA events, this year’s Conaway Conference was held nearly a month earlier than in past years. However, OCA Director of Public Agency Advocacy Chris Engle said the early date was rather appropriate for the coming busy year, which will feature a record $3.2-billion transportation construction season. “… I think it helped get people in the mood for construction a little earlier than otherwise they might have,” he said.

The theme for Conaway Conference 2025, “Creating Connections – Building Bridges … Together,” was not only symbolic for this year’s nearly 850 bridge improvement projects in Ohio – including groundbreaking on the multi-year $3.6-billion Brent Spence Corridor Project – but also why the event is held. Named for the late ODOT Deputy Director of Construction, Don Conaway was a proponent of creating and strengthening connections among project members by initiating information-sharing meetings to discuss goals and challenges prior to the construction season getting into full swing. In 2002 the annual ODOT-OCA Winter Construction Seminars that Conaway endorsed were renamed in his honor. “It’s hard to believe he has been gone for 25 years, but I think we’ve kept his vision alive,” Engle said of the former ODOT leader.

More than 1,100 ODOT personnel and OCA members congregated over the two-day conference – which included nearly 450 OCA members representing more than 90 companies.

Day 1’s General Session was highlighted by welcomes and opening remarks from ODOT and OCA leaders, the announcement of the Don Conaway Partnering Awards from the 2024 construction season and a keynote address on what leadership traits can “change everything” when it comes to safety.

Conference co-organizers Engle and ODOT Deputy Director, Division of Construction Management, Josh Bowman provided initial welcomes to Conaway Conference 2025 before introducing OCA President Chris Runyan and ODOT Director Pamela Boratyn to provide their Opening Remarks.

Runyan, who has led the state association since 2007, said the Partnering Commitment signed in 2001 with OCA and ODOT is not just a framed item displayed in OCA’s lobby, it is a commitment attempted to be met every day. “… Continual effort is the essence of successful relationships,” he said, as proven by the Conaway Conference being held annually; the partnering process (Specification 108.02) instilled in every ODOT project; and OCA and ODOT leaders’ dedication to “walk the talk.”

“As leaders within the industry,” Runyan continued, “Director Boratyn and her staff and myself and the OCA staff cannot expect to call upon each of you to employ partnering philosophies on your projects unless we embrace the same in our relationships dealing with policy issues.” In describing the partnering relationship between ODOT and OCA leaders, he added, “… It is remarkably unique that Chris Engle can sit in on the District Construction Engineers’ meeting … (and) leadership from the Department and OCA meet quarterly to discuss issues of mutual interest; and in a most-recent example, that both parties discussed legislative proposals before bills are introduced …”

Talking how partnering in all phases of a project can reduce conflict and find quicker resolutions to issues, Runyan closed by saying, “… Partnering helps mitigate that conflict. That is the culture each of our respective employers has been working to ingrain in us for these many years.

By embracing that philosophy, we work in an environment that is more efficient, productive and enjoyable.”

Boratyn, who was making her first Conaway Conference as ODOT Director since being appointed to the role last October, called the first 4 ½ months of her tenure a “non-stop whirlwind,” as she has been involved in getting the state’s biennial transportation budget passed in the Ohio Legislature. Calling the two-day event “a wonderful conference,” Boratyn said ODOT looks forward to working with the industry to continue “our long-term relationships as we work together to deliver the best state transportation system to satisfy the needs of all the users today and in the future.”

The 35th ODOT Director, who previously served ODOT from 2019-2022 as Assistant Director of Business and Human Resources and as its first woman Chief of Staff, noted the accomplishments thus far in the six years of Gov. Mike DeWine’s Administration. These accomplishments include the investment of more than $16 billion for more than 6,500 transportation projects to “improve the safety, accessibility and resiliency of the network.”

In 2025, ODOT will look to continue improving the state’s transportation system with plans to award 936 projects worth another record-setting $3.3 billion. Included in that investment, Boratyn said Ohio spends more per-capita on safety than any other state, adding, “those investments are working. As of November of ’24, pedestrian deaths are down 17%; traffic deaths and serious injuries across Ohio have declined for the third year in a row – (deaths) dropped 7% in ’24, 2% in ’23, 6% in ’22, serious injuries dropped 1% in ’24, 1% in ’23 and 4% in ’22. That’s reversing a decades-long trend of alarming increases.” She also touted positive numbers from Ohio’s first year after implementing its distracted driving laws, which have produced 11% fewer crashes and 19% fewer fatalities, as well as results of two statewide safety campaigns that will be continuing in 2025. “All of these achievements in safety and infrastructure improvements have come from strong programs …”

Along with praising recent years’ record transportation budgets and improvements in safety and conditions of Ohio’s roadways, Boratyn provided a glimpse of a murkier future. “Starting in 2028, you’re going to start seeing a dip in (transportation) revenues.” She backed up her statement by reporting that construction costs have risen 30% in the last five years. “So, our fiscal outlook shows that construction inflation continuing to erode the purchasing power of our state motor-vehicle fuel revenue, making it harder for us to find these long-term transportation infrastructure needs.” Foreseeing a possible $900-million deficit by 2040, Boratyn said ODOT is working to let legislators know of the pending funding gaps for needed projects throughout the state.

Boratyn, who is the second woman to serve as ODOT Director – and first since Jolene Molitoris served from 2009-2011, said the Department is focusing on streamlining project delivery, prioritizing project development and keeping projects on-schedule. “… I’m confident we will do our best, and we can,” Boratyn said in conclusion. “I’m confident that you will do your best on the contractor side. Because we have always been good partners and we value the work that we do, and we cannot deliver without you.”

Engle believed Director Boratyn’s appearance at the Conaway Conference was telling – especially in a year when ODOT administrators were working with the Ohio Legislature to pass the state’s two-year transportation budget. “We really appreciate the fact that Director Boratyn was able to prioritize the conference and be there to let everyone know that she considers construction and the administration of the construction projects important enough to set aside some time,” he said. “She has a million people pulling at her to speak at different events and meetings, but she made sure to be present for the conference …”

Following the General Session’s welcomes and opening remarks, Conaway Conference 2025 spotlighted partnering in action with the announcement of the Don Conaway Partnering Awards for 2024. Emceeing the awards were ODOT Press Secretary Matt Bruning and ODOT Digital Media Coordinator Renee DeFord. The 13th Don Conaway Partnering Awards recognized 13 nominated projects from six ODOT Districts as well as the 3rd Annual Local-Let Local Public Agency (LPA) Award.

The winning project teams were:

Under $5 Million
Wood County S.R. 65 Culvert Replacements
Contractor: Vernon Nagel Inc.
ODOT: District 2

$5 Million to $20 Million
Ottawa County S.R. 53 Intersection Improvements
Contractor: Miller Bros. Const. Co.
ODOT: District 2

$20+ Million
Hamilton County I-75 Reconstruction
Contractor: Sunesis Const. Co.
ODOT: District 8

LPA
Millikin & Morris Roads Roundabout
Rack & Ballauer Excavating Co. Inc.
Butler County Engineer’s Office

Due to the conference’s early date, the traditional videos highlighting nominated Don Conaway Partnering Award projects couldn’t be produced in time. To rectify this, the audience learned about 2024’s top partnering efforts by seeing a video of the winning projects as well as hearing from ODOT and contracting team members taking part in a Q&A. “I think it went really well,” Engle said of the roundtable discussions on the projects. “… Once we get the Planning Committee together and begin discussing next year’s event we’ll talk about possibly making it a regular part of the Partnering Awards (celebration).”

In addition to the winning projects, the Don Conaway Partnering Awards announced their Fourth Annual Individual Partnering Awards, which honors both an OCA member and ODOT employee whose careers have centered on the traits of the awards’ namesake in their partnering mentality.

The Individual Partnering Award winners were:

OCA:
Joe Fockler
The Great Lakes Construction Co.

ODOT:
Ray Fridley
District 4

See page 29 for information on the award-winning projects and individuals honored with Don Conaway Partnering Awards.

The General Session keynote topic highlighted the importance of safety, a subject not only on the minds of the Conaway Conference audience eyeing the start of the 2025 construction season but also state leadership. Providing the poignant message was Justin Ganschow, who serves as the Development Manager for Caterpillar Inc.

In his introduction of the keynote, Bowman touched upon safety, saying, “We talk about the (ODOT) program size and the record investment we have in Ohio. With record numbers in the program comes stress, additional responsibility and a lot more tighter schedules and harsh, sometimes even unpredictable, working environments that can sometimes potentially pull our attention away from the single-most important responsibility of leaders we have at the end of the day – and that is to ensure we and all our colleagues go home safely and healthy to our families every evening. So, this year, the committee selected a keynote speaker that has safety at the core of his message.”

Ganschow hammered home several points in his talk, “The 4 Domains of Safety Leadership: Measurable Traits That Change Everything.” Having more than 20 years of experience in public health and private industry, Ganschow understands that while company leaders know the importance of safety, other “important” topics sometimes overshadow Job #1 – such as money, schedule, productivity and more.

“With very rare exceptions, owners of companies, CEOs, presidents, they have really great intentions when it comes to safety. They really do truly care about their people … but then they place the day-to-day management of safety activities somewhere down the work chart.”

With many accidents caused by risk taking on the jobsite, because workers know they are being measured by other factors – such as the aforementioned money, schedule and productivity – injuries occur.

To change the mindset that other factors supplant safety, Ganschow listed four domains that organizational leaders need to implement, saying, “Leaders have to drive accountability, create connectivity, demonstrate credible consciousness and build trust. When leaders do those four things you get better results.”

Detailing the 14 elements within the safety domains, Ganschow said it is only after these elements are understood is when “clearly defined expectations from everyone in the organization – from top to bottom – regarding safety is truly manageable.”

Illustrating what is meant by having buy-in from all levels of the company or organization, Ganschow listed the Six Criteria for Safety Excellence:

• Top leaders are visibly committed

• Middle management is actively involved

• Frontline leaders are performance-focused

• Frontline employees are actively participating

• The system is flexible to accommodate site culture

• The safety system is positively perceived

Engle commended the keynote topic and Ganschow’s message. “Safety is something that Gov. DeWine has made a huge priority in his administration over time as governor,” he said. “The amount of money spent on safety projects has increased dramatically under his leadership, and consequently we are seeing some great numbers from the standpoint of those changes.

“I really thought (Ganschow’s) focus on safety in the workplace, and that it is everybody’s job, was great,” added Engle, who said the model of a Safety Department that concentrates on company safety every day and then integrating it into the workforce and onto the workplace works. “Making it everybody’s job to be safe has really produced great results for Caterpillar. I know that OCA and its members are finding out the same thing. Those who emphasis safety in the workforce see the benefits …”

Following the General Session and lunch, Conaway Conference 2025 resumed with four hours of Breakout Sessions. Among the 16 presentations were four-session tracks on the topics of bridges and disputes as well as individual sessions featuring a variety of subjects.

“We try to come up with what we think are the most interesting topics that people would like to see …,” said Engle of the work the Conaway Conference Planning Committee does in preparing the breakout session topics. “As engineers, everybody kind of likes bridges, and we have some interesting bridge projects this year.” Regarding the Disputes Track, Engle noted that Hahn Loeser & Parks LLP Construction Attorney Aaron Evenchik proved again why he is a popular Conaway Conference presenter. In his “The Future of Disputes” session, Evenchik utilized a mock deposition to illustrate how an innocent conversation can “turn not so friendly,” and how project personnel can protect themselves.

Engle also mentioned the “COTA/Columbus LinkUs and BRT Initiatives” session, which provided an early look at future projects contractors may be interested in pursuing.

The opening day’s full lineup of speakers prepared Conaway Conference 2025 attendees for Day 2, as seven presentations marked Wednesday’s final day.

Building on the two-day conference’s theme, Wednesday’s motto was all about “Creating Connections & Building the Future” with outlooks and updates further preparing OCA members and ODOT personnel for the year’s construction season.

ODOT Chief Financial Officer Sara Downs and Chief Engineer & Assistant Director for Transportation Policy Dave Slatzer teamed for the morning’s first presentation. Providing “ODOT Outlook 2025-2026,” Downs previewed Ohio House Bill 54 that was being introduced in the Ohio Legislature as well as what was being done in preparation of the reauthorization of the next federal transportation bill. The current federal program is set to expire in Fiscal Year 2026. (Update: HB 54, Ohio’s biennial transportation budget bill, was passed March 31 at a record level of $11 billion. See a related article on page 6).

In Slatzer’s “What’s Ahead” presentation, he discussed how inflation continues to eat away the revenue gain from the state’s motor-fuel user-fee increase in 2019; case in point: an item costing $$\$$1.30.

Ohio Turnpike & Infrastructure Commission Construction Engineer Anne Powell’s “Turnpike Outlook” provided a look at the Ohio Turnpike’s conversion to open-road tolling and the expected collection of nearly $464 million this year in user fees; the increase in staff, from the addition of two area construction engineers working in satellite offices to the growth in the number of customer service personnel; and customer options for submitting unpaid tolls. Powell also provided a “save-the-date” for the Ohio Turnpike’s 70th anniversary celebration on October 1.

The “OPWC Outlook” had Ohio Public Works Commission Director Linda Bailiff discuss State Issue 2, which is on the May election ballot. A “Yes” on Issue 2 renews the OPWC-administered State Capital Improvement Plan (SCIP) and would allow up to $250millionper\; yearin\; bondstobedistributedtofundlocalinfrastructureimprovements\; overthenext10years.Used\; forinfrastructureprojectsandupgradestolocalroadsandbridges,water\; supplyandwastewatertreatmentsystemsandmore,themost-recent10-year\; renewaloftheSCIP\; programresultedintheawardingof$2.3 billion and funding of nearly 4,500 local projects.

Many changes in the past year regarding the Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs) and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) programs made for an informational “ODI Update.” ODOT Deputy Director, Division of Opportunity, Diversity & Inclusion, Lauren Purdy talked about the current lawsuit that is testing the constitutionality of the federally mandated DBE program and how the case is affecting Ohio construction lettings; changes to the Small Business Enterprise (SBE) Program going into effect February 24; the effect of the Trump Administration’s Executive Orders regarding DEI initiatives; and more.

Despite the good news in the past year of the 7.6% growth in Ohio’s construction employment, there were plenty of other things in the “Construction Economic Update” by economist Ken Simonson that may affect the quality of sleep contractors will be getting. The Chief Economist for the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) credited the large projects getting underway in Ohio as a driving force behind 2024’s increase in construction employment, However, recruiting workers who are ready to step in and help a company on the first day is becoming less and less a reality for contractors.

Simonson, along with providing results of Ohio respondents in AGC’s 2025 Outlook Survey, is forecasting that Trump Administration policies will raise a lot of uncertainty. While a lessening of regulatory hurdles could help projects start sooner, higher tariffs could raise costs and disrupt supply chains. Also immigration/deportation will worsen construction labor shortages. The Chief Economist foresees 1%-3% and 4%-5% increases coming this year in material and labor costs, respectively.

In the day’s and conference’s final presentation, ODOT Project Manager, Division of Planning, Jordan Whisler’s “Strategic Transportation & Development Analysis” provided a glimpse of where the state is headed economically – and the potential impact it will have on Ohio’s transportation system. Along with providing background on the study, Whisler discussed the congestion risks for Ohio’s roads over the next 10, 20 and 30 years, as well as provided action steps ODOT is preparing to take in order for the state’s transportation system to support future economic growth.

Along with detailing plans for future corridor projects, Whisler said an example of how ODOT is preparing for the future is that of the study’s 72 congestion hotspots predicted in Ohio by 2055, more than 50 projects are currently underway or scheduled to alleviate those hotspots.

Conaway Conference 2025 was all about “Creating Connections,” not only among ODOT officials and contractor members but also from celebrating past successes to planning work to achieve future successes.

Conway Conference 2026
March 3 & 4
Hyatt Regency, Downtown Columbus